Scan barcode
supermando's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book tore me apart in the best ways. I felt like I related to the main character, Darius, from the moment he used Star Trek lingo. I was worried that the writing style was too simple at first, but thought it made more sense once I started to understand Darius’ mindset and how it related to my own. I loved all the food references, the dive into family dynamics, and the feeling of a good friendship. This book hit harder than I thought it would!
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
te_ss_i's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Mental illness, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, and Cancer
dododenise's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was surprised by this book. I started out seeing simple story telling. A slow progression of events. Simple language. But the more I read the more I realised how much this book was saying. On a seemingly simple foundation so many themes, topics and developments were explored.
I was transported into Darius’ world. A world where I can see overlap with myself. I also struggle with depression. I also have a double nationality and don’t quite know where I belong. Seeing those overlaps and seeing how similar or different they can be experienced was a personal enrichment. Darius is also very different to me in many ways. Seeing those different experiences is also very enriching in its own way.
This book ended up capturing so much. I believe I will carry a lot of this story with me for some time to come.
I was transported into Darius’ world. A world where I can see overlap with myself. I also struggle with depression. I also have a double nationality and don’t quite know where I belong. Seeing those overlaps and seeing how similar or different they can be experienced was a personal enrichment. Darius is also very different to me in many ways. Seeing those different experiences is also very enriching in its own way.
This book ended up capturing so much. I believe I will carry a lot of this story with me for some time to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Racism
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
tesslaah's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In the afterword, Khorram says that they “wanted to show how depression can affect a life without ruling it.” They convey this well! Depression was central to the story but it wasn’t the only part of Darius’ life that made him who he is. Darius was portrayed as a whole person who also develops in how he views friendship, his relationship with his dad, and even his multi-racial background.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
bladelikesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In this novel, we see Darius struggle socially, internally and also within his family unit. Darius is bullied at school by racist peers and just general assholes and when he reaches out to his father for help, he portrays textbook toxic masculinity and blames Darius for the bullying. He’s the perfect example of being your child’s first bully.
Due to the illness of a loved one, Darius’ family goes to Iran for a trip. During this, we see many culture differences and Darius’ struggle with not feeling “Iranian enough”. He forms a friendship while there that is just wonderful for him and really helps him build confidence and connection and who helps him feel like he belongs. I really think this friendship with Sohrab truly healed some parts of Darius that he was really struggling with. It was truly a beautiful depiction of friendship. I was so sad when Darius had to go back home.
I really felt for Darius when he was struggling with wanting to be more involved in his family on his Iranian side but not knowing how to communicate. I have family struggles myself so it’s safe to say I cried throughout the majority of this book. Darius and his dad have a really great conversation where his dad apologises and explains why he acts the way he does and that one conversation was so healing in their relationship.
I think this book does a great job of portraying familial relationships in such a real and honest way and it really resonated with me. This is definitely one of my favourite books of all time and I can’t wait to read the sequel. Also, I loved the afterword and I really appreciated the inclusion of helplines at the end of the book.
Representation - Bahá’í (SC); Depression (MC); Fat (MC); Iranian/Persian-American (MC); Muslim (BGC); POC (MC)
TWs/CWs - Blood; Bullying; Death; Death of a Parent; Fatphobia; Homophobia; Institutionalised Racism; Islamophobia; Medical Detail; Racism; Stool; Suicide; Suicide Attempt; Suicide Ideation; Terminal Illness; Toxic Masculinity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Fatphobia, Islamophobia, Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death
Minor: Blood
montyalmoro's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Racism, and Religious bigotry
msgarber's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Suicide
martapsalvado's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really loved this book 🧡 It is very character-driven, not a lot happens, but you get to really know the characters and see how this trip changes them, and specially how they change each other. It's about family, friendship, self-identity and, in the author's words, "how depression can affect a life without rulling it".
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, Terminal illness, and Fatphobia
Minor: Suicide, Islamophobia, and Self harm
khakipantsofsex's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia and Suicide
imstephtacular's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Bullying, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
Minor: Alcohol, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism