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annakh16's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Emotional and reflective - a lovely YA book.
This combines a lot of topics with vivid description - family relationships, friendship, living with depression as a young person, and the culture and history of Iran (I agree with most people here that the discussions on food were a highlight). Darius being both an insider and outsider to Iranian life made this a great learning opportunity as a reader, and really helped it come to life.
Darius is well-written and likeable, and there is a good mix of character introspection and interactions with others. The Star Trek references in his language really helped shape his character, and actually weren’t overdone, which I find to be rare with things like this.
I underrated the dynamic between Darius and his father for most of the book - not that it was badly done at all, but the author’s afterword - that this is about loving someone with depression, while also having depression yourself - really made me realise how meaningful it was. I thought their final conversation was great, though to me, Steven is not quite off the hook just yet. Very interested to see how this develops in the sequel.
And Sohrab and Darius - I mean they’re just so sweet. „Your place was empty“ <3
Good audio narration too. A quiet and introspective book, with lots to learn (for me personally) - would recommend it for that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Xenophobia, Grief, Terminal illness, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Islamophobia
mel_muses's review against another edition
2.5
I really wish I liked this more. I expected something that would feel personal and hit close to home, but I honestly think this book is forgettable. I didn't come out of it making much of an impression on me, which I was really disappointed by and still am doubting myself about because usually books with depression representation become all-time favorites.
Maybe part of it was the way it was marketed. First of all, this is not a queer book. From what I've heard, the sequel definitely is, but there is no mention of the main character being LGBTQ+ at any point throughout this novel. People need to stop talking about this book like it's a YA romance because it most certainly isn't, and that might actually be part of why it falls flat.
Not to say a romance is necessary for a YA book to be good. That is completely, certainly not true. However, there was such little self-discovery going on throughout this book that I simply spent most of my time listening to it bored and asking "so what?"
I really liked the inclusion of complex family relationships — especially between Darius and his dad, and Darius with each of his grandparents. I also enjoyed the depictions of culture, food, and tea that were explored. The parts that focused on culture were probably the best parts of this whole book.
However, Darius the Great Is Not Okay was also completely cringe-worthy. Maybe it's just not for me, but all the references to Star Trek and repetition of certain phrases irked me. Darius put so many people in boxes, including his own family, and I absolutely could not stand it. His repeated use of "Steven Kellner" to express his dad's thoughts was incredibly ineffective and just served to add humor to a situation that didn't need it. He also kept referring to people from his school as "soulless minions of orthodoxy" and while, yes, he was bullied and they were horrible people for doing that, this made Darius' conflicts seem inconsequential and hyperbolic.
And the depression rep... it honestly felt like it was just thrown in there to earn some representation points. Not to say the author doesn't have the right and voice to speak on it — of course, he does — but I just didn't connect with it and I felt it only had a minimal impact on the plot of the book. Besides maybe one scene at the end and a few interactions with particular people throughout.
Overall, while I'm glad this book has managed to make such a great impression on so many other reviewers and readers, I couldn't personally recommend this book for its story, writing, or depression representation.
Trigger Warnings: ableism, bullying, death of a parent (side character), depression, fatphobia (challenged), homophobia, family member with cancer, islamophobia, racism (challenged), suicidal ideation recounted
Maybe part of it was the way it was marketed. First of all, this is not a queer book. From what I've heard, the sequel definitely is, but there is no mention of the main character being LGBTQ+ at any point throughout this novel. People need to stop talking about this book like it's a YA romance because it most certainly isn't, and that might actually be part of why it falls flat.
Not to say a romance is necessary for a YA book to be good. That is completely, certainly not true. However, there was such little self-discovery going on throughout this book that I simply spent most of my time listening to it bored and asking "so what?"
I really liked the inclusion of complex family relationships — especially between Darius and his dad, and Darius with each of his grandparents. I also enjoyed the depictions of culture, food, and tea that were explored. The parts that focused on culture were probably the best parts of this whole book.
However, Darius the Great Is Not Okay was also completely cringe-worthy. Maybe it's just not for me, but all the references to Star Trek and repetition of certain phrases irked me. Darius put so many people in boxes, including his own family, and I absolutely could not stand it. His repeated use of "Steven Kellner" to express his dad's thoughts was incredibly ineffective and just served to add humor to a situation that didn't need it. He also kept referring to people from his school as "soulless minions of orthodoxy" and while, yes, he was bullied and they were horrible people for doing that, this made Darius' conflicts seem inconsequential and hyperbolic.
And the depression rep... it honestly felt like it was just thrown in there to earn some representation points. Not to say the author doesn't have the right and voice to speak on it — of course, he does — but I just didn't connect with it and I felt it only had a minimal impact on the plot of the book. Besides maybe one scene at the end and a few interactions with particular people throughout.
Overall, while I'm glad this book has managed to make such a great impression on so many other reviewers and readers, I couldn't personally recommend this book for its story, writing, or depression representation.
Trigger Warnings: ableism, bullying, death of a parent (side character), depression, fatphobia (challenged), homophobia, family member with cancer, islamophobia, racism (challenged), suicidal ideation recounted
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Bullying, Death of parent, Racism, Homophobia, Ableism, Mental illness, and Body shaming
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Cancer
agwood32's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, Islamophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Murder and Death of parent
cococorycollins's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Islamophobia
catpanda1's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, Islamophobia, and Mental illness
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
noahsingh's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
tbh an Immediate favourite book, really hit home as someone who is also mixed race and depressed and queer lol would b 5 starts if not for the weird occasional fatphobia:/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, Body shaming, Colonisation, Terminal illness, and Islamophobia
Minor: Torture, Cancer, Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, and Confinement
hylian_narwhal's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, Body shaming, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Bullying, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Fatphobia, Confinement, and Islamophobia
maggies's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was not a guaranteed 5⭐️ book. Not until about the last 30%, when I realized the characters had wormed their way into my heart. I want to give Darius, and his parents, and his grandparents, and his sister, and Sohrab, and even Chip a big ol hug. They all need it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Self harm, Racism, Islamophobia, Terminal illness, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Cancer
ana1s's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
3.5
The best parts were dariuses character growth, the immersion into Iran's culture and the family dynamics. Looking forward to an evolution of his relationship with Sohrab!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Terminal illness, and Racism
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Islamophobia