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aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Didn't like this one as much as the first one but still thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the openness of mental illness/health, the struggles of being lgbt+, the struggles of being non-white, the struggles of having family/friends in another country, and how all of it connects to an individual like Darius. As a Fractional myself, I understand so much of his struggles. I also liked seeing all the positives in his life like making new friends and connecting with his family. Sohrab is still a great bestie even if he wasn't so present in this one, and I liked seeing Chip step up as a friend as well even though he def had moments that pissed me off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Xenophobia, Grief, Mental illness, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs
booksbutmakeitgay's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Xenophobia
taelights'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
4.0
First of all I need a third book so badly. If we do not get book three I will be deeply disappointed. Also I need Darius x Sohrab to be endgame because they are the couple I want and need.
This series is so beautiful. The themes of family and friends are so wonderful and make me so emotional. I loved seeing Darius' relationship with his father strengthen as a result of the events of last book. I loved seeing all the themes explored in this sequel - family, Darius being gay and exploring his feelings for boys, body image, boundaries in romance and with sex, and mental health.
I honestly hated both of the possible love interests in this story and think neither of them should be with Darius. Landon was a selfish asshole who kept trying to guilt trip and pressure darius into sex every other chapter. Darius would keep saying no and that he wanted to take things slow and that he wasn't ready to lose his virginity yet. So it was just really annoying that he kept bringing up sex and trying to pressure Darius in pretty much every interaction they had. Including once in his grandmothers' car right after a memorial service for Darius' grandfather which was really icky to me.
Then Chip is also a horrible option. Bully to lovers is literally the worst trope ever to me. So, ex-bully and current friend with a crush on Darius was just not it. Especially seeing as Chip is still best friends throughout the book with Darius' other bully who is still actively bullying him and calling him homophobic and racist things. Even if Chip is no longer the one bullying Darius and being prejudice against him it doesn't change the fact that 1) he did it in the past and 2) that he is still best friends with a racist homophobic bully. He never defends Darius despite seeing the way his friend treats this boy he claims to like and he's always making excuses for the bully as well. So in my opinion he didn't actually change and is still just as bad. And no, him finally defending Darius in literally the last chapter doesn't make up for it especially because it was only after Darius had an argument with him about it.
Anyways please give me book 3 and also make Darius and Sohrab get together in it thanks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Grief, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
kaabtik's review
emotional
funny
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
5.0
"Why come back to Darius?
That's the question I kept asking myself. But the answer ended up being fairly simple: because he had more to say."
I can't begin to explain how much I love this book. It reads like a diary of someone you know so well that you're unsure whether you're reading your own. Thank you, Adib Khorram, for writing these books and for letting me meet Darius. Thank you.
That's the question I kept asking myself. But the answer ended up being fairly simple: because he had more to say."
I can't begin to explain how much I love this book. It reads like a diary of someone you know so well that you're unsure whether you're reading your own. Thank you, Adib Khorram, for writing these books and for letting me meet Darius. Thank you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Islamophobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Transphobia
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