Darius the Great Is Not Okay

by Adib Khorram

[layawaydragon]

Content Warning: Bigot Bullies, Fat Shaming, Ableism against mental health issues,

I love it. LOVED IT. Every character and moment. EVERY PART OF IT. I couldn't stop reading it. I absolutely bawled several times. Like, harder and deeper than any of John Green's work could ever.



I needed this as a teen. I needed this now.

The struggle with depression and not fitting in and feeling like you're just on a whole nother wavelength from everyone else and insecurity with family is SO FUCKING REAL.

It's not a romance. There's no kissing or touching. No declaration or love letters. But there's a connection, a feeling, realization, and hope. It's lowkey quiet type of relationship that just gets each other that's very relatable, especially for queer people.




It's a realistic coming of age where nothing's really different but everything has shifted at the end.

Includes: adorable little sister like Kitty from TATBILB by Jenny Han, meeting long distance grandparents in failing health, bigot bullies, silent tough-love fat-shaming father, resilient affectionate mother, Persian food and celebrations, tons of sci-fi and fantasy references, historical sightseeing, American soccer/International football, locker room bullying,

Absolute must read of YA contemporary fans. I really hope this blows up the way it deserves to and we get more from Khorram as soon as possible!!!