LOVED! ALL THE STARS! Darius the Great Is Not Okay was one of my favorite books of the year, and I'm so happy to say the sequel absolutely lived up to it. Darius has my heart, and he is such a sweetheart who I want to protect at all costs. I'll probably write a better and more coherent review later as I'm tired from staying up late to finish this book in one day, but rest assured that this sequel is absolutely stellar. Thank you so much to Penguin Teen (shoutout to James) for granting me access to this e-ARC.

This was a coming of age novel more than a plot-driven contemporary YA story, and it was a beautiful glimpse into the life of a certain Darius Kellner going through the motions of life, and I loved it entirely. Adib Khorram does an excellent job writing realistic, honest stories about family and friendships and mental health and growing up.

I loved seeing Darius' mental health and his sense of self as the primary subjects of the novel, and the evolution of his relationship with his father (compared to the first book, Darius the Great Is Not Okay) was such a pleasure to read. I wish we'd gotten to see more of Sohrab's character, I'd really like to see what he's been going through in greater detail (this is my petition for book 3 lol), but I was just so happy to see his friendship with Darius prevailing, strong as ever. I also loved the discussion of microaggressions (my heart went out to Laleh, and I'm so glad she got to find her place as well. She's such a precious child), and of toxic masculinity and the supportive nature of Darius' soccer team - it made me so happy to see these boys have each others' backs and stand up for each other. The exploration into Oma and Grandma's relationship and queer history was also so important and heartwarming.

Truly, I'm just so happy Darius exists.

This was everything. I was slightly scared that it wouldn't live up to the first book but I had nothing to worry about. It was just as excellent, well-crafted, emotional and thoughtful as the first book and I cannot wait to buy a copy for myself.

Oh, how I LOVE Darius!! He is one of my favorite characters in contemporary YA Lit- authentic, relatable, quirky, uncomfortable, reflective. The second installment in his story is no exception!! I related to the struggles his family is going through, and his friendships and relationship are so realistically portrayed. Khorram does a phenomenal job describing how Darius (and a teen in general) feels in his body, and for that reason alone I can't wait to get this book to my teens. Going to be one I can't stop recommending!!

Fans of Darius will not be disappointed in this follow up that handles issues of consent beautifully from a male point of view. Just the right combination of heart and humor I will be recommending this to all my high school collections.

I loved the first book and was honestly quite hesitant about a new installment; there were no ends to tie up or worlds still left to save. We, as readers, already got to see massive growth from Darius, and it felt like his story was complete. Could the second book really hold a candle to the first? The answer is absolutely and then some.

Darius the Great Deserves Better continues the story in such an authentic way. We get to see his how much he has grown as a person and how much more secure he has become in his identity. At the same time, we get to see him still struggle. The struggles he experiences are in no way a step back but rather authentic continuations. Furthermore, this book deals with so many complex issues, such as body shaming, racism, mental illness (from multiple perspectives), consent, sexual and gender identity, all with such maturity and heart. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is an amazing addition to the world of YA literature that is sure to touch countless hearts and souls in all the right ways.

Excellent read. Great descriptions on mental illness and what it is like to live with it. Possibly better than the first.

I read this in one day. I enjoyed this even more than I liked Darius the Great is Not Okay. Darius has a boyfriend, his dream job, is on the soccer team, and his relationship with his dad has improved. Darius deals with a bully, negotiates friendships and family relationships. There are small moments, like when his little sister is called a "terrorist" by another third grader, that are heartbreaking.

Get this book when it is released later this summer.

I loved being back in the head of Darius! He is one of my favorite YA characters, I also love how sensitive and thoughtful Khorram's writing is. I will definitely be recommending this to my teen patrons at my library.

4.5 stars

I enjoyed the first installment in this series, but for me, this follow-up is even stronger.

Darius's fans know him from his first starring role in _Darius the Great Is Not Okay_. In this novel, we follow Darius to Iran, watch him develop and strengthen family ties, get a stronger sense of what he calls his "fractional Persian" identity, witness his coming out, learn about his battle with depression, and generally see him experience a lot of growth.

In this second installment, Darius's progression is more nuanced and involves an incredible amount of tea drinking! Highlights here include his incredibly charming relationship with his sister, his increasingly healthy relationship with his dad (also a clear foil), his budding friendship with Chip, and his questionable connection with his current partner, Landon. Darius also continues to deal with his own depression as well as his changing identity at school and his feelings about himself.

The representation here is so positive; the characters are not types but round and distinct, and there is no fetishizing of LGBTQ+ folks. I also really enjoy the progressive treatment of depression, grief, regret, racism, and socio-economic identity.

There's so much to cover here, and I'd absolutely consider teaching this. Fans of the first book will not be disappointed, and even as a standalone, there's so much to learn and discuss. Overall, a solid read -

Darius is back from Iran and settling into a life that he thinks he should want, but he’s not sure it’s what makes him happy. Just like the first book in the series, the author discusses depression in an honest, clear way, and I think Darius is an interesting character. I enjoyed the book but didn’t feel the same connection to the story as I did in the first book, even though it’s well done.

This book was an excellent follow-up to Darius the Great is Not Okay. Iranian-American Darius is on the varsity soccer team and learning to accept his sexuality. He is exploring relationships, both romantic and platonic, and his personal boundaries. He experiences losses big and small, but ultimately the books ends on a hopeful note. I loved it.

This sequel finds the title character back home after his life-changing trip to his ancestral home in Iran. In some ways, what Darius went through in the first book helps him develop a clearer sense of who he is, his intersecting identities. That awareness simultaneously raises new questions: about his friendships with his soccer teammate Chip; his boyfriend and fellow tea connoisseur Landon; and the bestie he made in Iran, Sohrab, who has lately been ghosting Darius' video calls. Darius is also trying to figure out his new fit with his family as he sees his parents and younger sister bending under their own burdens. The novel's pace proves deliberate, which recommends it in this case, as lingering with Darius at this intimate crossroads of cultures, sexuality, and the power of relationships to both lift and throw us, is reading time well spent.

The second book following Darius Kellner, a “fractional” (half-Persian) teenager in Portland, OR. Following his family’s trip to Iran, where Darius met his best friend Sohrab and finally felt like he had a place in the world, he’s back home - and getting used to life with his first boyfriend, an internship at a local tea shop, and varsity soccer practice.

Everything seems to have fitted into place; his boyfriend Landon is sweet and Darius’s parents love him, he loves sharing tea with people, and his soccer team is supportive and makes him feel like a part of the team, even if he barely touches the ball during a game.

But life changes, as life is wont to do, and Darius’s dad is away for work and his grandmothers are staying with them, his grandfather in Iran is dying, and his teammate Chip becomes his friend - but he’s also friends with Trent, Darius’s longtime bully. Landon wants the relationship to go further and Darius is just not ready - and why isn’t Sohrab answering his Skype calls?!

Suddenly, it’s not so easy being Darius Kellner anymore.

A moving story of identity, finding your place between cultures (in Darius’s case, both Persian/American cultures and queer/high school/sports culture), and being brave enough to know what you want and going for it. I really love Darius’s character, and his whole family dynamic - and it was sweet (and also stressful!) being along for the ride as he navigates his first relationship. I really hope there is a third book on the horizon - perhaps with Darius getting ready for college?

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Out August 25th, 2020.

I was, honestly, worried about reading Darius the Great Deserves Better as I had loved the first in this (hopefully) series–Darius the Great is Not Okay–an EMBARRASSING amount.

I needn’t have worried.

So many of the highlights of the first are here:
~~Our immensely loveable protagonist Darius who still loves his family and tea and adorns his thoughts and speech with Star Trek references [mostly Deep Space Nine this go-around].
~~The gentle and real way in which both Darius’ and his father’s depression is present. [I am an #ownvoices reviewer in this regard and, IMO, this is very well done.]
~~Darius’ fully developed family–parents, sister, grandparents in Iran, and grandmothers in US.
~~Best friend Sohrab. If only everyone had a best friend like Sohrab!

There are changes for Darius too. He is out, both at home and at school. He works with his boyfriend, Landon, at Landon’s father’s teashop. He’s on the Varsity soccer team and has become friends with [former childhood bully] Chip. Everything should be perfect! Right?

Adib Khorram’s skill in building Darius’ multi-layered world is that it doesn’t feel created–it feels real. And hopeful. The prose is beautiful–inside Darius’ head is a place where I will gladly spend time. The novel weaves in life aspects seamlessly: masculinity (toxic and otherwise), sex and consent, microaggressions, trans acceptance, coming out to family. [A quick aside? Could I love Darius’ soccer teammates and coach any more? No. No, I couldn’t.]

Every middle and high school library should have this book, promote this book, display this book, read this book. I would recommend as a great choice for 7th/8th grade and up.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for middle and high school collections

Since returning from Iran, Darius has felt a bit more confident. He joined the soccer team and came out to his teammates. He knows they have his back, and enjoys the feeling of being part of a team and having friends. He has his first real boyfriend, Landon, and even got his first job in a teashop where he gets to try different flavors. Soccer is going great, they’re having a winning season and Chip is turning out to be a good friend. Everything seemed to be looking up, until things began to go slowly downhill.

His parents started to work more hours, so his grandmothers came to live with them for a while even though they hadn’t spent much time with them in the past. His dad was away for longer periods of time, while Landon kept pressuring him about their relationship. Chip turned out to be a good guy, but his best friend Trent keeps bullying Darius. While his grandfather’s health gets worse, Sohrab is facing trouble in Iran. With all of these issues Darius feels more conflicted than ever, but he finds strength in his friendships, his family and himself.

Readers will definitely relate to Darius and all of his issues, and will feel as if he’s one of their own classmates. I loved reading about Darius again, and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book of the series.

Highly recommended for ages 14 and older.

I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I think Darius the Great is Not Okay is by far one of the best contemporary realistic fiction YA novels of all time. So this one had a LOT to live up to, and in many ways it definitely does. I think (and hope hope hope) it was setting up for a third book, because I very much have 'middle book' vibes where a lot of things have been set up and now we need a third one to see them all come to fruition.

oh I loved this one so much!!!

the first book in this series is and always will be one of my fav books ever.!!! this sequel did not disappoint one bit
this is set a few months after our first novel and we follow Darius when he is back from Iran and we see how life has changed for him since his visit.

we see Darius grow even more in this second novel and while we have this few months time jump you can definitely see the confidence that oozes more Darius and how he handles himself in situations with himself and with others. he's definitely changed but he still as all the same characteristics he had from the first novel with his love for tea being the biggest one and now as he works in the teashop (what a perfect job for him) this is also where he met his boyfriend Landon. plus always being the kind and protective brother and son to his family.

as with any mental illness you can have a good days and bad days and that for sure happens for Darius with his depression and the further exploration and talk of depression that happens in this second novel continues between Darius and his father. (their bond in this second novel is so beautiful to see and read about, and how accepted Darius's family make him).

there are so manyyyy things I loved about this book that it would be like writing a book in itself but here is 2-3 out of about 50 that I loved.
the protectiveness Darius has over his sister and how he helps with the bullying she is facing in school .

Darius's queer Grandma's who come to stay with the family throughout this book and the slow growth that happens in the relationship between the three of them and all the little stories that they tell Darius about them being a couple growing up (one is transgender)

and finally how so supportive all of his friends are especially His soccer friends who will always be their for him and make sure he is okay and doing well, and actually not giving a damn that he is Gay. (which is very rare to see in a group of sports related mens teams/circles and we need this more)

like I said I could go on and on about this book but don't want to bore you, when this releases please please pick this one up or if you haven't read the first yet go... read the first then buy the second because you will not be disappointed.

Darius has found his place. An internship at his favorite tea shop. A member of the men’s varsity soccer team. And, a new/first boyfriend. But oh life isn’t as tidy as getting all things you want. Darius’ navigation of his life’s plot twists rings true and delivers oh so many feels. Darius truly is the sweetest boy.

Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for providing my review copy.

Wow, I just love Darius. This was awesome and I truly hope we get to read more! Darius the Great Deserves Better is a story about acceptance, mental health, love, friendship and communication. Darius learns quite a bit in the first part of his story after he visits Iran. Now, in this follow up, everything has changed since his return home. He’s dating Landon, he’s on the soccer team, his grandparents have come to stay in his home and he all around just begins to grow up. Darius learned a lot from his visit to Iran and learns a lot more in this beautiful story that will tug on your heart strings and have you cheering for Darius from start to finish.