Darius the Great Deserves Better

Starred review from June 15, 2020
A second chapter for the endearingly sweet, Star Trek--loving "Fractional Persian" Darius Kellner. Visiting Iran. Scoring the internship of his dreams at Rose City Teas. Playing on his high school's varsity men's soccer team--where his awesome teammates keep the bullies at bay. Having a lot of fun kissing Landon, a prospective first boyfriend with "television cheekbones." But even all these highs can't keep Darius' depression at bay. Landon might be cute--and Darius' Persian mother certainly approves of Landon's cooking abilities--but he keeps pressuring Darius to go beyond kissing when he isn't ready. Darius also worries about his terminally ill grandfather and best friend, Sohrab, both "half a world away" in Iran. Family troubles and confusing feelings for a teammate only exacerbate the "burning plasma reactor feeling" in Darius' chest. With rich characters and multilayered storytelling, Khorram's sophomore effort deepens the complexity of Darius' world. Blending broad themes like consent and toxic masculinity with the specificity of Darius' intersectional identity (gay, white and Iranian), this coming-of-age masterpiece packs a multitude of truth and heart. As "super white" as the Portland, Oregon, setting may be, Khorram takes care to incorporate the diversity that does exist within the city. While the first volume focused heavily on Darius' relationship with his dad, this one expands the focus, balancing tough situations with a hopeful undercurrent. A sequel that gets better and better the longer it steeps. (Fiction. 12-18)

COPYRIGHT(2020) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from August 1, 2020
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* This delightful sequel to Darius the Great Is Not Okay (2018) finds Darius back in Portland, openly gay, and with a boyfriend (his first) named Landon. Darius has his dream job working part-time at Rose City Teas, which keeps the young tea connoisseur stocked with his favorite beverage. But things are unsettled at home. Money is tight, and his parents are working themselves to a frazzle, while his father is experiencing a major depressive episode, even as Darius continues to deal with his own depression. At school, the odious Trent still bullies Darius mercilessly; although, to his credit, beautiful Chip, Trent's best friend, has become Darius' friend as well. The best thing about school, however, is Darius being on the varsity soccer team, which the former loner thinks is pretty cool. But change is never far from Darius' life, much of it unwelcome. What will come of his relationship with Landon, for example? What is up with Chip? And why won't his best friend, Sohrab, who's in Iran, accept or return his calls? Khorram has done a beautiful job of limning Darius' development as a character, creating situations that believably foster his growth. The plot, rich in incident, is compelling, and the best thing is an open ending, which promises another book about the appealing Darius, who remains great.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

Starred review from September 1, 2020

Gr 8 Up-In the award-winning Darius the Great Is Not Okay, Iranian American Darius's sexuality is inferred, but never stated. Now Darius is out, has a boyfriend, and is supported by his family and high school soccer teammates. He video-chats with his best friend and family in Iran for updates about his dying grandfather, but while Iran's landscapes and Persian culture are spotlighted in the first book, here the focus is on Darius navigating the complexities of being a multiracial gay teenager. He continues to be bullied, but Darius is more concerned with his younger sister Laleh's first experiences with racism and microaggressions. As his parents struggle financially and, like Darius, with depression, his aloof, queer grandmothers are asked to live with the family for a while to help out. They eventually open up as family dilemmas force them to be more involved, and Darius learns a little about their relationship and LGBTQIA+ history. This is a page-turning YA romance at its core. The repeating line, "That's normal, right?" reminds readers that Darius is an insecure teenager who is trying to figure out life, just like everybody else. The author skillfully places worries about being uncircumcised and having inopportune erections alongside descriptions of elegant oolong tea tastings. The soccer team's supportive culture, established by their Black female coach, is set neatly within the frame of Darius's tense family dynamic. VERDICT Khorram again presents an artful tapestry of sci-fi fandom, Persian culture, soccer, racism, sexuality, depression, family crises, a love triangle, and endless amounts of global teas in Darius's compelling story. Despite all of the seemingly disparate elements, this is a seamless and profound YA novel with a memorable and endearing main character.-Elaine Fultz, Oakwood City Sch., Dayton, OH

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.