The Lavender Rhino
Darius the Great Deserves Better
Darius the Great Deserves Better
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By Adib Khorram
Tags: Young Adult, Gay, POC and Queer, Romance
In this companion to the award-winning Darius the Great Is Not Okay, Darius suddenly has it all: a boyfriend, an internship, a spot on the soccer team. It’s everything he’s ever wanted–but what if he deserves better?
Darius Kellner is having a bit of a year. Since his trip to Iran, a lot has changed. He’s getting along with his dad, and his best friend Sohrab is only a Skype call away. Between his first boyfriend, Landon, varsity soccer practices, and an internship at his favorite tea shop, things are falling into place.
Then, of course, everything changes. Darius’s grandmothers are in town for a long visit, and Darius can’t tell whether they even like him. The internship is not going according to plan, Sohrab isn’t answering Darius’s calls, and Dad is far away on business. And Darius is sure he really likes Landon . . . but he’s also been hanging out with Chip Cusumano, former bully and current soccer teammate–and well, maybe he’s not so sure about anything after all.
Darius was just starting to feel okay, like he finally knew what it meant to be Darius Kellner. But maybe okay isn’t good enough. Maybe Darius deserves better.
★ “This coming-of-age masterpiece packs a multitude of truth and heart. . . . A sequel that gets better and better the longer it steeps.” —Kirkus, starred review
★ “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. . . . This is a seamless and profound YA novel with a memorable and endearing main character.”—School Library Journal, starred review
★ “Delightful.” —Booklist, starred review
“Through intimate, conversational narration, Khorram provides moments of levity . . . as well as insight into insecurities. . . . and leaves readers curious and hopeful about where his journey will take him next.” —The Horn Book
“Khorram explores the intersection of Iranian and queer identity with aching tenderness and realism. This book is like a cup of tea that is as comforting as it is bold. I love it.”
—Abdi Nazemian, Stonewall Honor-winning author of Like a Love Story
“Khorram manages the impossible: A stunning follow-up to Darius the Great Is Not Okay that stands alone as a masterful exploration of love, grief, and desire. This isn’t just a book I needed as a teenager; it’s one I need right now.”
—Mark Oshiro, award-winning author of Anger Is a Gift
“I’m absolutely in love with this book. Adib Khorram has written another wise and charming tale that explores all the complexities of intersectional identities with heart and humor.”
—Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor-winning author of Other Words for Home
“A perfect blend of affirmation, hope, and love. Adib Khorram is one of my favorite authors of today.”
—Kacen Callender, award-winning author of Felix Ever After
“Adib Khorram has done it again. Darius the Great Deserves Better is a gift of a novel, hiting all the right notes like a perfectly balanced tea—heartwarming and hilarious and beautifully honest. Fans of Darius Kellner, rest assured: This is the sequel we deserve.”
—Arvin Ahmadi, author of Down & Across and Girl Gone Viral
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