Review: DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY, by Adib Khorram

To my delightful surprise, I adored Darius the Great Is Not Okay. The main character, Darius Kellner, has trouble fitting in at high school, and his dad seems to think he invites his own troubles by purposely not blending in. But if loving Star Trek, having long hair, and working at a tea shop make him stand out, then so be it; Darius doesn't want to change a thing.

After Darius flies around the globe to visit family in Iran, he feels just as out of place as he had back home—he doesn't speak much Farsi, he lacks the proper social customs, and the people there (family or otherwise) are resistant to understanding his mental health issues. Aside from the fantastic food, his only saving grace is Sohrab, a family friend who seems to understand Darius in ways no one else ever has.

What results is a beautifully told story that lives up to expectations for the YA contemporary genre while adding its own creative spin. Adib Khorram is a clever writer, bringing out his characters' personalities until they shine and seamlessly introducing the reader to scenarios they might not have otherwise encountered. I look forward to reading any other books by this author.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Anyone interested in YA contemporaries, particularly ones touching on depression, sense of belonging, and queer issues.

Review: A QUICK & EASY GUIDE TO THEY/THEM PRONOUNS, by Archie Bongiovanni and Tristan Jimerson

A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns is short and sweet—much like my book reviews!—with plenty of helpful information packed inside. In this little gem, Archie Bongiovanni and Tristan Jimerson present a fun and unique way to talk about pronouns. They specifically focus on they/them while also discussing how all pronouns are used, why we use them, and what they mean to us. Throughout the graphic novel (which you can easily finish in one or two sittings), readers learn how to navigate peoples' pronouns and hear a first-hand perspective of how misgendering others can have harmful effects. The book even includes a handy guide for starting conversations, standing up for those around you, and, when the situation calls, letting things go.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Anyone interested in learning more about pronoun usage, no matter their identity.

Review: FIVE DAYS POST MORTEM, by L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain

In this 5th full-length book of the Violet Darger series, L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain's Five Days Post Mortem once again straddles perspectives between Violet Darger (former-FBI-agent-now-turned-consultant) and an unnamed serial killer. As with every book in the series, the reader is taken on a wild journey through the ins and outs of both characters' minds. Here we find a serial killer with a ritual of drowning victims while Violet Darger pushes her profiling knowledge to the limits in an attempt to narrow down an already-sparse list of suspects. Meanwhile, an entomologist supporting character will tell you everything you didn't need to know about when and how insects make lunch out of corpses. This story's pacing is on point, with the ideal build-up and arc that thriller lovers crave. The writing itself is superb, with clever turns of phrases and spot-on word choices that impress without being showy or distracting.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: If you enjoy badass female protagonists, heart-thumping intrigue, and serial killer thrillers, then you should definitely be reading the Violet Darger series. The great news is that you don't have to read the books in order.
Bonus points: Five Days Post Mortem contains an interesting take on bisexuality that is rarely addressed in pulp thrillers.