Darius the Great is Not Okay centers on male friendships, father-son relationships and depression - each can be a heady topic in and of itself, but the story is written with empathy, compassion and authenticity. You can't help but root for Darius for all his quirks, idiosyncrasies and flaws. The supporting cast of characters including his immediate and extended family, friends and enemies also adds color to Darius' life. The books does read as YA, things happen quickly and in a concentrated period of time, characters are maybe a bit simplified at times, but the story still tugged at my heartstrings and the overall message is uplifting while being nuanced and sensitive. Books like this will hopefully allow all of us to talk more candidly and openly about mental health concerns.