The Deep Dark: A Graphic Novel - by Molly Knox Ostertag

About the Book

High school senior Magdalena Herrera has adult responsibilities and a deadly secret hidden in the dark of the basement, one that drains her of energy and leaves her bleeding--until the return of her childhood friend Nessa forces her to face her secrets.

Book Synopsis

From Molly Knox Ostertag, writer-illustrator of the New York Times and ABA Indie bestselling The Witch Boy trilogy and The Girl from the Sea, comes a darkly beautiful story of identity, family, love, loss, and magic.

Everyone has secrets. Mags's has teeth.

Magdalena Herrera is about to graduate high school, but she already feels like an adult with serious responsibilities: caring for her ailing grandmother; working a part-time job; clandestine makeouts with a girl who has a boyfriend. And then there's her secret, which pulls her into the basement each night, drains her of energy, and leaves her bleeding. A secret that could hurt and even kill if it ever got out -- like it did once before.

So Mags keeps her head down, isolated in her small desert community. That is, until her childhood friend Nessa comes back to town, bringing vivid memories of the past, an intoxicating glimpse of the future, and a secret of her own. Mags won't get attached, of course. She's always been strong enough to survive without anyone's help.

But when the darkness starts to close in on them both, Mags will have to drag her secret into the daylight, and choose between risking everything . . . or having nothing left to lose.

Review Quotes

* "Pairing measured pacing, dynamic paneling, robust dialogue, and abundantly realized main and supporting characters, Ostertag (The Girl from the Sea) delivers an expansive triumph--her best yet--to examine issues of grief, identity, intergenerational trauma, and reconnection." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "An optimistic message of acceptance and love that insists that the parts of ourselves we don't like ... should be cared for at all costs. ... Spellbinding" -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Visually evocative ... demonstrates once again [Ostertag's] ability to build immersive and moving stories of self-acceptance." -- Booklist, starred review

* "A moving and eerie graphic novel exploring identity, generational trauma and queer love . . . Ostertag expertly fuses magical realism and mystery into an adorable love story with nuanced characters." -- BookPage, starred review

Praise for The Girl from the Sea:

* "Adorable and authentic, this coming-out story is a must-purchase" -- School Library Journal, starred review

* "This endearing and often funny graphic novel cohesively combines queer teen romance, realism, and fantasy." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"With dazzling full-color illustrations throughout, you'll want to demolish every page." -- TimeOut Magazine

"A hopeful coming-of-age-and coming-out-tale" -- Booklist

Praise for The Witch Boy:

* "Leaves readers wishing for more." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Brims with life." -- School Library Journal, starred review

"Thrilling." -- Hope Larson, author of All Summer Long

Praise for The Hidden Witch:

* "Absolutely bewitching." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Vivid and vibrant . . . A great comic for magic fans." -- Booklist

Praise for The Midwinter Witch:

"A heartwarming, wintry adventure." -- School Library Journal

"Should please fans and newcomers alike." -- Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Molly Knox Ostertag is the acclaimed ABA Indie and New York Times bestselling graphic novel author-illustrator of The Girl from the Sea and the Witch Boy trilogy: The Witch Boy, The Hidden Witch, and The Midwinter Witch, as well as a writer for animation. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, Molly was featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30: Media list in 2020. She's married to fellow writer and artist ND Stevenson, and they live in Los Angeles with two cats and a very cuddly dog. You can find her online at mollyostertag.com.