Reviews

The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag

maggiesummerkate's review against another edition

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5.0

oh molly, how your writing affects me will never change. please never stop writing stories like this. i will always read your work as long as i live. the stories you tell are profound, impactful, and alter my brain chemistry. you're such a talented storyteller, and i could only ever aspire to be on your level.

even if you're not a graphic novel reader, you absolutely need to read this. i think this book is important enough for everyone to read and have it change their lives as much as it changed mine. thank you, thank you, thank you.

jwclff's review against another edition

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Very good!

juushika's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 stars, rounded up. Our protagonist keeps the world at a distance because a secret burden waits for her under the floorboards of her family home. Beautiful art, effective use of color, evocative setting; compelling read, with a slowly evolving mystery and convincing emotional landscape; earnest in its queer cast and the room it allows for imperfect but optimistic arcs. And a little too sweet, for me. I get frustrated by "my identity issues are embodied by this unsolvable and very real speculative danger; oops, nevermind, danger resolved through-self acceptance!" - I get what motivates that drive towards resolution, but I find it gently alienating and it lacks (no pun intended re: the book's content) teeth.

theemeraldterror's review

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5.0

Fucking Beautiful
So often I find graphic novels pacing too quick, but when I saw this one was 400+ pages I knew it was going to have the chance to take its time to tell its story, and I loved every second of it. The art style is so cozy, and the use of color and paneling to add effect or emphasis in different places in the story is masterfully done.
The story itself was a BEAUTIFUL depiction of family and grief, as well as love and acceptance. I loved Mags and Nessa, and I think the ending was absolutely fucking perfect. Loved it all the way down.

ajworkman77's review against another edition

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4.0

A horror story a love story a coming of age story all told beautifully in graphic novel form.

sardonisms's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Really good graphic novel, stunning and eerie. I'm just disappointed not to get an answer to one of my questions.

hmh's review

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4.0

A great mix of horror, LGBTQ+ coming-of-age and family heritage. I had no idea what I was getting into with this one and I will be seeking out more by this author.

argonautics's review against another edition

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5.0

I feel like I opened the front cover, got wrapped into a time warp of gorgeous illustrations, and somehow ended up on the other side in tears.

Intensely beautiful and deeply moving. Don’t skip Molly’s note at the end.

karmel14's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

coatpocketcreature's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

5.0