The Deep Dark

by Molly Knox Ostertag

Review posted July 8, 2025.
Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. 478 pages.
Review written February 18, 2025, from a library book.
Starred Review
2025 Printz Honor Book

This graphic novel is the story of Magdalena, a teen graduating from high school and living in a desert town in California. Mags has secrets, and she doesn't let anyone get close. Her main secret is behind the trapdoor to the basement, but she keeps it closed when anyone is around. She takes care of her Abuela, works at the fast food place, and sometimes hooks up with a girl who's cheating on her boyfriend. That suits Mags fine, since this girl doesn't ask questions or ask for a commitment.

And then Nessa comes back. Nessa lived in town when they were kids, and Mags was the first person she told that she was a girl. Now she's fully transitioned, and beautiful - and she has some memories about the basement in Mags' house that she wants to clear up.

So Mags is pulled to Nessa - but that goes against everything she's ever been told to do or even feels like she deserves.

There are plenty of metaphors to this powerful paranormal story. Funny how it's so easy to see that a character is deserving of love, isn't it? You'll feel honored to travel this journey of self-acceptance with Mags.