From the author of “The Witch Boy” series comes a new story. It’s about identity, self discovery and what makes a monster. I pretty much love everything Molly Knox Ostertag touches, from her own books to her work on The Owl House. She is one of my top must read authors.
I read “The Deep Dark” a few months back. And I knew I had to feature it for spooky season.
PLOT SYNOPSIS
The story is about Magdalena Herrera who is about to graduate high school. While she is supposed to focused on school she already has a lot on her plate. She is taking care of her ailing grandmother and managing a part time job. She has a secret to boot, and this secret has teeth.
Magdalena or Mags, tries to keep her head down, and avoid contact with others in her isolated desert community. In spite of this, she meets and gets to be friends with a girl she knew from her childhood. Nessa, Nessa has come back into town, chasing a secret from their childhood that involves Mags. But as they reconnect the romantic connection between Nessa and Mags is undeniable. This messes with Mags plan to keep things distant.
Nessa thinks she saw a monster in Mag’s house many years ago. And that that monster was responsible for the disappearance of another one of their friends. But since childhood memories or often hazy she can’t recall if it was the truth or something she made up.
Mags tries to keep the truth from her, that she was born with a connection to a monster. It is strange and she keeps it in the basement and has to feed it with her blood. It is also a source of shame for Mags who feels like it keeps her chained in place. Because the monsters life is tied in with her own and if it dies she dies.
But when Nessa faces danger from an old boyfriend. Mags manages to come to the rescue, and the monster tries to save them both. Thing get dicey though and the monster is injured, will Maggie survive. Will she and Nessa be able to share a life together. Read and find out.
REVIEW
I really enjoyed this piece it was a definite five stars. But then again everything from Ostertag is pretty much. I especially liked the LGBTQIA+ representation in this piece. Mags is a lesbian and Nessa is a trans woman. This makes sense considering Ostertag’s history of playing with gender. “The Witch Boy” does this excellently. However while gender is a major issue in “The Witch Boy”. It more is just a backdrop here, noted and important, but not a major motivator of the story.
What is a major motivator of the story is the toxic relationship Nessa’s ex has with her. He is obsessed and almost comes to the point of hurting her to get her back. This will probably be a content warning for some people, although no abuse is shown on page. But the characters are in a tense situation at the climax of the story.
I’d love to see more of Nessa and Mag’s story. I hope Ostertag writes more on them. Do you have a favorite author who always gives you five star reads. Share their name below in the comments.
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