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Such a great story! I think Ostertag just gets better and better with each graphic novel. Here, Mags has a secret that her family trains her to keep hidden, even while it makes her miserable. A childhood friend comes to visit and suddenly it‘s a lot harder to keep the secret hidden. Loved the story, the characters, the art… everything.

This YA graphic novel was so good: story, characters, concept, and art. Magdalena "Mags" Herrerra is only a senior in high school, but she's basically functioning as an adult (taking care of her disabled abuela, working a part time job), with a paranormal horror twist: there's a bloodthirsty monster living in her basement, tied to her life, that she has to feed from her hand everyday. The art is amazing, especially the strategic use of colour.

Wow, this is so good! Ostertag's art depicting the same two people at different ages and gender expressions is so well done. And I can't wait to find out what this dark secret is!!

I love books that go in a completely different direction than I expect. I was purely along for the ride with this one! The use of (and lack of) color made for a beautiful story, as well as the message. I love Mags! 💙

Mags has a dark family secret, and her long lost childhood best friend has just returned to town with questions. This moving and mysterious graphic novel so vividly depicts how shame and shouldering responsibility can bleed you dry, but family, friendship, and love can give you the courage to befriend the monstrous in you and bring the darkest parts of you into the light, all through a powerful, beautiful, and tender queer love story.