The Deep & Dark Blue

by Niki Smith

Overview

The Witch Boy meets The Legend of Korra in this breathtaking, epic graphic novel.
After a terrible political coup usurps their noble house, Hawke and Grayson flee to stay alive and assume new identities, Hanna and Grayce. Desperation and chance lead them to the Communion of Blue, an order of magical women who spin the threads of reality to their will.

As the twins learn more about the Communion, and themselves, they begin to hatch a plan to avenge their family and retake their royal home. While Hawke wants to return to his old life, Grayce struggles to keep the threads of her new life from unraveling, and realizes she wants to stay in the one place that will allow her to finally live as a girl.


This title will be simultaneously available in hardcover.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316486019
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	01/07/2020
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	131,878
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Niki Smith is a cartoonist based out of Munich. She is a Lambda Literary Award-nomindated author for Crossplay, has been digitally published by DC Comics and The Nib, and has contributed to the Lambda Literary Award-winning Beyond anthology. This is her debut middle grade novel.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for The Deep & Dark Blue:
One of Buzzfeed's 25 Magnificent Middle Grade Novels To Get Your Hands On ASAP
One of Kirkus's 2020 Best Children's Books
One of NYPL's Favorite Trans, Nonbinary, and GNC Titles of 2020
One of YALSA's 2021 Great Graphic Novels for Teens
A Top Ten 2021 Rainbow Book List Title
One of Buzzfeed's 17 Great LGBTQ Middle Grade Novels You Need In Your Life!
A 2021 Lambda Literary Award Finalist
 * "Grayce's coming-out subplot is affirming; she is met with love and support by old family and new. Woven with magic."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Children figuring out where they fit in will appreciate this stunning work that does double duty as an absorbing adventure and a gentle musing on gender identity, family, and acceptance."—School Library Journal, starred review

"This full-color graphic novel has much to offer its readers: the action of a family coup, the world building of a fascinating faith of spinners and weavers, and a transgendered character finding her place in the world."—School Library Connection

"[C]apable worldbuilding and a positive look at transgender identity [...] Smith's anime-inspired illustrations are smooth and beautifully costumed, with an open, cartoon expressiveness."—Publishers Weekly

"Smith's artwork, recalling classic manga, delivers clearly choreographed action and intense facial expressions, which capably communicate poignant emotion during the many bittersweet scenes. [...] A rich tapestry of a story, with action and character development in equal measure."—Booklist

"[...] Smith's quick pacing and world building make this a page-turner for lovers of adventure and magic."—BCCB

"[The Deep & Dark Blue is] exactly the type of book to give to a trans child who's coming to terms with their identity. Smith designed the story to be gentle and empathetic while also providing the fun and thrills of a fantasy epic of daring-do and friendship. This is a complete epic story...a book for a kid to cherish and keep forever."—Bleeding Cool

From the Publisher

11/22/2019

Gr 4–7—Identical twins Grayson and Hawke belong to one of their city-state's ruling families. When they lose their entire family in a bloody coup, the brothers disguise themselves as girls named Grayce and Hanna and hide out in the Communion of Blue, a religious order of magical women who weave using a mysterious deep blue dye that allows them to spin the threads of reality and manipulate elements such as fire and water. Obsessed with thwarting the traitors and getting his old life back, Hawke begrudges every moment he spends as a girl. His twin also wants justice, but identifying as a girl and belonging to the sisterhood feel like home, and she's anxious to remain true to herself, perhaps for the first time in her life. Smith vividly depicts siblings who couldn't be more different yet grow together. When confronted with Grayce's true identity, Hawke accepts that she is the same twin he has always loved, and they remain two halves of an unbroken whole. Manga-esque art advances the action smoothly, and speech bubbles are expressive and well placed. The palette is integral to the story: dynamic backgrounds rely on beautifully saturated hues, including royal purples, and blue-tinged scenes portraying the order's use of magic are mesmerizing. VERDICT Children figuring out where they fit in will appreciate this stunning work that does double duty as an absorbing adventure and a gentle musing on gender identity, family, and acceptance.—Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT

School Library Journal

10/28/2019

With capable worldbuilding and a positive look at transgender identity, Smith’s debut middle grade novel is likely to win over young fans of queer fantasy. Twins Hawke and Grayson are the grandchildren of the patriarch of House Sunderlay, a kingdom in a vaguely medieval world with a weaving-based origin story. Central to society is the Communion of Blue, a magical all-female monastic order. When one of the Sunderlay cousins stages a coup and captures the rightful heir to the throne, cousin Reyden, the twins flee for their lives. They find the perfect cover in the Communion as young initiates, where they go by “Hanna” and “Grayce.” Respectively, they study weaponless self-defense, guardianship, and how to spin the sacred blue “threads of the world,” while pondering justice and a return home. In doing so, their paths diverge: Hawke heeds a call to leadership, while Grayce discovers “This isn’t a disguise... It’s who I am.” Smith’s anime-inspired illustrations are smooth and beautifully costumed, with an open, cartoon expressiveness. If her universe doesn’t feel entirely original, it is nonetheless carefully considered, and young readers will enjoy inhabiting it. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Agent: Charlie Olsen, InkWell Management. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

★ 2019-10-09
A pair of twins seeks refuge—and revenge on the cousin to usurp his power.

On the day of the solstice, cisgender boy Hawke and his twin, Grayce, a transgender girl, flee for their lives when their cousin Mirelle stages a coup, murdering both their grandfather, lord of House Sunderlay, and their cousin Reyden, their grandfather's rightful heir. They disguise themselves as initiates of the Communion of Blue, an order of women who spin the threads that bind the world. Grayce discovers belonging, purpose, and power with the Communion, but Hawke grows restless, eager for the chance to fight for justice. In her middle-grade debut, Smith (Crossplay, 2018) steeps Grayce and Hawke's world in immersive color. The Communion's bright blue pops, drawing the eye whenever it appears and illustrating the magical energy that entices the twins to the Communion's mysterious and mystical activities. Dynamic panel layouts, particularly during high action sequences, give the story momentum and help communicate the tone. Characters' facial expressions and body language capture the intense emotional shifts, from Grayce's excitement at learning to the stabbing sorrow of sudden loss. Grayce and Hawke have beige skin and black hair, and the supporting cast includes a diversity of skin tones. Grayce's coming-out subplot is affirming; she is met with love and support by old family and new. While the story can stand alone, the world is built with a complexity that invites further exploration and adventures.

Woven with magic. (map) (Graphic fantasy. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews