A Haunted Girl is a story about a girl who has the fate of the entire world on her shoulders. Cleo is 16-years-old and struggles with depression. When she starts seeing visions of a ghost boy and a scary woman she questions her sanity as her mental health is challenged over and over.

I thought this was a pretty good story. Cleo is a likeable main character who is easy to feel sympathy for. She's the type you cheers on from the beginning of the story. I feel like the mental health representation in this book.

Thank you to Image Comics and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

While it is hard to read about mental illness I think this comic did it well.

Though there maybe one or two poor choice in turn of phrase.

The art was amazing and I felt that it helped depict mental illness.

As someone with depression, anxiety and C-PTSD, I definitely felt there was a lot of thought into it.

There were plot twists that I wanted more fleshed out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the review copy.

There used to be a far more terrible stigma surrounding mental health, and there still is to an extent, but mental health awareness and self-care are discussed far more frequently and easily nowadays. While the conversation of mental health is prevalent in the cultural zeitgeist, the warning signs of mental illness aren't as common knowledge as I think we as a society would like to believe. Building upon that ideas of guilt, action, awareness, and willingness to help, Ethan Sacks has been open about the impetus for this book: a mental health crisis from which his daughter and co-writer, Naomi Sacks, had suffered.

<i>A Haunted Girl</i> finds sixteen year old Cleo navigate the struggles of depression while enduring day-to-day tasks. On top of trying to swim the waters of high school, peer pressure, embarrassment, and friendships, Cleo discovers a gift she has where she can see and communicate with the dead. Marco Lorenzana's art is evocative and fluid, ripe with emotion. The reader can really surround themselves in this world the creators have built.

My one gripe about this book is it felt a bit slight. A rich concept ripe with possibilities, four issues just didn't seem like enough time to resolve the story, and could have benefitted from another 20 pages of story to slow down the pacing at the end. The pacing of the rest of the story felt natural and gave time to sit with Cleo and her struggles.

I would still recommend this book to anyone, but just be prepared to feel rushed at the end.

'A Haunted Girl' is a collaborative project created by a father and daughter duo that explores the impact of mental health challenges and the desire to relinquish life, with a poignant and tender touch. The story is compelling and I appreciate the visuals used to represent the weight and horror of this experience, that so many are familiar and overwhelmed with. I think Ethan and Naomi have written a moving, compelling story and Marco's illustrations bring it to life beautifully.

Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

A Haunted Girl by Ethan Sacks is a hauntingly beautiful graphic novel that combines stunning illustrations with deep, meaningful themes. The art style captures the eerie, surreal atmosphere of the story, making it visually striking while also enhancing the emotional weight of the narrative. At its core, the novel tackles heavy topics like anxiety and depression, offering a raw and introspective look at how these mental health struggles can feel overwhelming and isolating. Despite its dark themes, it has an emotional depth that resonates, making it a compelling read for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and visually captivating story.

I really enjoyed this! I thought the art style and the horror depictions of mental illness were very well done. This was only the first issue but it definitely makes me want to read the rest of the series.

A Haunted Girl is a gripping and emotionally resonant graphic novel that masterfully explores themes of trauma, mental health, and resilience through a supernatural lens. The artwork is stunning, with hauntingly atmospheric visuals that perfectly complement the story’s eerie yet deeply personal journey. With its compelling narrative and evocative illustrations, this book is a powerful and poignant read that lingers long after the final page.

Great choice for fans of supernatural horror such as Stanger Things and Buffy.

I just wanted to write a quick little review of this comic. I loved it. I also really liked the representation of depression and anxiety, especially as I've struggled with it for as long as I can remember, so I feel like I can connect to it on a deeper level.
The artwork is gorgeous and I love the colour palette. This 4 issue mini-series packed a punch in the right way and I cannot wait to read/see more from these authors.
I recommend this but I would also say be cautious as the themes in the book can be really hard for some people :)
I will have a review up on my youtube channel, Life With Holly, as well as my TikTok, life.with.holly

Being a teenager is never easy. Cleo has spent 6 weeks in a psychiatric facility, that’s 6 weeks dealing with her depression, anxiety, AND being out of school. As she leaves the facility, she begins to hallucinate supernatural beings coming after her. Are these figures stress-induced or is something far worse occurring to Cleo?
I enjoyed the message behind this graphic novel. It’s not easy dealing with mental health. I think it was vital to discuss issues like anxiety, depression, and stress, since it happens to pretty much everyone but does not seem to be DISCUSSED ENOUGH.

#ThxNetGalley

Heart-wrenching, beautiful writing & storytelling!

A Haunted Girl is a series by Ethan Sacks that seems to be inspired by true events. The protagonist struggles with thoughts of self-harm, anxiety, and depression, all while being the sole force standing between the world and its end. This story is profoundly moving and beautifully written, showcasing Ethan Sacks’ exceptional storytelling talent. The narrative balances heavy subject matter with a hopeful message, offering readers an emotional yet uplifting journey.

The plot remains engaging throughout, introducing the characters and setting while skillfully weaving in flashbacks that reveal the history behind the main conflicts. The pacing is moderate, allowing readers to absorb the emotional weight of the story. However, the ending is well worth the wait, delivering a powerful and impactful message that resonates long after the final page.

Trigger Warnings: Suicide ideation, anxiety, and depression.

This is a meaningful and impactful series that handles its themes with care and authenticity, making it a must-read for those who appreciate poignant and deeply human storytelling.

Alright let me start with the positives on this one. I think the overall concept and backstory for the writer’s process was great. A girl who has to fight through her mental illnesses because she has a greater purpose in the world is something so relatable and was conveyed really well. I also loved the artwork and the non traditional family structure going on.

My biggest issue was just that there was no cohesion. I couldn’t really tell what the “plot” was supposed to be or what story the writer was trying to tell. I was confused almost the whole time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the ARC of this comic series. I rated this a 4.5 stars but rounded up

There is a note from one of the authors that mentions he came up with the idea for this comic while his own daughter was struggling with depression and suicidal ideation. Eventually she was able to actually help him write the story. I think that adds so much more depth to this story.

It covers the tough topics of depression and suicidal ideation. With a supernatural twist.

I really love that they included information on mental illness and helplines for anyone reading who might be struggling as well.

The story was really quick, to the point it felt slightly rushed at times, which is why I only gave it 4.5 stars. That being said, it was a good story.

O M G. This was so good! The heroine of this story will resonate with a lot of young people - people who I, wholeheartedly, believe should read this book. The art is absolutely great, and lends to the ease of going through the story. The lessons and messages of the story, itself, are really important - with the spotlight on mental health (specifically depression and anxiety) and using supernatural elements and monsters as a metaphor was absolutely brilliant.
Additionally, I absolutely love that a father and daughter wrote this together. The idea of a parent being so actively involved in learning the experience and feelings of their child makes me really warm and fuzzy on the inside.

I like the Japanese folklore in it but it felt too short. I wanted more.
But the artwork is interesting even for me with ghostphobia to continue it!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7126283329

Cleo faces intense and debilitating suicidal thoughts, and depression. Now out of hospital, she's expected to reintegrate herself into school, a place riddled with triggers, and people who don't (or won't) understand the battle she's been fighting so intensely on a daily basis. However, a new form of destruction rears it's ugly head, with the world now on the brink of a supernatural apocalypse, Cleo finds the fate of the world in her hands, but with her depression and suicidal ideation clouding her mind, she'll have to decide whether to fight this battle, and take on this new and immense pressure to save the world from the Goddess of Death, or not.

This is such a gorgeous and supportive exploration of depression and managing suicidal thoughts, with a very wholesome reminder that the battle is worth pursuing YOU are worth fighting for.

The thought and intention behind the novel, and the authors reasonings warmed my heart, and moved me so profoundly. Written by a father, daughter duo who have lived experience of managing these intense thoughts, and the determination of trying to support someone else through them, was really just so beautiful and thought-provoking. It's a gorgeous and unforgettable story with a disquieting and horror focused twist, which is symbolic in itself of just how horrifying and all consuming these thoughts can be to manage on a daily basis.

As someone who has spent so long of my life trying to overcome these intense thoughts, and fight this incessant battle, it has warmed and spoken to my soul, making me feel so seen and accepted whilst reading this. It was validating, real, raw and incredible. Full of witty and humorous interactions, and a strong main character, this graphic novel will stay with you long after you've finished reading, and will sear itself into your heart with it's poignant and important messages of self-love, acceptance and inner strength.

A Haunted Girl follows Cleo, a 16 year old girl, as she struggles with school reintegration after a mental health hospital stay due to a suicide attempt. While still coping with depression, she begins to see things she doesn’t believe can be real: ghosts.

Upon learning that she is the only one who has the power to stop the destruction of the barrier between the living and dead by the Goddess of Death, Cleo must find the will and strength to fight.

I thought the graphic novel deals well with the portrayal of mental health, crises, and how to pick up the pieces and be “normal” when you are still struggling. Mental health and healing is not linear, and often is an ongoing process.

The art is beautiful, with Cleo looking haunted - by her mental health struggles and by ghosts, which often feel like one and the same.

My favorite panel was the reveal of all the things that lead to Cleo’s crisis: her knee injury, bullying, the loss of her dog, and more. So often in media and artistic portrayals, mental health is blamed on a single event or trauma. I deeply appreciated the ways in which the authors and artist so beautifully depicted the ways in which mental health is layered and complex.

I would have loved more time to connect with the characters, and a deeper understanding of the Goddess of Death, the bloodline, and the barrier, but it wasn’t necessary for me to enjoy the story.

Definitely worth picking up!

Content Warnings: suicidal ideation, references to a past suicide attempt, bullying (historical and current), depression, fear, supernatural death and supernatural death of a child.

Literally slathered in stress relief advice, and suicide prevention contacts, this series takes a serious side of the world and puts killer witch thingies on top of it. Our heroine has been in a mental hospital for some time, with depression and with being considered at risk, but any attempt to get out and back into the real world of school, friends and sports training is beset by ghostly visits, apparitions, fantastical elements from the other world – and not only are they going to get worse and worse, but our gal is the only person alive with the power to stop them taking over...

You can get a certain impression from this early on when you know that this is just a self-contained four starter – that the thing will be incredibly well-intentioned, and very meaningful for some, but will not be able to provide that satisfying a story in the short time allotted. And thus it proved – the supernatural elements have to increase slowly, over the first few issues, and the enforced ending has to make everything escalate and escalate then climax and be over in far too brief a time. Clearly the book isn't about the supernatural – it is about life in general, wanting life, beating life's ability to throw problems in our way. It is designed to test the old adage about what doesn't kill us making us stronger to the nth degree, and there it certainly succeeds. But even with a trans-Pacific element to the ghost story, a nice quirk from a marble, and more, the ghostly side of things are weak – acting like a roller-coaster with one slow ascent, a nice drop – and then nothing else, show's over folks, please exit via the gift shop.

I hope this catches the eye of many who think life is a bit crummy, or inspires many to drop the s-word with a friend they have concerns for. But as an entertainment, three and a half stars is a smidge generous.

definitely an enjoyable and interesting graphic novel, if a bit generic at times. i'm not usually a graphic novel reader. but this was good. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this graphic novel

I found this an interesting story of a young adult struggling but no one understands what she is going through, my attention to this was in and out of being invested in the story

Glad I read it but it's not one I am going to buy and keep.

I was intrigued by the use of mental health in this and think it's an interesting idea.

The artwork was well done, though not really my style.

I have bad eyes and deal with migraines and sadly I had to DNF as I didn't find this accessible to read. From the very first panels I found it difficult to read - possibly the black text in white bubbles which felt so bright on the darker images. I then just really struggled to keep my eye focused and felt like the panels were jumping about on the page (I've never considered myself dyslexic in the traditional sense of words moving about but this was 100% what I imagine that is like). That latter part is not the book's fault - perhaps I would find it easier when I'm at 100%, after all I've read other graphic novels easily, but sadly I don't see 100% coming to me any time soon and I'm a bit put off with the book now.