A Haunted Girl

This story was really interesting! I think it’s a really important story that will resonate with so many young and older people :)

The story follows Cleo who just wants to be better after getting out of hospital, she fights demons both mentally and physically and I just think this story is beautifully vulnerable.

Thank you so much to the authors for sharing this important story! This isn’t the type of book that I usually read but I really enjoyed it! The drawings were breathtaking! And the storyline added to how brilliant it was :)

I’m struggling with what to say here. Let’s just say that a lot resonated with me while reading.

This comic is SO important. Children and teenagers are having more and more mental health crises these days. Life is HARD. It’s vital that they know that they’re not alone and where they can get help. Sacks has messages throughout the comic outlining where to go to get resources for depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Putting it in a comic book is genius, and this will reach a much larger audience of teenagers.

Make sure you reach out if you think someone you care about is experiencing suicidal thoughts—assume that no one else will reach out if you don’t.

Fair warning—the horror characters are, well, horrifying. I can’t imagine seeing some of these things anywhere, let alone in my bedroom.

Thank you to Ethan and his daughter Naomi for being so vulnerable and sharing this story.

I received an eARC from NetGalley and Image Comics (thank you!). All opinions are my own.

A Haunted Girl will resonate with many even with it's supernatural elements. We follow Cleo exiting the hospital & her return to a daily routine whilst battling depression. The scenes at school will strike a chord with many, as Cleo tries to make it through the day despite everything. Let alone her part in a prophecy to take down Izanami!

So much is packed into this graphic novel in backstory alongside the current timeline and it really helps bring everything together. Hiro's identity was also a real gut punch...

The art style & in particular use of colour was fantastic and really amplified the horrors that Cleo had to face.

Overall, A Haunted Girl was a great read that dealt with heavy subjects against a supernatural backdrop. It'll also resonate not just with teens but adults as well and is worth picking up. I'm so glad that Ethan & Naomi were able to write this story together!

Thanks to Image Comics & Netgalley for this arc.

I thought that this book was great. The start was super strong as it showcased some monster designs that I loved and started a story that I wanted to get invested in. The middle was a bit slower but we were moving at a pace that felt too quick for a book with this kind of plot. I would’ve liked to learn more about the villain and all of the monsters. The ending felt a bit cheesy even though it fit with the story but it just wasn’t my style.

A simple but effective story that would be a great recommendation for older tweens and younger teens. Gorgeous art aids a by-the-numbers supernatural plot, but it's not the supernatural that carries this story; it's the very real difficulties of teenage life, I think another issue or two would've helped build character development and let the creepy moments breathe more,

Great story that gripped me from the start. There’s so much going on: regular teenage angst with a heroine struggling to fit in at school, but compounded with her having mental health issues, then add in that she’s starting to see ghosts and she has to save the world and it’s truly daunting! There was so much potential to draw the story out and expand on the back story with her family, the different ghosts that she sees, and the final battle. I wanted so much more story!

I really liked this. It was so sweet that the father and daughter wrote this together based on the daughters’ personal experiences with mental illness. Throughout the entire book, they had resources available and information about mental health, which I think is so important for teenagers and their mental health.

I love the overall message of this book, as well. That not only are you needed but you are wanted here, even when you’re not feeling your best. It was especially great to put this into a comic book, something that is very popular amongst teenagers especially.

It was an error to read this at night, though, some of the images were horrifying (a perfect representation of mental illness, really). My only problem with this is that, for me, the ending was wrapped up too quickly and too neatly. I would have liked to see it span out maybe another issue or two added on top. Otherwise, fantastic and I will highly recommend.

A new take on how mental health can affect us written by Ethan Sacks and his daughter. Sacks based this on his own feelings and struggles watching his daughter suffer suicidal thoughts and depression. After he wrote the first version of this, Naomi reviewed it and added her own influence to the story. While the plot of the story is a little strange, Gus, the dad is caring for his niece/daughter, Cleo, after what seems to be a suicide attempt. Cleo begins to "hallucinate" but we eventually find out that she is the last connection between the living and the dead. Also, you know, deal with the trauma of being in high school with all the pressures of teenage life. Her best friend Flora is trying to be supportive and help out, but having your best friend talk to a ghost about the upcoming supernatural apocalypse makes things difficult. There is a lot of talk about mental health, a lot of information for readers on various resources available, and an overwhelming message that no matter what, you are not alone. A heartfelt horror novel with great illustrations, though I wish it had gotten a little more fleshed out.

This felt so powerful and I loved the artwork. When Cleo starts seeing ghosts, is it another symptom of possible mental illness related to an earlier attempt to self harm? It was so easy to relate to her struggle as she tried to go back to school after an inpatient stay, where she felt so down she cut off her own best friend. I thought it was really cool the author wrote this with his daughter.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this. I'm looking forward to reading more by these two

When I read the synopsis for this comic on NetGalley, I didn’t hesitate about hitting that request button. We continue to live in a society where mental health/illness is greatly misunderstood or easily judged. I remember being a teenager and battling those dark demons, but didn’t know who to turn to or trust for help. I also remember feeling incredibly alone and broken.

A Haunted Girl is an eerie, dark, and emotional story about a 16-year-old girl battling anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The serious themes blended with a supernatural tale and stunning artwork will make this very accessible for the intended audience. Not only was this comic entertaining, but also an excellent depiction of mental health - I have zero doubt that the these pages will help many. Depression really is a horrifying demon, but finding the right support can make a world of difference. I love that they’ve partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - seeing a page dedicated to this in each comic issue, complete with resources is wonderful.

Thank you to Ethan and Naomi Sacks for writing this story and sharing something so personal.

And thank you to Image Comics and NetGalley for the eARC of A Haunted Girl

Ethan Sacks is an amazing talent in the comics field, and I love the back story of this book, as well. Ethan combines his abilities with the creative vision of his daughter, Naomi, for a fantastic and atmospheric story. They are a wonderful creative team and this is one of the best original graphic novels I've read in a while.

I appreciate comics with strong story lines and super artwork. An experience to lose yourself in. These are all here in spades. So get this comic, you will be impressed! But not only is the story about mental health, at the end of each chapter the comic champions this. Which added so much more depth to the story and my reading experience. Reading the authors comments I was encouraged that writing this work helped support real life recovery. Thank you to Image Comics and NetGalley for the comic ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

—Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was unexpectedly scary. I had goosebumps! Enchanting storytelling and a great story.

The story depicted here resonated with me so much. I suffer with major depression and it was so relatable to see it on paper. I think it’s an ingenious idea to add that mental health can be a struggle. I read that this story was based on the authors daughter own struggle. The supernatural elements are a great addition too.

I flew through this comic. I recommend it’s a read for all young adults and even adults. Who knows you might be able to relate to someone that has major depression.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really liked the idea behind this comic; was easy to follow, the story was intresting and the graphics were really good.

Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for an eARC of A Haunted Girl.

A Haunted Girl is about a 16 year old girl who suffers from depression and anxiety, tried to end her life...survives, then finds out she is the chosen one to stop the apocalypse from happening. With the help and support of her family and friends, she learns she is not alone and can survive her darkest moments.

Not only did this story have beautiful artwork, it was a beautiful story as well, despite the horror that is depression. The message was so extremely important as mental health is still not taken as seriously as it should be in today's world. This was terrifying and hopeful at the same time. I felt Cleo's journey and experiences to realize that she wanted to live and get better was so powerful for such a quick read. Highly recommend for everyone, whether you struggle with mental health or just want a better understanding of what someone with depression has to live with.

The premise of this comic series really hits home. You have to wonder, if the person that is meant to save all of humanity doesn’t want to save themselves, is the world doomed? I love how much the story mixes horror and mental health together. In a lot of the movies and books I’ve read lately it takes on a darker tone, but in this story it is hopeful, but still terrifying.

Although the time spent reading a comic book series is short, it still leave a lasting impact on the psyche. Cleo has to go through seeing the veil of the dead and the living thin and see the horrors that exist beyond, thinking that she is crazy and hallucinating. As the world proves to show that she was in fact not hallucinating, understanding that she has this whole new responsibility on her shoulders is so daunting.

In these comics you will find gorgeous art that tells the tale of a young woman dealing with horrors beyond her imagination. On Cleo’s face throughout the story you can see how much her emotional state weighs on her. She is struggling hard and it’s taking a lot out of her even to go back to school. The questioning glances and catty ness of high school being too much for her. With a single friend she’s avoiding and her dad doing his best to be there for her, Cleo still feels so alone.

It sucks to be suffering your own demons and not feel like you can reach out for help. To feel like so much a burden you don’t want to exist. Yet, we still watch Cleo try and that shows such great strength.

I highly recommend “A Haunted Girl”. It is the kind of comic that we need a lot more of in this life.

An ebook Arc from Netgalley for a honest review.

The start was slower but held a lot of feelings and brought you deep into the story. Things picked up fast, almost to fast. Seemed like we were building up the story then suddenly it was at the worst then over. I would of loved the story to be more drawn out with more detail behind it all. I loved the ending. It was the ending that was needed. Definitely will be a reread for me one day.

I really liked this! Follow along with Cleo who is recovering from a depressive episode as em she realizes that she is all that left of an ancient line of warriors created to stop an apocalypse from destroying the different realms!
The depiction of depression is heavy in this but still an enjoyable story!

I went into reading A Haunted Girl completely blind. I had no real idea about the plot, the story, the characters. If you'd have asked me before what the book was about, you would've just been on the receiving end of a very blank look.

The main thing that drew me to requesting this book was the cover. It caught my attention so very quickly and I knew that I had to apply to request an e-ARC of this novel...and I'm so glad that I did.

A Haunted Girl is a graphic novel following sixteen year old named Cleo who suffers from a major depressive illness that led her to nearly taking her own life.

As she tries to reintegrate into her life as the old, happier version of herself, it seems like many people...many things have other ideas to keep her from seeming stable, but instead to make her seem like her mental health is far worse than it actually is.

Cleo becomes having these incredibly disturbing dreams of beings that can't possibly be real...could they?

But when the line between what's real and what's false begins to blur, it can only beg one question: what's the truth? And why on earth have they chosen a mentally ill sixteen year old to be their messenger?

Before I end this little review, I do just want to say that I adored about this book is that some parts were set in Japan, hence the characters using and speaking the Japanese language - but they also had very easy to locate and understand English translations on the same page. I've seldom ever seen that onto page and it translated so well.

If you're looking for a fun, at times, spooky and chilling graphic novel to read, I highly recommend A Haunted Girl! 3.5/5 stars (rounded up to a 4) ✨🌟

A Haunted Girl is a great new graphic novel! The story, the artwork, and the characters are all excellent.

This book addresses serious themes in a way that is empathetic and understandable.

One of the best graphic novels I've read in a long time.

THIS BOOK IS SO IMPORTANT!

This book is for anyone who has ever suffered with their mental health. I flew through this story as I really felt for Cleo & her dad. I am so satisfied with the ending. The artwork was perfect & really helped me get drawn into the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for giving me an eARC! This review is not influenced & is my honest thoughts & thank you to Ethan and his daughter Naomi for having the guts to share such an intimate but important story!

"A Haunted Girl" juxtaposes a classic demonic horror tale with an equally horrific look at the impact of mental illness and suicidal ideation. The demonic horror angle works well, but the real focus and strength of this book is the touching and compelling story it tells about a young woman who overcomes darkness both within and without to grasp hold of her own destiny and chart her own course. The "saving the world " thing is a nice touch too !

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Image Comics for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

An intensely powerful story that will surely resonate with many. A Haunted Girl has incredibly stunning artwork that is both shocking and properly frightful. The messages and mental health representation is incredibly powerful. In this story Cleo, 16y/o girl is chosen to prevent an apocalypse from happening after she survives attempting to kill herself. I do wish the representation of depression and anxiety was explored a bit more as an actual disability instead of simply as a manifestation of ghosts but nonetheless it was a provoking book.

A chilling, captivating vision of mental illness and the demons that represent.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Haunted Girl. As someone who has struggled with mental illness their own life, I felt a sense of peace and closure by being able to put faces and pictures to some of the demons in my own head. Following Cleo throughout her journey to reintegrate into life, especially trying to confirm to the new "normal" she's faced with, is a fascinating take on how to cope with such illnesses. I'm excited for following works. The story is even more endearing, as each 'chapter' is separated by relevant hotlines numbers and insight into the making of the story.

Would highly recommend reading as a physical copy. The art is not done justice as an ebook.

Rating: 4.5

An absolutely gorgeous and yet horrifying graphic novel exploring some serious and important themes.
Despite a supernatural story with some very detailed beings, the author did not forget who and why he wrote this and accompanied each issue with support information regarding mental health, which is prevalent in society of recent times.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my e-arc.

This story is a subtle blend of horror and an urban setting made the book easy to read. The art style of the otherworldy creatures was so ethereal and beautiful, even if the character designs were more creepy.

The story does have a heavier premise, and I love the author's note at the beginning explaining how and why the mini series came about.

The series follows Cleo, who has depression and tried to commit suicide. We meet her in the hospital and follow her as she tries to go back to what "normal" was. It was satisfying to see her development over the four issues. However, I would have liked this limited series to be longer so we got more development about the otherworldly aspects.

Despite the heavy topics, it's mainly a story about hope and I enjoyed the ending and it's positive message. I would recommend this to someone looking for a short horror graphic novel with a hopeful message.

This was not what I expected from the cover and the title but it was so much better. The reasoning behind the comic made it that more special.

spoiler-ish
Cleo is a young teenage girl that has spent two months in a psych clinic after wanting to give up. Shes soon plagued with visions and dreams but little does she know she's the only one that can save the worlds.

I loved the little blurps about the writers daughter and how to find help if your ever in need!

copy provided by netgalley

#1: The premise of this book drew me in. It was a bit spookier than I initially thought it was and the artwork made it even more creepy lol. But I enjoyed both. I’d read more in the series for sure. I actually did also like that the author used his own real life experiences to write this story. His daughter struggled with depression and other things. I appreciate that the are suicide hotlines and help info for mental health issues in the book.
#2: This series still has some really creepy artwork/ characters. I’m still liking the story. I want to hug Cleo so bad and tell her things will get better.
#3: Cleo is brave and I give her all the props in the world for going back to school when we all know kids are assholes. I feel bad for her but I’m also proud of her for not giving up. I’m really enjoying this series.
#4: This instalment has the scariest cover art and illustrations. But again I really like the story. Cleo is a great main character, she never gives up and is so brave. You can see she loves with her whole heart.
Thanks again to Netgalley and Image Comics for the complimentary copy.

I really enjoyed this, I liked the deeper message of being able to overcome depression and not let it consume you. I also loved how the subject was depicted with the apocalypse element.

Overall I did really enjoy the story but I do wish there was just a little bit more to it, but still would recommend

If you saw me crying over Ethan’s letter at the end of Issue 1, no you didn’t... Jokes aside, 'A Haunted Girl' is a beautiful collaborative project between father and daughter, rooted in experiences that resonate with many.

Addressing depression, anxiety, and the feeling of not wanting to live anymore in a sensitive and grounded manner while maintaining a positive reading experience is no small feat, but Ethan and Naomi have certainly pulled it off. This, coupled with Marco's art bringing the story to life, results in an incredibly unique and enjoyable graphic novel.

Beautiful, heartfelt, and incredibly compelling, this graphic novel is a must-read. As always, make sure to check Content Warnings to keep yourself safe, but if you're able to, I highly recommend picking this one up when you next crave an engrossing graphic novel.

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

This was a great story! I struggle with depression and anxiety, so I could connect with the mental health themes (especially struggling with going to school). I liked the message of not letting your depression win and accepting that you do matter and you have the place in the world. The only thing I didn’t really like was I feel the supernatural elements weren’t fleshed out very much. I think a little more backstory to the ghosts and how they tie into the main story would have made it better. The ending felt like it was wrapped up too quickly, but other than that I really enjoyed this book!

A really gripping read, I thought the characters were intriguing and I'm going to look out for more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This is a great example (even with supernatural influences) on how to move forward after a mental health crisis. Cleo has a great support system and it is shown very well. And so are all the stressors she incounters when she returns to school.

100% was not a fan of the principle, but he was definitely the kind of ignorant you will encounter when trying to recover from any public display of crisis.

I would recommend this book for anyone and everyone who is going through, or knows someone who is going through, a major depressive episode.

I was really hoping to get this book because I just knew it was going to hit home in the best of ways. This is a beautiful and terrifying depiction of mental health and the struggles of a young woman battling depression. One scene in particular was actually the beginning where the father was being sweet to the girl and talking lightly about her "incident" and when alluding to cutting herself he faded off instead of actually talking about it. As someone who dealt with similar things it really hit home. This is a beautifully haunting graphic novel that I think everyone should read. Thank you for allowing me the chance to.

Graphic novels are not normally my go to but since working in a secondary school library and realising how popular they are it was time to broaden my reading. I really enjoyed this story, the illustrations were fantastic and really complimented the tone of the story.
For me this story was a horror (and some of the pictures really reflected that!) but it was mostly a story about Cleo's mental health and how her negative emotions start to rule her life.
This is a graphic novel that I think would be a great addition to a Secondary School library and will definitely be recommending it to the pupils who come into the library.

100% honest. Not my cup of tea. This was heavy material and I felt like I should’ve looked more in to this comic before requesting it so that’s 100% my bad.

This book wasn't quite what I expected. To start off the artwork is equally as stunning as it is creepy , however when the main villain is speaking and the text goes to a white it became trickier to read those parts as sometimes the artwork would blend in . The story itself about a girl who is trying to return to normal after a time spent recovering with supernatural twists it was a cool concept, I feel as though it could have been expanding it was fairly short and concluded quickly had you spent more time with the main character and her abilities I think it would have boosted the character development. I loved the inclusion of mental health reach outs and in the 2nd portion where the writer wrote a how to on controlled breathing for when you are anxious or inbetween a panic attack. This story shows you can overcome anything once you realise what you have

I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Tackling themes of suicide and depression are never easy but I feel like this was done in such a respectful and is true to the experiences had by a lot of folks (aside from having to stop the world from ending of course!). The art work was beautiful and all the inclusions from AFSP and other tidbits about mental health - chef's kiss!

I'm not too familiar with Ethan Sacks but in reading the story I, out of curiosity, looked into the writers. I found a YT video of Ethan and Naomi Sacks discussed A Haunted Girl and their reasons and aims for writing it. It also turns out they're father/daughter!

The story is heavily guided by Naomi Sacks lived experience with depression, while showing those struggles through the lens of familial legacy and supernatural mythology. The final issue gets cheesy at times but overall the series handles its themes with love and care, including multiple pages each issue dedicated to discussing mental health and available resources.

As I'm sure is clear, this is a very personal story and I think it shows through the character interactions the most. Cleo's struggles aren't sugarcoated, nor are the struggles of those who love her and want to help and support her but are unsure how, while also hurting themselves. I get the idea of framing such a serious topic with the supernatural, even if I don't think the story necessarily needed it, because as much as it makes it easier to read, I'm also sure it makes it easier to write. At least a little bit.

Having suffered depression and all that comes with it myself, I choked more than once while reading A Haunted Girl.

The artwork is good but doesn't interfere with or take attention from the story. I liked some of the issue covers and alt-covers a lot, with artwork reminding me of Witchblade and The Darkness.

Haunted and heart-warming, this is one of Image's low-key hits. Great work.

A simple and emotionally wrenching premise, A Haunted Girl delivers a personal struggle for existence that becomes epic. The dual authors bring the perspective of what clinical depression is like from the outside and inside. The persistent information and resources offered were great as well.

Beautiful artwork and a gripping storyline. What I also found lovely was the work between father and daughter about her experiences with mental health problems. The pacing was great and the subject matter dealt with dignity.

Would highly recommend this.

I really enjoyed the story and the amazing art in this graphic novel! It was creepy and deep and I loved the overall deeper message it had. A great read for anyone who likes something spooky or has ever dealt with mental health struggles.

If this had just been a series of graphic novels about a girl who's struggling to cope with depression this would have been a five star book for me. But since there is the added angle of an impending apocalypse I had to bump it down.

The mental health representation in this is AMAZING. This is a book I'd feel comfortable letting my daughter read and I can easily see myself rereading this some time in the future.

I just wish that the apparitions who are an integral part of the story played more of a role. I feel that as the novel sits now those elements could've been scrapped and the story wouldn't have suffered.

And that makes me kind of sad because it was that angle that made me interested in this novel to begin with.

~

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was a beautiful depiction of a young girls struggle with depression. She is having a hard time adjusting back to the daily tasks of teenage life after being hospitalized.
I loved the art style.
Knowing that this story was inspired by true events was really touching. I can relate well to the feeling - the endless despair, the uselessness, the worthlessness. But there is always something on the other side. Cleo's unwavering support system, her passions in life, the family that will always have her back.
It was a nice touch to have mental health resources in between sections as well. A great read in honor of mental health awareness month.

In the wise words of The Doctor, “The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t always spoil the good things and make them unimportant.”

As per description, a twin-storyline of a teen struggling to come back to the world after time in an institution, and a supernatural battle of sorts connected with her background. Artwork, very strong throughout and which captures both 'worlds' very well.

It is a very good story which we will be getting in store, to hopefully encourage others! If there is a flaw I feel it tries to do too much in the space. The story of one coming to terms with life could have been better on it's own, akin to one or two others I have read around the subject. The meld between the two strands is done well, but it felt that it needed to be longer to explore both more fully. We could have done with more on Cleo's issues and recovery, or more on the background of the supernatural plot, ideally both.

A very good story, character, deals with the issues in a good way with strong art to go with the plot.

An enjoyable graphic novel. The mental health representation was excellent and the story was interesting. The best part was the illustrations.

First, I'd like to send my thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for giving me access to the eARC of Crave. What follows is my true and honest opinion.

A Haunted Girl is a story about an impending apocalypse with a chosen one who is destined to either prevent it or cause it. The only problem is the chosen one doesn't want to live in this world. The story is compelling with wonderful art and Depictions of the supernatural, mixing the supernatural in with the real world situation of a teenager struggling with her Mental Health. I believe that this is one of the few cases in comic books where I haven't found mental health issues to be romanticised or played up. This is a topic that has been handled so poorly in the past, that I am often hesitant about media including it as a main plot point. However A Haunted Girl gives such a realistic representation of Depression that somehow fit seamlessly into the supernatural side of things without it seeming over exaggerated or making things difficult to read. Throughout the story, there are moments where the characters pause and reflect, the perks of having a therapist as one of your main cast.
I think that this comic is very important for young people to read. It shows that we're not alone with those feelings. It's important that Mental Health stop being stigmatised. Everyone has it, just some need a little help to get it healthy again.
Throughout this book, there are listed support helplines listed. I do think that if this was to ever be published in multiple countries, that it could be cool to I clude helplines for those specific countries however I don't know how publishing works or if that would even be feasible.
A Haunted Girl is a powerful but short comic book story that reaches its conclusion within one volume. It can feel a little short or rushed at times, but that is to be expected when doing a single volume comic book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

This comic is so important for kids + teens!! As someone who felt so utterly alone in my depression, I felt like my inner child was so seen in this story. It is so hard to voice what’s going on when you don’t have the words to articulate what’s happening, and I love every moment that this takes to pause and give advice, reflection, and awareness towards mental health.

Reading info from the author where he explains that his daughter was the catalyst for writing this, and he had her help him write it to give it authenticity 😭 Absolutely so cool.

The story was cool, and I really liked how everything wrapped up.

CW: violence, mental illness, death

The illustrations are storyline really come to life when reading this. Anxiety and depression are real feelings and emotions can be high. Hopefully most people get help like Cleo did but dreams still haunt her nights.

The ghosts and demons that haunt her follow her into what seems the real world but all is not what it seems. Cleo is strong enough to face her demons, get control of the unknown and save herself, her friend and dad.

Great story and will look out for more by the author and illustrator.

Let's start with that artwork which was striking, beautiful, 10/10. The story itself was also wonderfully done. I loved seeing depression and anxiety that was very realistic in a character, especially as someone who struggles with both.

The book contained all four comic issues, with alternate cover work for each, AND resources for taking care of your mental health, which was very thoughtful for them to do.

I will say that the main problem felt like it got wrapped up very quickly, but that may just be the nature of comic books. I devoured this story and do wish they had been just a tad longer because I was so invested.

Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for the eARC.

I read this book in one sitting. Consumed it because I was so invested in the story. Trigger Warnings for discussion of s*icide.

Drawn from personal experiences of one of the writers, this graphic novel features a protagonist recovering from an attempt, recently leaving hospital care, only to discover she can see ghosts, and has to save the world. But how do you save a world you don't want to be in anymore?

The story is very kind and gentle in the handling of these serious topics, while still creating an exciting and terrifying adventure, as Cleo has to cope with her new interactions with the supernatural, and how to save the world, while grappling with her own mental health struggles. Watch her process and grow through the story, rebuilding her relationships and finding reasons to stay again, was a powerful and emotional read.

Besides that, the art is lovely, and the supporting cast is really great. I especially love the therapist, lady is helping fight ghosts to help save her patient because she cares about her. Great stuff.

There are stories that will touch you forever, and the root story to A Haunted Girl will be one for me. The fun of the comic story and the heart felt love in the real life story both gripped me and my attention. Life is hard, and it will always be hard. However, the narrative you put on repeat will be the reality for your life. The artwork is stunning, and the writing of the father and daughter was emotional with a twist of haunting fear.

I want to thank NetGalley and Image for allowing me to read this trade ahead of release.

I just reviewed A Haunted Girl by Ethan Sacks; Naomi Sacks. #AHauntedGirl #NetGalley

A different look at mental health. Pairing it with a supernatural entity was very smart. I wish there was a touch more information on Cleo’s bio family and diagnosis. However, I think this would do well in my middle school library.

Once again I was drawn to this immediately by the cover and I’m pleased to say that the cover was right, Image Comics seem to be hitting it out of the ball park right now with these collections as I just couldn’t put this down.

Cleo is the last in the bloodline of a family that has the power to close the veil between the plane of Death and Earth and stop the Goddess of Death in her various incarnations and guises from consuming the life force of everyone on our plane…

But Cleo is unsure of whether or not she wants to live, hospitalised for depression and suicidal ideation, unsure of her place in the world, and struggling to cope on a daily basis, she must decide whether or not to rise to the challenge, but first she has to decide whether or not what she is seeing is real.

A sensitive look at the troubles a young person can face when depressed and unsure, this is woven throughout the more supernatural aspects of the story, and is essential to the outcome.

All of this is beautifully portrayed through Marco’s images, strong and striking when needed but toned down when looking at the mental health part of the story.

Ploughed through this on my commute into work this morning and couldn’t put it down.

I received this from NetGalley and Image Comics in exchange for an honest review.

This is a Beautifully illustrated. Well presented graphic novel. The story is easy to follow, it's not too in depth, but it is very personal to the authors and I think that comes through nicely. Overall it's a great read.

This graphic novel dives into mental illness and recovery with a horror adventure inspired by Japanese myth. The understanding and depiction of the feelings of depression and the stigma surrounding them were extremely well done and very emotional at times. The art style was also absolutely gorgeous and I adored seeing all of the new ways that the illustrator would depict various demons and ghosts. However, the overall plot fell a bit flat for me. I know this is a graphic novel, but the pacing was almost too fast. I would have liked to have seen a bit more character development, not just of the main character but of the various side characters.

in this book, ethan sacks and his daughter naomi collaborate to tell a story inspired by naomi's mental health struggles. you can definitely feel both of their influences on the story, as it is told not only from the perspective of someone dealing with depression but also from the viewpoint of a loved one witnessing the struggle.

in short, this book tackles mental health with a unique twist: a supernatural backdrop. this makes it especially appealing to the younger generation. it’s an important graphic novel with beautiful artwork and a powerful message: you’re needed, you’re not alone, you can do this.

highly recommend.

The art style was the first thing that caught my attention; it is bold and unique and slightly dark, complimenting the story aspects really well. With the description, I was worried that the graphic novel aspects would deter from the depth of the story, but instead it not only complimented but also enhanced it. It was a quick read due to its format but I was invested from start to finish! Thank you for giving me the chance to experience the story!

As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety since my teens, I found this graphic novel to be very touching and relatable. Cleo is a MC that any young woman facing depression can easily see themselves in. Watching her loved ones come to help her out of a dark situation and her finding strength in them and within herself was beautiful.

This graphic novel is written by a father daughter duo and reflects what Naomi Sacks went through but with a supernatural twist. In this we follow our main character, Cleo, who has just gotten out of the hospital and still isn't sure if she wants to live or not. She starts to see things and assumes that she's going crazy but it turns out she's supposed to save the world.
I liked this quite a bit. I thought that the author making the main character battle literal and metaphorical demons was an interesting twist on the mental health genre.

I loved how mental health is written in this graphic novel. I also appreciated the metaphor with the apocalypse and the drawings! I did feel that too many things were trying to be said in not enough words… But otherwise I enjoyed reading it!! It’s a beautiful story about mental health and an easy and short read!

This book was a fun beautiful read. It was a quick easy one. This read was also super engaging. I had such a fun time reading it and loved the main character.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Image Comics for access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review, and thanks to Ethan and Naomi Sacks for writing a story using horror to talk about the importance of mental health and getting the right support to help with depression.

The second I saw that this was written by a father and daughter and that the story was a mix of horror manifesting through depression and other mental health struggles AND was inspired by Naomi's personal struggle with depression, I knew I had to get my hands on it.

When Cleo is released from the hospital, the struggle to fall back into the patterns of her life is already hard enough, but when she starts seeing horrifying monsters and ghosts hanging above her bed and wandering around town? That's just insane. Which is, of course, the first conclusion she comes to. Fresh out of the hospital after struggling with depression and suicidal ideation? Of course now she's seeing things. But the more she sees and the more times she's visited by the ghost of a young boy who claims that only she can save the world, she starts to realize that maybe this isn't just a series of hallucinations after all...maybe she really does have to save the world from monsters who want to destroy it. But will her over-protective adoptive uncle, her constantly-worried-about-her best friend, and her new therapist band together to help or to hinder Cleo on her quest? And is this really happening, or is it just her mind playing tricks on her?

I ended up giving this one 3 1/2 stars in the end, because the characters were interesting and well written, the art style was gorgeous, and the story itself was well thought out, if not as fully realized as I was hoping when I went in. I thought in a lot of places that the story could have been longer because it felt like a lot of context was missing and the story was a lot more nuanced than could be conveyed at the length of the comic, but in the end I did really enjoy it despite wanting a little more fleshing out.

TRIGGER WARNINGS : depression, mental health talks, hospitalization, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, death, ghosts, body horror, child death, death of a relative, gore. drug use, violence, and bullying.

Cleo is depressed and is being released from a psychiatric hospital after a suicide attempt and a two month stay. She starts seeing things that no one else can and thinks she’s going crazy, but there is more to the story here and Cleo is the only person that can stop these supposed hallucinations from hurting others.

This story turns a very hard and deeply personal situation into something hopeful, positive and totally kicks butt. While I wish this story could have spanned more issues to really flesh out Cleo’s back story and healing process, this covered a lot in just 4 issues. I can see this giving a lot of strength and hope to teens battling depression.

The fate of all life on Earth depends on a girl who doesn’t know if she wants to live.

Great writing and great art. I really enjoyed it!

This was such a creative way to explore depression and anxiety. I really enjoyed this story and just wish that it was longer. The end seemed a little rushed. I like that there were resources included in the book for people who may be experience mental health concerns.

Such a great personification of the big feelings we feel when we are mentally ill. I thought this was a great story and I would be interested in reading more from this series, for sure. The artwork is also beautiful! This would be a great book study in a health class to discuss mental health.

I love this set-up, the mental health representation, the scary ghosts, and the honesty of the plot and emotions. I have one protest, the ending is so dissatisfying! Yes I know it’s setup so we want to read the next issue; but as a trade (how I read these issues #1-3) it’s less fun to have it cliffhanger as it did. Ironically that cliffhanger could be considered an ending (from the perspective of a short story meant to leave options open) so my criticism may feel misplaced. What I know is getting to the end I was just so annoyed to realize that was the last page!!

I read this on my new Kobo Colour Libre so I didn’t get the full impact of the colours (as all colours are muted on this ereader, but better than black and white)! I did pull a couple single issues from my comic collection of this series just to see the art in its full glory and I must say it’s really wonderful! Just minimal enough to give a spooky aura but detailed enough on all the ghosts; and at the moments it really matters. You have to watch some of the subtleties in the art to get the full story. There are little hints to what is happening that you could miss. So be sure to read and look at the art so you get the full experience.

Check this one out if you want a good, accurate representation of depression (seems weird to say that but you know what I mean), some intense ghosts, a (perhaps!) twist ending, but maybe be sure to have the next issue ready to go so you can keep enjoying this intriguing world. Note: the ebook version I read had issues #1-3.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

I absolutely loved this graphic novel! I love the father-daughter author team up to tackle how big and all-encompassing depression can feel and how difficult it can be to break out of the cycle. I already loved Ethan Sacks writing, but now I can't wait to see what Naomi Sacks does next! This story was compelling, told from the heart, and had incredible art to accompany it.

A Haunted Girl features an interesting premise with full-color, well-done artwork. I was intrigued by the father/daughter duo as it offered a unique insight and was able to speak to the experience of both parent and child surrounding mental health issues. The monster work was creative, and I liked how people from different backgrounds saw Izanami (the queen of death) differently. The separation between the issues (turned chapters) is too defined and takes the reader out of the story. I would rearrange the ordering so all the cover art variants and ads for other comics are at the end of the book instead of having them in between chapters. Some of the cover art repeats throughout the book - which makes sense for separate volumes, but not when the story is collected like this. The story itself didn't immediately grab me, and the pacing felt odd - it started quite slow and escalated quickly. The conclusion was a bit too convenient, and I didn't find the (spoiler alert) power of friendship especially compelling. Overall, I liked the art in this one and the perspective that it offers, but it was wrapped up too quickly and the separation between the chapters took me out of the story.

A Haunted Girl tells the story of a teenage girl who is fighting major depression while also finding out she is the only person who can save the world from an apocalypse. As someone who has had major depression since I was a child, the depiction of it resonated with me and was well done. I also liked the concept of mirroring her mental health struggles with battles against tangible evil forces.

The art was beautiful, striking, and horrifying. It was perfect for the story. I wish the graphic novel had been longer though. I think it moved too quickly and the story suffered for it. Depression and saving the world aren’t quick things, and I wish the book had done a better job of showing that.

I genuinely enjoyed this. Even though I got this from NetGalley to review, I did not expect to like it this much. First off, as a person with experience in the mental health field, you can tell how the authors leaned on their experiences, using actual technical jargon and real-life experiences following hospitalization, and incorporating DBT techniques such as grounding. But also, as an avid horror reader, I appreciated the supernatural spin. I'm pretty sure many readers could see themselves in the main character. Sometimes we're fighting our own battles and can't focus on other things, what seems like tiny things, much less an apocalypse.

I believe this worked beautifully as a comic. The visual storytelling added depth to the narrative, making the emotional journey more palpable. It is also a nice way to introduce people to what mental health might be like for some, capturing the heaviness and seriousness, yet presenting it with a unique spin. If you ask people suffering from depression or any type of mental illness, they will describe the overall feeling a little differently, yet the same emotions are depicted in the comic (surrealness, draining, feeling powerless, feeling like nothing's real, the little things being rough, being scared, feeling alone, wanting to be there, and getting better for others).

Finally, the road to recovery is different for everyone—to seek help, or in the case of Chloe, to find the desire to live. Everyone's battle is unique, and I love how the authors represented the young girl's journey with sensitivity and authenticity. This comic is a powerful blend of horror and mental health awareness, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in either genre.

I was so excited when I saw that I was chosen to read this graphic novel before release. Thank you net galley for letting me read this ARC.
I will be buying myself a physical copy soon. I definitely want this on my bookshelf. I've never read a book so impactful with mental health. We need more books published like this.
I really liked the mmc Cleo and found her relatable. And the drawing style is perfect for the book.
I read this in pretty much one sitting.

This has some of the most gorgeous panels I have ever seen! A blend of horror vs mental health sees our protagonist forced to face more than one fear and help save the world. The spider woman was a particular favourite, so wonderfully weird and creepy.

4.5/5

I finished this book in one day . I enjoy every moment of it. I love anything horror and spooky with a great plot. I will be recommending this comic book to others with the same love horror comics. Especially with Halloween coming up

(4.25 rounded up to 5) This was a beautifully rendered, poignant meditation on mental health struggles. This was a highly personal story with the father/daughter co authors and that was evident in the text. The only critique was the pacing felt a bit off. That being said, I truly loved and appreciated the story being told, especially as someone with similar mental health struggles. Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this title!

A beautifully illustrated and compelling graphic novel that mixes horror, ghosts and pre apocalypse themes with a story about overcoming mental health despite challenges, and not letting it consume you.
The writers experience with mental health really shines through and you can tell they are passionate about it, and the listed support and resources throught the book are an invaluable resource, especially for the type of topics covered.


Thank you to Image Comics via NetGalley for a reading copy of this amazing graphic novel in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a nice read. The book is split into four issues and resembled comic book style. The illustrative style suited the story and I liked how the different demons and monsters were illustrated. The main part of this book is the protagonist being a suicidal teenager who is in charge of saving the world. I have never read anything like this and it was powerful. I also appreciated the mental health page at the back of each issue. This book is a personal story of Ethan and Naomi and I do think its so beautiful that they managed to create this. I would recommend!

A Haunted Girl by Ethan Sacks and Naomi Sacks is a gripping and atmospheric graphic novel that expertly weaves together suspense and supernatural elements. The striking artwork and compelling storyline create a chilling and immersive reading experience. This collaboration delivers a captivating tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Having read some of Ethan Sack’s work on Star Wars I knew this would be a decent book, however I was surprised at how beautiful this truly personal story wrapped in some horror wrapping paper actually was. Written along with his daughter, the two authors really get to grips with some really difficult and personal themes throughout the four issues which really helps bring the mental health plot to the fore and make the subject matter palatable for a wider audience.

Beautifully written and gorgeous to look at, ‘A Haunted Girl’ is well worth the read.

I was interested in the title after hearing about it on NPR. I thought it was very sweet and meaningful to have a father/daughter pair write about mental health challenges in this way. However, story didn't feel fully built out. It seemed like more time was needed to develop the world and Cleo's experiences.

A Haunted Girl
by: Ethan Sacks + Naomi Sacks
Image Comics
2024
5.0 stars

A positive and supportive graphic novel for teens and YA thats helps us understand depression and anxiety and the stigma surrounding it. So many young adults are into horror, and I feel using this genre to reach them is wonderful. An excellent idea. The representation of mental illness, dealing with lifes challenges, learning to deal with mostly negative and hostile attitudes, and others people opinions are spot on. Encouraging and kind. I wish I had had this when I was growing up.

In "A Haunted Girl', we meet Cleo, who was hospitalized for two months with major depressive disorder. After her release, she returned to Westchester Tech School, however with peoples hostile attitudes, demeaning comments and hurtful dialouge, she could only made it through half the day at school, before calling her dad to pick her up. The peoples attitudes towards her is so true to life. I know how it feels. This books wants you to know that there is always someone to reach out to. Help is a phone call away. When you feel haunted by your past, haunted by other people, there is always help. I thank god every day for my person. Every day. Without her, I can assure I would not be here.

This hit home for me. I have always been bullied and made fun of. My entire life. It lead me to an anxious and eventually depressive state, which, of course, was just one more thing they could make fun of. I've had my family, and other people I thought were friends tell me that because I am in THEIR house, they can treat me however they want. This is exactly the type of mindset we need to be aware of. People who think you should respect them as they stereotype, label and disrespect you. This is the attitude that perpetuates the problem, and I am so glad it has been addressed here in a positive, mature and compassionate manner. And in a manner and genre that is widely read by young adults. This would be a good book for High School conselors to read and share. Im so glad I read this. Its awesome and I am going to recommend it.
Thanks netgalley, for sending this e-book ARC for review.
#AHauntedGirl #Netgalley

A girl who doesn't know if she wants to live is the only one who can save all life on earth.

The art in this is beautiful; captivating and dark. The story portrays real mental illness mixed with magic and mythology. I enjoyed the Japanese elements and how they mixed into the story. It was a tad on the cheesy side, but hey it's a comic.

This is a fantastic and very relevant story that comes with significant meaning behind it.

The artwork is amazing and really helps get the message across.

#mentalhealthawareness

MUST READ

A compelling hook, executed simply but effectively over four issues. A Haunted Girl very much earns its YA categorisation with its frank, yet age-appropriate depiction of mental health, lent an extra authenticity by the co-writers' own experiences with depression and anxiety. Peppered with resources, this is one l'd lend to the so-called troubled teen in your life.

Christopher Cantwell's "She Could Fly" by way of Jim Zubb's "Wayward", the Sacks' weave a deeply personal tail of psychiatric illnesses and supernatural destiny. While teenage Cleo confronts her role preventing a spiritual apocalypse, the real heart of the story is her struggle to acclimate to daily life outside of her recent stint in an institution. The authors don't bother trying to hide behind subtext and metaphor, everything is upfront raw and exposed, as is representation via co-author Naomi Sacks' own struggle with mental health. The text is supplemented by an Author's note, and inserts including "How to Manage Stress Effectively" by Dr. Jennifer Hartensein, and "Your Own Hero's Journey..." from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Please note:

This comic review for A Haunted Girl by Ethan and Naomi Sacks discusses mental health conditions and suicide ideation from the beginning. I know from experience how triggering it can be to read about these topics. If you are not in a place to read about these, please be kind to yourself 🙂 For content warnings for the comic itself, please see above.

As a teenager, I struggled a lot with my mental health and had no clue how bad it was until much later. At the time, I just thought it was normal teenage angst, and that how bad I was feeling was what everyone else was feeling. That was what the magazines said, after all. While some things have got better since I was a teenager, there is still, so little mental health representation out there, especially for teenagers. They skirt around the topics of medication, hospitalisation, and suicide ideation.

A Haunted Girl by Ethan and Naomi Sacks was created by a father and daughter who lived through all that together. The idea came to Sacks when he was waiting to visit his daughter Naomi at a paediatric psychological ward where she had been hospitalised for severe depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. These experiences are reflected in the pages of the comic as we follow the journey of 16-year-old Cleo, an adopted Japanese-American, from her stay in hospital to her reintegration back into her old life.

Rather than the starting point being Cleo’s first day outside the hospital, we first meet Cleo in the hospital. It’s her birthday and her dad brings her a cake, and although it wasn’t the sixteenth birthday either of them imagined for her, they make the most of it. Fast-forward two months, and Cleo is meeting with her psychologist for the first time before returning to school on Monday. Again, this was good to see because so often in the media it feels as though the teenage protagonist is just thrown straight back into mainstream society without any support.

When Cleo’s first day comes about it’s as awkward as expected, with awkwardness from the teachers who don’t know what to say to her, and nasty comments from the mean girls. What I particularly liked was how the Sacks showed the way Cleo didn’t know how to deal with her friends. What to say to them, how to react to their enthusiasm that she’s back, how to explain that she’s still struggling. The visual impact of the comic makes these scenes feel so much more powerful.

With a father and daughter team behind the wheel of this comic, we get to see both sides of the relationship, and while Cleo is the focus of A Haunted Girl some wonderful scenes show the struggles of a parent in this situation. Both creators truly put their heart and soul into this and it shows.

As well as being about mental health, this is a supernatural comic and as Cleo tries to return to her old life she finds out that the odds are against her. While she’s been trying to act like everything is normal, she’s been having terrifying visions. It’s almost a relief when she finds out that they’re not hallucinations… almost. Something else much more serious is going on, and it’s something Cleo can’t run from.

While A Haunted Girl does use the ‘chosen one’ trope, this is not a story where the main character is suddenly cured. It’s a story about understanding mental health, recognising that life is in a state of flux and that means there will be problems. Sometimes those problems are mental health conditions, but with the right support, we can work through them.

I’ll definitely read this again (and the sequel when it’s released).

Pros:
Great artwork.
I really like the Japanese influences.
The depression, school avoidance and therapy felt very real (obviously given the context).

Cons:
Too short, would have enjoyed fleshing out some aspects over 6 issues.
Ending was a bit cheesy and cliche.

Thank you to image comics and the authors for sending me this arc. I really enjoy graphic novels and this one was great. Really relatable content having gone through mental health struggles myself. It was lovely knowing a father and daughter duo wrote this and it reflected their own lives. The artwork was brilliant too loved the use of colour.

Been getting into graphic novels and this was such an awesome horror delight with mental illness rep! Didn’t realize I read it on Libby before requesting here! Hoping there is a follow up.