The Deep & Dark Blue

This was amazing. The story was sweet, and as concise as it was, I didn't feel like it needed anything more. That being said, sequels would also be lovely. The coming out of Grayce as trans was at the same time poignant and inspiring; I am so HAPPY that her cousin didn't need more than a moment to wrap his head around it and embrace her for who she was all along. Nobody seemed to have any difficulty acknowledging Grayce, actually, and it was very refreshing.

Royal twins Hawke and Grayson flee after their cousin Mirelle pulls off a coup, after murdering their grandfather and, they think, their older cousin. "Hanna" and "Grayce" take refuge posing as initiates with the Communion of Blue. When they learn that Reyden is alive, they make a plan to rescue him and reveal that he's the true heir; magical tapestries woven by the Communion of Blue show the truth. But while Hanna is thrilled to be Hawke again, Grayce has found her true self and wants to remain.

Excellent fantasy world-building, with unique magic, relatable characters, and plenty of action and intrigue.

See also: The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

A nice fantasy with a LGBTQ+ twist. After a violent coup in their noble house, heirs and identical twins Hawke and Grayson go into hiding, dressing as girls to join a magical religious order. While going about their daily lives as initiates, one is wholly focused on righting the injustice while the other is also coming to terms with inner truths and the direction they want their life to take.

Telling the twins apart can be difficult unless you pay close attention to their earrings.

The mandatory action is a bit rushed and unlikely at times and the magic not well defined, but the rest of the story has all the feels.

WOW! I hate I waited so long to read this book. This is a high fantasy graphic novel. Hawke and Grayson are twins. They are grandchildren to the ruler of their land, and cousin to Reyden, who is next in line for the thrown. On the night of the blessing, a rarely seen militant cousin Mirelle, invades and kills grandfather and Reyden. The boys run and find a hiding place in the wind. This world has a “nun” like society called the Communion of Blue. These are the ladies who spin the blue that make the tapestries, that keep track of all the ruling families. Each year after the night of the blessing, they take in new initiatives, and that is where the boys hid, as initiatives, as girls of the communion. The thing is, for Grayson, it is show more not hiding. Grayson loves life in the communion, and knows that they are Grayce, not Grayson. The Twins hatch a plan with help of another cousin, who is a member of the communion, to take back their land, their, thrown, and to let the world know that Reyden was NOT a traitor. That Mirelle, was not only a traitor, but that she had help from a member of the communion. This was a fantastic book. Not just for the fantasy elements, and adventure, but for the story of Grayce’s transition, and how easy and accepted it was. There is everything to love about this book. It is sure to go into history and become and new classic, and a staple of children’s collections for a long time to come. show less

Great trans message set in the middle of an engaging fantasy story. Quick read, interesting world and good illustrations. Love the idea of weaving the elements, and the sanctuary offered freely to all who are called to it.

Very concise. The world-building was sketched so efficiently that I wanted more... but then, I'm not the target audience. Some of the characters, too, were sketched... but most were very believable and interesting. The art fits and is sufficiently appealing. I love the diverse characters. Definitely worth the time it takes to read, if you're interested. I can't decide on a rating though.

Great adventure fantasy story! I was doubly excited to find one of the character's transgender identity was NOT the main focus of the story, nor did it phase any of the other characters once they realized it.