This graphic novel has a compelling premise—a deaf girl falls for the mysterious Piper in a dark reimagining of the classic tale—but the execution doesn't quite deliver. The artwork is genuinely atmospheric and beautiful, and having a deaf protagonist in a fantasy setting is meaningful representation. But here's the problem: the story is rushed, especially in the final act, and what could have been a nuanced exploration of loneliness and belonging instead becomes a fairly straightforward revenge tale.
The Piper is violent and manipulative, which is fine for a dark fairy tale, but the relationship between him and Maggie never develops enough depth to make us care. Multiple reviewers note the romance is just 'okay' and the character work is thin. At 3.9 stars on Amazon, readers clearly wanted more.
It's not a bad book, but it's not great either. If you have a teen who loves dark graphic novels and fairy tale retellings, they might enjoy the vibe and finish it in an hour. But don't expect Thirteen Reasons Why levels of emotional impact—this is more style than substance, and the substance that's there skews dark without much payoff.






