The Deep

Gr 9 Up—Nyla is a 14-year-old African American girl attempting to live a normal life with her father and stepmother on a military base in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Nyla's efforts to fit in and seem normal come to an end when a classmate almost rapes her. Nyla's parents move to Brooklyn to give her the necessary space and time to heal. Brooklyn begins to feel like home for Nyla when she befriends Dmitri, a foster kid with unique powers, and Hakeem, a high school basketball player. Nyla is confused when she begins to see things in the natural world that others can't. Shortly after the visions begin, Nyla is approached by Osiris, a guide from the League. The League is a group of people who use their powers to curtail the malevolent energy in the deep. Osiris asks Nyla to join the League and kidnaps Dmitri to ensure her cooperation. Joining the League would give Nyla insight into her visions and a chance to reconnect with the mother who abandoned her. Allegiance to the League could require Nyla to sacrifice the life she wants to build. This is the second installment in Elliott's thrilling fantasy trilogy that began with The Return. The effects of race, rape, and complicated family dynamics on teens are thoroughly explored. This volume will appeal to fans of realistic fiction and fantasy titles.