A new genre-bending graphic novel from illustrator Rye Hickman and debut writer Kristen Kiesling promises you will “shiver in fear and delight” according to one acclaimed advance review. ‘The Harrowing’, published on April 16, 2024 by Abrams Fanfare features a psychic teen who hunts potential killers… until she discovers the boy she loves is her next target!
Perfect for fans who love a supernatural horror story that positions teenage infatuation as the story’s driving force behind the darkness, ‘The Harrowing’ will make you question everything you know about how we view people and their potential to do harm.
Rowan Sterling should be worrying about normal teenage things like attending college and whether her best friend Lucas is maybe more than a friend. . . . Instead, she’s having terrifying visions of blood and violence. As the premonitions increase in number and intensity, Rowan seeks her father’s help, but instead finds herself drugged, kidnapped, and sent to a mysterious facility called Rosewood. It isn’t long before Rowan discovers Rosewood isn’t a boarding school or an asylum: it’s a training center for teens with special abilities who are known as Harrows.
Harrows can view the actions of would-be murderers before they commit crimes, and the scientists at Rosewood believe it is their duty to use the Harrows’ powers to make the world a safer place. When they are apprehended by a Harrow, imminent criminals, known as imcrims, are captured and indefinitely detained in a state of sedation. At Rosewood, the Harrows are taught how to identify, track, and apprehend imcrims.
Rowan is immediately drawn to Rosewood’s mission; after all, she lost her mother to a random act of violence two years prior. However, some of the other Harrows question the treatment of imcrims—how can it be ethical to imprison people who haven’t actually done anything yet?
Empowered by the skills she’s acquired and ready to change the world, Rowan returns home, but when she reunites with Lucas, she has a vision of him shooting a man in cold blood. Now Rowan is questioning everything she learned at Rosewood—she refuses to believe Lucas is capable of murder—and sets out to protect him from the Harrows.
We had the chance to feature an exclusive excerpt from the graphic novel (below), as the artists also shared some insights into the inspiration behind the visual environment the characters live in.
“Carly was one of my FAVORITE characters to write! I adore her spontaneity and eccentricity. Drawing inspiration from the 1999 film based on the memoir Girl, Interrupted, I had a blast crafting Carly’s quirky obsession with making ‘hair angels’,” said writer Kristen Kiesling.
“Every environment tells its own story, and Rowan’s Rosewood dorm room is no different. Childish pink wallpaper, bars on the window (but in a heart shape!), and an invasive and omnipresent camera presence—would you feel comfortable there?” asks illustrator Rye Hickman.
Talking further about the Rosewood dorms, Kristen explains the evolution of how she envisioned it.
“This scene not only adds a touch of humor for readers but also provides a breather before plunging them into further confusion. Initially, I depicted Rosewood more akin to a prison. However, I received invaluable advice from mentor Heather Petty, who questioned why the Harrows would invest in such an environment. The program won’t work if the Harrows aren’t on board,” she said.
“Following this guidance, I revised Rosewood to resemble more of a utopia. Where they have access to any food they desire, engage in activities for leisure, and have the opportunity to contribute to something greater than themselves by aiding the world. Manipulating the Harrows with kindness proved more effective than coercion. Rye Hickman’s artwork and color choice in this scene brings the levity it needed and provides a refreshing break from the intensity.”
Another review describes ‘The Harrowing’ as a real page-turner that asks tough questions of fate and morality. The multi-layered aspects of Rowan’s story and the world she now inhabits makes this a perfect read for fans looking for complex female characters in a genre that is quickly becoming a fast favorite of female readers.
“Whether or not the ends justify the means is the fraught question at the heart of Rosewood. Rowan is a good-hearted and passionate teen whose desire to help make the world a better place leaves her open to manipulation, and whose horrifying psychic powers mean she really can change the world for the better,” said Rye Hickman.
You can see the exclusive excerpt of ‘The Harrowing’ below, and order your copy HERE.
