Thank you Netgalley, Johanna Taylor, and Penguin Young Readers for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. 🥰🫶
.
First off, I had issues with the formatting of the eARC where two graphic novel pages were counted as one “page” on my device so I had to zoom in on each page to read, which definitely made me read slower. 😔
.
I really enjoyed the concept of this book as our main character, Dorian, can see ghosts (after having a near-death experience) and uses his gifts to be a ghost therapist and help trapped ghosts pass on. This story definitely deals with grief in many forms as well as learning to place work/life boundaries for oneself and other mental health aspects. All of this was balanced perfectly between all the main cast of characters and we all got to see them have their own grief journey and it didn’t feel like too much. One aspect I really loved was the relationship between Dorian and Brody, as it wasn’t a perfect relationship. It took time to get to a good place and a lot of this was due to mental health and learning to care for oneself first before pursuing a relationship. The book is set in a historical setting and all the illustrations and coloring are absolutely gorgeous! 😍 All the supernatural elements are so well drawn they seem to be coming off the page! 😱 I also forgot to mention this book has Achillean and plus size rep! I really enjoyed the ending of the story and LOVED it! I will definitely be reading it again! I can’t wait to get a physical copy! 💕

I really wanted to read this title, unfortunately having the upper and lowercase letters written all Willy nilly and out of proper order was to big of a distraction to allow me to finish this book. Therefore I cannot give an honest review.

Thanks to Net gal let and Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC in exchange for and honest review.

Such a good graphic novel, and I'm not usually a graphic novel person.
This book is about a man who is a therapist, for ghosts! Ghosts need someone to talk to also, right?! This graphic novel speaks a lot on mental health, and mental health issues, and the ways they solve them can even be used in your real life.
This book also is LGBTQIA+ friendly which we love to see in 2024!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC of The Ghostkeeper in exchange for an honest review.**

This was a very good graphic novel, and I loved the way it explored grief and healing with the use of ghosts. The main character, Dorian, is the perfect example of a hero needing to complete his journey, and I may have shed a tear or two at the end.

Incredibly sweet. These characters are lovable, even all the ghosts. Muffin is a stand-out star and I’m so glad she kept appearing through out.
The relationship between Dorian and Brody gave me the warm fuzzies. Dorian is a loyal, kind, and selfless person and I wish he had taken more time to care for himself and his own needs sooner.
I also really loved the depiction of Morrigan at the end. But honestly, a graphic novel about ghosts was going to be a big hit for me no matter what.

All ghosts are stuck on Earth because the key to death's door has been stolen. It wasn’t intentional, but little Lucy was scared of the three-eyed beastie she glimpsed behind that door. As a ghost therapist, Dorian’s job is to help the deceased work through the issues that are keeping them from resting and removing the rot of fear and regret that frequently infests their non corporal bodies. He takes a quick likening to Lucy, partly because she reminds him of his sister, and does his best to help her cure her rot and return the key.
Things in town have gotten even worse for these ghosts though because the exorcists are ‘killing’ the spirits with toxic gas and the doctor of the apothecary has formulated a new mixture that will prevent ghosts when entering a home.


I had the opportunity to read a digital early release copy and I would love to see the final copy in print. The images on my screen were just a tad blurry but I love the design. It reminded me of a Disney movie.

5/5

THIS BOOK! I adored this book. The way the ebook is set up isn’t amazing, its set up in a 2 page view so I had to read on my laptop that is the only downside thing to this. But this book was good. I keep talking to my wife about it and I want to cosplay these characters so bad.
Dorian can see ghosts so it starts out with him helping different people with their ghost problems and then the key to deaths door goes missing so ghost can’t cross over so Dorian takes upon himself to get the key back and help all these ghosts but its taking a toll on him.

This story not only is LGBTQIA+ but its also a really heart hitting story about grief and loss. It also like stated before is a love story. The illustrations in this book are amazing and I really want to see more from this author and illustrator. I will be purchasing this book when it comes out to add to my graphic novel library. If you like ghost and graphic novels I don’t see anyone not liking this book.

A very moving story that deals with the macabre, but ends on an uplifting note. Almost akin to a fable, where the lesson the story leaves the reader with is almost as important as the rest of the story itself.

I will never turn down a queer graphic novel and if you throw in grief in there I will be elbowing my way to the front. This had me sucked in from the synopsis, I was never gonna stand a chance.

Firstly, the art is beautiful. Chefs kiss to Johana the art was 10/10. I loved the balance of colors between life and death. I think there were many creative takes to illustrate death not always looking scary and I was obsessed with that aspect. When authors showcase death is scary and difficult but also show how grieving isn’t always pain and suffering that makes me go feral in the brain. Saw that vision with the art and I was never gonna recover.

The storyline was beautiful. There were a few things I wasn’t sure about but overall I was just sat back letting the emotions overtake me. Dorian was just so human and so sad that it had me emotional more than once. His grandmother yapping in the back 24/7 being overwhelming most of the time reminded me so much of my grandmother I nearly called her to tell her she was in a book.

Overall this was a lovely graphic novel. The grief aspect was done really well and I will be writing letters about it for the rest of life. Might have some tears in those letters but they will be written! The characters were so real and human that I will also write about how that destroyed me as well. Fantastic read.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.**

Johanna Taylor presents The Ghostkeeper, a paranormal young adult graphic novel surrounding Dorian, a young man with ghost sight. Dorian does his best to help the ghosts with their fears and regrets to assist them to the afterlife. When Dorian puts too much of himself into his work, will there be anything left?

While this book is marketed toward the upper middle grade to young adult age demographic, I would argue that the messages and lessons conveyed would hit harder for an adult audience even if relevant all around.

This graphic novel has a cool-toned color palette with a whimsical flair on a historical setting. While the ghosts ordinarily are depicted as jovial blue spirits, the depictions of the "rot" can venture into mild body horror and takes on an ectoplasmic green tone that contributes to the urgency of those scenes.

I loved the casual queerness depiction with Dorian and Brody as well as the healthy nature of their relationship. I also really appreciated Brody claiming space for himself and his peace in the midst of all that Dorian was dealing with. Especially so because Brody having healthy boundaries did not stop him from being helpful or a friend to Dorian throughout.

Overall, this graphic novel was a joy to experience and I would be happy to have it on my shelves.

This was so good! I loved the artwork; it really brought the story to life. I also really liked the concept of the plot, and I loved the characters. I couldn't put the book down. While it was sad at times, the story was still full of adventure and friendship. It doesn't seem like there will be more books, but I would really love to read more about the characters and the town.

I'd recommend this to anyone that loves graphic novels, especially if you're interested in stories about ghosts.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and Penguin Young Readers Group for this advanced copy. You can pick up The Ghostkeeper on July 23, 2024.

What an astonishingly beautiful and heartbreaking story about dealing with loss and grief. I expected a fun, light-hearted Ghostbusters-type romp, and yet this book made me think about grief and death and how we process the things that happen to us and our loved ones. Dorian's character was incredibly relatable, and I empathized with his struggle to constantly help people (including dead people), even to his own detriment. His relationships with Lucy, Brody, Gran, and more just warmed my heart and made me emotionally invested in the story.

To my graphic novel readers looking for a heartwarming/heartbreaking story with great character relationships... this one's for you!

Johanna Taylor’s The GhostKeeper is a captivating graphic novel that masterfully intertwines elements of the supernatural with profound emotional depth. The story follows Dorian Leith, a young man who can see and communicate with ghosts, a gift that has isolated him from the living but endeared him to the spirits, including his grandmother. Taylor’s storytelling is both heartwarming and haunting, beautifully illustrated in a way that brings both the spectral and the tangible worlds to life. Dorian’s partnership with his grandmother to assist the spirits showcases a unique and touching familial bond that adds a layer of warmth to the otherwise eerie narrative. The character of the local bookshop owner also adds a grounding, human element to Dorian’s life, highlighting the theme of finding connection in unexpected places.

The plot intensifies when the key to Death’s Door is stolen, trapping the ghosts in the land of the living and setting off a race against time for Dorian. The sense of urgency and desperation is palpable as the ghosts begin to suffer from a creeping rot, and Dorian’s quest to save them becomes increasingly perilous. Taylor’s writing evokes strong emotions, and the depiction of the ghosts’ plight and Dorian’s determination to help them is both gripping and heartbreaking. The climax of the story, with its high stakes and the potential cost to Dorian, is particularly moving—I found myself in tears as I turned the final pages. The GhostKeeper is a poignant and visually stunning exploration of sacrifice, purpose, and the lengths one will go to for those they care about, living or dead.

The overall premise of this book was lovely- the ghost psychologist helping them with their issues. The artwork was interesting, the rot haunting. The overarching plot was also very meaningful- finding someone you love who will accept all your baggage, the meaning behind death and moving on, and even the importance of separating work from life, having a sacred space that isn’t infringed upon. My only issue was that the dialogue was a little cerebral and long winded. It could have been edited down a bit. But overall I enjoyed it and I’d consider it for my graphic novel loving son.
Thank you netgalley for the earc

I was excited to read this graphic novel because of the plot and art, but it didn't quite live up to expectations for me. Despite the wonky formatting (all of the words in random upper and lower case, and the art panels on different pages from the text), I did give the story a chance. I found my mind wandering and the plot didn't keep my attention as I would have liked. The main character was mid-range for me, I didn't dislike him, but he wasn't my favorite either. The ghost cat was cute though!

I dnf’ed at 22%

I just couldn’t get into the characters or the story. Like it was all just… meh. Dorian as a character felt very weak.

The format also may have been a factor as I was reading this on netgalley so the whole two page spread was one page. Which made zooming necessary… and annoying.

The Ghostkeeper by Johanna Taylor

Dorian can see ghosts, a power he uses to help ghosts talk through their issues so they can resolve them and move on from the mortal plane. But when the key to Death’s Door is stolen by an errant ghost child, ghosts find themselves stuck on the mortal plane and affected by the painful ghost rot. Now the pressure is on Dorian to cure local ghosts of their rot, get the key back and convince the town that painful (for ghosts) exorcisms are not the way to handle unwarranted ghosts, in addition to managing Dorian’s own personal life.

So I’ve had a string of bad luck as far as NetGalley graphic novel ARCs go but this one super worked for me. I really loved this. I spent a good third of this book trying to figure out why it was being marketed as YA when the MC is clearly in his early 20s. Y’all, this book is the most incredibly written/(drawn?) analogy for emotions like fear and anger that begin to control your reactions, and goes into coping mechanisms and that talking to a friend or a therapist or the person directly that you’re having issues with can help you deal with your emotions. There’s also a really good analogy in here about how fear can be like a wolf, but we should think of it more like a crow.

Regarding the plot itself, it was great and I had such a fun time reading this. It’s a well balanced plot, and you feel so much for Dorian, who gets put in some really tricky spots. His relationship with bookshop owner/landlord Brody is strongly queercoded and while they make a great pair, it’s super easy to write them off as nothing more than friends. And while I wish there was a stronger LGBT presence in this book, as someone who was looking for graphic novels without a romantic plot line two months ago, I can appreciate that this book is written for kids who might not be ready for a more romantic storyline yet.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for a copy of this book exchange for an honest review.

Ever since he survived nearly drowning, Dorian Leith has the ghost sight. Viewed as a nuisance, residents of Rockwood hire Dorian to take care of their ghost problems. Talking with ghosts like a therapist would, Dorian is able to help many ghosts find death’s door. When a little girl ghost takes the key to death’s door, ghosts can’t go through. This creates a backup of ghosts in the town who are being overcome with rot (a strange substance that clings to ghosts stuck on Earth). Getting upset with the paranormal activity, the villagers enlist the help of a group of beak masked men, who use a chemical to not only exorcise the ghosts but kill them. Running out of time and options, can Dorian figure out a way to help the little girl but the key back in death’s door? Will he save the ghosts and himself before it’s too late?

The illustrations are masterfully done with a mixture of mute and vibrant tones to indicate ghosts and humans. The plot is confusing and drags at first but is well worth the read. The text and illustrations work well to tell the story. author does a great job of handling setting boundaries while still being able to help people. With unexpected twists and turns and guesses as to who is a hero and who is a villain, readers will be engaged and intrigued. Readers who like ghosts, mysteries, the paranormal, and graphic novels will want to pick this one up. Recommended for collections where ghost mysteries are popular. 4 stars, Gr 7 and up

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

Let me start off by saying: this is quite possibly one of my favorite graphic novels I've ever read, and not just because it involves ghosts and Celtic mythology. From the opening panel onward, I couldn't put The Ghostkeeper down. Centering around Dorian, a young "ghost therapist" who uses his ability to see ghosts as a way to help ease the afterlives of the very disgruntled, The Ghostkeeper manages to encompass all the familiar themes of haunting alongside honest ruminations on mental health, burnout, and grief.

Not only is it beautifully drawn, with Taylor's style fluidly moving from the tender to the, quite frankly, terrifying, it's beautifully written. Reading The Ghostkeeper feels like the literary equivalent of a warm hug. It's a gentle and at times ferocious reminder that helping others does not have to come at the cost of your own sanity, and that boundaries are an act of self-love. It's also just a genuinely enjoyable story, with fun characters, a cute romance, and fascinating worldbuilding.

I look forward to seeing more of Taylor's work! I really, really loved this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group, and Johanna Taylor for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Ghostkeeper is a breathtakingly beautiful gothic graphic novel.

The book revolves around the story of Dorian Leith, a young man with an extraordinary ability to see ghosts, which he acquired after a near-death experience. Dorian uses his gift to help the ghosts by resolving their rot (their regrets) and enabling them to move on to the afterlife.
However, one day, the key to Death's Door goes missing, and a ghost named Lucille possesses it. Dorian realizes that the ghosts cannot reach their ultimate destination, and he has to convince Lucille to return the key. Will Dorian succeed in his mission, or will he be burdened forever?

The author has skillfully woven a tale of mental health, closure, and the supernatural. The book is a showstopper, with well-executed art and a captivating storyline to keep readers on the edge. The ghosts are intriguing, and each character has a unique backstory that adds depth to the narrative. Dorian is a remarkable protagonist with a kind heart and a strong work ethic. His loyal friend Brody is a perfect companion, and Lucille's character is adorable, which makes her untimely death all the more heartbreaking.

The Ghostkeeper is an unputdownable read that will leave readers emotionally invested. It is an excellent book for anyone who loves gripping stories with a touch of the supernatural.
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚

Pub Date: 23 Jul 2024

Thank you, @netgalley and @penguinteen, for the complimentary ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a cute, kind of cozy, fantasy story. It's like a Victorian version of The Frighteners but with cozy lovey happy feelings and cute artwork. I enjoyed it but wasn't enthralled, and had to push myself a bit through parts when the dialogue becomes a bit of a slog (but this isn't From Hell either, so it's not a LOT of text for a comic like that one has lol). There's a good lesson about taking responsibility for your actions in there as well, which I was glad did manage to come through strong but not preachy.

When it comes to comics, most of the story should be told through the art but I felt like that wasn't done well here. It relies a bit too much on exposition, with the art just being there on many pages, not really adding much. Which is a shame because the art is VERY cute and pretty.

Overall a decent story that I can see some young teens and middle schoolers enjoying a lot.