Super cute fun art style and intriguing world building. I loved how the author set up the background and supernatural world building. It was super intruging and made it hard to put down!

This graphic novel was an absolute delight! The art style was really great and I loved how much detail was on the pages. The story is about ghost therapist, Dorian, and touched on some really heavy topics. I really enjoyed the messages behind Dorian’s therapy sessions with the ghosts and found it to be really uplifting and hopeful. The story was really cute and I could tell so much care was put into this. I do wish some of the side characters were more fleshed out, but it’s fine. Overall a super cute graphic novel!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The graphic novel “The Ghostkeeper” by Johanna Taylor tells the story of the ghost therapist Dorian Leith whose job it is to help ghosts resolve their unfinished business and guide them in a gentle way into the afterlife. But one day he finds that the door to the afterlife has been shut so he has to try everything in his power to find a way to help the trapped ghosts.

I really enjoyed the spooky atmosphere and beautiful illustration style of this graphic novel. The panels are really detailed and colorful while still maintaining a cool color palette to underline the ghostly mood. I also enjoyed the variety of topics spanning from love over mental health to grief. The protagonist was a very interesting character and I enjoyed exploring his own backstory.

My main issue with this novel however is the storytelling. It felt like some scenes ended abruptly and the jumps between events pulled me out of the story at times.

I wish I had read this around Halloween but I still had a fun time and would be happy to read from the author again.

A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Penguin Young Readers Group for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ever since a close brush with death as a child, Dorian can see ghosts, and considers his duty to console and counsel those still stuck in the mortal realm. But when ghosts start turning up claiming they've been locked out of their final resting place, he quickly becomes overwhelmed by the demands of the dead.

Sometimes a book surprises you in the best way when it charges off headlong into grappling with difficult and unexpected themes. This is definitely the case for The Ghostkeeper, which discusses the concepts of burnout and the importance of keeping boundaries while helping others, as well as grief and our relationship with death. I also liked how the author managed to pack in plenty of nuance for both the main and supporting characters, fleshing out the motivations behind their sometimes misguided actions.

And it's just a beautiful graphic novel! I absolutely loved the art, which runs the gamut from mysterious to humorous to romantic to creepy as the story calls for it, and does all of it perfectly, establishing characters and backstories in a matter of pages.

However, I did wish that Brody, Dorian's flatmate and love interest, got a little more development, as he feels flat compared to pretty much all the other characters we meet despite having an important role in the story. There's also some questions about how Dorian came to be living and working how he did that I would have liked learning the answers for.

I was not expecting to enjoy this graphic novel as much as I did. Very easy to read. The illustrations capture the characters perfectly and really make the story fun and spooky. Mental health is highlighted in this novel in an easy to understand, relatable way for the reader. Perhaps it was intentional by the author to have the ghosts rot be similar to the burdens we carry. Over time if not acknowledged will weigh you down and make you feel like you're drowning.

Thought this was an interesting graphic novel! The feel of the story and its setting felt like a comic I have been wanting for a while. A ghost therapist was a cool concept, especially for its themes of taking care of oneself.

This was such an incredibly charming tale, with absolutely incredible art. The story moved along quickly and the characters were so lovable!

I absolutely loved this graphic novel! I was lucky to receive an advance reader copy of the ebook for review purposes from NetGalley. I was drawn to the cover, the art, the title and the concept. The illustrations and coloring are rich, lovely and perfect for this ghost story. The world building was top notch and I absolutely loved the main character Dorian. This book focuses a lot on overcoming trauma, therapy, and burnout. There’s a lot to chew on with how thin Dorian stretches himself in his efforts to heal others… ultimately taking a huge toll on himself and his relationships with others. The side characters are memorable, and Lucy’s storyline made me tear up in its conclusion. This is such a thoughtful book. My biggest critique would be that it felt a bit long or perhaps repetitive at times, belaboring Dorian’s overextension and Lucy’s reluctance to return the key to death’s door. Nonetheless, this book gets top marks from me and will be remembered for quite some time.

Thank you to Penguin Teen for sending me an e-ARC of The Ghostkeeper!

The moment there was a ghost cat doing cat things, I knew this was gonna be a good one.

Dorian can see ghosts & he uses this power to be their therapist & help them get to the other side. Unfortunately, a ghost girl steals the key to the other side’s door & it’s up to Dorian to retrieve the key before it’s too late.

I absolutely adored the art style in this graphic novel, along with the characters we get to know throughout the tale. There’s a precious Queer relationship & The Ghostkeeper digs deep into mental health & grief.

A definite recommend from me!

Dorian has been able to see ghosts since he was a child and as an adult he uses his ability to try and help ghosts pass to the other side, a ghost therapist if you will. At first I thought this was going to be a simple and sweet story of a man trying to get the living to understand and sympathize for the ghosts instead of fearing them, and while there was elements of that, it took some turns I was not expecting! My favorite aspect of the story was how it touched on mental health and on the balance of living for others vs living for yourself. The artwork is beautiful, the story is touching, and the characters are well rounded. Definitely one to pick up as soon as it releases!

An emotionally charged graphic novel that kept me engaged. The artwork is gorgeous and its full of tons of representation that we need to see more of in books like these. The story was cute and heartbreaking all wrapped up in one.

This was so awesome and I loved every moment of it! I adored Dorian and died over how he was always trying to help the ghosts around him and how they drowned him out at some points. He was so kind and good, and it killed me how he was always trying to help, even when people weren't appreciative of all he did for them. It kind of hurt how his grandmother's ghost was one of them, how she was sometimes there for him and sometimes part of the problem.

I really loved Brody and how he was there for Dorian when no one else was. I liked how easily he took Dorian and everything that came along with him. I liked how he accepted that sometimes Dorian had conversations with people he couldn't see and sometimes those people also lived in his house and he would never see them, but that was okay. Brody was just a sweetheart, and I really liked how he pulled Dorian out of the darkness and gave him the support and love that he needed.

I really loved everything about this graphic novel, from the gothic setting to the ghostly essence to the casual queer representation. This was awesome, and Dorian and Brody were the absolute best! <3

The first thing that jumped out at me was the art style. I love the illustrator's art style. The colors are perfect and each palette sets the tone with its deep. blue hues.

As far as the story, I really enjoyed it. I would classify this graphic novel as a cozy read. Perfect for spooky season or when you're in the mood for a cute, fun story that keeps you entertained and immersed. I loved the characters, especially Dorian's gran who worked almost as his subconscious. I like her wittiness and brutal honesty. I also loved Dorian and his love for ghosts. His empathy for ghosts is exactly what I would have as well so I can relate a lot to Dorian.

Also, the ending was a tear jerker so keep tissues at the ready.

Wow. I didn't know what I was getting into when I started this and it does take a little bit to really get into but the last third packs such a punch that it just sends this whole book into an amazing category.

Dorian can see ghosts. He works as a ghost therapist to help ghosts find their way to the afterlife. When the key to death's door is taken and ghosts can no longer get to the afterlife, they start coming to Dorian and bombarding him to help them.

This book is a beautiful exploration of grief and healing as well as learning about boundaries and healthy relationships. It really is a fantastic graphic novel. The artwork is stunning and the story is amazing.

It's also casually queer. The main character Dorian is queer and the love interest is fat. Their friendship to relationship is a very minor part of the story but it's also constant throughout.

I looooved the idea of this story and I think the artwork is absolutely precious. Sadly, for some reason the copy I received was just atrociously formatted and eVeRy wOrD wAS wRiTteN LiKe tHiS which you can imagine is VERY difficult to pay attention to so I ended up DNFing it about a quarter of the way through. Once it’s available, I’ll definitely be picking up a physical copy so I can enjoy it pRopERLy ;)

The story follows a guy who can see and communicate with ghosts, As he helps them they want to keep talking and relying on his help. He learns a good lesson as things turn for the worse. It teaches us some valuable lessons about how bandrys are not a bad thing, that having your own space is important and valuable for one's mental health. The art in this story is very nice. I love how the ghosts look and are portrayed.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an eARC of this novel.

A cozy queer novel mixed with a bewitching ghost story equals happiness. The Ghostkeeper is a delightfully fun story about Dorian a man who can see ghosts and works as a Ghost Therapist. With the help of his ghostly grandmother he helps heal spirits who wander the earth. But when a young girl steals the key to the door of death Dorian alongside his sweet and always helpful roommate Brody has to overcome the challenges of being the only person who can help these ghosts and reopen the door of death. I had great fun reading this novel and loved the art style.

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley for the advanced review copy of this title, in exchange for my honest review.

I want to start out saying that, on no fault of the author, the kindle version I was sent was almost impossible to read. It did not, however, dampen my enjoyment of this story. However, I'm going to be as vague as I can in regards to the content, as I feel that people should read it for themselves.

The art of this Graphic Novel is absolutely lovely. I fell right into it and into the world that the artist was portraying. Dorian is a wonderful character - in truth, all the characters are fun and interesting in their own ways. They all have a spark of (forgive me) life, and plenty of personality, too.

The story is wrought with ups and downs, all it's own little mysteries - even though it does remind me of other stories that are somewhat similar, like ParaNorman (I do mean similar in some aspects, not all, of course). The theft of key to Death's Door is where the start of all the trouble began, and it's also the main driving point. Will our hero be able to retrieve the key and help all these poor bound souls with their plight? A secondary stress point of the tale is the rot that the ghosts have begun to experience - and how Dorian might be able to get rid of it. Together with his (somewhat unlikely) companions, Dorian sets out to do just that, even if he loses something of his own in the end in doing so.

Overall, I really liked the pacing, the way the story is told, and the characters. But the art is what really drew me, I absolutely adore the style, and I'm glad that it caught my eye. I really do think that if you pick up a copy of The Ghostkeeper, you won't be disappointed. It's got a dash of horror, comedy, and folklore! Dorian, while living in a fantasy version of Victorian Scotland, has very real problems that a lot of people might be able to relate to, as well. Mental health is often an issue that gets somewhat overlooked, so having a story such as this one weave into it a very real issue, and to see Dorian try to manage it all is very relatable. That, to me, makes the story that much more endearing and enjoyable.

Please give it a chance, I'm almost certain you'll greatly enjoy it!

I did not expect to love a graphic novel about a queer ghost therapist to be this awesome and endearing, but The Ghostkeeper seemed determined to exceed my expectations from the first page. To begin with, I loved the art style, and in particular how the ghosts were portrayed; the blue-tinged characters and in particular the clearly different speech bubbles helped keep the story clear and moving at a fast pace, and made the dialogue easier to follow than most other graphic novels I've read. The use of color schemes and panel shapes created a fabulous sense of atmosphere, and worked together with the quirky characters and fast-paced plot to create a story I couldn't put down.

But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention one of my favorite aspects of the story - Dorian himself. I connected with him so deeply - his internal struggles, his determination to help ghosts, his self-sacrificing propensity, his insecurity, and the depth of his friendships. The ghost therapist concept is brilliant to begin with, but The Ghostkeeper brings it alive, and the incredibly realistic (but also hilarious) strategies that Dorian uses to counsel the ghosts grounded the premise and made it utterly believable. I was particularly drawn to the way Dorian struggles to separate what he needs from what the ghosts need, a thread of realism that helped wholeheartedly sell me on the entire story.

Highly recommended!

Dorian takes on every ghost he comes across as his patient. He works hard, too hard, to try and help them move on. The cost is his own sanity. This book should be read by everyone who struggles to find a work life balance. It's a perfect reflection of how we can let our jobs consume us, and how dangerous that can be. Some moments in the book felt disjointed. I wanted better transitions between moments and scenes. Other than that, this was an amazing read.