Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

I love a good ghost story, even if I cry like a baby during it.

After escaping death as a child, Dorian is given the gift of Sight. He’s able to see ghosts and uses his ability to act as a therapist and help them move on to the other side. After the key to death’s door is stolen by a ghost child, Dorian does everyone in his power to return it so the ghosts can move on to the other side.

The romance in this was so cute. Brody was so sweet and while my thoughts went back and forth with him, he was a great companion for Dorian. There’s a lot of heavy topics here about grief and moving on. Accepting what has happened and how to go from there. Dorian and his Gran were adorable too. I really enjoyed this one and the art is beautiful.

Thank you Penguin Teen and netgalley for the arc.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel. I think the author done a great job dealing with difficult topics. I would highly recommend it.

ARC provided by Penguin Teen (thanks!) Dorian Leith can see ghosts, but they don't scare him at all. In fact, he makes a living out of specializing in ghost therapy; ghosts come to him with their problems, and in return, Dorian helps them move on to the afterlife. Even though the townspeople rely on him to remove ghosts from their houses, Dorian has been shamed for his strange ability. But when the key to Death's door is stolen and ghosts cannot enter the afterlife, Dorian must return the key and help the ghosts along the way..

The Ghostkeeper was one of the best graphic novels that I've read in a while. I enjoyed the designs and vibrant colors. While conveying joy, the illustrations also had the capacity to inspire sadness and fear. The plot was very straightforward, while being intriguing. Dorian is a complex character; he gives so much of himself to others, and he must learn how to take care of himself while also helping his clients. The graphic novel also delicately handles themes of grief and mental health - they are constant battles that cannot be fought alone. Dorian learns that despite the fact that many people will be wary of him, there are also others who will love him and give him purpose.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This was my first read of 2024 and it was just what I needed to start my reading year off on a good foot.

The Ghostkeeper is set in a version of the Victorian era where ghosts are very real and only those who have overcome death are able to see the ghosts. This is how our main character, Dorian Leith, is able to not only see the ghosts but work as a sort of ghost therapist, helping them overcome whatever has them stuck in limbo so they can move on. One day something happens (spoilers dear reader) and Dorian finds himself a little overwhelmed by ghosts in need.

I really could gush about this graphic novel for hours. The artwork is gorgeous, there’s the cutest little ghost kitty, and the whole book is basically a giant reminder that you have to take care of yourself before you can help others (also that you NEED to set boundaries to protect your mental health).

Oh! There’s also a little bit of queer romance between Dorian and Brody, his roommate/landlord person who owns the bookshop they live over. Their romance subplot was so sweet and I adore Brody, he’s such a sweetheart.

Thank you as always to my friends at @penguinteen for the gifted eARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for sending me an early copy of this graphic novel! All opinions are my own!

Oh. my. Goodness. This was S.O. cute! I absolutely adored every second of reading this graphic novel, and I would recommend this to so many age groups. It is a beautiful story about grief and healing and about learning to set boundaries so that you can allow yourself to heal even when you're helping others. As a pediatrician, I wish I could gift this graphic novel to so many kids who might need help understanding their feelings or learning to allow themselves to feel what they feel.

Don't even get me started on the plot and the way that everything comes together so nicely. It really tugs at your heartstrings and I would not have had it any other way. It does amazingly at diving into the characters' backgrounds and making you love them so much even in such a short amount of time. I would most definitely read more about them.

The diversity of this book, from chronic illness, to mental health, to LGBTQ+ rep, was refreshing to say the least, especially because of the ease with which it was done.

Go read this book right this second and heal your inner child. Give it to a child who needs it. Give it to your best friend, your neighbor, your mailman. I'll be diving into any world that Johanna Taylor gives me!

Thank you to the publisher for my arc!


I loved this! This was such a perfect cozy spooky read that I couldn’t put down.

I enjoyed this graphic novel much more than I thought I would. It was such a great story. I thought Dorian was wonderful and I loved his profession.
The way grief and stress and burden and help were all portrayed was excellent.
I also loved the artwork. I thought the panels were easy to follow and the art really carried where there might not have been dialogue.
I will definitely be recommending this one

This graphic novel is so cute. I definitely like how it approaches the topic of death and crossing over. The art work is amazing. I definitely want a physical copy of this graphic novel

The Ghostkeeper is a cute graphic novel set in a fantasy late 1800s Scotland, following Dorian, a young therapist for the dead who helps ghosts haunting the local citizens to move on to the afterlife.

While I really did enjoy this graphic novel, I found that I wasn't quite as drawn-in as I thought I maybe should have been. I didn't find myself really invested in any of the characters. I appreciated the relationship between Dorian and Brody, and Dorians interactions with Lucy. But I feel like maybe I wanted something just a little more. I understand that sometimes with graphic novels you don't quite have the same pacing as a regular novel, and maybe a bit more length would have helped me develop more of a bond with the characters overall.

I think there are really important themes and messages throughout the story, in particular the importance of boundaries for yourself, and when to enforce them. The premise for the plot is intriguing, and the art is stunning. I appreciated the Celtic folklore, the time period, and the queer MC.

I recently rediscovered my love for comics and graphic novels and I am thankful for the opportunity to have read this one.

Tremendous Thank You to the author, to Penguin Teen, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful work.