Book Review – Taproot

Book: Taproot by Keezy Young
Release Date: September 26th 2017
Tags: Graphic Novel / LGTBQ+ / Homosexual / Paranormal Romance / Ghosts / Reapers / Necromancers
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Goodreads

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Synopsis

Blue is having a hard time moving on. He’s in love with his best friend. He’s also dead. Luckily, Hamal can see ghosts, leaving Blue free to haunt him to his heart’s content. But something eerie is happening in town, leaving the local afterlife unsettled, and when Blue realizes Hamal’s strange ability may be putting him in danger, Blue has to find a way to protect him, even if it means… leaving him.

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Review

Taproot is a graphic novel that focuses on the relationship between Hamal and Blue. Blue is a ghost that is an inbetweener, meaning he hasn’t moved on yet. Hamal is alive but he can see ghosts and over time they have stricken up a friendship.

The biggest complaint that I have with this story is that I wanted more. I feel like it barely scratches the surface and there is just so much more left to discover. More on Hamal’s and Blue’s backgrounds. More on the world where there are ghosts, necromancers and reapers. More on that ending where they are given a task. Just more.  I understand this was only a 128 pages, but come on.

My desire for more will tell you that I clearly did love reading this book. There was something so very appealing about these characters. I took an instant liking to Blue whose style I love to see. He is endearing, sweet but hides behind a bit of humor. While Hamal seems a bit more serious but kind. I understand why they both were so drawn to each other. Where their romance evolved.  Everything about it was just cute and respectful.  Both characters are also drawn so very differently. There is a clear difference in body build and hair and so on.

And the world of it just appeals to me. The idea of it. But like I said, I wish there was more on it. More explanations perhaps. It feels very much so like a start to something. I would totally follow a series on these two as they dive more into the world of ghosts and reapers and necromancers. Where there is more deepening on everything.

The illustrations are a great asset to this story telling. The combination of the style and the blue-green-yellow colors add to the overall cuteness factor, and yet add a small bit of creepiness to it. Especially when the reaper came in and turned the images very dark. I loved that contrast.

Overall I think this is a great read that I hope will end up becoming more than just this part.