A sweet graphic novel about a ghost in love with his living best friend, who works in a garden centre

Cozy romance about a necromancer gardener !? Queer Romance !? Cute drawings !? Lots of green !? What more could you want. Genuinely this is one of the cutest Graphic novels I have seen in a long time. Its like paranormal heartstopper. The art is amazing and matches the vibe of the story perfectly. A cute light hearted story about love and loss and emotions

First I would like to thank NetGallery and Keezy Young for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This graphic novel was a creepy yet wholesome story. There wasn't much writing but I did enjoy the story and I love how colourful the art is. The characters are adorable. The little extras at the end in the design progress was really touch.

Blue has been living as a ghost for a year when he meets Hamal, a beautiful and sweet gardener who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. Together, their friendship develops into something more, but being a ghost, Blue can never truly be connected with Hamal.

Normally I start my reviews with a summary of the plot, but by the time you would finish reading it, you could finish this entire graphic novel. The gaps in this story are striking, leaving the reader jolted and confused. I even put the book down to double check that this was not a sequel or the copy I received wasn’t missing any pages - the holes were that apparent. But no, this was the full volume. Because of that, I can’t give it any more than 2 stars.
HOWEVER, Young’s art style and the world she has built are simply magical. Part of the reason I am so upset about this novel is because despite what little I felt we got of it, I am captivated by the world she has created and am craving more. I want to have more Blue and Hamal and their love story. I want to know how this world of ghosts and reapers and necromancers work. I want to see more drawings of plants! To be able to build such a compelling world with such a limited storyline is very impressive and gives me high hopes for this artist. There are definitely elements of this story I will reflect on fondly despite everything else!
Thank you to NetGalley, Keezy Young, and Oni Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honesty review!

Taproot is a very cute graphic novel about two boys who fall in love from opposite sides of death. Blue is a ghost who fell in love with Hamal, a gardener who is very much alive. When all the ghosts start being sucked into a creepy forest, Blue meets a Reaper who is hunting for a necromancer, the one who is killing the forest.

The story itself was ridiculously adorable and the artwork only made it better. There were some moments in the plot where I was confused on what exactly was happening but you kinda just got to go with it because it’ll work itself out.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review. Everything stated in this review is of my own honest thoughts and opinions.

This was an adorable and wholesome Queer graphic novel about a gardener and the ghost he falls in love with. I loved our sweet mid-sized gardener that just wanted to bring to life the plants around him and his best friend, who happens to be one of the many ghosts he sees. I loved how Blue just wanted Hamal to be happy, even if it wasn't with him. Taproot has a sweet happily ever after ending , I just wish it was a bit longer .

I loved this book. I rate this 5 stars for being so cute and lovey-dovey. Hamal and Blue’s relationship was so wholesome. I loved the art style, writing, and all the details that come with the characters. I will recommend this book to those who are looking for a paranormal/romance graphic novel. I want more of Hamal and Blue’s journey and relationship. I do hope that Blue and Hamal can have a happy ending. I will be rereading this again if I ever get into another reading slump. Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for allowing me to read this book.

Such a creepy yet wholesome story. Wonderful writing and stunning illustrations. The characters are adorable. I had the best time following them around. I recommend this book to anyone who seeks a short paranormal story.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group for my copy! 🫶🏼

I was delighted to see Taproot available to review.

I had the pleasure of first reading this comic a couple of years ago, and gave it a 5 Star rating, revisiting it again and I'm happy to say the feeling is the same.

"A taproot is a large, central, and dominant root from which other roots sprout laterally."

I mean is there anything more dreamy than ghosts and plants? The specter of life and death woven together through a beautiful story of love and friendship. I think all any of us want is to be really seen by someone and be loved. There is something beautiful about a spirit being able to find that after they've passed.

I think one of the things I loved about this comic was having characters closer in age to me, not teenagers but adults navigating through life.

The artwork is colorful and helps tell the story really well.

This comic has strong queer characters without the story being expressly about that on the page. There's just a normalcy to the relationship that I love seeing, because the relationship is normal... As normal as a necromancer and Ghost can be.

With beautiful artwork and a cozy story, I really enjoyed reading this ARC from NetGalley and Oni Press. I really enjoyed the balance of life and death through the story. The little extras at the end in the design progress was really neat to see as a fellow artist.

A story about new beginnings and second chances. Sweet and profound with extremely loveable characters. Beautiful writing and gorgeous illustrations. 10/10 would recommend for a nice rainy evening with a cup of tea. 🌼🌱

Taproot is a queer, feel good, beautiful work of art. I instantly fell in love with Blue and Hamal. Hamal works at a garden shop and can talk to/see ghosts, Blue is a ghost and is Hamal's best friend. I felt instantly drawn into the world.

Taproot was just a breath of fresh air to read. Everything from the art style, colour choices to that ending!

I'd happily recommend Taproot to anyone looking for an adorable comic to read while snuggled up under a blanket with hot tea.

TW/CW: Death, Grief, Child Death, Car Accident, Blood, Bugs

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

Taproot is a short and sweet graphic novel about Hamal, a gardner with the ability to see ghosts, and his relationship with Blue, a ghost.
Although the plot is quite simple, ultimately Taproot is a story about life, love and loss.
The artwork is absolutely stunning and captivating, with bright colors and incredible scenery.
It is the perfect book to go back to and enjoy over and over.

The story follows Hamal a Gardner and Blue a ghost, I initially decided to read this graphic novel because of the art style. . Overall the book was good, however, I wish it was longer. Often it felt rushed and sometimes segmented. I think the flow could've been better, but the story as well as the artwork made it so cute and a quick, easy read.

3.5 stars!

this was such a cute, wholesome graphic novel! i have to say i requested it on a whim because the cover is gorgeous. the art style is so aesthetically pleasing – it’s very soft, in a way. the landscapes and the way the artist drew nature left me completely in awe. the plot itself was cute – a love story between a gardener and a ghost. there’s also a grim reaper that appears at some point and i think that’s my favourite character, he’s just so sassy. hamal and blue were very interesting as main characters, especially hamal – he can see ghosts! they were just so loveable together. this graphic novel is simply amazing. my only critique would be that i wished the book was a bit longer and the story felt a bit rushed – especially the way they resolve the main conflict.

Very cute story about a gardener and his ghost boy! Lovely art style with a touching short story. Was a little confusing towards the middle, but easy to look past. 4.5 stars

4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The synopsis:
Blue has been living as a ghost for a year when he meets Hamal, a beautiful and sweet gardener who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. Together, their friendship develops into something more, but being a ghost, Blue can never truly be connected with Hamal.
My review:
I really liked the explorations thea author makes in this book. Although it was sad in some part it made me feel really cozy and relaxed in others.
The characters being queer and the easiness in it all, made me very happy. It was lovely graphic novel and I think if the author releases another book I will definitely check it out.
My only critique was that the book felt a little short because of the pacing but maybe it was because I really enjoy slow to middle paced stories.

A queer (mlm) story about a Ghost, a Gardener and a mystery.

This graphic novel was uber cute and wholesome and the art is amazing.

Halfway through I was sure I was going to give it 5 stars, but then things started happening a bit too fast. The conflict was resolved within a blink of an eye and I had to check that I hadn't accidentally skipped a few pages.

Maybe don't read this for the mystery element, but if you love queer love and paranormal wholesomeness, this is the graphic novel for you!

This graphic novel knitted every piece of my heart back together.

I actually got this for my brother a while back but had never read it myself. I’m so glad I finally did. This book is so wholesome, so queer and heartwarming and the illustration is an absolute joy to go through.

The storyline is unique and only grows stronger throughout, if you like cute ghosts and gardening with a side of spooky this is probably for you.

The colour pallets are so gorgeous and vivid, with a similar vibrancy to The Tea Dragon Society .

Just go read this, it’s a wholesome warm hug with a cup of tea in graphic novel form.

Thank you netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

TW’s listed below (skip if you don’t want vague spoilers)



Tw// mentions of death, grief.