an incredibly cute, queer and slightly spooky friends to lovers story. could see this becoming a series like Heartstopper

also the illustrations are beautiful!

I was given an arc of this recently and was excited to pick it up. A queer fantasy graphic novel? Right up my street!

The illustrations in this are gorgeous and the story feels very whimsical. I did feel quite confused - at certain points I was convinced I had missed a few pages as it didn't make sense, but I hadn't.

I enjoyed this, but didn't love it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Oni Press and Keezy Young for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars!

This was really cute! I absolutely loved the artwork and how colorful every single page in Taproot was. The romance between Hamal and Blue was so wholesome.

The only negatives to this book is that I wanted more! I wanted the whole necromancy thing to be explained more because it left me kind of confused. I also would’ve loved to see the romance between Hamal and Blue when it was first developing. Since the majority of the story was 1-2 years after they met.

Overall though, I’d recommend this to literally everyone. It’s a really cute story and a quick read!

This was so great and sweet, and I loved the art and the colors! I really enjoyed Hamal and Blue's story and how sweet they both were. I loved the plants and the ghosts and Hamal's connection to both. This was just really great and queer and adorable!

3.75*
Taproot is a queer contemporary romance between a gardener and a ghost. It's cute, calming and beautifully drawn.

My favourite part of the graphic novel was easily the art style. Relying on a pastell palette, with clear lines but soft shapes, the author creates a calming, harmonious atmosphere that keeps your eyes on the page and your lips curved in a smile. The colour sceme of mostly blue, green and blue shades - accenutated at times by pastell pink add to that.

There were only three characters of real importance:
Hamal - a gardener with a soft-spoken, calm personality, who tends to melancholy but has a big heart for those around him (both people and plants). He can see and interact with ghosts though he doesn't know why.

Blue - a ghost who struggles to move on to the afterlife. He's personable, teasing but encouraging, and in love with Hamal.

The Reaper - a supernatural entity of the afterlife, responsibly for keeping up the balance of life and death. She's sassy but and a bit cranky, only wanting to do her job. She's also a big fan of trashy romance novels.

As is often the case with standalone graphic novels, we don't really have the time to really explore these characters to their depth, and the other side characters are basically one note. It's still very easy to like these characters and to root for them. The romance is very cute, and it's nice to see a romance that's relying on romantic rather that sexual attraction (as ghosts and homans can't touch, not even Hamal).

While I found the plot a little fast moving, the things thta happend I liked. I can't really say much more without spoilers, There doesn't happen much and there's never much tension. But that's also not necissarily needed. It was a quick little pallet cleanser that was nice to look at with a couple I shipped from the start.
If you're looking for something similar, I recommend you give it a try.

ARC provided by NetGalley

[3.5*]
A short, sweet read with a really beautiful art style and use of colour. The characters and their relationship are cute, and the story is fun, however I do think ideally the plot lends itself more to a longer form graphic novel over a short story, for it to be more fully explored, as I do wish there was a little bit more depth to it. Regardless, I really enjoyed this and I think this will be an awesome little read over the summer for warm days sitting outside!

i got this as an arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review <3

oh my gosh it's been a long time since I've ever read a graphic novel and this one is just the right thing to keep me wanting more. this is such a feel-good story, although i will be honest that i did cry in the middle of reading it- I ACHED ALL OVER THE PLACE. i thought it was gonna be a sad ending, but bestie-  KEEZY YOUNG TOOK ME BY SURPRISE.

first of all, i really love the characters :< hamal and blue! oh gosh, hamal is such a softie i just wanna squish him and protect him from anything. and blue- gosh blue, this lovely ghost is the cutest one ever, i really love how clingy he was with hamal. AND THE OTHER GHOST CHARACTERS!! they are absolutely the cutest and bestest side characters ever. i wish i can read more about them. and let us not forget about the reaper. the reaper is the best shipper ever, who likes reading cheesy romance novels. THAT'S IT, THAT'S THE TWEET, WE STAN THE REAPER!

i also really love the art style of this book. there's something really cozy and cottagecory about this book. as a self-proclaimed plant dad *ehem* my eyes suddenly turned into hearts when i saw the flowers and plants and that beautiful tree!!! i really love the color palette of this novel that i will never ever get tired of it (fingers crossed for more of this huhu)

i will read more from this author wow, keezy young, you're freaking amazing. thank you for bringing this story to us. i never knew i needed a cute gardener and a blue ghost together to fill the void in my life <33

this was so delightful and refreshing. it was so cute and i think it's a perfect afternoon picnic read.

Such a cute couple! Hamal is a gardener who can see ghosts. Most people think he's a little crazy because he's always talking to the ghosts and they can't see them. Blue is a ghost that is having a hard time moving on to the afterlife. They like each other, but it's hard to have a relationship when you can't touch.

With some pieces of fiction, you can really feel the love that was put in it and this is a great example of that. Taproot has such warm and cozy vibes dripping from every page, it's honestly a pleasure to read! The colors all suit together so well and the overall art style is stunning!

The characters in the comic are all equally lovable and unique and the relationships between them are adorable. Hamal’s ability to see ghosts and his bond with them is interesting and heartwarming, as are the interactions between the ghosts themselves. Most importantly, the way Blue and Hamal interact with one another is especially tender. Taproot is definitely mostly character-driven though the plot that is present is mysterious and does not fail to intrigue. The story in itself isn’t all too serious but the emotions it manages to evoke will surely make you smile or shed a tear!

It’s the kind of read that leaves me with no words but many, many happy feelings, which is why reviewing this is a bit more difficult than usual. However, if you’re looking for a cozy queer graphic novel to unwind with, look no further because this will give you all the good vibes you’ve been craving.

Queer. Wholesome. A bit mysterious. Beautifully drawn.

Taproot is about a young person who can see and talk to ghosts and is an avid gardener. When the mystery of his spooky ability is revealed, he uses his connection with nature to sooth souls in distress and find love. About halfway through, I teared up thinking that Young was going to fall into a disappointing trope in queer art and literature but I was surprised and thrilled by how the story finishes. The art style is stunning. The plants look beautiful and the characters are very expressive. There are lots of familiar components to it but overall, it’s a lovely story that I would definitely gift to my friends. Shades of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper with a Coraline twist. Also for fans of Becky Chambers’ Wayfarer series,.

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Note: I will update this feedback with a link to my reviews on Twitter and IG in the next few days.

A really sweet coming-of-age queer comic, with supernatural/fantasy elements! Could be a fun read for characters of Heartstopper, as it is a lovely story of this queer couple getting together, without queer trauma, and where queer joy, romance and friendships are shown front and center.
The story/plotlines were interesting but i wish they had been fully fleshed out, as the pacing felt off. I did love the characters nonetheless!
The artwork was beautifully, and i particularly enjoyed the way colour was used.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you the NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

This is a very cute, warm story with a side of spook (my favourite hehe). It revolves around a ghost and a gardener, who unwittingly involved themselves in a necromantic event, drawing the attention of a reaper, keeper of the balance between life and death. Out ghost/gardener duo is adorable, and I honestly love the reaper. He is just doing his job, you guys! And his job is ridiculously tough one!
An absolutely perfect read for a cool evening, snuggled up with a cup of tea or coffee!

Although there are a few leaps in the narrative which left me asking questions about some of the plot devices used, it is still a smooth, easy read with lovable characters, who are really diverse and unique. The art itself is absolutely adorable and fits the premise of the story so well, I particularly love the simple but effective use of colours to express the various settings and moods throughout the story.

And finally, this little nugget of peak gay panic that made me chuckle:
"And she has nice, uh… boobs! …right?"

Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for presenting me with an ARC of this book in exchange of a honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book! TAPROOT is a queer coming-of-age story about two boys—a gardener and a ghost—falling in love under strange circumstances. Hamal, a gardener, finds out he can see and talk to ghosts and therefore meets Blue, a third grader who died and is now a ghost.

But when things lead to being dangerous, where the Reaper must meddle, Hamal and Blue's love is threatened and they must find a way to go through it unharmed.

I loved every aspect of this story and reading about everyone was a great joy! Hamal, Blue, Joey and the Reaper all are so wonderful characters, and this was something I didn't expect to log so much.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Keezy Young's award-winning debut queer YA graphic novel Taproot receives a new edition through Oni Press. Taproot follows Hamal, a gardener who can see ghosts. Hamal has always seen ghosts, but has recently become friends with a particular ghost called Blue. When a reaper comes to call, Hamal and Blue must work together to address disruptions in the balance of the life force.

Taproot is absolutely gorgeous visually. The color palette and art style is so whimsical and inviting. I would absolutely love to have prints of some of the scenes for my walls. Somehow Young's style manages to be both clean and have lovely detail that emerges the longer you look at a page. It is absolutely appropriate that Taproot is being published by Oni Press, the same publishers who produced The Tea Dragon Society.

On top of that, the story of Taproot is easy, sweet entertainment. The "spirit detective" style plot of Yu Yu Hakusho meets a queer romance and the result is utter serotonin.

I am so happy to have received a review copy of this work and eagerly look forward to future works from Keezy Young.

Taproot is a wonderful, cozy, calm, and genuinely lovely story.

The plot follows the love story between a ghost and a gardener, the worlds of life and death (and how they cross over), and a reaper that doesn’t stick to the rules.

It is a love story—yes, it’s a romance graphic novel—but this is the author’s love story to life itself.
They created a beautiful story that is full of life, celebrates the balance between life and death, and gives a wholesome happily ever after to queer characters (who absolutely deserve it).

The first time I read this book, I cried in happiness for many reasons. The characters are diverse, loving, and get their happy ending. This was something I still wasn’t used to reading at the time, and I cannot tell you how important it is to have that.
I also cried because it is such a WONDERFUL STORY I can’t even express how much I adore it.

Thank you so much for this book.

This was so so adorable! a queer story about life and death with incredibly lovable characters and a found family trope!! I was first interested in this book because of the art style, the colour palette is just beautiful. Despite how short this is, it took me a while to read because I just wanted to appreciate the art!! I especially loved the authors note and seeing the process of the characters/story as that’s not something you see often! it definitely made me love the book even more than I already did.
"Life isn’t all joy and happy endings, but even in the absence of happiness, there still needs to be hope.”
The only complaint I have is just how short it was, I wish it was longer or there was more to it. I fell in love with the characters instantly but I’d love to get to know them more!!

Blue and Hamal's relationship is so soft and sweet, I was in love with them from the very first page. Equal parts queer, creepy, and charming, the story follows a young ghost and the very-much-alive gardener he falls in love with. Is Blue willing to sacrifice everything for Hamal?

I also have to put in here that the reaper was an absolute, and unexpected, joy!

Stunning art and beautiful storytelling. Taproot was an utter delight!

Really enjoyed this! The illustration style was beautiful and I really liked the relationships throughout!

This is a very sweet, tender graphic novel about a gardener who can talk to ghosts, Hamal, and a lonely ghost, Blue. Their burgeoning friendship and eventual romance is soft and wholesome and I really enjoyed seeing them grow closer. The art style is fun and whimsical with lots of greens and blues, and the plants that are an important part of the plot are so well drawn.

Among the heartfelt moments, there's also humour, often provided by Blue or the Reaper, and I very much enjoyed their interactions. My one issue with this graphic novel was with the pacing; the timeline seemed to jump here and there and it wasn't always clear what was happening or how much time had passed since the last few pages. It also felt like we missed some of the key moments, and they were glossed over when more time could have been spent on them. On the whole though, this was lovely and I'm glad I stumbled across it.

Content warnings for child/teenage death, bugs, death threats.