This felt like I was watching a studio gibhli movie. It was so cute. The color and illustrations were perfect and matched so well with the theme. One thing that I was really impressed by was how the illustrations shifted from darked tones back to the soft green ones. This was absolutely adorable mad wholesome and the characters were so cute.

This was such a sweet read. I loved so many things about it - the story, the characters, the artwork, the LGBTQIA+ representation.

The story had me really intrigued from an early point and I liked the overall tone the story has in regards to death.

Some of the plot points felt really unexplained due to time leaps that bypassed too much story, however, this seems to only affect the first half of the book.

I'm keen for there to be more books in this title as the characters are really engaging and I love the artwork.

Thank you to NetGalley, Oni Press, and Keezy Young for giving me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Links to reviews will be updated closer to the publication date.

This graphic novel is gorgeous, both aesthetically and through its story.

Firstly, the visuals have huge impact. The colour scheme is stunning and complimentary to the story. I hugely appreciated the different colour palettes for the types of characters (human, ghost or reaper) to distinguish between them. Each world drawn had beautiful detail and the dichotomy between soft flowers in pastel colours in contrast to death and decaying flesh was amazing. It was intriguing to read the added content about the drawing and design process too!

As a story, it’s great! I could easily follow the storyline, awesome representation of queerness and races. I did feel like the addition of Luciana’s (?) segment at the end was a bit random in my opinion but that didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the novel overall.

This is a queer paranormal romance. The paranormal elements are interesting and offer a sweet perspective to things generally depicted as harsh and evil. The romance element has a tinge of tragedy that is quickly washed away to become a fulfilling love story.

I love the art of this graphic novel. The color palette is particularly appealing, contrasting the real world and the world of the dead with ease and in a way that makes reading along a pleasant experience. Yet, the story as a whole at times feels jumpy and unconnected.

Jumpiness is common in the graphic novels, but in this one may not be working in favor of good storytelling, but creating gaps that left me wondering, did I skip a page?

Nonetheless, I enjoyed getting to know Blue and Hamal but my favorite character is by far the very mysterious and quite mischievous Reaper.

This is a beautifully illustrated comic about a ghost who falls in love with the only person who can see him. I don't read graphic novels very often, but the gorgeous art and heartwarming romance in Taproot has made me want to check out Keezy Young's other work. I would definitely recommend this, especially to those who enjoy colorful art, supernatural elements, and sweet love stories.

Without spoiling the plot, I will say this was a super sweet love story with some creepy hijinks/mystery-solving mixed in. I was surprised by the mystery element! The art was also beautiful. If you enjoyed any of the Tea Dragon Society books or even Aquicorn Cove, you’ll probably enjoy this. It was such a soft book.

Firstly, the illustrations are so beautiful!! I love the contrast between the murky and dark colours, this was done really well, and I think the artwork is unique.

I loved the plot, the characters and the dialogue! It's a very cute and wholesome read with a tinge of sadness. I also love how it's LGBTQ+ inclusive as well.

This was a lovely read, and I didn't expect one of the twists towards the end! There's nothing I can fault about this novel. It makes you feel a plethora of emotions from happiness to sadness, from sympathy to that heartwarming feeling.

Absolutely adorable and creepy love story. This was a needed wholesome story with a nice little twist. I'd love to read more stories about Hamal & Blue's adventures.

Taproot is a super cute love story! its a really positive way to look at death and has some beautiful illustrations!

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

Thank you to Oni Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!

I read Taproot back in 2018 and I adored it so much! I’m happy to report that after rereading it this year (2022), I still adore it!

Hamal and Blue are just so cute together and I wish this story was a little longer so we would have the chance to see more of them as friends and growing to love each other.

I still think this is one of the best Queer graphic novels I’ve read and I cannot wait to buy the new edition along with hopefully buying the original copy.

This will always be a story I come back to when I need a smile on my face and heart.

⭐️ 5 STARS ⭐️

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.