"The Ghostkeeper" follows a young man with the ability to see ghosts. He makes a living by going to "haunted" houses and speaking with the ghosts as their therapist, to help them move into limbo and on through deaths door. But when a young, recently deceased girl steals the key to deaths door, ghosts are stuck in the world of the living and are no longer able to pass on to the next world. They need someone to help them get the key back, as well as cure their rot while they wait so they don't turn into banshees.

Pros:
-LGBT romance
-Really great artwork. Nice and colorful, with a color palette that makes ghosts and real people easily distinguishable from each other. The characters are drawn in a way that is pleasing to the eye and would be something that catches your attention
-Story makes sense and has a conclusive ending

Cons:
-I just felt that it was way too long. One of the story points is that the main character is supposed to be in an asylum, and that detracted from the story as it's just kind of brushed over in the end. It could have been cut as it was not important to the story whatsoever.

Overall, while the art is very enjoyable and the story started out very intriguing, I felt it a tad too long and started to lose enjoyment by the end. I think others would really like this, especially those who are into ghosts and the ability to talk with ghosts from the real world. It definitely explored grief and some more serious topics in a way that I believe could help others cope with loss.

3.5/5 stars

Thank you so much to netgalley and Penguin Group for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful and heartbreaking graphic novel about a ghost therapist, Dorian, who is just trying to make the ghosts in his community feel cared for and move on to the next phase of their afterlife. Of course while taking care of everyone else's needs Dorian lets his fall the waist side. He has to learn the hard way that sometimes if you want to help others, you need to help yourself first.

The art was beautiful. The story both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The world building very fun. This was a great cozy yet creepy novel that really tackled the issues of grief, mental health, and boundaries incredibly well.

I absolutely loved this Graphic Novel! Dorian Leith is such a beautiful main character with a gentle heart and pure feelings of care for others. After obtaining the ability to see ghosts and a childhood traumatic experience he has set his adult life on the path of helping ghosts overcome their troubles and find peace in the afterlife, a ghost "therapist" if you will. He is gentle and kind of them and gives so much of himself even at his own (almost) downfall.

This plot is so well done as we see Dorian learn to find a balance between living for himself and living for the dead. The ghosts and their troubles are depicted so uniquely and I would love another installment that shows a continuation of how things are going after some time. Plus I would love to check in on Dorian and Brody!

This was a beautiful and heartbreaking, yet hopeful and important graphic novel.

Dorian can see ghosts. He works with them to help move them from this life into the next. But when it becomes overwhelming, and he's no longer taking care of himself, how can he continue when he has almost nothing left to give?

It focused so much on grief and fear of the unknown and understanding that the living have to let go of certain things in order for the dead to find true peace. It was such an important look at death and grief. Highly recommend.

Despite it being a Young Adult graphic novel, this story touches a lot on mental health and in such a way that I felt like I learned techniques too. It makes sense since the protagonist acts as a therapist for ghosts.

I actually really enjoyed this story. I want to forewarn that there aren't any plot twists or shocking moments that can sometimes really elevate a story, but I also don't think it necessarily needed it and I find that it can stand on its own. I am teetering between 3 and 4 stars, I think it's more of a 3.5 but because of the gorgeous artwork, colouring, the queer rep, plus-size rep, and character development and interactions, it definitely rounds up to 4 (for me anyway!).

There were a few moments that got really tense and I felt for the characters. When a graphic novel can do that - that's pretty amazing.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC!

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In a Victorian-like setting, Dorian Leith can communicate with ghosts. His ghost grandma Lazarus helps him along the way with his business of providing therapy to the ghosts, but Dorian doesn't have time for himself. With the key to Death's Door missing, the town's ghosts began to run rampant, scaring the living out of their homes as they grew the rot within themselves. Can Dorian save the ghosts and the town before his own sanity loses control?
Dorian Leith feels the need to always help the ghosts instead of himself. He grows in maturity by the end of the story, realizing what he actually needs to gain peace back for himself. His relationship with Brody is adorable; their companionship helps balance Dorian in his time of need. This graphic novel, with poltergeists and plague doctors, shows how one person saves others while trying to save himself.

I have never had a comic sucker punch me in the feelings the way this one did. This was such a beautiful story laid out in an even more beautiful art style. It truly proves that even comics can hold depth and nuance to them, and that they're not just an easy way out of reading. Pictures are often said to be worth a thousand words, and this is absolutely no exception.

I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book, but I ended up finding a beautiful story of belonging, grief, and love in the story of a gay ghost therapist. Dorian Leith can see ghosts, and he’s made his entire life basically being their therapist so he can heal their pain and help them move on from the world of the living. But when the key to the door that takes them into the land of the dead is stolen, suddenly the ghosts are no longer able to cross over, and doing his job escalates to an unimaginable level. Along the way, he’s trying to keep the connections he has to the world of the living, and himself, grounded. Although it took me a little bit to get into, this story was beautiful and beautifully told with its art, telling a story that felt unique while also touching on topics we can all relate to at least one point in our lives. I would definitely recommend it!

When the story first begins, it’s a little hard to truly understand what’s going on, and I almost wish we’d gotten introduced to Dorian before his work, although it was satisfying to see how everything ended up wrapping up at the end. The outward problem of the story, people’s reactions to ghosts and the missing key, seem somewhat mundane (as mundane as ghosts can be) at first, but everything builds up until it’s impossible to ignore. Throughout, I really loved seeing the exploration of Dorian’s character, both with his past and his future with characters like Brody. I wouldn’t describe this as cozy fantasy necessarily, but it’s certainly adjacent.

It’s a little bit hard to talk about the best parts of this story because they kind of act as spoilers, but what I can say that this is a beautiful exploration of grief and loss, love for others and for yourself, and the story of someone who can see ghosts and the burdens that come from the living and the dead. It’s also beautifully rendered, showcasing the pain but also the beauty contained within this story. I can’t wait to return to this story once again when it’s physically released!

Ghostkeeper is such a lovely graphic novel! The artwork is so beautiful and goes so well with the story.

This was such a fun and emotional read. I enjoyed the relationship between Dorian and Brody. Although, I didn’t know how to feel about Brody. My opinion on him changed a lot, but by the end, I did like him. Dorian’s Gran was lovely too. I loved the interactions between Lucy and Dorian, they were very sweet.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and I think many others will too! Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Title: The Ghostkeeper by Johanna Taylor
Publication Date- 07/23/24
Publisher- PRH Putnam
Overall Rating- 6 out of 5 stars

Review: Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Before I tell you why this is a new favorite for me, getting 6 out of 5 stars I need to quickly give you some perspective about my life that led to me rating this so highly. I am a therapist, I work with grief clients, I need reminders to take care of myself so I can take care of others. This amazing graphic novel is about grief, therapy, fear, coping, and so much more. Somehow the author educates people on what it’s like to be a therapist, why it’s rewarding and how it’s challenging at the same time as taking the perspective of a client and how difficult grief is. There couldn’t have possibly been a better time for me to pick this up and at the permission of this book, I just ate half a gallon of icecream.

The art style is beautiful and colorful. I just pre-ordered two copies one for me and one for a coworker who works closely with grief. Though I had a personal experience with this, the talent of the author makes it so anyone can pick it up. I’m not sure I will ever stop gushing about this. It was so cute and also heartbreaking and hopeful, so many things all in once. I can’t wait to have a physical copy on my shelf. Please give it a shot.

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.