A gorgeously illustrated graphic novel that will tug at your heartstrings. TAPROOT is a tender, queer, paranormal love story that you won't want to miss!

I love anything plant-related and anything that is remotely gay. So Taproot was right up my alley. I loved the dynamic between Hamal and Blue. Taproot is sweet and a must-read for any queer person who is a bit obsessed with plants and death/ghosts, or you know anyone else who wants to read this gem.

Very sweet. i wanted more to the story because I loved the characters. Unfortunately, I will not be able to sell this at the store, despite putting a shelf talker on it, or trying to handsell it. I will tell another location of our store's to sell it though because they will have a better time.

This was such a cute graphic novel the illustrations were amazing and the plot line was cute. I would have liked some expansion on the world and ghosts but overall I loved it

This is such a sweet little story that isn't afraid to go some places. I came for the tender and endearing queer romance between a gardener and his ghost friend, but stayed for the... yeah, for the tender and endearing queer romance between a gardener and his ghost friend.
And also for a certain sassy boss lady that I couldn't get enough of (not spoiling!)

Although the art style isn't really my taste, it is incredibly vibrant and colorful. Even pages that are dark and spooky still manage to convey a lively brightness that serves the mood incredibly well. It says something about the artist when a skull on a black background can feel as dynamic and animated as a flower in a garden.

All in all, a great little read that made me all warm and soft inside. I read this in one sitting because I didn't want to put it down. May or may not have gotten teary eyed at a point or two. Would love to revisit these characters again in the future.

Thanks a ton to Oni Press for a review copy.

This book is sweet. and depicts interaction between ghost and human. Friends to lover arc is done well.

The charming little paranormal romance Taproot by author/illustrator Keezy Young will warm the heart. It is cute, creepy, wholesome, artistically gorgeous, and delightfully queer.

The narrative centers on Blue, a ghost who prefers to hang out with Hamal because he is secretly in love, and on Hamal, a young gardener who has the ability to perceive the spirits of the deceased who have not yet passed on. But their strangely tranquil existence is upended when a Reaper appears, searching for a necromancer who has the ability to see the dead.

Although the story is a little incoherent, Taproot is so endearing and lovely to look at that it won't matter much and makes for a delightful quick read.

Taproot is a speculative graphic novel, dealing with a ghost and a florist who just so happens to be able to see ghosts. The art style is gorgeous and I am really a fan of the color work that went into this. So much of the story, especially on Blue’s end, is colored with shades of blue. Young crafts a heart touching story that deals with death and features a cute ghost x human relationship.

I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel though, if anything, I felt like it could be longer. I just wanted to linger with the characters and marinate in their choices to be fair! There were a couple of times while reading when I thought that the story was over but it continued. The actual ending, I feel, is a bit of a let down in that I wanted to continue seeing Blue and Hamal’s life together!

I think this is a fun, quick read and I would definitely recommend this graphic novel to anyone looking for something both queer and a bit spooky!

This is a story of a gardener who can ser ghosts, but after some time, the ghosts are in danger...

I started this book without knowing anything about it and I liked it! The graphic style is really good and the story is nice!

I didn't feel like the story was complex enough, hence the rating, but it's relaxing and cute.

Super cute! The art style was gorgeous and very vivid. I loved Hamal and Blue as characters, and their relationship was really sweet and wholesome. The plot felt a little disconnected, as we would jump from scene to scene with no clear connections between them. But overall I really liked this and would definitely love a sequel!

"There's nothing evil about death, ghostie. But it's a balance. You can't force life without taking it from somewhere."

Hamal passes his days working at a flower shop and talking to the ghosts that only he seems to be able to see. He's a necromancer—but he doesn't know it.

Blue has been dead for a year. He used to wander around aimlessly, observing the living, until he came across Hamal—the only person who's been able to see him since he passed away. As time passes, he develops feelings for Hamal, though he knows that as a ghost, he can't give him anything—Blue can't even touch him.

This graphic novel filled the void in my soul that Pushing Daisies left years ago. Young's art style is so charming – from the colour palette to the stark contrast between the real world and the Reaper's forest. It's a beautiful visualisation of the threshold between life and death. The story itself was short, sweet, and hopeful – a perfect creepy-cozy read to return to on a gloomy day.

I feel like this book exists just on romance vibes. It's cute, but there isn't much plot, and the necromancer magic system isn't explained at all so I don't even know what the characters are doing or why they're doing it.

Such a nice and lovely story. This was one of those books I wasn't sure on and I am glad I was approved for it as it was amazing and one of my 5 star reads of this year

I just absolutely love this book. It is kind and comforting, not only is the art beautiful but the storyline is compelling. Would highly recommend.

A cozy romance between a ghost and a human, Taproot is illustrated in gorgeous pastels. I felt the pacing of the novel could have been better. The relationship between Hamal and Blue is adorable. Taproot was wholesome, paranormal, and delightfully queer.

Queer paranormal graphic novel with cottagecore vibes. This was so wholesome and sweet and I just absolutely adored this.

*thank you to netgalley and lion forge for the arc.*

this was a really cute, quick read. the art was incredible and there was a little bit of creepiness sprinkled in there, and it had elements of mystery in there too. i loved the queer and bipoc representation. the only reason i knocked a star off was because i think there could have been a bit more world building and character development in the first half of the novel. other than that though, this was perfect. definitely got me out of my reading slump!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4822915828

Plant gays! I repeat: plant gays!!!
This was really cute and the drawings were absolutely lovely.
Hamal is a gardener who can see ghosts ever since he was a child. It made him kind of an outsider, constantly talking to himself.
He loves plants and even sings to them to make them grow and survive. He’s an absolute sweetheart.
For years the one ghost, Blue, has been with him. And of course they’re star crossed lovers!

This story was absolutely wonderful and super queer and diverse. We see all kinds of bodies, skin colours and ages.
I loved all the characters, especially the reaper! She was hilarious and made this story super funny next to our dramatic little Blue.

The only downside is that it’s super short and jumps in time so much without much explanation. You just have to kind of guess what happens in between the scenes? It’s not super hard, but I would have loved to read a more elaborate and detailed story instead of that little epilogue one year later (even though I especially loved that part).

Thank you to Oni Press for granting me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Taproot by Keezy Young follows Hamal, a gardener who can see ghosts, and Blue, a spirit who is surprised and excited when someone can finally see him. This graphic novel shows what happens when their friendship turns to love, as well as how a reaper changes both of their lives forever.

This story was quick to read, and absolutely charming. The artwork was beautiful and captured the emotions of the characters perfectly. I think the fact that Keezy both wrote and illustrated this is definitely a factor.

Though there were a few instances where I thought a little more development and depth could be helpful in the writing, it more than got the story across with the artwork. I'm a fan of queer books in general, so that may have influenced my opinion. The second half of the story really captured me! I'm glad I was able to get a copy of this story and read about Hamal & Blue!

A gardener who can interact with ghosts and the ghost who loves him. A beautifully drawn, beautifully told romance, with cool fantasy afterworld mechanics and just the right amount of spookiness.