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The Keeper: A Graphic Novel
NAMED A BEST GRAPHIC NOVEL OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST
NAMED A BOOK WE LOVED BY NPR
A young Black girl finds herself trapped between desperation and her family’s dark history in this horror graphic novel
Aisha has suffered a devastating loss. Her parents were killed in a car crash, and now she must move to decrepit and derelict Detroit to live with her ailing grandmother. However, shortly after moving in, Aisha's grandmother's health rapidly deteriorates. With her dying breath, she summons the dark spirit that has protected their family for generations to watch over Aisha.
At first it seems that this spirit, whom Aisha refers to as the Keeper, is truly doing as her grandmother asked, caring for Aisha and keeping her safe; however, it soon becomes clear that this being can only sustain itself by stealing life from others. As the Keeper begins to prey on the apartment building's other residents, Aisha and her friends must come together to destroy it . . . or die trying.
Written by masters of horror Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes and illustrated by Marco Finnegan, The Keeper reflects on the horror Black Americans face every day, while still staying true to the genre.
NAMED A BOOK WE LOVED BY NPR
A young Black girl finds herself trapped between desperation and her family’s dark history in this horror graphic novel
Aisha has suffered a devastating loss. Her parents were killed in a car crash, and now she must move to decrepit and derelict Detroit to live with her ailing grandmother. However, shortly after moving in, Aisha's grandmother's health rapidly deteriorates. With her dying breath, she summons the dark spirit that has protected their family for generations to watch over Aisha.
At first it seems that this spirit, whom Aisha refers to as the Keeper, is truly doing as her grandmother asked, caring for Aisha and keeping her safe; however, it soon becomes clear that this being can only sustain itself by stealing life from others. As the Keeper begins to prey on the apartment building's other residents, Aisha and her friends must come together to destroy it . . . or die trying.
Written by masters of horror Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes and illustrated by Marco Finnegan, The Keeper reflects on the horror Black Americans face every day, while still staying true to the genre.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published September 27, 2022
About the author
Tananarive Due
105 books4,523 followersTANANARIVE DUE (tah-nah-nah-REEVE doo) is the award-winning author of The Wishing Pool & Other Stories and the upcoming The Reformatory ("A masterpiece"--Library Journal). She and her husband, Steven Barnes, co-wrote the Black Horror graphic novel The Keeper, illustrated by Marco Finnegan. Due and Barnes co-host a podcast, "Lifewriting: Write for Your Life!"
A leading voice in Black speculative fiction for more than 20 years, Due has won an American Book Award, an NAACP Image Award, and a British Fantasy Award, and her writing has been included in best-of-the-year anthologies. Her books include Ghost Summer: Stories, My Soul to Keep, and The Good House. She and her late mother, civil rights activist Patricia Stephens Due, co-authored Freedom in the Family: A Mother-Daughter Memoir of the Fight for Civil Rights. She and her husband live with their son, Jason.
A leading voice in Black speculative fiction for more than 20 years, Due has won an American Book Award, an NAACP Image Award, and a British Fantasy Award, and her writing has been included in best-of-the-year anthologies. Her books include Ghost Summer: Stories, My Soul to Keep, and The Good House. She and her late mother, civil rights activist Patricia Stephens Due, co-authored Freedom in the Family: A Mother-Daughter Memoir of the Fight for Civil Rights. She and her husband live with their son, Jason.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
October 5, 2022
This was a solid graphic novel that definitely had some spooky elements. It focuses on a young girl by the name of Aisha who loses who parents and is forced to live with her grandmother. As her grandmother gets sick and eventually passes away, Aisha is left to take care of herself with the help of an entity her grandmother asked to protect her. This entity, “the keeper,” proves to be more sinister than anyone could have predicted. For me, the set up was great; however, I wasn’t completely satisfied with the execution. A huge part of me wishes that we would have gotten just a tad bit more backstory to the Keeper and where it came from. We get a glimpse through Aisha’s family history but it wasn’t enough. I also felt as though the story could have afforded to be just a tad longer. There were so many different things that either were wrapped up too nicely or weren’t explored in enough details. Nevertheless, this is a good pick for the spooky season. I really enjoyed the artwork and the constant play with light and dark. Readers also get to know a main character that’s willing to stand up for herself especially when it comes to bullying. Not sure I was anticipating that. Overall, a solid book. Im hoping that they will consider further exploring these characters and themes in future installments.
May 13, 2023
A dying woman makes a wish to a supernatural being to keep her orphaned granddaughter safe. As is the way of wishes, things get dark and bloody. Unfortunately, the slow burn to horror was so slow I got bored and tuned out. It's not bad, but nothing here really surprised or engaged me.
(A graphic novel project: I'm reading all the books on the list of NPR's Books We Love 2022: Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels. Only three to go!)
(A graphic novel project: I'm reading all the books on the list of NPR's Books We Love 2022: Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels. Only three to go!)
June 18, 2023
Poignant Supernatural story about a young girl who suffers loss and the importance of family-whatever shape that may take..
October 31, 2022
3.5 stars--A dark entity is tasked with protecting an orphaned girl, but as the story progresses, we learn this protection comes at a steep cost. Now it's up to her to do battle against "the Keeper." This is a spooky, atmospheric story just right for the Halloween season.
August 15, 2023
3.5⭐ rounded up. Creepy as HELL. But, a good story.
January 15, 2023
Aisha's parents die, and she is sent to live with her elderly, and ill, grandmother. More tragedy strikes, and she is faced with some tough decisions. The Keeper is an entity charged with keeping vulnerable people safe, by nurturing as needed, but it also kills, and enjoys it. The Keeper is usually kept in a bottle, but Aisha activates it because, well, she really needs to. More mayhem. She is Black, and that is relevant, especially when we find out about the Keeper's origin. It also gives the book a setting in the nonwhite non-middle-class culture, a good thing.
I'm not sure why my library has it shelved as an adult graphic book. Seems like it would be fine for young adults.
The book is nicely done, but I could have used more explanation of who is who among the more minor characters and what is going on in some places. Three and a half stars, rounded down because I'm not fond of horror.
I'm not sure why my library has it shelved as an adult graphic book. Seems like it would be fine for young adults.
The book is nicely done, but I could have used more explanation of who is who among the more minor characters and what is going on in some places. Three and a half stars, rounded down because I'm not fond of horror.
March 1, 2023
High 3.5 stars
Creepy! Apparently ya-level horror is the right amount of ominousness for me.
Creepy! Apparently ya-level horror is the right amount of ominousness for me.
August 2, 2024
good spooks, bad pacing—in the authors note it said this was originally intended as a screenplay, which probably would have worked better. needed to be longer, not a lot of dramatic tension
October 2, 2023
This is our comic book club's October read, chosen by me, because...Tananarive Due wrote a graphic novel. I mean, I had to. And it was pretty good. Due brought her usual deft hand to the subject of generational trauma and systemic racism, adding to it a creepy story about a girl who's lost everything and may now be under the "care" of an entity known only as "The Keeper."
It was cool to read something that Due wrote with her husband, Steven Barnes - I'd never read anything by him before. I shouldn't be surprised, but as much as it was an eerie story, it was also a deeply sad/emotional one. The artwork was...interesting. I'm not sure if it was rudimentary on purpose? There were two pivotal panels that I didn't visually understand on first pass, which might've just been me, but it was enough to make me go back and take a harder look at the somewhat nonspecific images once I had more context.
I would absolutely love to see more Due-led graphic novels. Her longform prose practically begs to be adapted. And, actually, in the end notes of THE KEEPER, it's mentioned that this started as a screenplay based on an event in Due's childhood, but the project wasn't picked up, which is why they decided to go the comic route. I'd have loved to see a Guillermo del Toro treatment of a story this creepy.
Anyway! Liked it fine, can't really rave much about it, but certainly worth a read if it crosses your path. (And if you're just looking for an entre into Due's work, I'd recommend THE BETWEEN, and, despite being only a tenth of the way through so far, her soon-to-be-published THE REFORMATORY.)
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It was cool to read something that Due wrote with her husband, Steven Barnes - I'd never read anything by him before. I shouldn't be surprised, but as much as it was an eerie story, it was also a deeply sad/emotional one. The artwork was...interesting. I'm not sure if it was rudimentary on purpose? There were two pivotal panels that I didn't visually understand on first pass, which might've just been me, but it was enough to make me go back and take a harder look at the somewhat nonspecific images once I had more context.
I would absolutely love to see more Due-led graphic novels. Her longform prose practically begs to be adapted. And, actually, in the end notes of THE KEEPER, it's mentioned that this started as a screenplay based on an event in Due's childhood, but the project wasn't picked up, which is why they decided to go the comic route. I'd have loved to see a Guillermo del Toro treatment of a story this creepy.
Anyway! Liked it fine, can't really rave much about it, but certainly worth a read if it crosses your path. (And if you're just looking for an entre into Due's work, I'd recommend THE BETWEEN, and, despite being only a tenth of the way through so far, her soon-to-be-published THE REFORMATORY.)
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March 30, 2023
The Keeper is a story that is spooky while also being incredibly moving. We follow Aisha as she loses family members and is left protected by a creature summoned by her grandmother, a creature that is more sinister and violent than she could have guessed. The characters are sympathetic, especially Aisha (although I related deeply to her parents' need to see Night of the Living Dead on the big screen), and as someone who has experienced the loss of a parent (fortunately not both) and a beloved grandmother it's easy to see reflections of my own grief in the story. The lore around the Keeper is also really interesting. And the art works well for me.
I wish we had gotten to spend more time with the characters and the lore, but as it is, I really enjoyed this one and connected with it. I wasn't surprised by the note at the end that said it was adapted from what was originally a film script, because it definitely felt like it would be a great movie too. Although I've enjoyed Tananarive Due in other formats (such as in the documentary Horror Noire or through some of her short nonfiction on Black horror), but this is actually my first experience with her fiction (or with her husband Steven Barnes or the artist Marco Finnegan), and this definitely has me interested in more. Definitely recommended.
I wish we had gotten to spend more time with the characters and the lore, but as it is, I really enjoyed this one and connected with it. I wasn't surprised by the note at the end that said it was adapted from what was originally a film script, because it definitely felt like it would be a great movie too. Although I've enjoyed Tananarive Due in other formats (such as in the documentary Horror Noire or through some of her short nonfiction on Black horror), but this is actually my first experience with her fiction (or with her husband Steven Barnes or the artist Marco Finnegan), and this definitely has me interested in more. Definitely recommended.
September 4, 2024
I've been a lifelong comics fan. I've read and loved works from every genre in the medium, from super-heroes to non-fiction, from comedy to crime. Strangely, I’ve always had a hard time with horror comics. This is weird because I do love horror fiction. Even though some of my favorite novels have been horror novels and even though I’m a horror movie fan, I’ve rarely connected with horror comics. Unfortunately, I can’t say The Keeper changed my mind on the subject. I found the story to be lacking in actual frights and the mystery didn’t grab me as much as I hoped it would. The book was also a letdown artwise. Marco Finnegan’s work was simply not up to par. I could have looked past the bland art style if the artist had displayed strong sequential storytelling, but the book suffered from clunky breakdowns and pacing issues. That being said, I think the failings of The Keeper as a work of sequential art ultimately falls into the writers’ lap. Their lack of experience as comics creators was obvious throughout the book. I can’t say I was surprised to learn from the jacket copy that this story started out as a failed movie script only to be turned into “A Graphic Novel” by an editor at Abrams. As a genuine comics lover, I wish non-specialized publishing houses would stop this practice and shift their focus to the work of actual cartoonists who deserves a much bigger spotlight.
July 20, 2023
This book was a fun read. It was creepy, heartwarming, and displayed the various hardships of loss and living in poverty. It also, IMO, shows how our ancestors will always be there for us, no matter the cost. Loved the graphics as well.
April 28, 2023
4.5⭐️ rounded up
June 29, 2023
Not scary enough for horror, not enough story for the graphic novel. The art is well used and propelled the plot but the plot was a bit thin. It's good, not great.
January 21, 2024
The thing about graphic novels is that they always go too fast for me ! This one was good and the story hit all the right notes but I can’t help but feel like I miss too much with graphic novels
March 10, 2024
I liked the theme of finding family, and the double edged sword of how we can try to find safety. I liked how the protagonist felt real and fleshed out. This was a sparse book though. It felt like a sketch at times, rather than fully realized. There were a few occasions when I thought I had accidentally skipped pages in my digital copy.
November 9, 2022
Tragedy, memory, sacrifice, and horror. What else could a reader ask for? The Keeper follows Aisha, a young girl who has found herself orphaned and in the care of her grandmother. Once a mysterious force seemingly both gracious and malevolent begins to descend upon all that she knows, Aisha must ask herself what it means to preserve a family legacy and whether or not she has the strength to carry it on her own.
Full disclosure, I do not read many graphic novels. I've found that I tend to walk away from them with a surface-level understanding of their stories as my brain slips into the ineffective "few-word-go-fast" mentality. However, the striking cinematic images and expertly crafted sympathetic dialogue united to forge an incredibly stirring narrative that I savored. While I think this story thrives in its short format, I would have loved to see a more episodic version of the story that explored the other characters and the more mundane elements of Aisha's life. What does your morning routine look like when a shapeless eldrich manifestation of your family's dying breaths clings to your every maneuver? Asking for a friend.
Full disclosure, I do not read many graphic novels. I've found that I tend to walk away from them with a surface-level understanding of their stories as my brain slips into the ineffective "few-word-go-fast" mentality. However, the striking cinematic images and expertly crafted sympathetic dialogue united to forge an incredibly stirring narrative that I savored. While I think this story thrives in its short format, I would have loved to see a more episodic version of the story that explored the other characters and the more mundane elements of Aisha's life. What does your morning routine look like when a shapeless eldrich manifestation of your family's dying breaths clings to your every maneuver? Asking for a friend.
January 15, 2023
a decent story that was really let down by a stiff, unexpressive art style
April 24, 2023
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I wish the ending was a little longer and a bit more climactic, other than that I really loved the story overall.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.5/5 Stars
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I wish the ending was a little longer and a bit more climactic, other than that I really loved the story overall.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.5/5 Stars
August 10, 2024
This was so good and so dark and very unsettling, while simultaneously being poignant and heart-breaking.
I loved this story and felt immersed in the art, which made excellent use of color vs black&white.
I'll definitely be reading more by this author.
I loved this story and felt immersed in the art, which made excellent use of color vs black&white.
I'll definitely be reading more by this author.
December 23, 2022
Two and a half stars
My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:
https://youtu.be/SvnsDueepnw
Enjoy!
My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:
https://youtu.be/SvnsDueepnw
Enjoy!
May 8, 2023
In the opening pages of this horror graphic novel, Aisha’s parents die in a car crash. She is given a choice between living with her grandmother and going into the foster care system. It’s no big surprise that she chooses her grandmother who goes on and on about the importance of family. Unfortunately, the grandmother is elderly and not in good health, and soon Aisha is left with only her great aunt who lives in a nursing home. Rather than reporting her grandmother’s death, Aisha honors her grandmother’s dying request of remaining silent and in their apartment, and that’s when things get really weird.
Before her death, Aisha’s grandmother told her about some of the things that happened to her when she was younger–how she lost an eye and about the spirit that showed up on the night her father died, a spirit that can only be invoked on the point of death. She calls it the Keeper. The Keeper is no fairy godmother; it’s dark and deadly. Aisha has to figure out how to honor her grandmother’s wish that she stay out of the foster care system and how to protect the other people who live in the building.
I have never been a fan of horror, and this story did nothing to change my mind. Despite the fact that this is highly touted Black speculative fiction that features generational trauma and the victimization those most vulnerable–children and the elderly–I could not get past the personification of evil. Yes, evil exists, but I don’t like the idea of inviting it into my space. 2.5
Before her death, Aisha’s grandmother told her about some of the things that happened to her when she was younger–how she lost an eye and about the spirit that showed up on the night her father died, a spirit that can only be invoked on the point of death. She calls it the Keeper. The Keeper is no fairy godmother; it’s dark and deadly. Aisha has to figure out how to honor her grandmother’s wish that she stay out of the foster care system and how to protect the other people who live in the building.
I have never been a fan of horror, and this story did nothing to change my mind. Despite the fact that this is highly touted Black speculative fiction that features generational trauma and the victimization those most vulnerable–children and the elderly–I could not get past the personification of evil. Yes, evil exists, but I don’t like the idea of inviting it into my space. 2.5
July 7, 2024
There's a lot to like and enjoy in The Keeper. The art and story have a classic horror feel to them, and the pacing is good. The best character development is in the grandma, who just jumps off the page. I really could have read an entire story about her.
I think the most interesting thing about this story is how it interrogates the idea of family, specifically a black family, over the last three or so generations. Race, family, survival, trauma, loyalty... these themes are all intertwined with one another, and it does feel like it's breaking new ground within the horror genre, much like Jordan Peele's celebrated Get Out and Us (incidentally, he also gave an author blurb on the back of this book).
Even though I generally like the art, I feel like there are a host of art-related choices that I take issue with. The paneling feels off and doesn't serve the story at times, and there are a few abrupt style changes that are hard to understand. There are also a few spreads and double spreads that just don't land for me, and these are supposed to punctuate some big moments.
All in all, The Keeper is a solid introduction to horror, and I'd recommend it to any kid who also likes Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
I think the most interesting thing about this story is how it interrogates the idea of family, specifically a black family, over the last three or so generations. Race, family, survival, trauma, loyalty... these themes are all intertwined with one another, and it does feel like it's breaking new ground within the horror genre, much like Jordan Peele's celebrated Get Out and Us (incidentally, he also gave an author blurb on the back of this book).
Even though I generally like the art, I feel like there are a host of art-related choices that I take issue with. The paneling feels off and doesn't serve the story at times, and there are a few abrupt style changes that are hard to understand. There are also a few spreads and double spreads that just don't land for me, and these are supposed to punctuate some big moments.
All in all, The Keeper is a solid introduction to horror, and I'd recommend it to any kid who also likes Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
July 5, 2023
3.5 Stars rounded up. I think the heart of this story, the meaning behind it really resonates with me. It is about mortality and family. About caring for your loved ones when faced with your own end. There are a lot of perspectives of hate in this book, prejudice and discrimination. I like that, in a way, there is no real villain here. Just honest, good intentions that are willing to go to any length to fulfil a dying wish.
I loved the art, and the character work. My one complaint is that it feels a little stilted in places. Its pacing is off causing the story to move too fast at times. I would like to live in the moment and let the atmosphere work its magic, but too often with this medium it is too easy to read on very quickly and lose that emotional impact and tension.
I have not had the pleasure of reading anything from Tananarive Due yet, but I am looking forward to picking up a few pieces. I can feel her passion for telling authentic stories steeped with culture and social impact and that calls to me. I will be picking up one of her books very soon.
I loved the art, and the character work. My one complaint is that it feels a little stilted in places. Its pacing is off causing the story to move too fast at times. I would like to live in the moment and let the atmosphere work its magic, but too often with this medium it is too easy to read on very quickly and lose that emotional impact and tension.
I have not had the pleasure of reading anything from Tananarive Due yet, but I am looking forward to picking up a few pieces. I can feel her passion for telling authentic stories steeped with culture and social impact and that calls to me. I will be picking up one of her books very soon.
November 21, 2023
Actual Rating 3.7 Stars
SPOILERS AHEAD ✨✨✨
honestly, the book was much better than I was expecting. Typically I go into books with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder when I’m expected to read them for class. By far, of the four books, I was required to read for my American supernatural class, this is my favorite. It really reminded me of Brown girl in the Ring for a lot of reasons. I feel like the family ties to the granddaughter and grand mother in both books were super duper similar.
This being said, I feel like I was thrown into the middle of a story. Obviously, I know that this was an intended effect, but the beginning scenes of the book seems so out of place, when put together with the rest of the book. I almost wish the parents death scene wouldn’t have been included and just alluded to.
I also feel as though the book was wrapped up a little bit too quickly, it just felt like it was a little bit rushed in a lot of ways. Overall, pretty good book, I would recommend to a friend.
SPOILERS AHEAD ✨✨✨
honestly, the book was much better than I was expecting. Typically I go into books with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder when I’m expected to read them for class. By far, of the four books, I was required to read for my American supernatural class, this is my favorite. It really reminded me of Brown girl in the Ring for a lot of reasons. I feel like the family ties to the granddaughter and grand mother in both books were super duper similar.
This being said, I feel like I was thrown into the middle of a story. Obviously, I know that this was an intended effect, but the beginning scenes of the book seems so out of place, when put together with the rest of the book. I almost wish the parents death scene wouldn’t have been included and just alluded to.
I also feel as though the book was wrapped up a little bit too quickly, it just felt like it was a little bit rushed in a lot of ways. Overall, pretty good book, I would recommend to a friend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2022
I won a copy of this graphic novel in a giveaway, which was an absolute treat. It's not something I'd usually pick up but I enjoyed it. The pacing of the story was good, but not great. At times I felt it went very fast and the slow buildup of tension I crave when reading horror wasn't there. Because of the speed of the story, I felt like I couldn't fully grip the complicated relationship Aisha is supposed to have with The Keeper. If anything the biggest complaint I have is that it isn't longer. With more time I think the story could flesh out more and give the audience more time on the edge of our seats.
The back of the book mentioned this was originally going to be a movie. I sincerely hope it does well enough as a graphic novel that they make it into a feature-length film because the story is good.
The back of the book mentioned this was originally going to be a movie. I sincerely hope it does well enough as a graphic novel that they make it into a feature-length film because the story is good.
October 8, 2022
An orphaned girl goes to stay with her grandmother and encounters a mysterious entity.
This was a quick yet fulfilling read. It's a thriller/horror concept, but it's rooted in the story of a young Black girl and her feelings of isolation following the death of her parents. As the story progresses, her interactions with others evolve in tandem with the increasing activity of the supernatural presence, which leads to a satisfying conclusion as the two stories intertwine at the end.
The writing and art complement each other well. It's solidly written, but not overly wordy. As with the best graphic novels, the writer allows the art to advance the story without text telling what can already be seen. The art itself is clean and uncluttered, making for a pleasant visual experience.
Thanks to the publisher and Goodreads for providing a giveaway copy for review.
This was a quick yet fulfilling read. It's a thriller/horror concept, but it's rooted in the story of a young Black girl and her feelings of isolation following the death of her parents. As the story progresses, her interactions with others evolve in tandem with the increasing activity of the supernatural presence, which leads to a satisfying conclusion as the two stories intertwine at the end.
The writing and art complement each other well. It's solidly written, but not overly wordy. As with the best graphic novels, the writer allows the art to advance the story without text telling what can already be seen. The art itself is clean and uncluttered, making for a pleasant visual experience.
Thanks to the publisher and Goodreads for providing a giveaway copy for review.
March 5, 2024
This graphic novel is an incredibly quick read. Based on its thickness, I thought I'd need to split it between this afternoon and tomorrow, but I read it in under an hour. The text is sparse, so the story relies quite a bit on the visuals to carry tone and action. However, there would occasionally be panels that seemed to be missing something or were lacking in fully conveying action. I feel like internal narrative boxes could have rescued this occasional hiccup. I still loved the artwork and felt like the bold lines and deep shading created a great atmosphere that was super conducive to telling the story of a girl going through so much loss and uncertainty yet finding hope in unlikely places.
For fans of: The Tribe by Bari Wood, The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle, Infidel by Pornsak Pichetshote
For fans of: The Tribe by Bari Wood, The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle, Infidel by Pornsak Pichetshote
October 5, 2022
This is another Goodreads Giveaway that I won. And I'm glad I did. This is also a first for me, as I've never read a graphic novel before.
I truly enjoyed both the story and the art. The paranormal nature of the Keeper character is both intriguing and horrifying—a mixture of good and evil that stand at opposite poles. Young Aisha has to deal with the death of both her parents and then her grandmother… but what is this that's left behind? The art helps bring the story to life through changes of perspective and coloring that fit the mood of the tale.
If you've never read a graphic novel, you won't go wrong by beginning with this one. I don't give out five-star reviews often, but this book deserves it. Very well done!
I truly enjoyed both the story and the art. The paranormal nature of the Keeper character is both intriguing and horrifying—a mixture of good and evil that stand at opposite poles. Young Aisha has to deal with the death of both her parents and then her grandmother… but what is this that's left behind? The art helps bring the story to life through changes of perspective and coloring that fit the mood of the tale.
If you've never read a graphic novel, you won't go wrong by beginning with this one. I don't give out five-star reviews often, but this book deserves it. Very well done!
October 23, 2022
This graphic novel was written by Steven Barnes (a favorite writer of mine for quite a while now) and his partner (in writing and in life) Tanananrive Due. They are both masters are socially relevant genre litterature that NEVER forgets to be entertaining.
This time, their work is centered around a young girl. After a tragedy, she has to be raised by her grandmother. The grandmother passes on a dark family secret. Something horrible and supernatural. Something that is both a gift and a curse that has been passed on for generations.
This story is full of suspense, fear and darkness. It also contains much humanity and hope. It uses the supernatural as an allegory to tackle bigotry and generation trauma. I enjoyed this a great deal. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
This time, their work is centered around a young girl. After a tragedy, she has to be raised by her grandmother. The grandmother passes on a dark family secret. Something horrible and supernatural. Something that is both a gift and a curse that has been passed on for generations.
This story is full of suspense, fear and darkness. It also contains much humanity and hope. It uses the supernatural as an allegory to tackle bigotry and generation trauma. I enjoyed this a great deal. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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