Full review: https://wanderinglectiophile.wordpress.com/2018/03/21/review-locke-key-by-joe-hi...

This story is dark and oh so interesting, my friends. If you like a good horror-meets-fantasy story then definitely give them a go.

The plot line of this series is SUPERB. It’s so full of depth and intrigue that you get to experience that total submersion feeling.
I love the premise of a house built on mystery and danger that just so happens to give you the keys to even more mystery and danger. Such a unique story. My only critique is that I would have liked to have been completely caught of guard my some surprising plot twist, that would have really made the whole story perfect.

….How does one critique or comment on the writing of a graphic novel?? *strokes chin with thumb and index finger* I’m honestly not sure since most of the “writing” occurs in speech bubbles and such. It’s hard to say much about the writing by itself, but perhaps the speech bubbles, art/drawing, and the plot can be commented on together?? (If you have a recommendation on this, please share your methods.) I did not feel like these three elements left me wanting or confused about what was going on in this story. So In a way, I guess that means the “writing” was good? Yes. I’m going to go with that. *nods head once* The artwork/drawing is good, but has a gritty, unpolished feel to it. Which, upon reflection, works really well with the story.

The only reason I didn’t give them a five star rating was because there are little things that I wish were just a tad different. That, and I usually don’t give out five star ratings unless I feel an obsessive love for the book receiving said rating. I love these books, but not in an obsessive kinda way. ( )

By far my favorite Graphic Novel series ever. The final volume absolutely brought tears to my eyes. Fantastic series as a whole! ( )

After the death of Rendell Locke, his wife and children move cross country to live with his brother Duncan in their family home. But it wasn't any ordinary death -- Rendell was murdered by one of his students and the family is haunted by the ordeal.

I actually watched the Netflix show Locke & Key and was invested in it before realizing it was based on a book series. I know many people like to intone 'the book is always better,' but I think that it's often a case of what medium you were exposed to first. In this case, I think I enjoyed the TV series more. For instance, it could be scarier with less blood and more sound cues (creepy voices, music, etc.).

The book certainly does touch on the inner lives of the characters, but I felt the show explored this more (although of course I watched multiple seasons compared to having read just one volume of the book series so far). I had a lot more sympathy for killer Sam in the show who was manipulated into doing what he didn't want versus killer Sam in the series who is also manipulated but much more gleeful about spewing violence wherever he goes.

That being said, there are some differences like that between the book and the show that make me interested enough to check out the next volume of the series to see where things go next (even if I do have a sense of the bigger picture already). ( )

I've heard a lot about this graphic novel, everyone I know who read it loves it and always encourages me to read it, so I finally did. I gotta say I the synopsis does not prepare you for the number of emotions this evokes out of you.

The Graphics/ Artwork
Gabriel Rodriguez did an amazing job bringing the characters of Hill's imagination to life. Usually taking such heavy content and animating makes it loose some of the emotion, not in this case. Rodriguez did a wonderful job painting turmoil on each character's face, while simultaneously evoking that same emotion in the reader. Brilliant use of color and sometimes lack thereof really sets the tone of certain scenes.

The Story
Hill does an amazing job of taking the tragic story of the Locke's and their journey to Keyhouse and giving it life. To be honest, I don't think I prepared myself enough for it, I was prepared for horror but you get so much more than that in this Graphic Novel. You see this family that has been torn apart by loss, who now have to struggle to keep themselves from falling apart, move to Keyhouse and have to deal with a new place as well as the freaky shit that keeps going on.

Overall
Overall the story is great, but I couldn't bring myself to give it a full 5 stars, this is probably because the story left me with some many questions. These questions I know will be answered as I read through the other books, but still, it should give a hint. ( )

I'm a bit confused, but intrigued by the story. Its a bit creepy. The art work is great! I look forward to reading further in the story and having a few things cleared up. ( )