Our heroine Katie is looking for a place to relax and somewhere new to rejuvenate herself. She finds a young woman in England is looking to house swap. Katie soon finds the home she has found herself in has hidden skeletons. Spirits began to show themselves to Katie. Whether they are there to help or to hurt is something she must figure out and hopefully not too late.

There is a mixture of realism and mysticism which makes this graphic novel thrilling to read. The main character, Katie, finds out things about herself that she thought was bad but is just really a part of herself others don’t understand. For example she is empathic and a medium of sorts as she sees ghosts. When in previously in her life when mysterious things would happen her family made her take a trip to a psychiatrist who would then put in her on medication.

The story ends with sadness but also with hope as Katie learns that she is a strong woman with special abilities that can help herself and others once she learns to use those abilities. I had hoped that there was going to be a series after this graphic novel. I really liked Katie’s and the characters around her. The story moved quickly and was exciting. I wanted more and I am sad to say that as of now Rowan’s Ruin is a stand alone.

Author Mike Carey is known more for writing other comics like Lucifer, Neverwhere,
Unwritten and some X-men. Rowan’s Ruin is a hidden gem with art that may not be spectacular but fitting for the story. ( )