Graphic Novel Review – Clockworks (Locke and Key, Book 5) by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Fantasy/Horror/Graphic Novel
Size: 152 pages
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: July 24, 2012
ISBN: 978-1613772270
Stand Alone or Series: 5th book in the Locke and Key series
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5 stars

Clockworks is the 5th book in the Locke and Key series. It was an absolutely wonderful installment in this series. We finally start to learn the history of the Locke house and the mysterious keys that it hides.

The book starts by going back in time to when a door of evil was discovered and the first of the Locke Keys was made. We then jump back to the current story where things are dire indeed. The characters have found the key that lets them travel back to the past and there they uncover even more secrets behind the history of the Locke house.

This was an awesome book, we learn the whole history behind the Locke household and the mysterious Keys. Many interesting rules about the keys are revealed. This book answers a lot of questions for readers and also brings the story to a peak as things become more dire than ever. I really don’t want to say much more than that for fear of spoilers.

As with previous books this book is for adults only; there is a lot of blood and violence in these books as well as other disturbing things. This whole series has been more horror with strong paranormal/fantasy elements.

The characters and plot are both incredibly well done, very gripping, and make the book hard to put down. The illustration is absolutely detailed and beautiful. It is easy to read the characters’ emotions and easy to follow what is going on.

I personally really enjoyed the way the book went back into history, but those who only enjoy modern horror may not be happy that so much of this book takes place in the past.

Overall I absolutely loved this installment of the Locke and Key series. We learn so much about the history of the Locke house and many of the secrets behind the Keys are revealed. I can’t wait to see what the final book in this series will hold…will the Locke children be able to stop the evil that lurks in their house? Highly recommended for fans of horror-fantasy.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Graphic Novel Challenge
– Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge
– 150+ Books Reading Challenge