Skeleton Key : Roots

Rating:
Summary: A different kind of 'Skeleton Key' story
Review: From the outset, the main characters, Tamsin and Kitsune, in this series of graphic novels have been changing and maturing. With this, the fifth volume, they appear to have finally grown up. As an underscoring of that, this book is also the one that has the fewest fantastical elements, with the Skeleton Key not being used even one time.

'Roots' has none of the fantasy elements that were present in earlier volumes in the series--Tamsin refuses Kitsune's requests to go world-hopping with the Skeleton Key more than once, Mr. Racoon hardly does anything at all, and Kitsune all but gives up her magical nature and learns how to fit into the 'real' world of Garfield.

In some ways, the lack of magic makes 'Roots' a curious period at the end of the 'Skeleton Key' series. (I may be assuming too much, but this book felt like the *end* of the adventure.) On the other hand, it works nicely as a story about that stage we all have to face in our lives... the one where the kid stuff has to be set aside and we have to focus on finally mastering the skills we're going to need to survive outside "the nest," not to mention LEAVING the nest.

However, the kid stuff never fully leaves us, and we can always return to it when the time is right. So, maybe, Kitsune and Tamsin will have more adventures in the future.

Whatever happens, Andi Watson delivered another nice read, with characters as charming as ever.