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Locke & Key
Locke & Key, Vol. 5: Clockworks
The sprawling tale of the Locke family and their mastery of the whispering iron thunders to new heights as the true history of the family is revealed to Tyler and Kinsey. Zack Wells assumes a new form, Tyler and Kinsey travel through time, and surprises beyond imagination will be revealed.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2013
324 people are currently reading
11044 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hill
505 books29.9k followersJoe Hill's debut, Heart-Shaped Box, won the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel. His second, Horns, was made into a film freakfest starring Daniel Radcliffe. His other novels include NOS4A2, and his #1 New York Times Best-Seller, The Fireman... which was also the winner of a 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror Novel.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,046 reviews
December 27, 2022
The fifth volume of the Locke & Key sees the Timeshift Key help reveal the origin of the Keys and if that wasn't enough it may also reveal how Dodge was created and taken down first time round.
Great plotting, surprises and artwork continue as this series continues unabated. Joe Hill's best work, period! Yet another Four Star, 8 out of 12 read for this quality horror yarn.
2016 and 2012 read
Great plotting, surprises and artwork continue as this series continues unabated. Joe Hill's best work, period! Yet another Four Star, 8 out of 12 read for this quality horror yarn.
2016 and 2012 read
May 31, 2015
Guess what time it is, kids?!
What time is it, Miss Anne?!
Time for the Time Key!
*Please hold all applause till the end*
So this is where we finally find out what started all this mess with the Locke's and their crazy-ass Keys. It's a very cool story involving a key that lets the kids go back in time, and watch specific events that happened in their ancestors' past.
Such as...the making of the keys.
Even better, you find out the whole story about their dad and his friends. It was really satisfying to finally see what part their father played in Dodge's turn toward the Dark Side.
Now, I know this is sort of classified as horror, but it's creepy...not gory. I'm a lightweight when it comes to the horror genre. I tend to enjoy ghost stories, but avoid the slasher flicks like the plague. I mention that in case you've been avoiding this because you were worried that there might be something stomach turning in between the pages.
I mean it, if you haven't checked these out, you really are missing out on some stellar storytelling. Fantastic stuff!
Big squishy hugs to Dan 2.0 for letting me read this copy over his shoulder.
Ok. Now you can clap for me.
What time is it, Miss Anne?!
Time for the Time Key!
*Please hold all applause till the end*
So this is where we finally find out what started all this mess with the Locke's and their crazy-ass Keys. It's a very cool story involving a key that lets the kids go back in time, and watch specific events that happened in their ancestors' past.
Such as...the making of the keys.
Even better, you find out the whole story about their dad and his friends. It was really satisfying to finally see what part their father played in Dodge's turn toward the Dark Side.
Now, I know this is sort of classified as horror, but it's creepy...not gory. I'm a lightweight when it comes to the horror genre. I tend to enjoy ghost stories, but avoid the slasher flicks like the plague. I mention that in case you've been avoiding this because you were worried that there might be something stomach turning in between the pages.
I mean it, if you haven't checked these out, you really are missing out on some stellar storytelling. Fantastic stuff!
Big squishy hugs to Dan 2.0 for letting me read this copy over his shoulder.
Ok. Now you can clap for me.
April 20, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
Oh, those poor Locke kids . . .
but they still haven’t found what they’re looking for.
Clockworks is back to getting all the stars from me, because the story really amped up in preparation for the grand finale. If you have been ready for answers to ANY of the gajillions of questions the previous volumes had you asking, you should be quite satisfied by the end of this one.
So many answers. Squeeeeee!!!!
Not only do you find out the waywaywayback history of Key House, you will finally get the truth about exactly how this happened . . .
and why Erin only thinks about white, all white, all the time . . . or is it blue and black????
You also get to discover what exactly goes on in a teenaged boy’s mind . . .
*shudder*
and get confirmation that KIDS ARE SOOOOO STUPID SOMETIMES!
You’ll find out why Bode was the first to discover any of the keys, and the story behind how the writing literally got on the wall.
Oh, and of course you’ll discover a new key. This time it’s the Timeshift Key. This key is most definitely useful and hands-down one of my faves . . .
Finally, there are [SPOILERS] that occur.
Have you started reading these yet? COME ON, PEOPLE! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!?!?!?!
Oh, those poor Locke kids . . .
but they still haven’t found what they’re looking for.
Clockworks is back to getting all the stars from me, because the story really amped up in preparation for the grand finale. If you have been ready for answers to ANY of the gajillions of questions the previous volumes had you asking, you should be quite satisfied by the end of this one.
So many answers. Squeeeeee!!!!
Not only do you find out the waywaywayback history of Key House, you will finally get the truth about exactly how this happened . . .
and why Erin only thinks about white, all white, all the time . . . or is it blue and black????
You also get to discover what exactly goes on in a teenaged boy’s mind . . .
*shudder*
and get confirmation that KIDS ARE SOOOOO STUPID SOMETIMES!
You’ll find out why Bode was the first to discover any of the keys, and the story behind how the writing literally got on the wall.
Oh, and of course you’ll discover a new key. This time it’s the Timeshift Key. This key is most definitely useful and hands-down one of my faves . . .
Finally, there are [SPOILERS] that occur.
Have you started reading these yet? COME ON, PEOPLE! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!?!?!?!
May 5, 2022
Fantástico volumen en el que nos vamos a ir la pasado, concretamente a los hechos que le sucedieron las padre de Bode, Tyler y Kinsey, es decir a Rendell Locke.
Todo muy interesante donde nos explican bastante bien muchos de los acontecimientos, el origen de las llaves y demás. Para mí el mejor de toda la serie por ahora, no queda nada solo el tomo final!!!
9/10
Todo muy interesante donde nos explican bastante bien muchos de los acontecimientos, el origen de las llaves y demás. Para mí el mejor de toda la serie por ahora, no queda nada solo el tomo final!!!
9/10
November 13, 2015
oooooo..... eerie backstory time! and the infernal force behind it all is... and this is no spoiler because hey check out the title of the first volume... CTHULHU! of course. i've been waiting for that title to have real relevance. ah, Cthulhu. ::happy sigh::
well, it's not exactly Cthulhu himself, but it is one of the lovecraftian god-beings - that crazy lady slash sentient swamp of bubbling un-life known as Shub-Niggurath. more on her later.
this is another superb volume in the superb series. as mentioned, this one is all about the reasons why and the how things happened and the when - most importantly, the when. the featured key takes you back in time to witness various important events. we get to see revolutionary america. we get to see the dead father of our young protagonists, when he and his peers were about their age. we get to see lots of things.
[Enter Positive Comments Here]. i can say nothing about this series that hasn't been said before, by me and by many others. it is brilliant. the dynamic characterizations, the layered mysteries, the sadness and melancholy and loss and sense of wasted potential and wasted lives, the feeling of a grand adventure gone terribly wrong, the genuine sympathy that Hill creates for his vividly depicted cast, all the subtlety and nuance... all there, intact. the art is just as wonderful. i love it! across the board, no complaints. i can read this series again and again, and this volume retains the high quality of all that came before.
okay, Shub-Niggurath. i was going to write a whole homeric ode to that fetid fell enchantress - she is such an ingenious creation and certainly deserves it. but then i remembered that i had already profiled her in another review. so fuck it, i'll just copy and paste. self-plagiarization time!
Shub-Niggurath
Nickname: she-goat of the woods with a thousand young
Likes: relaxing in nature and in subterranean caves
Dislikes: uptight people, smokers (fire in general)
Favorite Craft: as a "fountain of uncleanliness", Ms. Niggurath enjoys simple, primordial delights such as creating, procreating, and bubbling forth various pseudopods and crawly, flappy minions
What She Is Looking For: adventurous souls willing to live in the moment, just let it all go and try something new!
well, it's not exactly Cthulhu himself, but it is one of the lovecraftian god-beings - that crazy lady slash sentient swamp of bubbling un-life known as Shub-Niggurath. more on her later.
this is another superb volume in the superb series. as mentioned, this one is all about the reasons why and the how things happened and the when - most importantly, the when. the featured key takes you back in time to witness various important events. we get to see revolutionary america. we get to see the dead father of our young protagonists, when he and his peers were about their age. we get to see lots of things.
[Enter Positive Comments Here]. i can say nothing about this series that hasn't been said before, by me and by many others. it is brilliant. the dynamic characterizations, the layered mysteries, the sadness and melancholy and loss and sense of wasted potential and wasted lives, the feeling of a grand adventure gone terribly wrong, the genuine sympathy that Hill creates for his vividly depicted cast, all the subtlety and nuance... all there, intact. the art is just as wonderful. i love it! across the board, no complaints. i can read this series again and again, and this volume retains the high quality of all that came before.
okay, Shub-Niggurath. i was going to write a whole homeric ode to that fetid fell enchantress - she is such an ingenious creation and certainly deserves it. but then i remembered that i had already profiled her in another review. so fuck it, i'll just copy and paste. self-plagiarization time!
Shub-Niggurath
Nickname: she-goat of the woods with a thousand young
Likes: relaxing in nature and in subterranean caves
Dislikes: uptight people, smokers (fire in general)
Favorite Craft: as a "fountain of uncleanliness", Ms. Niggurath enjoys simple, primordial delights such as creating, procreating, and bubbling forth various pseudopods and crawly, flappy minions
What She Is Looking For: adventurous souls willing to live in the moment, just let it all go and try something new!
March 1, 2020
Since there is a Netflix series based on it, I am rereading the Locke & Key series with the family. A nice little horror series to bring the family together! The series tells of the Locke family, after the brutal murder of their father, moving into his ancestral family home, Keyhouse, a (gothic) mansion in Lovecraft (yes, this a tribute to horror-writer H. P. Lovecraft, obviously), that has transformative doors that open with a series of keys of which the inhabitants are keepers. Thanks to one key, adults don’t seem to have any memories of important events from years past, including some murders involving the Lovecraft H.S. theater group that was performing Shakespeare’s The Tempest. They go to caves near the ocean, and then things begin to go very badly for the cast.
So in this fifth and penultimate volume we get all the relevant backstory of the series, as Tyler, Kinsey and Bode use a Time travel key to go back in time to the time of the American Revolution when their ancestors saw the murderous destruction of their family. Their father died, too; will time continue to repeat itself? We also go back to 1986 when their Dad’s theater group performed and the opening of the Hell-mouth, let’s say, happens.
We get to find out the origins of shape-shifting demon, Lucas/Dodge, (spoiler alert?) [as a member of the theater group he reached his hand through the black door and became inhabited by Shub-Niggurath, a madwoman demon of H. P. Lovecraft’s invention] and the scary mad horror of what’s behind the Black Door in the cavern at the sea. Is it good? Well, it’s not little kid stuff, but it’s carefully done horror storytelling on the part of Hill and Rodriguez. I like how Hill dedicates the volume to Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore, two horror comics writers who also understand how (in The Ocean at the End of the Lane and Swamp Thing, for instance) what we call horror is always rooted in part in actual horrific historical events.
So in this fifth and penultimate volume we get all the relevant backstory of the series, as Tyler, Kinsey and Bode use a Time travel key to go back in time to the time of the American Revolution when their ancestors saw the murderous destruction of their family. Their father died, too; will time continue to repeat itself? We also go back to 1986 when their Dad’s theater group performed and the opening of the Hell-mouth, let’s say, happens.
We get to find out the origins of shape-shifting demon, Lucas/Dodge, (spoiler alert?) [as a member of the theater group he reached his hand through the black door and became inhabited by Shub-Niggurath, a madwoman demon of H. P. Lovecraft’s invention] and the scary mad horror of what’s behind the Black Door in the cavern at the sea. Is it good? Well, it’s not little kid stuff, but it’s carefully done horror storytelling on the part of Hill and Rodriguez. I like how Hill dedicates the volume to Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore, two horror comics writers who also understand how (in The Ocean at the End of the Lane and Swamp Thing, for instance) what we call horror is always rooted in part in actual horrific historical events.
August 22, 2014
Album number five is where I reap the rewards of my patience and find the answers to most of the big questions and mysteries surrounding the Lovecraft Mansion, the role of the Locke family as guardians of the keys, the origins of the reality altering keys, the true nature of the Adversary, what is hidden in the sea cave under the cliffs, and what really happened one generation ago after a highschool theatre production of the Tempest by William Shakespeare.
It all started during the American Revolution, with another set of Locke kids witnessing the wilful destruction of their family and discovering that supernatural forces are strong in the vicinity of their mansion. I’d better stop here and let you new readers discover for yourselves the actual details of the plot. I believe it is sufficient to remark that the 1776 Locke older brother is a talented locksmith who gets his hands on some special metal and uses it to fashion the magical keys.
One of the keys being the one discovered in the present day by Tyler and Kinsey, the clockwork one that allows them to turn back the flow of time and gaze back at the events that marked the history of the Locke family and of the Lovecraft domain. While most of the album takes place in the past, the present day complications are still troubling, with the kids unaware that the adversary is already inside the house and searching for the ultimate prize – the omega key. (not a spoiler, it happened in the previous album, and you really need to read the comic without skipping any previous issue. Locke and Key is one big story, not a series of episodic adventures )
Twenty-five years ago, Rendell Locke and his closest friends shared the keys amongst one another, and were blessed with magic, wonder and happiness.
But as the saying goes, “All good things must pass” and their time together – and their childhood – is very nearly over. With the end of highschool only weeks away, Rendell Locke suggests a final daring adventure.
This was my favorite story arc in the album, capturing the vulnerability and the cruelty of young people not yet in control of their passions, of good intentions resulting in pain and hurt, of paying the price for their recklessness. Gazing into the abyss and all that jazz. Like with the rest of the comic the horror elements are a major part of the plot. People die, kids being as exposed as adults to the bloodshed and cruelty, not only of the Adversary, but even of their own kin. If you didn’t already notice, the series is not for the faint hearted, and there are no getting out of jail free for any of the major characters. Which makes the fighting back by the Locke kids even more remarkable and admirable.
I have said it before, and I will say it again; the writing is superb, the characterization convincing and the suspense the real edge of your seat, biting your knuckles stuff. I sped through the six issues in a blur, so fast that I often had to get back and re-read he last pages in order to make sure I didn’t miss anything in my race to the finish line. The re-read was prompted also by the need to spend more time poring over the artwork of Gabriel Rodriguez. Some of the panels are poster material, I would like to have a couple blown out and put up on the walls.
My only regret is that I already know that the story is approaching its closing chapters, and soon I will have to say goodbye to Kinsey, Bode, Tyler and all the rest. But before that, there is Alpha and Omega.
April 30, 2020
4.5
Probably my favourite volume of the series!
Probably my favourite volume of the series!
January 18, 2016
APSOLUTNO SAVRŠENO!!!!
Definitivno do sada najbolji deo! Delovi priče se lagano nameštaju svaki na svoje mesto i dobijamo uvid u celinu. Hill je ovo apsolutno majstorski odradio, a Rodrigezov artwork je kao i uvek fenomenalan!!!
Definitivno do sada najbolji deo! Delovi priče se lagano nameštaju svaki na svoje mesto i dobijamo uvid u celinu. Hill je ovo apsolutno majstorski odradio, a Rodrigezov artwork je kao i uvek fenomenalan!!!
February 25, 2020
The penultimate volume in this series gives us the Time-Turn Key. With it, Kinsey and Ty are travelling back in time and the reader thus learns alongside them how the very first key, the Omega Key, was forged and why. They also go back and learn what happened to their father and his friends all those years ago after the school play (and it paints a light on their father that I defintiely do not like - I prefer the events as they happened on the show).
We see how a demon came through the Omega Door, how it infested Lucas, how the kids fought him / it (and how some lost). The events are similar and yet slightly different from the one we know from the show.
Very little happens in the present in this volume. Well, apart from there being no doubt that Bode is gone and Dodge has taken over his body as can be seen by his a ctions right at the beginning of this volume.
What I like most about this one, I think, is the kids (both in present day and their fathers friends) discovering the keys's magic and using it for good. If only for a little joyrideflight to get their mind off things. If you have such powerful tools at your disposal, you might as well study, use and enjoy them, dammit. ;)
Oh, and knowing who made the keys and how they came to be was a treat as well since we didn't get any of that on the show (yet).
Some examples for the art (nothing much has changed):
One more to go to see who will prevail (I presume there won't be too much of a cliffhanger since this series concludes with the next volume).
We see how a demon came through the Omega Door, how it infested Lucas, how the kids fought him / it (and how some lost). The events are similar and yet slightly different from the one we know from the show.
Very little happens in the present in this volume. Well, apart from there being no doubt that Bode is gone and Dodge has taken over his body as can be seen by his a ctions right at the beginning of this volume.
What I like most about this one, I think, is the kids (both in present day and their fathers friends) discovering the keys's magic and using it for good. If only for a little joy
Oh, and knowing who made the keys and how they came to be was a treat as well since we didn't get any of that on the show (yet).
Some examples for the art (nothing much has changed):
One more to go to see who will prevail (I presume there won't be too much of a cliffhanger since this series concludes with the next volume).
February 22, 2018
What a fantastic series. I mean from start to finish it feels like they had the whole thing planned out and knew where it was going. Joe Hill has created an amazing story here. Everything is building to a high pitch fever and I can't wait, am sad to finish this marvelous tale.
Clockworks is the backstory and we find out about Key house and what made the keys magic and how they work and all the dark secrets. We also see Randall when he was a teen with Dodge. We see why Dodge is so evil and how the demon got into him. It's sad because I really liked Dodge before he was possessed. He was a good and decent guy.
I also loved the play that they were doing. That was a nice twist that as a group they put on a play. Each person had a key. We got to see how the keys were meant to be used and how they aren't being really used well now. Kids find the keys easier than adults do. Several more keys become known here and we see terrible ways in which some keys are used.
This book is for older Teens for violence and adult themes. The story has a hard knife edge that cuts and it tells such a great story. I will be looking for more work by Joe Hill. This is amazing. This should be a movie.
Clockworks is the backstory and we find out about Key house and what made the keys magic and how they work and all the dark secrets. We also see Randall when he was a teen with Dodge. We see why Dodge is so evil and how the demon got into him. It's sad because I really liked Dodge before he was possessed. He was a good and decent guy.
I also loved the play that they were doing. That was a nice twist that as a group they put on a play. Each person had a key. We got to see how the keys were meant to be used and how they aren't being really used well now. Kids find the keys easier than adults do. Several more keys become known here and we see terrible ways in which some keys are used.
This book is for older Teens for violence and adult themes. The story has a hard knife edge that cuts and it tells such a great story. I will be looking for more work by Joe Hill. This is amazing. This should be a movie.
October 10, 2021
SECOND READ:
Just as hard hitting as the first time. It's an incredibly sad volume. Almost every character goes through such awful experiences. It's all done beautifully. I really like the Owl Key. 🦉
FIRST READ:
Probably my favourite volume so far. I loved getting the back stories to both the origin of the keys/what is in the cave, and what happened to Rendell, Dodge and the rest. Heartbreaking - - and I hadn't expected to love Dodge so much. The real Dodge I mean, and that just made it all the more awful. The final page was chilling-- I'm looking forward to reading on and seeing how it all comes together.
Just as hard hitting as the first time. It's an incredibly sad volume. Almost every character goes through such awful experiences. It's all done beautifully. I really like the Owl Key. 🦉
FIRST READ:
Probably my favourite volume so far. I loved getting the back stories to both the origin of the keys/what is in the cave, and what happened to Rendell, Dodge and the rest. Heartbreaking - - and I hadn't expected to love Dodge so much. The real Dodge I mean, and that just made it all the more awful. The final page was chilling-- I'm looking forward to reading on and seeing how it all comes together.
May 21, 2020
Now this was definitely the best volume so far. Loved the story, the lovecraftian references in this one are on point, and the cliffhanger at the end didn't feel as forced as the others. I am so glad I kept on reading this series!
November 4, 2015
Kakva je zaraza ovaj serijal!!
Mislim da je petica možda i najbolji deo do sada.
Imajući to na umu, prosto se plašim kakva će biti završnica.
April 14, 2020
Only one chapter left.. don’t want this to end..
Loved the whole backstory of this!
Loved the whole backstory of this!
October 16, 2012
When I finished Clockworks, there was a note at the end of the book indicating that the story would be concluded with Book 6. I think this is a mistake. I think Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez should continue to work within the Lovecraft universe until the end of time.
All joking aside, these two are like the peanut butter and chocolate of comic books. Two great tastes that taste great together! Honestly, this series just keeps getting better as the dynamic duo keep pumping out a stream of greatness. Hyperbole? Maybe. I don't care. This story is worth every bit of praise I can throw at it and I can forsee a very sad Brandon when it's all said and done.
In Clockworks, Kinsey and Tyler discover a new key, one in which time travel is possible. However in this version of time travel, they're unable to actually make any changes but rather are allowed to spy as a sort of ghost on past events. As the Locke kids travel through time, they unlock the origins of key house as well as the events surrounding their father's interactions with the keys and the resulting effect on his friends.
Of all 6 volumes, I'd like to think that this is the most emotional and heartbreaking. It gives the reader a reason to find sympathy for Dodge, a character who is such a bastard throughout the first 5 collections, that I never would have thought the term, "sympathetic", would be something you'd associate with him.
A lot happens here that more or less answers some questions that may have arisen through the story so far. While that seems to be the purpose of the book, it doesn't feel like filler. Not only are the back stories compelling and heart-wrenching, Hill is setting us up for something incredible in the final act (at least I certainly hope so).
All joking aside, these two are like the peanut butter and chocolate of comic books. Two great tastes that taste great together! Honestly, this series just keeps getting better as the dynamic duo keep pumping out a stream of greatness. Hyperbole? Maybe. I don't care. This story is worth every bit of praise I can throw at it and I can forsee a very sad Brandon when it's all said and done.
In Clockworks, Kinsey and Tyler discover a new key, one in which time travel is possible. However in this version of time travel, they're unable to actually make any changes but rather are allowed to spy as a sort of ghost on past events. As the Locke kids travel through time, they unlock the origins of key house as well as the events surrounding their father's interactions with the keys and the resulting effect on his friends.
Of all 6 volumes, I'd like to think that this is the most emotional and heartbreaking. It gives the reader a reason to find sympathy for Dodge, a character who is such a bastard throughout the first 5 collections, that I never would have thought the term, "sympathetic", would be something you'd associate with him.
A lot happens here that more or less answers some questions that may have arisen through the story so far. While that seems to be the purpose of the book, it doesn't feel like filler. Not only are the back stories compelling and heart-wrenching, Hill is setting us up for something incredible in the final act (at least I certainly hope so).
September 8, 2016
The first issue of volume 5 was terrible. I can't write this review without highlighting that aspect of the volume. I read half of the first issue in August, and I've only finished the whole thing today because of it. I'm sure the author had good intentions in writing a backstory of the keys, and I'm also sure a whole lot of you guys enjoyed reading about the origin, but it was too boring for me. Thankfully the rest of the volume made up for it.
What is the best way to make this series a whole lot better? Add more keys. Hill managed to incorporate a few more interesting keys, and he did that by providing more past events. While the first flashback was terrible, the next ones were amazing. I liked the idea of the omega key in the making. I'm sure the next 2 volumes will talk about it and I can't wait to know what powers it contains.
The plot keeps getting better volume after volume, and this fifth volume was my favorite as of now. Despite a bad start, I guess it's also the end that matters the most. I liked how Hill added in a bunch of plot twists and unexpected brutal scenes near the end. I like how gory and violent this series is becoming. The deception and cliffhangers will make you want to read more.
4.5/5 stars. Still not worthy of a 5, but it's really getting close to receiving that. I have a huge feeling one of the next ones will finally receive the 5 star rating. I can't wait to read them and finally know what will happen in the end.
What is the best way to make this series a whole lot better? Add more keys. Hill managed to incorporate a few more interesting keys, and he did that by providing more past events. While the first flashback was terrible, the next ones were amazing. I liked the idea of the omega key in the making. I'm sure the next 2 volumes will talk about it and I can't wait to know what powers it contains.
The plot keeps getting better volume after volume, and this fifth volume was my favorite as of now. Despite a bad start, I guess it's also the end that matters the most. I liked how Hill added in a bunch of plot twists and unexpected brutal scenes near the end. I like how gory and violent this series is becoming. The deception and cliffhangers will make you want to read more.
4.5/5 stars. Still not worthy of a 5, but it's really getting close to receiving that. I have a huge feeling one of the next ones will finally receive the 5 star rating. I can't wait to read them and finally know what will happen in the end.
November 1, 2017
We find out how the keys were made and what happened to Rendell, Luke, and their friends back in the 80's to set things down this tragic path. Like all the other volumes, there's some crazy, f-ed up shit in this. It all boils down to the next volume.
June 28, 2020
4.5 stars: wow, the best of the series. I really enjoyed seeing more of Rendell and his friends in the past.
Now, let's see if the next book (the last one) is as good as this one!
After writing my own review, I scrolled through the other reviews and I'm not surprised to see it seems everyone's favorite!
Now, let's see if the next book (the last one) is as good as this one!
After writing my own review, I scrolled through the other reviews and I'm not surprised to see it seems everyone's favorite!
August 2, 2019
Clockworks is the 5th book in the Locke and Key series and I really enjoyed this addition!!
We go back in time to see what happened between Rendell Locke, Dodge and their friends on why Dodge is evil. Wow! It's a sad story when it comes down to it.
I really enjoyed the time travel in Clockworks to 1775 and read how the keys came into existence. All of the backstory in this addition has been really good to the plot and just what's going on with Keyhouse and the cliffs!
I'm been really impressed by Joe Hill's plot and storytelling and Gabriel Rodriguez's artwork. He has drawn some really creepy stuff in this series!
Seriously, this collabration between Hill and Rodriguez is just fantastic.
I just don't see how you can get better in a graphic novel series!!
I can't wait to get to the last book in the series, Alpha and Omega to get the conclusion of the series!
We go back in time to see what happened between Rendell Locke, Dodge and their friends on why Dodge is evil. Wow! It's a sad story when it comes down to it.
I really enjoyed the time travel in Clockworks to 1775 and read how the keys came into existence. All of the backstory in this addition has been really good to the plot and just what's going on with Keyhouse and the cliffs!
I'm been really impressed by Joe Hill's plot and storytelling and Gabriel Rodriguez's artwork. He has drawn some really creepy stuff in this series!
Seriously, this collabration between Hill and Rodriguez is just fantastic.
I just don't see how you can get better in a graphic novel series!!
I can't wait to get to the last book in the series, Alpha and Omega to get the conclusion of the series!
January 15, 2018
I liked getting to know the backstory to the keys and I’m excited to read the final volume!
March 24, 2021
How could this happen!?!?!? I’ve been reading these on ComiXology as free/ included with membership, but come to find out, volume six is not included!!!!!! I cannot believe it!!! I’m so very irritated...... just to be clear, the companion, Heaven & Earth isn’t included either. So I can either spend about $21 for the two as digital copies, or get the paperback set at $52. Have I mentioned I’m seriously annoyed!?
Anyway, book five is my favorite so far because of all stuff the kids are figuring out. Especially about the villain. Like my mind may have exploded. The novel itself is so stellar and the drawings are still magnificent. I just can’t push myself to rave just yet. Because who knows what the sixth installation will be like. Excuse me while I do some adult pouting.
Check out the full review and others on my blog: https://shannarareads.com/?p=292
Thank you!!!
Anyway, book five is my favorite so far because of all stuff the kids are figuring out. Especially about the villain. Like my mind may have exploded. The novel itself is so stellar and the drawings are still magnificent. I just can’t push myself to rave just yet. Because who knows what the sixth installation will be like. Excuse me while I do some adult pouting.
Check out the full review and others on my blog: https://shannarareads.com/?p=292
Thank you!!!
April 27, 2020
Well it was just a matter of time before this book was revised after all I have read them all again up to this point. The thing is that as things start to spiral to its conclusion (but not yet) you have to see how bad it all gets, I guess its part of the morbid fascination.
However what can I say without spoilers and considering that not only would I hate to ruin it for other readings there is also the fact that the TV series is also no where near this point either - so I really do not want to upset people twice. And yes I do think readings of this series will also get enjoyment from the TV series too - after all they are similar but also different enough to tell their own unique stories.
The question is where to next....
Okay and I thought the last two comments about this series were tricky to put in to words - now I have some major spoilers I am desperately trying not to drop and yet say somehow they managed to do a major plot change and really up the pressure on the storyline.
Okay if that does not make sense I do apologise and basically say get the series as things are really starting to draw together but at the same time what you were expecting most certainly is not what will happen - okay I am doing it again talking in riddles.
One of the things I do like about this series is its consistency - now through out the 5 books so far (and I am sure that number 6 will not let me down) is that the whole package - the art the story the characters are reliable and ever there consistent throughout and I love it - it really feels like you are part of a grand story and you are watching each episode play out in front of you- now this may seem really obvious and a little shallow but being relatively new to the whole graphic novel experience I do prefer the story to be the same through out and I struggle when things are changed which I have seen in other series.
So will I be reading the next one - oh I think so, so stand by for some sleep deprived ramblings sometime soon
However what can I say without spoilers and considering that not only would I hate to ruin it for other readings there is also the fact that the TV series is also no where near this point either - so I really do not want to upset people twice. And yes I do think readings of this series will also get enjoyment from the TV series too - after all they are similar but also different enough to tell their own unique stories.
The question is where to next....
Okay and I thought the last two comments about this series were tricky to put in to words - now I have some major spoilers I am desperately trying not to drop and yet say somehow they managed to do a major plot change and really up the pressure on the storyline.
Okay if that does not make sense I do apologise and basically say get the series as things are really starting to draw together but at the same time what you were expecting most certainly is not what will happen - okay I am doing it again talking in riddles.
One of the things I do like about this series is its consistency - now through out the 5 books so far (and I am sure that number 6 will not let me down) is that the whole package - the art the story the characters are reliable and ever there consistent throughout and I love it - it really feels like you are part of a grand story and you are watching each episode play out in front of you- now this may seem really obvious and a little shallow but being relatively new to the whole graphic novel experience I do prefer the story to be the same through out and I struggle when things are changed which I have seen in other series.
So will I be reading the next one - oh I think so, so stand by for some sleep deprived ramblings sometime soon
September 13, 2019
Another strong installment. This had me gasping, full horror movie style. "No! Don't do it!" I yelled at stationary art written a decade ago.
They didn't listen.
CONTENT WARNING:
Story: We go back in time in this one, and a lot of gaps start filling in. It wasn't as thrilling to me action-wise, but it was certainly captivating to finally have a few of the mysteries solved. As previously, I am a biiiit uncomfortable with how all the characters seem to be one frustration away from dropping slurs, and we seem to keep ending the volume with someone saying something atrocious or an unfortunate stereotype or trope getting dropped. I also have a few questions about things we saw that I'm thinking likely won't get answered. But, there were emotional highs and chilling reveals, so that was appreciated.
Art: It's the same artist, but I think some of this felt a bit more rushed than it had previously. I lost track of a few new characters who were introduced.
Layout: One thing that these volumes are not good for is a vista across two pages. Unfortunately I had this realization while trying to see something important that was lost in the binding.
Very strong, and I'm excited to finish the series tonight!
They didn't listen.
CONTENT WARNING:
Story: We go back in time in this one, and a lot of gaps start filling in. It wasn't as thrilling to me action-wise, but it was certainly captivating to finally have a few of the mysteries solved. As previously, I am a biiiit uncomfortable with how all the characters seem to be one frustration away from dropping slurs, and we seem to keep ending the volume with someone saying something atrocious or an unfortunate stereotype or trope getting dropped. I also have a few questions about things we saw that I'm thinking likely won't get answered. But, there were emotional highs and chilling reveals, so that was appreciated.
Art: It's the same artist, but I think some of this felt a bit more rushed than it had previously. I lost track of a few new characters who were introduced.
Layout: One thing that these volumes are not good for is a vista across two pages. Unfortunately I had this realization while trying to see something important that was lost in the binding.
Very strong, and I'm excited to finish the series tonight!
April 2, 2024
The search of the Omega Key by Dodge continues ever more intense in this fifth volume that prepares us for the great final of the series. Using a particular version of the concept of time travel, the narrative moves into the past and tells the origin of the Omega key and the other keys, but also tells us about the young Rendell Locke and his friends, still teenagers. Through this journey, undertaken by Tyler and Kinsey, we witness the events that happened to them, closely connected to the use of keys and that led to the current situation. We are given the answers to numerous questions that arose during the series and show us characters from the past who have only been seen marginally and never appeared.
Clockworks is another wonderful piece of this story and I think, at least until now, the best. Not only for the atmosphere created, for the incredible imagination that is poured into these pages and the description of the existing keys, with their powers.
It's also an amazing story of friendship. We learn a lot about characters we have met so far and others we have never known. The style mixes horror and fantasy, capturing the reader's attention with incredible graphics .
A fantastic series, which I hope will remain so, even in the last book and that I highly recommend to all fans.
5 stars, no doubt.
Update
Volume reread at the beginning of March 2024, as part of the series. I didn't remember much about Clockworks and it was like reading it for the first time. I like how the story was structured, with the two subplots, one in 1775 and the other in 1988. The first is of a genre more tending towards horror and splatter, rendered very well by the exceptional graphics, especially in the opening of the portal. In the second, the style seems more fantasy-oriented, although some brutal scenes remind the reader that there is always the horror element.
I confirm the 5 stars.
Clockworks is another wonderful piece of this story and I think, at least until now, the best. Not only for the atmosphere created, for the incredible imagination that is poured into these pages and the description of the existing keys, with their powers.
It's also an amazing story of friendship. We learn a lot about characters we have met so far and others we have never known. The style mixes horror and fantasy, capturing the reader's attention with incredible graphics .
A fantastic series, which I hope will remain so, even in the last book and that I highly recommend to all fans.
5 stars, no doubt.
Update
Volume reread at the beginning of March 2024, as part of the series. I didn't remember much about Clockworks and it was like reading it for the first time. I like how the story was structured, with the two subplots, one in 1775 and the other in 1988. The first is of a genre more tending towards horror and splatter, rendered very well by the exceptional graphics, especially in the opening of the portal. In the second, the style seems more fantasy-oriented, although some brutal scenes remind the reader that there is always the horror element.
I confirm the 5 stars.
August 30, 2021
The more I read of this series, the more I like it. This volume gives us some glimpses of the past, particularly the nature of the keys and what exactly the Omega Key is for. It turns out that the name "Lovecraft" isn't just a nod to fandom--there's actual Lovecraftian entities at the bottom of all of this. The next volume should be quite a show!
Hill and Rodriguez make a wonderful team. Hill has thought through the story completely and tells it clearly. He clearly has had the ending in mind this whole time. This is one of those rare longer comics stories with a clearly defined beginning, middle, and end. The characters feel real, and are definitely changed by their experiences. Rodriguez' art is wonderfully clear and precise. He manages to give every member of his large cast a distinctly different set of facial features in which family resemblances can be clearly seen. This is not nearly common enough in comics.
Locke & Key is one of those high water marks in comics, and deserves to be mentioned alongside other all-time greats like Sandman, Watchmen, and others. Highly recommended!
Addendum 2021:
Much of this volume is set in the past. We get the story of how the keys were forged. And we also get the story of Rendell and Dodge and their friends that helps shed some light on just why all this trouble has been coming for the Locke children anyway. It all promises to be an epic volume 6. Highly recommended!
Hill and Rodriguez make a wonderful team. Hill has thought through the story completely and tells it clearly. He clearly has had the ending in mind this whole time. This is one of those rare longer comics stories with a clearly defined beginning, middle, and end. The characters feel real, and are definitely changed by their experiences. Rodriguez' art is wonderfully clear and precise. He manages to give every member of his large cast a distinctly different set of facial features in which family resemblances can be clearly seen. This is not nearly common enough in comics.
Locke & Key is one of those high water marks in comics, and deserves to be mentioned alongside other all-time greats like Sandman, Watchmen, and others. Highly recommended!
Addendum 2021:
Much of this volume is set in the past. We get the story of how the keys were forged. And we also get the story of Rendell and Dodge and their friends that helps shed some light on just why all this trouble has been coming for the Locke children anyway. It all promises to be an epic volume 6. Highly recommended!
September 28, 2017
Joe Hill has this bizarre-yet-fantastic writing aesthetic in which he likes to save the backstory for last. He just kind of plunges you into the heart of the story, and slowly works his way back until you understand why things are happening. This volume proved to me that Locke & Key is no difference. Fantastic volume with beautiful artwork and a twisted, delightful story, as always. I'm just sad that it's almost at an end.
In this volume, Tyler and Kinsey discover a brand new key: a time-shifting one, that will take them to any day they want to visit (as long as it's pre-Y2K). Naturally, the teens use their newfound toy as an opportunity to learn a bit about their old man, and in turn, we get to learn a lot about old Keyhouse.
Series content warning: violence, sexual assault, homophobia, racism, sexism, ableism. All negative views are challenged by the text, but are very present.
In this volume, Tyler and Kinsey discover a brand new key: a time-shifting one, that will take them to any day they want to visit (as long as it's pre-Y2K). Naturally, the teens use their newfound toy as an opportunity to learn a bit about their old man, and in turn, we get to learn a lot about old Keyhouse.
Series content warning: violence, sexual assault, homophobia, racism, sexism, ableism. All negative views are challenged by the text, but are very present.
August 17, 2015
www.melissa413readsalot.blogspot.com
I loved how the novel started back in 1775 and what happened in that time. The novel goes back and forth showing different things in time so you get an idea of why things were happening in the previous books. Or I should say it explains a lot of them.
Poor little Bode is still lost out there somewhere. I hope it all works out with him eventually.
The graphics are amazing! I have loved each books graphics a lot, they are so crisp and clear!
I will post some pictures from the book on my blog.
This is another great edition to the Locke & Key graphic novels!
I loved how the novel started back in 1775 and what happened in that time. The novel goes back and forth showing different things in time so you get an idea of why things were happening in the previous books. Or I should say it explains a lot of them.
Poor little Bode is still lost out there somewhere. I hope it all works out with him eventually.
The graphics are amazing! I have loved each books graphics a lot, they are so crisp and clear!
I will post some pictures from the book on my blog.
This is another great edition to the Locke & Key graphic novels!
May 26, 2020
***5 stars***
I am simply blown away by this graphic novel series! 🙀
Full review coming soon.
I am simply blown away by this graphic novel series! 🙀
Full review coming soon.
January 31, 2015
History lesson! I love seeing the origins of things, and for sure the Timeshift Key would be my absolute favorite key, even with its limitations. So interesting to see how history has been shaped, especially the history surrounding such an interesting place as Keyhouse.
There were some really interesting developments in the story, and I'm curious to see how they play out in the final volume. I really liked seeing how Tyler is mirroring his father, but... better, in a way. A little winky-wink there?
Still the artwork is amazing, and the little ways that the art supplements the story is so awesome. I found myself laughing out loud just at some of the reactions Kinsey has to her brother. Her facial expressions are gold. Pure gold. Damn this is a great series. Love it.
PS. I am super glad that Kinsey finally lost that horrid green streak in her hair. Next on the chopping block, that weird braid. How 'bout it?
There were some really interesting developments in the story, and I'm curious to see how they play out in the final volume. I really liked seeing how Tyler is mirroring his father, but... better, in a way. A little winky-wink there?
Still the artwork is amazing, and the little ways that the art supplements the story is so awesome. I found myself laughing out loud just at some of the reactions Kinsey has to her brother. Her facial expressions are gold. Pure gold. Damn this is a great series. Love it.
PS. I am super glad that Kinsey finally lost that horrid green streak in her hair. Next on the chopping block, that weird braid. How 'bout it?
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