Source: From Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: June 24, 2025
Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:
Debut author/illustrator Sam Prentice-Jones explores fighting against your destiny and reconciling the actions of your ancestors in Arcana: The Lost Heirs, a tarot-inspired fantasy graphic novel for young adults.James, Daphne, Koko, and Sonny have all grown up surrounded by magic in the Arcana, an organization of witches that protects the magical world, run by the mysterious and secretive Majors. Eli Jones, however, didn’t even know other witches existed . . . until he stumbled into James. As James introduces Eli to the world of the Arcana, he finds the family he never had, and a blossoming romance with James.The five new friends soon realize that sinister things are afoot and everything may not be what it seems at the Arcana. When the group delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the deaths of their parents and the Major’s rise to power, they discover that they’re at the center of a curse - one they’ve just unwittingly set into motion. As the friends search for answers, they’ll have to confront the cursed legacy that links them in hopes of freeing their futures.
This first installment in a new graphic novel series introduces an intriguing magical world and a compelling mystery at its core—but unfortunately, it stumbles a bit in execution.
The story follows a group of young witches—James, Daphne, Koko, Sonny, and newcomer Eli—who are connected through the Arcana, a secretive organization overseen by powerful figures known as the Majors. As they uncover dark truths about their parents’ pasts and the curse that links them, the mystery deepens in an engaging way that promises more twists in future volumes.
Where this volume falters, though, is in its delivery. There’s a heavy reliance on exposition, often telling rather than showing, which feels especially out of place in a visual medium like a graphic novel. The dialogue can feel repetitive, reiterating information the reader already knows. While this might serve to reinforce the stakes, it ends up slowing down the pacing. Additionally, the artwork is decent but not particularly striking.
There are a lot of characters introduced in this first installment, and at times, it was difficult to differentiate between characters. While the reader can differentiate using the visuals, they are all pretty one-dimensional at this point and seem to have similar background. This makes it harder to connect with each individual character, I never really felt invested.
Still, the premise is strong, and the central mystery is compelling enough that I’m curious to see where the series goes from here. I’m hoping future installments strike a better balance between visual storytelling and exposition, and give each character more distinctiveness and depth.
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