Book Review: Arcana: The Lost Heirs by Sam Prentice-Jones

A début from illustrator and writer, Sam Prentice-Jones, Arcana: The Lost Heirs is a tarot-inspired contemporary fantasy graphic novel, and the first graphic novel to be published by Hot Key Books. The story is a witchy, magical tale with an intriguing mystery at its heart. Eli has no idea that there are others with enchanting abilities like his, until he meets James and is inducted into the Arcana. It isn’t just spells that he will soon find himself wrapped up in though, a romance blooms with James and chilling secret start to spill out of the coven’s history.

Arcana: The Lost Heirs is out now! Buy on Hive Books (supporting indie bookshops)

 The first in what will seemingly be a series of graphic novels from Prentice-Jones, The Lost Heirs introduces the characters: Eli – the new witch found by the coven – and James, Daphne, Koko and Sonny all of whom are witches within the coven called The Arcana. Eli quickly forms friendships and connections within the group but those bonds are put under pressure when, together, they unravel the truths behind the mystery and discover a curse that impacts all their futures.

Each of the first few chapters in this novel follows the narrative of one of the central characters, introducing readers to their lives and even their back stories creating full, complex and deeply relatable characters. The story’s narrative, meanwhile, moves quickly, and is driven by stunning illustrations that take on a warm sepia tone in every-day life and a glowing blue tone to indicate magic.

This graphic novel draws readers into a fantasy world but also explores deeper issues including homophobia and transphobia, growing up in the care system, familial loss, and the complexities of caring for parents.

Arcana: The Lost Heirs is a shadowy sinister and spellbinding graphic novel laced with camp humour, full of diverse representation, and woven with beautiful moments of queer joy, community and romance.

Leaving readers on a cliff-hanger, Arcana will return with The Cursed Fate in June 2026...

With thanks to Hot Key Books for the review copy of this book.

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