Arcana: The Lost Heirs
It’s love at flat white for Eli and James when they meet at the Brewbear cafe. A rogue source of magic has been detected at a nearby abandoned farmhouse and James is on a mission to locate its source. Eli has never known another witch. For centuries, Arcana has investigated paranormal entities parallel to the world of human beings and contained their magic to preserve order. But within Arcana’s celestial interiors and grand halls, the Majors are harbouring a perilous secret. Can Eli and his newfound coven free themselves from the hands of a generational curse?
Heartstopper meets Mystery Inc in this cosy first instalment of the Arcana graphic novel duology. Prentice-Jones embraces diversity, authenticity and Queer joy in their tarot-inspired debut. Each chapter begins with a card pulled to convey a character’s personal journey as the plot slowly builds. Mundane moments are celebrated throughout spreads of earth tones punctuated by soft lighting: Eli is captured in quiet pages carrying out his morning ritual of making coffee. Koko plans an outfit to express herself fully while buildings and landscapes are infused with the stillness of an Edward Hopper painting. These stylised illustrations evolve alongside the dialogue creating an immersive experience for the reader, at times allowing us to peer directly into the minds of its protagonists.
Young adults and beyond will enjoy this endearing group of friends as they come together to solve the mystery of the Majors and reject prejudice. It’s about carving out your own destiny while having fun along the way. Arcana: The Lost Heirs may end on an exhilarating cliffhanger – gasp! – but thankfully the story continues in June of 2026!
