The Secret of the Ravens by Joanna Cacao

What worked:

A problem with some graphic novels occurs when the narrative and abstract illustrations don’t fully communicate the plot. That is not a problem in this book. The text is not overly descriptive, as with all graphic novels, but it clearly tells the story of a young orphan trying to save the life of his twin sister. The drawings focus on the characters and events without unnecessary details so readers are able to fully grasp what’s going on. The illustrations effectively convey the evilness of the antagonists to enhance the descriptions in the narrative.

The main conflict finds Elliot doing everything he can to save his twin sister from dying of snake poisoning. The suspense intensifies as time counts down. There’s an underlying problem of persecution that concerns the whole kingdom. The opening scene finds a race of people being pursued by the royal hunters for execution. In the city, people living on the streets are being rounded up and the citizens are unwilling to help. This cruelty by the rulers creates difficulties across the lands and motivates one character to seek revenge.

What didn’t work as well:

The book’s ending is too abrupt as there are unresolved issues. I don’t want to share any spoilers but suffice it to say readers may not be satisfied. A sequel is surely on the way.

The final verdict:

The premise of the plot is engaging and magic is a central part of the story. However, the book ends just as things get really interesting so readers will need to reconcile this issue in their minds. This book will appeal to those who enjoy close family ties and enchantments.