I was lucky enough to get an ARC for the first volume of Prentice-Jones' Arcana series, The Lost Heirs, which was just released in June. I gave that four stars and I think this second volume is a solid four stars as well. I think the only reason I haven't given it five is because it's a little too feel-good at times.

This volume's story feels like it happens quickly and is resolve even quicker, which makes me sad because I enjoy this world and its mythology and I like the characters (some of who are new to each other but they're saying things like "I love you" and "We're family", which feels weird and rushed).

But again I really enjoyed this book. Sam Prentice- Jone's art style is also fun and different from what you typically see in graphic novels these days. I really like it and find it just as cozy to look at as the story is to read. It's a sweet book.

I also really enjoy the diversity in the story. Some are gay, some are trans, some are fat, some are thin, they're different races and ethnicities but they're all joined together by friendship and the Arcana. Again, it's sweet lol

I definitely recommend this to people looking for inclusivity and acceptance and a feel-good story - the first volume does end on a little bit of a cliff-hanger but we get all the resolution we could want in this second volume. Looking forward to this volume joining the first volume on my shelves once it's released.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Arcana: The Cursed Fate by Sam Prentice-Jones is the graphic novel YA contemporary fantasy sequel to the first Arcana: The Lost Heirs. After Kotana’s mother can no longer hold on and passes away, she confronts the majors of the coven and demands answers for the secrets her mother revealed. The five friends will need to work together to right the wrongs of the past.

Like the last book, the story reads as a very strong allegory for Queerness and finding love and acceptance in community and how that same community can be a family. It also goes into the darker side of community, especially when only a small number of people have power and believe themselves to be superior to others. It's hard not to connect these themes to the world as it is now and as it has been and, unfortunately, how it will most likely be in the foreseeable future.

Whereas I felt the last book could be Eli’s story, this felt more like the story of all five members and the small family they have formed. Their relationships are developing in new ways, addressing the harm they've done or has been done to them, and working together to finally give themselves and everyone else closure. We open with Konata and it's her actions that propel the narrative forward, but she shares the spotlight with everyone.

Prodigies, inadequacy, and children born to mixed backgrounds are all discussed in the recent history of the coven, providing worldbuilding but also the things the coven is getting wrong and what it has to rectify. I thought the majors having time to reflect on all this before the story opens helped make this feel cozier instead of grand, epic stakes because the majors are more willing to accept the consequences of their actions and the actions of the people who came before them.

Content warning for nudity, pregnancy, and mentions of infanticide

I would recommend this to fans of contemporary fantasy and paranormal fantasy and readers of graphic novels who want a more cozy aesthetic in their paranormals.

What a STELLAR second issue of this graphic novel series! I loved the first one and couldn't wait for this one...I was not disappointed. All the components I wanted to improve from first to second resolved (narrative, distracting phrases). The narrative, art and storyline all had great flow I would recommend this to anyone, any age, especially if you're graphic-novel curious - this one is a good entry point. I do hope there are more!

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this graphic novel!

Arcana #2 picks up right where #1 leaves off. You jump right back into the story easily and follow our group into confronting the Majors and trying to break the curse set on their bloodlines.
This story does a great job really tying everything up and leaving it open ended for more adventure if they want to tell more stories in the future.
I really liked the first one so when I saw this one come up I had to request it! I am really satisfied with this ending. The art style and coloring of this book are so fitting. Like #1 the tarot card chapter headers are still there and I really love them. The found family is so sweet I'd just like to hug them all. Overall this story is such a cozy read to me (even though there are some dark elements to the story).
I feel like overall if you like ya reads, witches, mysterious curses, cozy fall vibes, and found family this one is for you.

The first one (Arcana: The Lost Heirs) was so so cute. The Cursed Fate picks up right where the first leaves off, and is a lovely ending to this story arc. The artwork and color is gorgeous and everything flows very well. I did wish the stakes/dangers were a bit higher at times, but overall loved the witchy cozy vibes.
It leaves it open to the possibility of more story in the future, and I will definitely be reading it if they do more! This is one I will be recommending to my graphic novel loving friends for sure.

I rated it 4.25/5 rounded down to 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the e-arc!

4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an arc. All opinions are my own.

This book is like eating marshmallow fluff right out of the container. In theory the stakes are high, and all the characters are risking death; however, it never really *felt* that serious. I do also think the messaging was a little on the nose. I mean, characters just outright say the moral of the story, and the villains are very willing to explain their reasoning.

I think it was a little odd to make this YA. It definitely reads like YA, but all the characters are adults. I personally think it would have been a little more cohesive if either the characters were younger, or this was just written as an adult book. But with all that being said, I still had fun reading it, and the art and characters were endearing.

This felt like nothing happened but when things did happen they were rushed. The characters all seemed to all speak the same and didn’t have any dimension to them. I don’t even know what age to recommend this too as the story, plot, and conversations felt very middle grade but then the characters would drop curse words.

All in all, if this had been longer, or maybe more scenes, it would have been much better. The storyline had a great premise just executed poorly.

I loved the first one of this series so I was so stoked to get this approved for review. I loved it just as much, if not more, than the first one. I'm such a sucker for found family so overall I love this story anyhow, but I really appreciated how the author took control of the narrative of the crossbloods. I loved the art style and coloring of this graphic novel and will definitely recommend to others.