THE SECRET OF THE RAVENS

Impoverished twins use magic to try to escape poverty.

Orphaned twins Elliot and Liza sell trash to survive. When they discover Ravens’ Unkindness, a magical way to complete quests and earn money, they jump at the chance. The siblings follow the ravens to the capital of Kawumiti Kingdom, where everything is expensive, and the king is trying to get rid of the poor. They meet a boy called Seb—a member of the king’s Royal Apprenticeship program—who suggests they join him. Liza is in favor, but Elliot refuses to work for a king who doesn’t care about his people. The twins continue to do quests until a Titan snake poisons Liza. Elliot brings Liza to a mage in the woods, who sends him on near-impossible tasks to retrieve items for an antidote. Elliot and Seb work together, but each task brings more danger, forcing Elliot to make big sacrifices to save his sister. This action-packed, full-color graphic novel is an exciting and moving Filipino-inspired fantasy. Cacao creates an immersive world and magic system; a spell glossary lists herbs and Tagalog words. Beyond central themes of siblinghood, trust, and friendship, the story addresses war, genocide, corrupt leadership, and prejudice against the impoverished. The characters in this world have brown skin and black hair.

A page-turning adventure, full of heart and charm.