I really enjoyed this book. There were serious stakes and realistic and loveable characters. The art was beautiful and the I loved the use of color. My only complaint is that I wish I had known that this book was the first in a series because the cliffhanger ending really snuck up on me. I can't wait to read the follow-up and see how the story progresses.

"The Secret of the Ravens" by Joanna Cacao is a captivating middle-grade graphic novel that seamlessly blends mystery, adventure, and fantasy. This enchanting tale follows orphaned twins Elliot and Liza as they embark on a series of perilous quests, guided by enigmatic ravens, in their desperate attempt to escape their grim existence in an abandoned garbage heap.
Elliot and Liza’s story is a testament to resilience and the unbreakable bond of siblings. Their journey, starting in a desolate kingdom where they scavenge for survival, is a heart-wrenching tale. The discovery of the Raven Quests offers a glimmer of hope, promising riches and a chance to alter their fate. However, the path is treacherous, and the true nature of the quests is veiled in ominous secrets.
Cacao's portrayal of the twins’ determination and courage, especially when Liza is gravely injured during one of their quests, is gripping. Elliot’s desperate mission to save his sister leads him to form unexpected alliances. The narrative is steeped in suspense, and the stakes are palpably high, creating a compelling story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.
The illustrations in "The Secret of the Ravens" are a standout feature, bringing Cacao's vibrant world to life. The panels are meticulously crafted, with a keen eye for detail that enhances the storytelling. The characters' expressions are vividly rendered, capturing their emotions and adding depth to their personalities.
"The Secret of the Ravens" is a beautifully illustrated and well-crafted graphic novel that will captivate young readers and adults alike. Joanna Cacao’s storytelling, combined with her exquisite artwork, creates an immersive experience that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant. This tale of adventure, loyalty, and the quest for a better life is a must-read for anyone who enjoys fantasy and graphic novels.
#TheSecretoftheRavens #NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Great, innovative concept here. The details of the plot are genuinely unique, though the characters are underdeveloped and underused. The major plot twists are pretty heavily foreshadowed so a close reader will not be surprised.

Thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC!

This review comes very late, as the book is already released, but I truly enjoyed this story following twins Elliot and Liza as they find their way through their uncertain and scary world.

The artwork was gorgeously colored, the story was rich with originality, and the magic aspects were new and exciting. I mean, magic raven quests? I loved the concept and the authors execution of it.

Wonderful book, I'll happily recommend it!

A very good graphic novel for kids. It's about a brother and sister living on the streets in a fantasy world. They are digging through garbage to find things to recycle in order to buy food when they learn that ravens give out out quests that reward them in coins. Their lives continue to improve as the quests get more difficult until they get in over their heads. That's when one of them makes a deal with a witch in order to help the other one. This is the first part of duology so it does end with some things unresolved. It does feel natural where it ends though. All in all, I thought it was a fun, exciting book that kids will dig.

If you liked Wynd by James Tinyon IV, you will enjoy this magical adventure. Two orphan siblings leave town in search of better work and learn that certain ravens carry anonymous messages and quests. The pair complete the quests in exchange for money, but one day the quest goes horribly wrong, the sister is poisoned. Enter a dark and mysterious figure who will heal the girl in return for ingredients. Searching for the ingredients uncovers a dark secret in a city that claims to be perfect inside and out.
The first book in the series ends on such a good cliffhanger that readers will be feeling tingles of anticipation until the next release.

Elliott and Liza are doing their best to make a living without parents by scavenging. One day, one of their friends tells them about ravens that offer magical quests and they can make a lot of money. They do, but the quests are not without risk and when Liza is injured, Elliott has to decide on his own how best to help Liza. This is a really fun magical mystery. The art work is gorgeous and full of action. It's also a nice foray to talk about social issues with middle grade kids like homelessness and poverty. I think the kids are going to love this one.

I’m sorry, but I thought this book was just weird. I finished it, but it was just all over the place. I can’t see my students reading this book.

The Secret of the Ravens is a fun fantasy/adventure graphic novel for middle grade readers. The author leaves the story open for a sequel, which readers will eagerly await.

A haunting and engrossing middle grade magic story. I love when kids are really evaluating which side of a story is wrong and right.

Twins Elliot and Liza scavenge through garbage to make enough money to eat. When another kid tells them about Raven Quests , where they do tasks and get money, it changes their lives. The pair follow the ravens to the capitol, where poverty drives them to take a quest beyond their abilites. Their lives end up intertwined with a Royal Apprentice and a magic user, fighting to save lives.

The illustration is gorgeous and a perfect match to the story-telling style. I appreciate the nuanced approach to characterization - very few of the characters are pure good or pure evil.

An exciting, charming, adventurous graphic novel for middle grade, packed with intrigue and a cast of rich characters, wonderfully written, and rendered with thoughtful illustrations.

‘The Secret of the Ravens’ with story and art by Joanna Cacao is a graphic novel for middle school readers about two siblings trying to survive in a fantasy kingdom.

For Elliot and Liza, life isn’t easy. Their parents and their home are gone. To find money for food or shelter, they take on mysterious quests from ravens. The harder quests pay more money, but bring more danger. Now Eilza is ill and Elliott has to perform impossible tasks for a dark mage that may get Elliott killed. With the help of a royal apprentice, he may find more than he wants to.

I liked this read about siblings and dark magic. The art is pretty good and I think young readers will like this story.

Gorgeously drawn and absolutely riveting. This story had me on the edge of my seat, and still hurt my heart. The characters are all fascinating and dear, and I cannot wait for the next volume.

Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very exciting fantasy/adventure story following two twins. There was a lot going on in the worldbuilding but it worked really well. My favorite part is how characters have different body types instead of all of them being stick figures, ha. Definitely following this series and can't wait for the sequel!

This graphic novel exemplifies what fantasy is capable of, recontextualizing contemporary issues to make them accessible and engaging for a larger audience. Written for middle grade readers, Joanna Cacao grafts the exploitative dynamics of the modern gig economy onto a magical world full of quest-giving ravens.

With their parents gone, twin siblings Elliot and Liza subsist by sorting through trash before learning about Raven Quests and the quick money they promise. The twins follow this newfound opportunity to the royal capital, where they are met with derision by everyone except for a royal apprentice, Seb. Initially reticent, Elliot is forced ask Seb for help when Liza nearly gets killed in pursuit of a quest. Aftering seeking the help of a reclusive sorceress, the two boys are left to decide how far they are willing to go to save Liza’s life.


Set in a world with a complex history, The Secrets of the Ravens tells a compelling story while also laying the groundwork for what I hope will become an ongoing series.

The Secret of the Ravens is an exciting middle-grade fantasy graphic novel about orphan twins, Elliot and Liza who embark on magical raven quests to make enough money to survive. When they take on a task that is too difficult for them, it leaves Liza fighting for her life and Elliot must rely on a dark mage to save Liza. I really enjoy both the story and the illustrations in this book and think readers who like middle-grade magical adventures would love this as well.

This is a Filipino-inspired graphic adventure novel telling the story of two orphan street kids, Elliot and Liza who scavenge in a landfill for things to sell to help them to survive. They discover that capturing ravens with magic will allow them to do a series of quests in exchange for coins.

Imagine my surprise when I open this ARC and the first magical spell that pops out of a character’s mouth is matulin which is the Tagalog word for swiftness. I was so excited! All the spells and locations are words pulled directly from the Filipino language. The clothes are all Philippine inspired too.

I loved these characters. They all had their own personalities and Seb was my favorite. I also loved the budding achillean relationship as well. I loved Joanna’s technique in drawing. She really took advantage of illustrations to get the narrative across. The story was also very well constructed and I truly cannot wait to read the sequel immediately.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and Clarion Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of "The Secret of the Ravens" in exchange for an honest review.

Twin orphans Elliot and Liza are making a living through scavenging garbage, when an acquaintance tells them that they can make more money by accepting quests from magical ravens. They learn the magic necessary to catch these ravens and things start looking up. However, the ravens grow scarce in their town, so they follow the bird population to a larger city.

There, making a living becomes harder. They attempt a particularly dangerous quest with devastating results. Though distrustful at first, Elliot accepts help from a royal mage apprentice named Seb (the fact that Elliot also begrudgingly finds him cute is adorable). As they work together, long-buried secrets are revealed, including the origins of the quest-granting ravens.

I absolutely loved this book. The artwork is incredible.. The story is engaging. The characters are nuanced. It ends on a cliffhanger and I'm EAGERLY awaiting the next book.