Disciples of the Soil, Vol. 5
The construction of a new railway in the post-industrial fantasy land of Ismyre might seem like an occasion to celebrate, but 
the railway workers are on the verge of striking due to miserable working conditions and meager pay. The airship worker’s union is striking, feeling neglected by the government’s extravagant railway spending. The Sisters of Our Lady Who Slumbers Under the Earth are protesting and sending petitions to the Prime Minister in hopes of stopping her from digging too deep in the sacred soil, lest their giant wyrm goddess be woken. The people are confused, frightened, angry, and frustrated with what feels like a massive slip in the democratic process. A protest march is heading to parliament, and the police have arrived in riot gear.
Mure’s Disciples of the Soil is the fifth volume in the Ismyre series, and may not be the best entry point for new readers. This was my first exposure to the world of Ismyre, and while it was very enjoyable and the general themes of class politics, environmentalism, and governmental corruption came through clearly, I felt compelled to go back and experience previous volumes for more world building and a better connection with the characters in this entry. The dramatis personae at the beginning was helpful, but a better starting point would be the first volume, Ismyre, where several of Disciples of the Soil’s main characters are first introduced.
I was surprised to learn that all the inhabitants of this world are anthropomorphized animals, because the story and themes are so human. While the narrative is incredibly familiar to someone living in the world in 2024, the use of animals, some brief nods to magic use, and the art style make it feel like a distant fantasy. The reader has the advantage of viewing the lives of many different players in the story, seeing how their individual efforts either for or against the railway entwine and lead to the climax.
Beautifully penciled and hand painted watercolors are the biggest standout in Disciples of the Soil. Mure’s use of line and color expertly depict the moods and emotions of each character, getting more frenetic when tensions rise and leaning softer in quieter moments. Curved and bulging panels give movement and urgency to a dangerous clash between protestors and police. The animal characters are drawn to look almost adorable, which creates an interesting and pleasant contrast between the look and the feel of this story. The use of watercolors gives Ismyre a magical, almost dream-like quality and made me want to stay longer in this world. However, what I found most delightful were the small, often quiet, moments in between the dialog and action. The watchful eyes of the Prime Minister’s bodyguards, a pause at the beautifully cultivated garden entrance of an abbey, and the most epic flying tomato I have ever seen in my life.
The world of Ismyre, while gorgeous, is not peaceful and there is a palpable tension that comes to a head between the people and the state, but scenes depicted in this volume do not feature overt violence or harm. The worst things happen behind the scenes, but the uprisings, the grief, and the uncertainty in the aftermath are very much present for the reader to experience.
The story ends on an exciting cliffhanger and readers will have to wait for the next volume to find out if the construction of the railway is ultimately disastrous for Ismyre. Adults and older teens interested in fantasy, social issues, and environmentalism will enjoy this series.
Disciples of the Soil  Vol. 5
By B. Mure
Avery Hill Publishing, 2024
ISBN: 9781910395790
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
