Disciples of the Soil

Ismyre #5

by B. Mure

When the Prime Minister announces a new rail line in Ismyre, there are from the wizards, who are concerned about the country’s magic, from the naturalists, who fear the damage to the soil, plants, and animals, and from the Sisters of Our Lady Who Slumbers Under the Earth, who would prefer their giant serpent deity to rest peacefully.

As the railway proceeds, the worries of the wizards and the naturalists come to pass . . . and the earth has begun to shake. . . .

A new book in the creative, fantastical Ismyre series drawn in pencil and watercolor by Bristol-based creator B. Mure. Mure continues to expand the Ismyre universe, this time with a story of industry and ecology.

Genres: Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels, Anthropomorphic

88 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this like I loved #4 but I think I should actually read the rest cause i was somewhat confused. loved the ending.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was going to give it a 3, but then I found out the confusing parts were since this is an additional story about a complete series. I'm definitely going to go back and read the other ones. Covering some of my fav topics: fuck the rich, protest and impede, and save the environment!

[Steven desJardins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think this was meant to be read as a potential introduction to the series and the artist's work. It doesn't do the greatest job of introducing the characters, the backstory, how everything fits together. I was able to work it out, but even as an incomplete portion of a larger work, it doesn't feel like there's quite enough to make me want to seek out the rest. I admire and respect the craft and artistic vision but ultimately won't be reading further.

[S.Matt Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up the latest book in the series and used it as my starting point into this world. Beautiful watercolors abound. This is a delight to look at and move through.

I probably made a misstep though. While the story was a stand-alone tale in a pure sense, it didn't mean that much to me. It made me want to have a firmer grasp of who I was reading about and what was at stake.

[Annie Huizinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful, love the ending.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Ismyre story yet! Can't wait for the next book.

[rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

currently waiting for the next book in the ismyre series I need to know what will happen

[Grg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute animals give a powerful lesson on standing up to authoritarianism. I just wish they didn't hate trains so much. Trains are great !

[Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another beautiful Ismyre book! I never get tired of these, each one is a gem 💖

[Wendle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is political, pulling in elements from previous books about the government and environmental concerns. It manages to pack a lot of depth and meaning into such a short book and it really is the art that helps accomplish that.

It also has perhaps the best image of a tomato every drawn.

I feel like all the threads from the previous book are really starting to come together, and I can’t wait to follow along with more of the story and see more of Ismyre in the next book.

A slightly longer review can be found on my book blog: Marvel at Words.

[J Poolner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until I logged into Goodreads to record that I'd read this, I had no idea it was the fifth in a series. It is easy enough to follow (maybe because of the inclusion of the dramatis personae) that it could easily be the first in a series. By itself, there were a lot of questions when I got to the "to be continued" ending, but they didn't seem confounding or like they wouldn't be addressed.

So when I saw that I had missed the first four volumes, I was extra impressed with the storytelling, in that I didn't need to be already steeped in that universe to appreciate this book. Not that it's a simple story, far from it! But it's been told well as far as I can tell.