Review by Frank Plowright

Creator Rona has made a very definite choice with Alpi. Rather than concentrate on the heroics as Alpi deals with dead spirits, the focus is on the mental anguish it entails, and the toll it takes on someone who has the Soul Sender’s rare talent, but is young and inexperienced.

In Vol. 2 the mental concerns were worsened by comments about carelessness from the more experienced Sersela, prompting the cliffhanger ending of Alpi about to perform a vanquishing ritual beyond her capabilities. However, Rona postpones the continuation for a flashback in which Alpi recalls one of the last conversations with her missing parents, when they offered wise advice about dealing with people whose views conflict with hers. It’s not the obvious delaying tactic it may seem, as Alpi’s parents have a relevance throughout, as does Sersela, about whom we also learn more.

A love of illustrative detail is evident on the texturing of the rocks, the carefully constructed silhouettes of trees, and the decorative clothing on the sample art, and other matters elsewhere, such as the scales on a fish. It’s accompanied by Rona’s enviously delicate line, giving a refinement to the people. There’s also consideration of atmospheric conditions, and a later sequence features the contrast of small spirits with the night sky.

If it’s not been apparent from what’s happened already, there’s little sentiment on Rona’s part, and Sersela’s story involves a shocking moment and is surprisingly confessional given her judgemental personality. There are also surprises in store regarding Alpi’s talents, which aren’t restricted to mystical matters.

Any reader captivated by the first two volumes is going to be really pleased with how Rona plays out the plots here. It’s a logical continuation and offers plenty of surprises. The only question mark hangs over the idea of Alpi searching for her parents, an idea hardly underworked in fiction. However it’s the stops along the way that supply the wonder, and there’s no shortage here.