Review by Frank Plowright

At fifteen Pili has been forced from her sheltered existence, training alongside an elderly witch when their location was invaded. She now an innocent travelling in search of the sanctuary of Eden in a world abandoned by nature with humanity hostile to witches. She’s accompanied in that search by mystical being Oak, a sort of plant/wolf combination, but extremely powerful. Unknown to Pili she’s a target for one of the emperor’s scientists. His kind used to burn witches, but Zakum is convinced witches can help generate plant growth where science has failed. Here, plants are known as amurds.

Pili’s previous existence was almost solitary, only knowing she was a witch because her mentor told her so, and it’s only recently that she’s begun to manifest any abilities. These are powerful, prompted by stress, but random and and uncontrolled.

As shown on the sample art, Pili meets another witch for the first time, but Laminala’s background is very different. She’s friendly, but recognises Pili’s survival has been due to luck, so some lessons she passes on are harsh. She’s also able to open Pili’s eyes to different interpretations. That this sequence occupies just under half the book is an indication of Jumeji’s leisurely approach to storytelling. We’re certainly not going to be reaching Eden in a hurry, yet the attractive art and attention to personality means this is far more than padding.

In fact, adding to Pili’s survival skills is surely essential, and it’s evident over the remainder of the book that lessons have been learned. Pili’s more confident about her own judgement and will now talk back to Oak. A further community of witches is mentioned early in proceedings, and Eden meets them and hears their background in the volume’s second half. As much as anything this is an excuse for Yumeji to draw the lush, bountiful world seen in flashback as opposed to the barren rocks forming the usual setting.

Eden’s still with the witches as Volume 2 ends by setting up Volume 3 with one powerful threat attracting the attention of another. Invest in Pili as a character and Eden of Witches is starting to show magic, but if her passivity, naivety and acceptance annoys, it’s not the series for you.