Review by Frank Plowright

Somali continues to be an innocent accompanied by a what’s seen by some as a Forest Spirit, but who is seen by others as a golem to be feared. Also feared are humans, who’re hunted down. Along their wanderings they’ve been joined by Uzoi and Haitora, and Vol. 3 ended with a shocking revelation about them.

Yako Gureishi goes into the circumstances over the opening chapter, painting a picture of persecution, necessity and tragedy, but one unfortunately overheard, shaping what follows.

Anyone who’s already sampled Gureishi’s thoughtful fantasy won’t need any encouragement to venture further. Each volume sees Gureishi add new imaginative details to her world, yet they arise organically from what’s already been created rather than having the feeling of being bolted on to suit the plot. Here we learn about feral birds, sugar trees and a unique form of dentistry among other fascinating items. Even a cooking interlude holds the attention. What characterises Somali and the Forest Spirit so effectively, though, is the perpetuated sense of melancholy. We know the Forest Spirit has little life left, and because Somali is so young and innocent there’s a fear for what will become of her.

Situations occur that in other series would dissolve into violence, yet Gureishi’s way is to seek peaceful solutions to confrontation, which is surprisingly rare, and her art has a gentleness reflecting this. It’s also as creative as the concept, able to encompass all sorts of unusual designs.

Somali met Shizuno and Yabashira before, and they return to accompany her for the remainder of the book, including the one real, if brief, fight. This is another delightful step into a very individual world, imaginative and beautifully drawn.