Review by prowlingivy -- We are Voulhire: A New Arrival ...
Posted: 15 Nov 2019, 02:56
[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" by Matthew Tysz.]
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival Under Great Skies by Mathew Tysz is the first book in a series of magical fantasy themed books. The setting is in the Land of Voulhire,a prosperous land in every sense. The first chapter introduces Galen Bray.He is a young man from the war-torn, Land of the Princes. Galen is optimistic because he now has hope. Hope for a better tomorrow with his new fortune in the town of Magnum Caelum, Voulhire. Each page is adventure filled with the chapter's narrations in first person views. The author craftily introduces us to the personal thoughts of the characters as well as their emotional responses to their respective responsibilities. The pages each whispering the legends of Meldorath, a powerful mage who was once the Lord of Hillport, now banished but presumed dead. The conflict is between the reality and presumption of his death. Is it envy, thirst for power, fear of the unknown that binds the characters? You just cannot be sure of anyone's intentions in Voulhire.
But the prosperous world of Voulhire isn't so perfect, there's trouble brewing. Chaos and tension seeps through each page. The power game between the capital ,Soulhire and the coastal town of Hillport with Eldus and his family as unassuming pawns. Caught in the middle of a bigger war than themselves,the citizens of Hillport are distraught. The superstitions surrounding Meldorath is so pronounced as well. You could almost feel the fear that the people have of him. The first book hints at the relationship between Galen and Meldorath but I believe that there is more to that in the subsequent books.
I loved the world of Voulhire. Particularly,the naming of the towns. The names sounded magical with the rhyming and originality. I haven't come across such in the longest time. They have a poetic feel to them. The description of their residents makes them dreamy. I could not help but close my eyes after finishing the book and imagining myself in Yamon Soul, the religious center of Voulhire and Magnum Caelum, in the forge with Galen and Rowan. However, I felt as though the author used too few pages to introduce his series. He introduced several major characters without making it clear how exactly they are connected. Nonetheless, I appreciated the suspense that comes with it.
The book is best suited for teenagers and adults due to the use of certain profane terms. Though the majority are just borderline, the book cannot be suitable for a younger audience.It's also a must read for those who enjoy a political drama. It has a lot of political tension between the land's sovereign,King Wilhem and the rebel group of the Rovi Rohavi. This is a book that commands your full attention and you have no choice but to give in. I believe that you will fall in love with the world of Voulhire as I did. I am waiting for the rest of the books by Mathew Tysz.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I couldn't put it down until I reached the last page. I still kept flipping through afterwards hoping for extras. I will have to find parts two and three. I rate it a generous 4 out of 4 stars. I found the book very well edited with a very engaging plot coupled with rich vocabulary and imagery. I must add that it is a must have if you are up to a fresh adventure.
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We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival Under Great Skies by Mathew Tysz is the first book in a series of magical fantasy themed books. The setting is in the Land of Voulhire,a prosperous land in every sense. The first chapter introduces Galen Bray.He is a young man from the war-torn, Land of the Princes. Galen is optimistic because he now has hope. Hope for a better tomorrow with his new fortune in the town of Magnum Caelum, Voulhire. Each page is adventure filled with the chapter's narrations in first person views. The author craftily introduces us to the personal thoughts of the characters as well as their emotional responses to their respective responsibilities. The pages each whispering the legends of Meldorath, a powerful mage who was once the Lord of Hillport, now banished but presumed dead. The conflict is between the reality and presumption of his death. Is it envy, thirst for power, fear of the unknown that binds the characters? You just cannot be sure of anyone's intentions in Voulhire.
But the prosperous world of Voulhire isn't so perfect, there's trouble brewing. Chaos and tension seeps through each page. The power game between the capital ,Soulhire and the coastal town of Hillport with Eldus and his family as unassuming pawns. Caught in the middle of a bigger war than themselves,the citizens of Hillport are distraught. The superstitions surrounding Meldorath is so pronounced as well. You could almost feel the fear that the people have of him. The first book hints at the relationship between Galen and Meldorath but I believe that there is more to that in the subsequent books.
I loved the world of Voulhire. Particularly,the naming of the towns. The names sounded magical with the rhyming and originality. I haven't come across such in the longest time. They have a poetic feel to them. The description of their residents makes them dreamy. I could not help but close my eyes after finishing the book and imagining myself in Yamon Soul, the religious center of Voulhire and Magnum Caelum, in the forge with Galen and Rowan. However, I felt as though the author used too few pages to introduce his series. He introduced several major characters without making it clear how exactly they are connected. Nonetheless, I appreciated the suspense that comes with it.
The book is best suited for teenagers and adults due to the use of certain profane terms. Though the majority are just borderline, the book cannot be suitable for a younger audience.It's also a must read for those who enjoy a political drama. It has a lot of political tension between the land's sovereign,King Wilhem and the rebel group of the Rovi Rohavi. This is a book that commands your full attention and you have no choice but to give in. I believe that you will fall in love with the world of Voulhire as I did. I am waiting for the rest of the books by Mathew Tysz.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I couldn't put it down until I reached the last page. I still kept flipping through afterwards hoping for extras. I will have to find parts two and three. I rate it a generous 4 out of 4 stars. I found the book very well edited with a very engaging plot coupled with rich vocabulary and imagery. I must add that it is a must have if you are up to a fresh adventure.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon