Review by damis -- We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko
Posted: 09 Oct 2020, 22:10
[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko" by Matthew Tysz.]
One of the many wonders of stories is the way we can get to know the characters. Sometimes, it comes to the point where their lives become worthy of our laughter and our tears. That's why sometimes, a single book is not enough to tell everything there is to tell. With this book, that was the case.
We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko by Matthew Tysz is the second book of the series "We are Voulhire." In this book, we pick up Galen's storyline. This time, he faces the challenge of finding new sources of iron after Hillport was destroyed. Of course, political intrigues and complicated relationships spice up every page of the book.
My favorite part is the world-building. The descriptions are outstanding, and the slice-of-life scenes are well executed. Character-development is one of the most important things to me when rating a story. This novel mastered it perfectly. Galen, Rowan, Lord Meldorth, and, even the secondary characters are far from perfect or stereotypical. They make mistakes and ask for favors. They struggle to adapt to their circumstances, grow, and evolve. It is that touch of realism in the middle of a world full of magic and power that makes the story so alluring, so easy to believe and enjoy.
The book was professionally edited, and there's no way to deny it. To be fair, there's nothing I can complain about when it comes to this book. I'm glad to rate it four out of four stars.
If anything, I think it is worth mentioning some themes that might result in an uncomfortable experience for certain people. Violence is present throughout the book, with its fair share of death and abuse. Profanity is also a constant resource in dialogues. However, that's a fact well known for the reader, if they read the first book of the series. The story is meant for adults, and the younger audience shouldn't read it without adult approval.
I recommend the book to people that enjoy character-driven fantasy stories with creative world-building. Of course, if that's not enough, political intrigues and a fight to get power might do the trick.
I wouldn't say it is a deal-breaker, but if you haven't, I highly recommend reading the first novel of the series before picking up this book. Of course, this story is enjoyable on its own right. However, the plot is so well-thought, and the storyline so well defined, that it would be a shame to miss the background. Like watching the second season of a show without watching the first one, if you know what I mean. In any case, this book is definitely worth the time.
******
We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
One of the many wonders of stories is the way we can get to know the characters. Sometimes, it comes to the point where their lives become worthy of our laughter and our tears. That's why sometimes, a single book is not enough to tell everything there is to tell. With this book, that was the case.
We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko by Matthew Tysz is the second book of the series "We are Voulhire." In this book, we pick up Galen's storyline. This time, he faces the challenge of finding new sources of iron after Hillport was destroyed. Of course, political intrigues and complicated relationships spice up every page of the book.
My favorite part is the world-building. The descriptions are outstanding, and the slice-of-life scenes are well executed. Character-development is one of the most important things to me when rating a story. This novel mastered it perfectly. Galen, Rowan, Lord Meldorth, and, even the secondary characters are far from perfect or stereotypical. They make mistakes and ask for favors. They struggle to adapt to their circumstances, grow, and evolve. It is that touch of realism in the middle of a world full of magic and power that makes the story so alluring, so easy to believe and enjoy.
The book was professionally edited, and there's no way to deny it. To be fair, there's nothing I can complain about when it comes to this book. I'm glad to rate it four out of four stars.
If anything, I think it is worth mentioning some themes that might result in an uncomfortable experience for certain people. Violence is present throughout the book, with its fair share of death and abuse. Profanity is also a constant resource in dialogues. However, that's a fact well known for the reader, if they read the first book of the series. The story is meant for adults, and the younger audience shouldn't read it without adult approval.
I recommend the book to people that enjoy character-driven fantasy stories with creative world-building. Of course, if that's not enough, political intrigues and a fight to get power might do the trick.
I wouldn't say it is a deal-breaker, but if you haven't, I highly recommend reading the first novel of the series before picking up this book. Of course, this story is enjoyable on its own right. However, the plot is so well-thought, and the storyline so well defined, that it would be a shame to miss the background. Like watching the second season of a show without watching the first one, if you know what I mean. In any case, this book is definitely worth the time.
******
We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
