Review of We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
Posted: 05 Feb 2024, 11:58
[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 Matthew Tysz is a solid read for anyone who digs a mix of magic, science, and a bit of historical intrigue. The main guy, Galen Bray, is a survivor from a rough background, trying to carve out a better life in Voulhire. He's got this everyman vibe, making his journey easy to get behind.
The setting? A land steeped in conflict, where you're either scraping by or crossing swords. Galen's trying to keep his head down, take over his uncle's forge, and get a grip on the local politics and corruption. But the place has a dark past, and Galen's about to get a front-row seat.
You've got a range of characters from Lord Eldus, the well-meaning king, to Riva Rohavi, a rebel group that'll give you the chills. The author's game is strong in character development, giving you multiple angles on the story.
A heads-up, the pacing starts slow and the climax might leave you hanging, but that's part of the deal with series books. The map at the start is a nice touch, pulling you straight into the world. Tysz's writing style, flipping between first and third person, is sharp and keeps you on your toes.
One thing that struck me, though, is the way Tysz introduces his characters. He lays them out a bit too neatly upfront. As a reader, I find the thrill in uncovering characters through the story's flow, piecing together who they are from their actions and choices. It's more engaging to discover a character's depth and quirks organically, rather than getting it served on a plate right at the beginning. It's a minor hitch in an otherwise gripping tale.
Bottom line, it's a solid 4 out of 4 stars from me. If you're into sci-fi and fantasy, grab this one. It's a deep dive into a well-crafted world that'll keep you turning pages.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" by Matthew Tysz is a solid read for anyone who digs a mix of magic, science, and a bit of historical intrigue. The main guy, Galen Bray, is a survivor from a rough background, trying to carve out a better life in Voulhire. He's got this everyman vibe, making his journey easy to get behind.
The setting? A land steeped in conflict, where you're either scraping by or crossing swords. Galen's trying to keep his head down, take over his uncle's forge, and get a grip on the local politics and corruption. But the place has a dark past, and Galen's about to get a front-row seat.
You've got a range of characters from Lord Eldus, the well-meaning king, to Riva Rohavi, a rebel group that'll give you the chills. The author's game is strong in character development, giving you multiple angles on the story.
A heads-up, the pacing starts slow and the climax might leave you hanging, but that's part of the deal with series books. The map at the start is a nice touch, pulling you straight into the world. Tysz's writing style, flipping between first and third person, is sharp and keeps you on your toes.
One thing that struck me, though, is the way Tysz introduces his characters. He lays them out a bit too neatly upfront. As a reader, I find the thrill in uncovering characters through the story's flow, piecing together who they are from their actions and choices. It's more engaging to discover a character's depth and quirks organically, rather than getting it served on a plate right at the beginning. It's a minor hitch in an otherwise gripping tale.
Bottom line, it's a solid 4 out of 4 stars from me. If you're into sci-fi and fantasy, grab this one. It's a deep dive into a well-crafted world that'll keep you turning pages.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon