Review by abudaniel28 -- We are Voulhire: The Fires of V...
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abudaniel28
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Review by abudaniel28 -- We are Voulhire: The Fires of V...
[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko" by Matthew Tysz.]
In the first book of the We are Voulhire series, Matthew Tysz introduces to us two dimensions: Cosmos, which is our physical universe, with its central kingdom of Voulhire, ruled by King Wilhelm; and Caromentis — the magical world about which very little is known. However, in this second book, We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko, we see a third dimension — Alitheia, which is the spirit world, a world beyond the reach of scientist and mage.
To be honest, I started out feeling disappointed with the beginning of this second issue in the series because, I was expecting the author to continue from where he left off in the first instalment, namely, the destruction of Hillport, and the death of Lord Eldus, along with his entire family. Not only did the author not continue from Hillport’s demise, nor Riva Rohavi’s victory and what happened after, he started the second book with a completely new entity. It took a while before I saw the connection between The Fires of Virko and A New Arrival under Great Skies. Within a few pages though, the author managed to vaporise my disappointment.
The three friends from the previous book are still together: Galen Bray from the land of the Princes, Rowan, Galen’s uncle’s executor, and Demetrius Waters from Virko, a monk of the church of Destinism and a personal imbuer to the Eiodi. The trio travelled to Virko to sort out a metal deal for Galen’s forge, but instead, found themselves in the middle of what would be the main idea of the entire book. In Virko, the governing lord is dying, and his son — Lord Folcro plans to rule the city using a dangerous and powerful demon. Unbeknownst to Demetrius, he would be the one to confront this creature, though there is a catch: Virko as we know it will cease to exist if Demetrius fails.
It is quite difficult not to feel hopeless and gloomy with this book. It shows how dark are the thoughts of men and how many atrocities they are willing to commit to gain power. It does remind me of A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, in which one begins to fall in love with a character only for them to die horribly. Anytime a glimpse of light begins to shine, Matthew Tysz snuffs it out with a stroke of the pen and without warning. It seems as though evil ultimately rises above good. I believe this could make some readers not to enjoy the novel. Notwithstanding, it is worth the time to find out if the trio will eventually succeed or not.
What I like the most about this book are the quotes. Matthew Tysz knows how to make his audience think deeply. Some examples: “… Buttered bread and silk blankets are not the luxuries your father and I have given you. What we have given you are choices.”; “…If there has to be one solitary thing that you remember from me, young man, remember this: helplessness is a choice. No matter who you are, helplessness is a choice.”; “… Children grow up and act as they were raised. Little boys who are taught to feel shame and empathy grow up to become modest hosts and honest workers. Children who are nurtured with ambitions of unlimited wealth and power grow up in pursuit of such impossibilities.”
We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko has graphic content, so I would not recommend it to anyone who does not fancy such. Furthermore, it contains several profanities, and homosexual interactions, or at least the hint of it. It also has religious content, as well as fighting and speaking with demons, so, readers who might find these things disturbing should probably stay away from this book. That said, I would recommend it to thriller fans, and lovers of dark art and magic. The novel is well-edited and professionally proofread. I am persuaded to award this book four out of four stars. I am definitely going to read the next instalment — We are Voulhire: Someone Else's End.
******
We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In the first book of the We are Voulhire series, Matthew Tysz introduces to us two dimensions: Cosmos, which is our physical universe, with its central kingdom of Voulhire, ruled by King Wilhelm; and Caromentis — the magical world about which very little is known. However, in this second book, We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko, we see a third dimension — Alitheia, which is the spirit world, a world beyond the reach of scientist and mage.
To be honest, I started out feeling disappointed with the beginning of this second issue in the series because, I was expecting the author to continue from where he left off in the first instalment, namely, the destruction of Hillport, and the death of Lord Eldus, along with his entire family. Not only did the author not continue from Hillport’s demise, nor Riva Rohavi’s victory and what happened after, he started the second book with a completely new entity. It took a while before I saw the connection between The Fires of Virko and A New Arrival under Great Skies. Within a few pages though, the author managed to vaporise my disappointment.
The three friends from the previous book are still together: Galen Bray from the land of the Princes, Rowan, Galen’s uncle’s executor, and Demetrius Waters from Virko, a monk of the church of Destinism and a personal imbuer to the Eiodi. The trio travelled to Virko to sort out a metal deal for Galen’s forge, but instead, found themselves in the middle of what would be the main idea of the entire book. In Virko, the governing lord is dying, and his son — Lord Folcro plans to rule the city using a dangerous and powerful demon. Unbeknownst to Demetrius, he would be the one to confront this creature, though there is a catch: Virko as we know it will cease to exist if Demetrius fails.
It is quite difficult not to feel hopeless and gloomy with this book. It shows how dark are the thoughts of men and how many atrocities they are willing to commit to gain power. It does remind me of A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, in which one begins to fall in love with a character only for them to die horribly. Anytime a glimpse of light begins to shine, Matthew Tysz snuffs it out with a stroke of the pen and without warning. It seems as though evil ultimately rises above good. I believe this could make some readers not to enjoy the novel. Notwithstanding, it is worth the time to find out if the trio will eventually succeed or not.
What I like the most about this book are the quotes. Matthew Tysz knows how to make his audience think deeply. Some examples: “… Buttered bread and silk blankets are not the luxuries your father and I have given you. What we have given you are choices.”; “…If there has to be one solitary thing that you remember from me, young man, remember this: helplessness is a choice. No matter who you are, helplessness is a choice.”; “… Children grow up and act as they were raised. Little boys who are taught to feel shame and empathy grow up to become modest hosts and honest workers. Children who are nurtured with ambitions of unlimited wealth and power grow up in pursuit of such impossibilities.”
We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko has graphic content, so I would not recommend it to anyone who does not fancy such. Furthermore, it contains several profanities, and homosexual interactions, or at least the hint of it. It also has religious content, as well as fighting and speaking with demons, so, readers who might find these things disturbing should probably stay away from this book. That said, I would recommend it to thriller fans, and lovers of dark art and magic. The novel is well-edited and professionally proofread. I am persuaded to award this book four out of four stars. I am definitely going to read the next instalment — We are Voulhire: Someone Else's End.
******
We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature by Chet Shupe
