Review by NetMassimo -- We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 27 Dec 2020, 04:11

[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko" by Matthew Tysz.]

4 out of 4 stars

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We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko by Matthew Tysz is the second book of a fantasy saga that starts with We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies. Galen Bray can't rely on the supply of iron from Lord Eldus for his activity as a blacksmith. One hope comes from the acquaintance between his friend Demetrius and some powerful people in the city of Virko, where industrialization and capitalism are on the rise. Such contacts allow for Galen to obtain an audience with Lord Venden, who promises help in exchange for a very peculiar favor. The consequence for Galen and his friends is getting involved in an attempt to vanquish a demon, a task made worse by other forces spreading chaos in Virko.

The first book of this saga was a sort of big prologue used by Matthew Tysz to introduce important characters and set the subplots in motion. It didn't have a real ending, showing that this saga is a big story divided into a number of books, which means that you need to start from the first one.

This sequel continues the subplots offering more action, particularly in the subplot about Galen Bray and his friend going to Virko. Most of the novel is about what happens in Virko, a city at the center of important changes with factions having different agendas. This is a fantasy saga that generally has a medieval flavor, which includes the level of technology. Virko is more modern, with industries and explicit mentions of capitalism, but great changes are complex and can be painful.

I appreciated how Matthew Tysz mixed the adventurous element connected to the saga's fantasy setting with other elements inspired by the industrial revolution and its consequences. The author shows the problems you can have in a time of great changes with contrasts between progress and tradition, sometimes between secularism and religion.

I also appreciated Matthew Tysz's use of details. I already noticed in the first book of this saga his skill in using details to describe the characters' actions, moods, feelings, and emotions. In this sequel, he skillfully used details also to offer information about the forces at work in Virko. That avoided the use of exposition and infodump that would have burdened the narrative.

The only criticism I can make to this novel actually concerns the whole saga. The first novel was quite short being under 250 pages, this sequel is even shorter. There are four more books in this saga, at least so far, and I noticed that only the last two books are significantly longer. This saga is complex as it's developed through a number of subplots and it would be easier for readers to have three books instead of six.

Occasionally, there are mild sexual references and profanities, all stuff that an average teenager hears every day. For this reason, I think this saga is suitable for a teenager willing to read a complex story. In my opinion, We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko shows that Matthew Tysz is developing this saga's potential very well. This novel is professionally edited, so I'm happy to rate it 4 out of 4 stars. If you want to read a fantasy saga set in a world with both magic and technology, I recommend this one.

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We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko
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Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 30 Dec 2020, 15:07

Your review was spot on, and I agree with all your observations. However, I didn't have a problem with the length of the books. Great job!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 31 Dec 2020, 02:35

raluca_mihaila wrote: ↑30 Dec 2020, 15:07 Your review was spot on, and I agree with all your observations. However, I didn't have a problem with the length of the books. Great job!

Good for you if you're OK with the length of the books. I found this one so short that at the end I felt the need to get the third one at once. Thank you for your appreciation!

31 Dec 2020, 04:46

I have had the privilege of reading this book and must say I have really enjoyed this series. I never noticed the length of this particular book but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Reading your take on this book was refreshing. Thanks for the review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 31 Dec 2020, 07:56

Nqobile771 wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 04:46 I have had the privilege of reading this book and must say I have really enjoyed this series. I never noticed the length of this particular book but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Reading your take on this book was refreshing. Thanks for the review.

Now I'm curious to see how many people prefer a few long books to several short books.

Thank you for your appreciation!

Honest-reviewer · Post by **Honest-reviewer** » 31 Dec 2020, 08:20

I too have reviewed this book. The author has done a brilliant job. Great review!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 31 Dec 2020, 08:54

Honest-reviewer wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 08:20 I too have reviewed this book. The author has done a brilliant job. Great review!

It's a great series indeed, so I'm planning to go on with the next book as soon as possible. Thank you for your appreciation!

Saint Bruno · Post by **Saint Bruno** » 31 Dec 2020, 14:59

Wow! This review makes me want to read the second installment of this series. Having read the first book, I am glad that this one doesn't disappoint. Thanks for the terrific review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 31 Dec 2020, 17:19

Saint Bruno wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 14:59 Wow! This review makes me want to read the second installment of this series. Having read the first book, I am glad that this one doesn't disappoint. Thanks for the terrific review.

Do go on with the series, you'll be happy. Thank you for your appreciation!

Sou Hi · Post by **Sou Hi** » 01 Jan 2021, 03:54

Thanks for your engaging review. I also notice that the books in this series are quite short. It looks to me that the author did that on purpose, as each book focuses on one specific place ('s misfortune). For example, book #1 is Hillport, #2 is Virko, #3 is Soulhire, #4 is Chalethire, #5 is Yamon Soul, and #6 is Diamora.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 01 Jan 2021, 07:56

Sou Hi wrote: ↑01 Jan 2021, 03:54 Thanks for your engaging review. I also notice that the books in this series are quite short. It looks to me that the author did that on purpose, as each book focuses on one specific place ('s misfortune). For example, book #1 is Hillport, #2 is Virko, #3 is Soulhire, #4 is Chalethire, #5 is Yamon Soul, and #6 is Diamora.

Now I see the point of writing short books, even if I still crave for the next book.

Thank you for your explanation and your appreciation!

derialist · Post by **derialist** » 01 Jan 2021, 08:38

I agree with your point on how Matthew is good at describing a place or a person. It's like a stroke of a painter's brush. Each is carefully thought through for it to have the desired impact. I still remember the auburn colors of virko today, which is about three months after reading it. It's a great series. I Can't wait to read all of them. This is an amazing review of the book!

Chigo Nwagboso · Post by **Chigo Nwagboso** » 01 Jan 2021, 08:42

This series of book have been making waves. I'm so drawn into it like I'll start from the first book. Thanks for an insightful review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 01 Jan 2021, 09:09

derialist wrote: ↑01 Jan 2021, 08:38 I agree with your point on how Matthew is good at describing a place or a person. It's like a stroke of a painter's brush. Each is carefully thought through for it to have the desired impact. I still remember the auburn colors of virko today, which is about three months after reading it. It's a great series. I Can't wait to read all of them. This is an amazing review of the book!

Reading this series is a sort of immerions in the setting that gives you the feeling of its characters being there, with you. Thank you for your appreciation!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 01 Jan 2021, 09:10

Chigo Nwagboso wrote: ↑01 Jan 2021, 08:42 This series of book have been making waves. I'm so drawn into it like I'll start from the first book. Thanks for an insightful review.

I'm not surprised that many reviewers want to read it all considering its high quality. Thank you for your appreciation!