Review by Book Lover Jack -- We are Voulhire: The Fires ...
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Review by Book Lover Jack -- We are Voulhire: The Fires ...
We Are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko by Matthew Tysz. The saga continues in this second book of the We Are Voulhire series. Politics, fantasy, power, magic, and unflinching allegiances are the makings of this installment and the series from which it proceeds from.
Voulhire: a land where power is everything, whatever the form it comes in, and one is either under it, vying for it, or has it. After the shocking macabre massacre at Hillport, the Voulhirian leaders’ top priority seems to be to protect themselves and their respective jurisdictions from the enemy outside. Little do they know that there also lie powerful enemies within. Galen, still adjusting to his new home and country, is thrust into this unfortunate frenzy. Together, Galen and his friends must do what they can to prevent events from escalating by fighting evil, literally, with good.
Based on the story so far, one could assume that the main protagonist of the series is Galen Bray. However, in this installment with its additional characters, there are several delicious storylines occurring simultaneously, such that the focus is not really on one main or singular character. The overall plot is rich due to this diverse narrative. Much like its predecessor, the characters themselves and their development are excellently done in this installment; this is one of the main elements that carry this book. Politics, dark fantasy, magic, and courage are the key themes of The Fires of Virko. The author has done a good job at creating his own unique world in this series. There are many foreign terms, concepts, and backstories; included is an index of terms to help the reader navigate the rich world of Voulhire.
Given enough time, this book series could become a blockbuster hit; there is little to not like. It is entertaining, multilayered, rich in character, plot, and suspense. However, like the first installment, I did not really appreciate the manner in which the book ends, or to be more precise, the way the story cuts off. This book ends almost randomly and abruptly. Again, this is deliberately done by the author as the books are more akin to TV show episodes, rather than standalone books. However, I am sure that many will probably enjoy this device employed by the author at the end of the books in this series, as it is a clear indication of more to come in a successive installment.
I recommend this book to any lover of adult medieval fantasy. This is not a children’s book. The narrative and language are even darker and more mature than the previous installment.
The Fires of Virko is excellently written. The plot is relentless and entertaining. It feels like there is so much more story ahead to read, which is exciting; this book is still only the beginning. There is little to fault in We Are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.
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We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko
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