Review of We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
-
Asja Šabani
- Posts: 170
- Joined: 31 Aug 2021, 16:46
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 34
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-asja-sabani.html
- Latest Review: Zona: The Forbidden Land by Fred G. Baker
Review of We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" by Matthew Tysz.]
Lands of the Princes is a kingdom torn apart by the decades-long civil war. It is a homeland to Galen Bray, but it is not a happy place. Therefore, Galen is very excited when he learns that he is the sole heir to his dying uncle who emigrated to the Kingdom of Voulhire many years ago. Galen takes the first available ship that takes him to his new home. His sole intention is to take over his uncle’s smithy, learn the blacksmith's craft himself, and lead a peaceful life away from all the political turmoil.
The Kingdom of Voulhire stands at the brink of its golden age. Politically, culturally, socially, and economically, the people of Voulhire are experiencing a high point in the history of their kingdom. They are led by a beloved and well-respected King Wilhelm. However, not every part of Voulhire is equally developed; the city of Hillport has experienced a tremendous decline due to the poor leadership of its two former lords. In fact, Lord Orlin has been convicted of pedophilia and was superseded by even more dangerous Lord Meldorath, a powerful mage who has been conducting illegal experiments on his subjects. To mend these ills, King Wilhelm sends one of his most capable advisors, a former judge Lord Eldus, to socially and economically revive the city of Hillport.
The people of Voulhire have been assured that Lord Meldorath is dead, but there are some who believe that he is simply imprisoned. There are also some vague rumors about the activity of a terrorist group called Riva Rohavi. Is everything really so perfect in Voulhire as it seems at the first glance? And what do these grand political events have to do with Galen Bray?
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies by Matthew Tysz is a classic high-fantasy novel that takes place in an imaginary world regulated by magic as well as physical laws. The setting has a vague medieval flavor to it, although I would say that Tzsy’s world is more technically advanced than the real Middle Ages (for example, they have a steam machine). Each chapter is narrated from a perspective of a different character. All chapters are written in the third person singular except those that are told from Galen’s perspective. They are written in the first person singular because Galen is the main character, and as readers, we are expected to identify with his point of view.
There are several things I liked about this book. The author has exceptional world-building skills. The world he created comes alive in front of the reader’s inner eye with all its sounds, flavors, smells, and colors. While reading, I felt as if I was taking a stroll through the city of Hillport or was present at the ecstatic dance ritual of the Riva Rohavi. At the same time, the author does not lose himself in unnecessary descriptions or explanations. The characters were well-developed, believable, and charismatic. The story is engaging and well-balanced: there are sections where the narrative becomes fast-paced, suspenseful, and action-driven, and then, there are sections where the story does not develop so quickly, and those parts are dedicated to character development.
There was not anything that I particularly disliked about this novel. The only thing I found challenging at times was following the complex plotline and the shifting perspective. There were a lot of personal names, and I had a hard time remembering them all at once as well as the relationships between all these characters. For me, only after about a hundred pages was it clear who is who. That is why I found the reference guide at the end of the book to be immensely helpful.
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies will appeal to all fans of high fantasy fiction. The book was professionally edited, and I found only three minor typographical errors in the text. There was no explicit sexual content – only a few vague references to sexual and romantic relationships. There were a few instances of profane language, but they were contextually appropriate, and I did not find them offensive. There were also a few scenes that could be described as violent.
It was an absolute pleasure to read this book. I am very happy to rate it 4 out of 4 stars. I cannot wait to read the next part of the series.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Lands of the Princes is a kingdom torn apart by the decades-long civil war. It is a homeland to Galen Bray, but it is not a happy place. Therefore, Galen is very excited when he learns that he is the sole heir to his dying uncle who emigrated to the Kingdom of Voulhire many years ago. Galen takes the first available ship that takes him to his new home. His sole intention is to take over his uncle’s smithy, learn the blacksmith's craft himself, and lead a peaceful life away from all the political turmoil.
The Kingdom of Voulhire stands at the brink of its golden age. Politically, culturally, socially, and economically, the people of Voulhire are experiencing a high point in the history of their kingdom. They are led by a beloved and well-respected King Wilhelm. However, not every part of Voulhire is equally developed; the city of Hillport has experienced a tremendous decline due to the poor leadership of its two former lords. In fact, Lord Orlin has been convicted of pedophilia and was superseded by even more dangerous Lord Meldorath, a powerful mage who has been conducting illegal experiments on his subjects. To mend these ills, King Wilhelm sends one of his most capable advisors, a former judge Lord Eldus, to socially and economically revive the city of Hillport.
The people of Voulhire have been assured that Lord Meldorath is dead, but there are some who believe that he is simply imprisoned. There are also some vague rumors about the activity of a terrorist group called Riva Rohavi. Is everything really so perfect in Voulhire as it seems at the first glance? And what do these grand political events have to do with Galen Bray?
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies by Matthew Tysz is a classic high-fantasy novel that takes place in an imaginary world regulated by magic as well as physical laws. The setting has a vague medieval flavor to it, although I would say that Tzsy’s world is more technically advanced than the real Middle Ages (for example, they have a steam machine). Each chapter is narrated from a perspective of a different character. All chapters are written in the third person singular except those that are told from Galen’s perspective. They are written in the first person singular because Galen is the main character, and as readers, we are expected to identify with his point of view.
There are several things I liked about this book. The author has exceptional world-building skills. The world he created comes alive in front of the reader’s inner eye with all its sounds, flavors, smells, and colors. While reading, I felt as if I was taking a stroll through the city of Hillport or was present at the ecstatic dance ritual of the Riva Rohavi. At the same time, the author does not lose himself in unnecessary descriptions or explanations. The characters were well-developed, believable, and charismatic. The story is engaging and well-balanced: there are sections where the narrative becomes fast-paced, suspenseful, and action-driven, and then, there are sections where the story does not develop so quickly, and those parts are dedicated to character development.
There was not anything that I particularly disliked about this novel. The only thing I found challenging at times was following the complex plotline and the shifting perspective. There were a lot of personal names, and I had a hard time remembering them all at once as well as the relationships between all these characters. For me, only after about a hundred pages was it clear who is who. That is why I found the reference guide at the end of the book to be immensely helpful.
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies will appeal to all fans of high fantasy fiction. The book was professionally edited, and I found only three minor typographical errors in the text. There was no explicit sexual content – only a few vague references to sexual and romantic relationships. There were a few instances of profane language, but they were contextually appropriate, and I did not find them offensive. There were also a few scenes that could be described as violent.
It was an absolute pleasure to read this book. I am very happy to rate it 4 out of 4 stars. I cannot wait to read the next part of the series.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Zona: The Forbidden Land by Fred G. Baker
-
Mildred Echesa
- Posts: 1047
- Joined: 18 Dec 2021, 04:16
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 103
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mildred-echesa.html
- Latest Review: Catch A Raven by Kirro Burrows
This is a book series and is always enthralled by it. I enjoyed your review, it is interesting and intriguing.
Poetic Justice
Latest Review: Catch A Raven by Kirro Burrows
