Review of We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
-
Triciat50
- Posts: 260
- Joined: 30 Mar 2023, 06:50
- Favorite Book: The Luminaries
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 558
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-triciat50.html
- Latest Review: The Miracle of Ramadan by Wassim Hijazi
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.]
We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies by Matthew Tysz is the first in a series of at least seven books. The author explains that this is his introduction to the universe he creates in the series. This book starts with a list of characters and their relationships, which I always appreciate, and a map of the country of Voulhire. The version I read on Kindle includes a link to a deep dive into the multiverse at the beginning of the book, which I recommend reading after finishing this book (in order to avoid spoilers).
Galen Bray has spent his young life in the Lands of the Princes, a chain of islands off the coast of Voulhire that has been at war for decades. Disease, fear, and grinding poverty are the norm. Galen is given a surprise opportunity, through a previously unknown uncle, to escape this life and move to Magnum Caelum, a city on the southernmost tip of Voulhire. When he arrives, he is met by Rowan, the executor of his uncle’s estate. Voulhire is on the edge of unrest, but Galen is busy learning about his new home with the help of Rowan. Much of the story involves the politics of Voulhire, which do not affect Galen, but set the scene for the future.
Each chapter of the book focuses on a different character. In this manner, Tysz carefully and thoroughly lays the foundation for the universe and the story to come. The characters are fully fleshed out and very realistic, in spite of the fact that some of them have magical powers. Tysz focuses on events in the character's lives that give the reader an excellent history of Voulhire and the geography of the country.
The only slightly negative comment I have is that is not really a stand-alone book. However, the dramatic conclusion will have you reaching for the second book immediately (full disclosure: I have already read the second and third books, and I recommend starting this series from the beginning). I enthusiastically give We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies five out of five stars. This book appears to be professionally edited, with no typographical or grammatical errors. There are some scenes of violence and sexual content, so this book would be appropriate for teenagers and older. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a fantasy series that creates a universe and then builds upon it.
******
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 the first in a series of at least seven books. The author explains that this is his introduction to the universe he creates in the series. This book starts with a list of characters and their relationships, which I always appreciate, and a map of the country of Voulhire. The version I read on Kindle includes a link to a deep dive into the multiverse at the beginning of the book, which I recommend reading after finishing this book (in order to avoid spoilers).
Galen Bray has spent his young life in the Lands of the Princes, a chain of islands off the coast of Voulhire that has been at war for decades. Disease, fear, and grinding poverty are the norm. Galen is given a surprise opportunity, through a previously unknown uncle, to escape this life and move to Magnum Caelum, a city on the southernmost tip of Voulhire. When he arrives, he is met by Rowan, the executor of his uncle’s estate. Voulhire is on the edge of unrest, but Galen is busy learning about his new home with the help of Rowan. Much of the story involves the politics of Voulhire, which do not affect Galen, but set the scene for the future.
Each chapter of the book focuses on a different character. In this manner, Tysz carefully and thoroughly lays the foundation for the universe and the story to come. The characters are fully fleshed out and very realistic, in spite of the fact that some of them have magical powers. Tysz focuses on events in the character's lives that give the reader an excellent history of Voulhire and the geography of the country.
The only slightly negative comment I have is that is not really a stand-alone book. However, the dramatic conclusion will have you reaching for the second book immediately (full disclosure: I have already read the second and third books, and I recommend starting this series from the beginning). I enthusiastically give We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies five out of five stars. This book appears to be professionally edited, with no typographical or grammatical errors. There are some scenes of violence and sexual content, so this book would be appropriate for teenagers and older. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a fantasy series that creates a universe and then builds upon it.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Miracle of Ramadan by Wassim Hijazi
