Review of We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
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Grace Onderi
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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 an epic fantasy tale that starts deceptively small but grows into something much grander. It follows Galen Bray, a young man fleeing from the horrors of his homeland in search of a fresh start in the mysterious kingdom of Voulhire. What he finds, though, is a land teetering on the brink of chaos. Voulhire isn’t just a kingdom—it’s practically a powder keg of political tension, dark magic, and an eerily dangerous villain by the name of Meldorath, whose presence looms large, even though he’s absent for most of the book (or is he?).
At its heart, this book is a slow-burn exploration of power, responsibility, and survival. Galen inherits a business in the quaint town of Magnum Caelum (don't you love how fantasy places always sound important?), but he quickly learns that Voulhire is no peaceful refuge. The kingdom is filled with internal strife—politicians pulling strings, a rebellion simmering in the background, and, oh yes, a mystical realm called Caromentis where magic rules. If you’re thinking “Sounds like a lot,” you’d be right. But Tysz handles it with a deft hand—mostly.
Let’s start with the pacing. Now, this is where opinions might differ. For me, the pacing works, but I can understand why some readers might find it slower than they’d like. Tysz takes his time introducing Voulhire, its politics, and its vast world. The book isn’t in a rush to reveal its secrets, which works well if you enjoy a detailed setup and want to really sink into the world. Personally, I enjoyed the slow unraveling of the kingdom’s mysteries, but there were moments where the action could have come a bit sooner. The tension builds gradually, like a slow burn, and I was hooked by the sense of something brewing beneath the surface—Meldorath’s impending return, the rebel group Riva Rohavi plotting in the shadows, and Galen’s uncertainty about his place in all of this.
But—and here’s where I give a slight side-eye—there are parts where the story leans heavily into world-building at the expense of the action. For example, Tysz spends a lot of time explaining the intricacies of Voulhire’s political structure and the backstory of magical forces like Caromentis. And while I love a good deep dive into fantasy lore, there were times when I found myself flipping back a few pages, thinking, “Wait, where did we leave off with Galen?” The world-building is thorough, yes, but if you’re the type of reader who likes a faster pace and a bit more immediate action, you might find yourself wishing the plot would move along quicker. That being said, if you enjoy soaking in the details, you’ll be in for a treat!
One thing I can’t get enough of, though, is how Tysz handles character development. Galen is such a relatable protagonist. He’s not some overpowered chosen one—he’s just a guy trying to make sense of this strange new world he’s thrust into. His relationship with Rowan, a practical and down-to-earth mentor, feels authentic and brings a much-needed human touch to the story. They’re not constantly locked in battles or high-stakes drama; sometimes, they’re just two people trying to survive in a kingdom where dark forces are literally creeping in from every side. Meldorath, even though not physically present for most of the book, exerts his influence everywhere. The mere mention of his name sends shivers down characters' spines, and you can feel the ominous tension building with every chapter. Tysz uses this absence to great effect, making the reader constantly anticipate when—if—Meldorath will reappear. It's that ever-present sense of doom that kept me glued to the pages.
Back to the pacing for a moment. I have to say, once the action does pick up, it really picks up. Tysz delivers some truly exciting moments that had me flipping pages like mad, especially when it comes to the inevitable clash between political factions and magical forces. But the book definitely requires some patience to get there. What I appreciated most was the careful balance of character and plot. While the plot progression is sometimes slower than I’d prefer, the focus on character growth—particularly Galen’s and Wilhelm’s—makes up for it. By the end of the book, I genuinely felt connected to these characters, and I can’t wait to see where their journeys take them next.
The book was brilliantly edited. Despite some slow pacing and heavy world-building, "We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" delivers a compelling, character-driven story with an immersive world that feels both familiar and refreshingly unique. The suspense builds steadily, and the intricate relationships, particularly between Galen and Rowan, add warmth to an otherwise dark and complex narrative. For these and many other reasons, I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars. Tysz’s careful attention to detail, combined with the thrill of an impending confrontation with dark magic, makes this a must-read for any fantasy lover who enjoys a slower-paced, richly layered story. And yes, it’s paced deliberately, but if you stick with it, the payoff is well worth 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 an epic fantasy tale that starts deceptively small but grows into something much grander. It follows Galen Bray, a young man fleeing from the horrors of his homeland in search of a fresh start in the mysterious kingdom of Voulhire. What he finds, though, is a land teetering on the brink of chaos. Voulhire isn’t just a kingdom—it’s practically a powder keg of political tension, dark magic, and an eerily dangerous villain by the name of Meldorath, whose presence looms large, even though he’s absent for most of the book (or is he?).
At its heart, this book is a slow-burn exploration of power, responsibility, and survival. Galen inherits a business in the quaint town of Magnum Caelum (don't you love how fantasy places always sound important?), but he quickly learns that Voulhire is no peaceful refuge. The kingdom is filled with internal strife—politicians pulling strings, a rebellion simmering in the background, and, oh yes, a mystical realm called Caromentis where magic rules. If you’re thinking “Sounds like a lot,” you’d be right. But Tysz handles it with a deft hand—mostly.
Let’s start with the pacing. Now, this is where opinions might differ. For me, the pacing works, but I can understand why some readers might find it slower than they’d like. Tysz takes his time introducing Voulhire, its politics, and its vast world. The book isn’t in a rush to reveal its secrets, which works well if you enjoy a detailed setup and want to really sink into the world. Personally, I enjoyed the slow unraveling of the kingdom’s mysteries, but there were moments where the action could have come a bit sooner. The tension builds gradually, like a slow burn, and I was hooked by the sense of something brewing beneath the surface—Meldorath’s impending return, the rebel group Riva Rohavi plotting in the shadows, and Galen’s uncertainty about his place in all of this.
But—and here’s where I give a slight side-eye—there are parts where the story leans heavily into world-building at the expense of the action. For example, Tysz spends a lot of time explaining the intricacies of Voulhire’s political structure and the backstory of magical forces like Caromentis. And while I love a good deep dive into fantasy lore, there were times when I found myself flipping back a few pages, thinking, “Wait, where did we leave off with Galen?” The world-building is thorough, yes, but if you’re the type of reader who likes a faster pace and a bit more immediate action, you might find yourself wishing the plot would move along quicker. That being said, if you enjoy soaking in the details, you’ll be in for a treat!
One thing I can’t get enough of, though, is how Tysz handles character development. Galen is such a relatable protagonist. He’s not some overpowered chosen one—he’s just a guy trying to make sense of this strange new world he’s thrust into. His relationship with Rowan, a practical and down-to-earth mentor, feels authentic and brings a much-needed human touch to the story. They’re not constantly locked in battles or high-stakes drama; sometimes, they’re just two people trying to survive in a kingdom where dark forces are literally creeping in from every side. Meldorath, even though not physically present for most of the book, exerts his influence everywhere. The mere mention of his name sends shivers down characters' spines, and you can feel the ominous tension building with every chapter. Tysz uses this absence to great effect, making the reader constantly anticipate when—if—Meldorath will reappear. It's that ever-present sense of doom that kept me glued to the pages.
Back to the pacing for a moment. I have to say, once the action does pick up, it really picks up. Tysz delivers some truly exciting moments that had me flipping pages like mad, especially when it comes to the inevitable clash between political factions and magical forces. But the book definitely requires some patience to get there. What I appreciated most was the careful balance of character and plot. While the plot progression is sometimes slower than I’d prefer, the focus on character growth—particularly Galen’s and Wilhelm’s—makes up for it. By the end of the book, I genuinely felt connected to these characters, and I can’t wait to see where their journeys take them next.
The book was brilliantly edited. Despite some slow pacing and heavy world-building, "We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" delivers a compelling, character-driven story with an immersive world that feels both familiar and refreshingly unique. The suspense builds steadily, and the intricate relationships, particularly between Galen and Rowan, add warmth to an otherwise dark and complex narrative. For these and many other reasons, I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars. Tysz’s careful attention to detail, combined with the thrill of an impending confrontation with dark magic, makes this a must-read for any fantasy lover who enjoys a slower-paced, richly layered story. And yes, it’s paced deliberately, but if you stick with it, the payoff is well worth it!
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
