Review of We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
-
Joyce Nyabera
- Posts: 4
- Joined: 08 Aug 2024, 10:42
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 4
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-joyce-nyabera.html
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 immersive entry into a richly detailed world, blending politics, magic, and a deeply human story. The book kicks off with Galen Bray, a young man fleeing from the war-torn Lands of the Princes to the supposedly peaceful kingdom of Voulhire. There, he inherits his uncle’s forge in Magnum Caelum, a town that seems idyllic at first glance. However, Voulhire, as Galen soon learns, is a kingdom simmering with unrest. While King Wilhelm tries to maintain order, forces like the rebel group Riva Rohavi, the ambitious Chancellor Midius Maido, and the exiled dark mage Lord Meldorath threaten to plunge the realm into chaos. What begins as a new start for Galen quickly turns into something much more dangerous.
One thing that struck me immediately was the complexity of the world Matthew Tysz has created. This is not your standard high fantasy where you can predict the twists. Voulhire feels like a character in itself—each city is distinct, from the serene and industrious Magnum Caelum to the eerie, troubled Hillport. Tysz doesn’t just tell you about these places; he paints them vividly. The moment Galen arrives in Voulhire, the descriptions made me feel like I was standing beside him, taking in the sights, sounds, and even the smells of the bustling harbor. The book made me realize how essential world-building is to a story like this—Tysz excels at making every setting feel alive.
As a protagonist, Galen is refreshingly relatable. He’s wide-eyed and hopeful when he first arrives, but reality hits hard as he learns that even in a kingdom as beautiful as Voulhire, dark forces are always at play. It was surprising to see how much depth his character gains as the story progresses. By the end of the book, it’s clear that Galen’s journey is just beginning—he's no longer just a forge apprentice, but someone caught in a much larger web of political intrigue and magical conflict. Characters like Chancellor Midius Maido and Lord Meldorath are equally fascinating. Maido's political machinations and Meldorath’s dark powers offer a blend of realism and fantasy that keeps you hooked. I never thought I’d be so interested in the workings of a council, but Tysz makes the political landscape as compelling as the magical one.
The pacing of the book is deliberate, but this serves the story well. Some might feel that the first half is slower, as it’s dedicated to world-building and character introductions, but I found it necessary to truly grasp the layers of Voulhire’s complexity. By the time the real conflict takes center stage—especially when Meldorath’s storyline kicks into gear—I couldn’t put the book down. There’s a palpable tension that builds as we begin to see the darker side of Voulhire, and the looming threat of civil unrest makes you anxious to know what’s coming next.
It’s also worth noting that "We Are Voulhire" is exceptionally well-edited. Often, with self-published or indie fantasy novels, you expect a few rough edges, but not here. The prose flows effortlessly, with a clarity that avoids unnecessary complexity. The writing is crisp, and I didn’t come across any noticeable errors, which kept me fully immersed in the story. It's obvious that the book has gone through careful revisions to ensure that it reads smoothly. This level of polish is rare in debut entries to a series and makes the reading experience that much more enjoyable.
Overall, I give "We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival Under Great Skies" a solid 5 out of 5 stars. It’s a promising start to what I expect will be an epic fantasy series. The combination of intricate world-building, layered characters, and the blend of political intrigue with dark magic creates a narrative that sticks with you long after the last page. The slower pace in the beginning may not suit everyone, but I felt it was necessary groundwork for the grander story that is unfolding. If you're a fan of well-crafted fantasy worlds and enjoy thoughtful, character-driven stories with a bit of suspense, this is a series you shouldn’t miss!
******
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 immersive entry into a richly detailed world, blending politics, magic, and a deeply human story. The book kicks off with Galen Bray, a young man fleeing from the war-torn Lands of the Princes to the supposedly peaceful kingdom of Voulhire. There, he inherits his uncle’s forge in Magnum Caelum, a town that seems idyllic at first glance. However, Voulhire, as Galen soon learns, is a kingdom simmering with unrest. While King Wilhelm tries to maintain order, forces like the rebel group Riva Rohavi, the ambitious Chancellor Midius Maido, and the exiled dark mage Lord Meldorath threaten to plunge the realm into chaos. What begins as a new start for Galen quickly turns into something much more dangerous.
One thing that struck me immediately was the complexity of the world Matthew Tysz has created. This is not your standard high fantasy where you can predict the twists. Voulhire feels like a character in itself—each city is distinct, from the serene and industrious Magnum Caelum to the eerie, troubled Hillport. Tysz doesn’t just tell you about these places; he paints them vividly. The moment Galen arrives in Voulhire, the descriptions made me feel like I was standing beside him, taking in the sights, sounds, and even the smells of the bustling harbor. The book made me realize how essential world-building is to a story like this—Tysz excels at making every setting feel alive.
As a protagonist, Galen is refreshingly relatable. He’s wide-eyed and hopeful when he first arrives, but reality hits hard as he learns that even in a kingdom as beautiful as Voulhire, dark forces are always at play. It was surprising to see how much depth his character gains as the story progresses. By the end of the book, it’s clear that Galen’s journey is just beginning—he's no longer just a forge apprentice, but someone caught in a much larger web of political intrigue and magical conflict. Characters like Chancellor Midius Maido and Lord Meldorath are equally fascinating. Maido's political machinations and Meldorath’s dark powers offer a blend of realism and fantasy that keeps you hooked. I never thought I’d be so interested in the workings of a council, but Tysz makes the political landscape as compelling as the magical one.
The pacing of the book is deliberate, but this serves the story well. Some might feel that the first half is slower, as it’s dedicated to world-building and character introductions, but I found it necessary to truly grasp the layers of Voulhire’s complexity. By the time the real conflict takes center stage—especially when Meldorath’s storyline kicks into gear—I couldn’t put the book down. There’s a palpable tension that builds as we begin to see the darker side of Voulhire, and the looming threat of civil unrest makes you anxious to know what’s coming next.
It’s also worth noting that "We Are Voulhire" is exceptionally well-edited. Often, with self-published or indie fantasy novels, you expect a few rough edges, but not here. The prose flows effortlessly, with a clarity that avoids unnecessary complexity. The writing is crisp, and I didn’t come across any noticeable errors, which kept me fully immersed in the story. It's obvious that the book has gone through careful revisions to ensure that it reads smoothly. This level of polish is rare in debut entries to a series and makes the reading experience that much more enjoyable.
Overall, I give "We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival Under Great Skies" a solid 5 out of 5 stars. It’s a promising start to what I expect will be an epic fantasy series. The combination of intricate world-building, layered characters, and the blend of political intrigue with dark magic creates a narrative that sticks with you long after the last page. The slower pace in the beginning may not suit everyone, but I felt it was necessary groundwork for the grander story that is unfolding. If you're a fan of well-crafted fantasy worlds and enjoy thoughtful, character-driven stories with a bit of suspense, this is a series you shouldn’t miss!
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
