Review by Suuyi -- We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under ...
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Suuyi
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Review by Suuyi -- We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under ...
[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" by Matthew Tysz.]
In We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies, Matthew Tysz craftily presents a world filled with intrigue, adventure, politics, power-play, betrayal, blind trust, death, and magic. From the power tussle between King Wilheim Arcolo and Midus Maido, to the adventures of Galen Bray, the strange event at the HighForum of Law in Soulhire, and the devastation of Castle Hillport by Lord Meldorath and the Riva Rohavi, the essence and character of Voulhire is introduced to the reader: a vortex of the Cosmos and Caromentis.
Lord Orlin, under accusations of pedophilia, is violently removed from Castle Hillport by Magistrate Dalehei Meldorath, a retired General and powerful mage. The Magistrate becomes the Lord of Hillport by orders from King Wilheim only for Meldorath to be relieved of his post, albeit quietly, in a few months, accused of unlawful use of magic. Although rumored to be dead by suicide on the King’s orders, Lord Meldorath’s dread and grip on Hillport remained unshakable. Judge Eldus Alderman was named Lord of Hillport and together with his wife, daughter and son moved to Castle Hillport to heal and usher Hillport into a new prosperous future. Lord Eldus toured Hillport comforting the children allegedly molested by Lord Orlin, discussing and sharing ideas with the men and women about the future of Hillport, and assuring them of the King’s support. As he searched the town and the library in the castle, more details and evidence, or perhaps lack thereof, about Lord Orlin’s and Lord Meldorath’s atrocities were discovered. An ultimate discovery was made when he met Captain Barcaedi Javikun and his fleet of battle ships and army of mages.
Walking with Galen Bray, a groundview of Voulhire’s landscape is gradually revealed. Galen was saved from the civil war and imminent death in the Land of the Princes, by a dying uncle and diligent Executor, Rowan, and brought to the pristine city of Magnum Caelum Voulhire. The Head of the Mianoran Council, blinded by his ambition, paid no attention to the observations of the elders as they warn about the sudden disappearance of the Riva Rohavi and completely ignored the intelligence gathered by his telemages about an imminent attack on Hillport. Beth found a gateway between the Caromentis and the Cosmos, landing in a prisoner’s cell. The residents of Hillport were treated to the rhythm and dance of macabre and the sea rose to an orchestra on the Fort of Manor leaving only a few to tell the tale.
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies would appeal to lovers of fiction, magic, and the extra terrestrial. It shows how ones fortunes can change in the wink of an eye and that things are not always as they seem. Of note is the gradual integration of the characters. The book seemed a little disjointed at first with isolated stories but it all started coming together after a few chapters: stick with it. While most of the characters are not yet fully developed in this first book, there is an interesting progression of the characters and it whets the appetite to see what they would do next. Some, particularly, interesting character are Galen Bray from the Land of the Princes, Marshus Alderman, Beth, Prince Arcolo, and the old man from Judge Marcella’s court.
You could see Galen's character develop as he moves through Voulhire seeking to revamp Onita Steel and take his place as a blacksmith of renown. From the laughter at Tipsy Trollop in Magnum Caelum, to the undignifying labor at the mining town of Alcovia, through the gold-engraved four hundred-foot wall in Yamon soul, Galen stared into the eyes of God and leaves with another companion. His journey is one that most people would find relateable: moving from despair and certain death to hope and a renewed zest for life; and having circumstances define one's sense of wealth and affluence. The book reflects what one can come to expect from a world with a spice of the extra terrestrial: the good, the bad, and the ugly. And there is no cherry-picking.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 mainly because of a lack of smooth transition in the early chapters, a factor that may be perfect for a movie but leaves the reader struggling a bit at the onset. It seems, however, to be a well-thought plot and world. And the author provided links for the curious reader to further explore Voulhire.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies, Matthew Tysz craftily presents a world filled with intrigue, adventure, politics, power-play, betrayal, blind trust, death, and magic. From the power tussle between King Wilheim Arcolo and Midus Maido, to the adventures of Galen Bray, the strange event at the HighForum of Law in Soulhire, and the devastation of Castle Hillport by Lord Meldorath and the Riva Rohavi, the essence and character of Voulhire is introduced to the reader: a vortex of the Cosmos and Caromentis.
Lord Orlin, under accusations of pedophilia, is violently removed from Castle Hillport by Magistrate Dalehei Meldorath, a retired General and powerful mage. The Magistrate becomes the Lord of Hillport by orders from King Wilheim only for Meldorath to be relieved of his post, albeit quietly, in a few months, accused of unlawful use of magic. Although rumored to be dead by suicide on the King’s orders, Lord Meldorath’s dread and grip on Hillport remained unshakable. Judge Eldus Alderman was named Lord of Hillport and together with his wife, daughter and son moved to Castle Hillport to heal and usher Hillport into a new prosperous future. Lord Eldus toured Hillport comforting the children allegedly molested by Lord Orlin, discussing and sharing ideas with the men and women about the future of Hillport, and assuring them of the King’s support. As he searched the town and the library in the castle, more details and evidence, or perhaps lack thereof, about Lord Orlin’s and Lord Meldorath’s atrocities were discovered. An ultimate discovery was made when he met Captain Barcaedi Javikun and his fleet of battle ships and army of mages.
Walking with Galen Bray, a groundview of Voulhire’s landscape is gradually revealed. Galen was saved from the civil war and imminent death in the Land of the Princes, by a dying uncle and diligent Executor, Rowan, and brought to the pristine city of Magnum Caelum Voulhire. The Head of the Mianoran Council, blinded by his ambition, paid no attention to the observations of the elders as they warn about the sudden disappearance of the Riva Rohavi and completely ignored the intelligence gathered by his telemages about an imminent attack on Hillport. Beth found a gateway between the Caromentis and the Cosmos, landing in a prisoner’s cell. The residents of Hillport were treated to the rhythm and dance of macabre and the sea rose to an orchestra on the Fort of Manor leaving only a few to tell the tale.
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies would appeal to lovers of fiction, magic, and the extra terrestrial. It shows how ones fortunes can change in the wink of an eye and that things are not always as they seem. Of note is the gradual integration of the characters. The book seemed a little disjointed at first with isolated stories but it all started coming together after a few chapters: stick with it. While most of the characters are not yet fully developed in this first book, there is an interesting progression of the characters and it whets the appetite to see what they would do next. Some, particularly, interesting character are Galen Bray from the Land of the Princes, Marshus Alderman, Beth, Prince Arcolo, and the old man from Judge Marcella’s court.
You could see Galen's character develop as he moves through Voulhire seeking to revamp Onita Steel and take his place as a blacksmith of renown. From the laughter at Tipsy Trollop in Magnum Caelum, to the undignifying labor at the mining town of Alcovia, through the gold-engraved four hundred-foot wall in Yamon soul, Galen stared into the eyes of God and leaves with another companion. His journey is one that most people would find relateable: moving from despair and certain death to hope and a renewed zest for life; and having circumstances define one's sense of wealth and affluence. The book reflects what one can come to expect from a world with a spice of the extra terrestrial: the good, the bad, and the ugly. And there is no cherry-picking.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 mainly because of a lack of smooth transition in the early chapters, a factor that may be perfect for a movie but leaves the reader struggling a bit at the onset. It seems, however, to be a well-thought plot and world. And the author provided links for the curious reader to further explore Voulhire.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko by Matthew Tysz
