Review of We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
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Salome Ruwa
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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" is a novel that sneaks up on you, capturing your attention with its vivid world-creating and then pulling you deeper with its layers of mystery and intrigue. Matthew Tysz, in this first installment of the “We Are Voulhire" series, sets a high bar for epic fantasy by balancing a deeply imagined world with grounded, human characters.
Let’s start with Galen Bray, our protagonist. He’s a young man on the run from the brutal civil wars in the Lands of the Princes. The fact that Tysz avoids your typical “chosen one" narrative is refreshing. Galen is just a guy, an outsider trying to make sense of his past while looking for a future in Voulhire, a kingdom full of opportunities. Except, of course, nothing is as simple as it seems. Voulhire is no utopia. It’s filled with political schemes, magical threats, and a society that’s as flawed as it is fascinating.
From the moment Galen steps into Voulhire, there’s this sense of wonder. He’s inherited a forge from a great uncle he never met, and suddenly he’s thrust into this small town of Magnum Caelum, which feels like something straight out of a painting. But don’t get too comfortable in this picturesque place, because in the background, the political landscape of Voulhire is simmering with unrest.
One of the best aspects of this novel is its lore development. Tysz creates a kingdom that feels ancient and alive, with a history that stretches back centuries. There’s King Wilhelm, a ruler trying to balance justice with the harsh realities of leadership. Wilhelm might be a king, but he’s not the all-knowing, all-powerful figure you might expect. He’s troubled, wrestling with the lies he must tell to keep his kingdom together. Meanwhile, Chancellor Midius Maido looms in the background, representing the scheming political side of the kingdom, ready to challenge the king’s authority at any turn. These power dynamics are deliciously tense.
Speaking of tension, Lord Meldorath. He’s a former general turned dark lord, with a reputation for cruelty and power. Meldorath is the wildcard of the story. While much of the novel focuses on Galen’s more personal journey, Meldorath's shadow hangs over Voulhire. His past actions in Hillport, where he overthrew the previous lord and claimed power through fear and magic, paint him as a figure that you can’t help but be curious about—even if he’s terrifying.
The magic system in Voulhire isn’t overly explained, which adds to its mystique. It’s not a world where everyone is casting spells, but magic lingers in the background, and when it shows up, it’s powerful and dangerous. Meldorath’s abilities are hinted at in ways that keep you intrigued without giving away too much too soon.
Now, what I particularly appreciated about “We Are Voulhire" is how it blends the personal with the political. Galen’s story feels intimate, this young man just wants a fresh start, but instead, he’s dropped into a kingdom that’s on the verge of significant upheaval. On one side, there’s the internal politics of Voulhire, where the king and his council constantly jockey for control. On the other, there are external threats, from rebel factions like the Riva Rohavi to the mysterious forces tied to magic and destiny.
The writing itself is clean and professional. It’s clear Tysz put a lot of thought into the structure of the world and the intricacies of the plot. The pacing is steady, though it can feel slow at times, especially in the early chapters when the world is being established. However, the payoff comes as the political and magical elements begin to intertwine.
In terms of tone, the author maintains a balance between whimsical moments, like Galen marveling at the world around him, and darker, more sinister threads, particularly as we learn more about Voulhire’s history and the power struggles that shape it.
I award the book a solid 5 out of 5 stars. The world is rich, the characters are well-developed, and the story feels like it’s just getting started. The book clear of errors itself. The only thing holding back that perfect score is the slightly slow start, but once the plot picks up, it’s worth every page.
For fans of epic fantasy who enjoy a blend of personal journeys and grand-scale conflicts, “We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival Under Great Skies" offers a promising start to what looks to be a compelling series. With its blend of political intrigue, magical mystery, and grounded character development, Tysz sets the stage for a saga that’s bound to keep readers invested in the fate of Voulhire.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
“We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival Under Great Skies" is a novel that sneaks up on you, capturing your attention with its vivid world-creating and then pulling you deeper with its layers of mystery and intrigue. Matthew Tysz, in this first installment of the “We Are Voulhire" series, sets a high bar for epic fantasy by balancing a deeply imagined world with grounded, human characters.
Let’s start with Galen Bray, our protagonist. He’s a young man on the run from the brutal civil wars in the Lands of the Princes. The fact that Tysz avoids your typical “chosen one" narrative is refreshing. Galen is just a guy, an outsider trying to make sense of his past while looking for a future in Voulhire, a kingdom full of opportunities. Except, of course, nothing is as simple as it seems. Voulhire is no utopia. It’s filled with political schemes, magical threats, and a society that’s as flawed as it is fascinating.
From the moment Galen steps into Voulhire, there’s this sense of wonder. He’s inherited a forge from a great uncle he never met, and suddenly he’s thrust into this small town of Magnum Caelum, which feels like something straight out of a painting. But don’t get too comfortable in this picturesque place, because in the background, the political landscape of Voulhire is simmering with unrest.
One of the best aspects of this novel is its lore development. Tysz creates a kingdom that feels ancient and alive, with a history that stretches back centuries. There’s King Wilhelm, a ruler trying to balance justice with the harsh realities of leadership. Wilhelm might be a king, but he’s not the all-knowing, all-powerful figure you might expect. He’s troubled, wrestling with the lies he must tell to keep his kingdom together. Meanwhile, Chancellor Midius Maido looms in the background, representing the scheming political side of the kingdom, ready to challenge the king’s authority at any turn. These power dynamics are deliciously tense.
Speaking of tension, Lord Meldorath. He’s a former general turned dark lord, with a reputation for cruelty and power. Meldorath is the wildcard of the story. While much of the novel focuses on Galen’s more personal journey, Meldorath's shadow hangs over Voulhire. His past actions in Hillport, where he overthrew the previous lord and claimed power through fear and magic, paint him as a figure that you can’t help but be curious about—even if he’s terrifying.
The magic system in Voulhire isn’t overly explained, which adds to its mystique. It’s not a world where everyone is casting spells, but magic lingers in the background, and when it shows up, it’s powerful and dangerous. Meldorath’s abilities are hinted at in ways that keep you intrigued without giving away too much too soon.
Now, what I particularly appreciated about “We Are Voulhire" is how it blends the personal with the political. Galen’s story feels intimate, this young man just wants a fresh start, but instead, he’s dropped into a kingdom that’s on the verge of significant upheaval. On one side, there’s the internal politics of Voulhire, where the king and his council constantly jockey for control. On the other, there are external threats, from rebel factions like the Riva Rohavi to the mysterious forces tied to magic and destiny.
The writing itself is clean and professional. It’s clear Tysz put a lot of thought into the structure of the world and the intricacies of the plot. The pacing is steady, though it can feel slow at times, especially in the early chapters when the world is being established. However, the payoff comes as the political and magical elements begin to intertwine.
In terms of tone, the author maintains a balance between whimsical moments, like Galen marveling at the world around him, and darker, more sinister threads, particularly as we learn more about Voulhire’s history and the power struggles that shape it.
I award the book a solid 5 out of 5 stars. The world is rich, the characters are well-developed, and the story feels like it’s just getting started. The book clear of errors itself. The only thing holding back that perfect score is the slightly slow start, but once the plot picks up, it’s worth every page.
For fans of epic fantasy who enjoy a blend of personal journeys and grand-scale conflicts, “We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival Under Great Skies" offers a promising start to what looks to be a compelling series. With its blend of political intrigue, magical mystery, and grounded character development, Tysz sets the stage for a saga that’s bound to keep readers invested in the fate of Voulhire.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
