Review by Arite Seki -- We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko

[Arite Seki]

[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko" by Matthew Tysz.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko by Matthew Tysz is the second book in the We are Voulhire series. The story takes off on a more violent note than the previous book, and we get the impression that more action awaits. We begin in the industrial city of Virko, Voulhire’s most productive city. The city is on the brink of change and progressing into one propelled by “capitalist secularism”, but something dark lurks in the city. The revered lord of the city, Lord Venden Hrelek, seeks to change the city into one of a merchant rule. If he succeeds his lordship will have little to no political power.

We meet a new character, Hans Hrelek, the son of Lord Venden. Lord Venden, on his deathbed, feverishly sets in motion a plan to leave his son to inherit the title of Lord Hrelek without any of its political power, and we are left wondering why. We also see the return of Demetrius, a monk with special abilities, and join him in the quest to cleanse the city that he grew up in.

What I liked most about the book was how every chapter presented a mystery to be resolved. Additionally, I like that this book can be read as a stand-alone for those who haven’t read the previous book in the series. New characters are introduced and we are thrown into the world of magic and spirituality once again. The book deals with the subjects of demons and hell, which make me very uncomfortable, but this did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

I give this a 4 out of 4 stars rating. The book is well-edited with careful attention to characters. I found myself glued to the pages and unable to put the book down. I felt that the author did well with the explanations of the different realms that exist within the book. This follow-up book provided enough intrigue to keep me on my toes. We are thrust into a world full of mystery in which magic and spirits interact with the physical world, side by side.

This book is best suited for science fiction fans who enjoy elements of magic and spirituality. This second instalment focused more on the spiritual aspects of their worlds and less on the specific characters, which is why I feel that even those unfamiliar with the previous novel will find this one enjoyable and easy to follow. This book does contain the use of vulgar language so sensitive readers should be advised.

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We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko
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