Review of We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
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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.]
In We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies, the first in a series of nine books, Matthew Tysz introduces the world of Voulhire–its country, towns, and people. The story begins with a smooth reading for the casual reader and general lover of sci-fi and fantasy. Tysz also provides an external link for the curious reader who wants a more in-depth gaze of Voulhire. A glossary of terms unique to the idiolect of the Voulhirian universe is listed alphabetically at the end.
Tysz’s thoughtfully chosen universe in these series appears to be tripartite, consisting of the three categories–imagination, science, and spirituality–that Tysz believes are integral parts of how human civilization unfolds. The world of imagination, Caromentis, is the magical universe which remains a mystery. The physical world, Cosmos, is what we refer to as the universe governed by the Laws of Physics. Cosmos is the universe that Tysz unveils in this book.
The third universe–referred to as the “spiritual universe” in the glossary of terms–remains confusing. Is it a universe distinct from the Cosmos and Caromentis, or is it within the physical universe? The only flaw in a near perfect introduction of a multiverse.
Regardless of this minor confusion, Tysz offers a complex but worthwhile exposition of the three worlds in the Voulhirian universe. Dialogue and character development shows how imagination, science, and spirituality are inherently complex and intertwined. These intertwinements appear in various character arcs. Galen Bray, who represents an individual with socioeconomic struggles, becomes aware of–by fleeing his worn-torn home, landing a life-changing inheritance, and journeying towns–how each town uniquely manages the practical, the political, the religious, the philosophical, and the unknown.
Galen’s everpresent curiosity and introspection of people’s behavior gives him eye-opening and mind-expanding insights about the outer world and his inner self. Eldus Alderman (a former judge sent to rule Hillport, a town plagued by misfortune, comes to learn of an adapt of how politics, religion, economics, and social factors differ in Hillport (a humble working-class and fisherman town) than in Soulhire (a bourgeoise powerhouse ruled by the elite). A Soulhirian lifestyle may not resonate with a Hillportian lifestyle (and vice versa). But Eldus possesses the psychological and emphatic qualities to understand them both. Curiosity guides Galen; psychology guides Eldus. But both believe in hope and gratitude–the everpresent themes of Tysz’s work.
Tysz also elaborates this intertwinement on a macro level. Bio magic, which can affect one’s body on a cellular level, is regulated by both Church (religion) and State (politics). I never imagined a magician going to trial! Despite the magical incapacity of most of the physical world, the Cosmos contains beings (such as mages, biomages) and inanimate objects (such as places or things with remnants of old magic) that are either from or are affected by the world of imagination. Mages and biomages in the workforce, church, military, and state shows how knotted magic and physics cohabitate in the physical world.
Rising action takes longer than typical science-fiction and fantasy works. But like a roller coaster that takes its time before the big surprise, the Voulhirian ride entertains during the exposition before the steep climb with the stories of Galen Bray, Eldus Alderman (a former judge sent to rule Hillport, a town plagued by misfortune but with potential of becoming an economic powerhouse), and Beth (a young person who has escaped Caromentis and transported herself to the Cosmos.
Tysz provides a well-thought knot of philosophy, religion, and politics. These knots are shown by political and religious leaders and through the worldviews of the everyday people. The exposition also contains a blend of hyperboles during magical action, poetic imageries of the landscapes, metaphors that connect with nature, personifications that imprint visuals in one’s mind, funny similes, and oxymorons to describe the contradictory nature of humans to keep one entertained until the rising action and rewarding end comes. A dancing army, a boat made from ice, mysterious characters, and hidden parts of the physical world that are only visible to those who possess the power of imagination. What’s not to love?
The themes of gratitude and hope show how the characters who possess such virtues soldier on through life despite their personal and collective hardships. Whether a hard-working person, a ruler, or an escapee, they all show varying degrees of hope and gratitude. This story shows that hope and gratitude are valuable possessions in one’s life regardless of socioeconomic status, life changes, and long-lasting turmoil.
The writing style is easy to read and has spotless grammar–a mark of professional editing. The effect of Tysz’s precision is a reading that is neither distracted by unnecessary information nor dull exposition. From beginning to end, the world of Voulhire keeps readers wanting more. After finishing this book, I anticipate how the story, the characters, and its distinct but intertwined world will collide in the following books. This book is a must-read for science-fiction and fantasy fans and lovers of magic.
I rate We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies 5 out of stars. If you have the patience–which I hope that you do–to submerge yourself into the exposition, you will read a story that rewards you as it unfolds. The story lacks some explanation of the spiritual world. But how the imaginary bends the rules of physics by those who possess magical powers and the character arcs make the unfolding of the Voulhirian universe an entertaining must-read.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies, the first in a series of nine books, Matthew Tysz introduces the world of Voulhire–its country, towns, and people. The story begins with a smooth reading for the casual reader and general lover of sci-fi and fantasy. Tysz also provides an external link for the curious reader who wants a more in-depth gaze of Voulhire. A glossary of terms unique to the idiolect of the Voulhirian universe is listed alphabetically at the end.
Tysz’s thoughtfully chosen universe in these series appears to be tripartite, consisting of the three categories–imagination, science, and spirituality–that Tysz believes are integral parts of how human civilization unfolds. The world of imagination, Caromentis, is the magical universe which remains a mystery. The physical world, Cosmos, is what we refer to as the universe governed by the Laws of Physics. Cosmos is the universe that Tysz unveils in this book.
The third universe–referred to as the “spiritual universe” in the glossary of terms–remains confusing. Is it a universe distinct from the Cosmos and Caromentis, or is it within the physical universe? The only flaw in a near perfect introduction of a multiverse.
Regardless of this minor confusion, Tysz offers a complex but worthwhile exposition of the three worlds in the Voulhirian universe. Dialogue and character development shows how imagination, science, and spirituality are inherently complex and intertwined. These intertwinements appear in various character arcs. Galen Bray, who represents an individual with socioeconomic struggles, becomes aware of–by fleeing his worn-torn home, landing a life-changing inheritance, and journeying towns–how each town uniquely manages the practical, the political, the religious, the philosophical, and the unknown.
Galen’s everpresent curiosity and introspection of people’s behavior gives him eye-opening and mind-expanding insights about the outer world and his inner self. Eldus Alderman (a former judge sent to rule Hillport, a town plagued by misfortune, comes to learn of an adapt of how politics, religion, economics, and social factors differ in Hillport (a humble working-class and fisherman town) than in Soulhire (a bourgeoise powerhouse ruled by the elite). A Soulhirian lifestyle may not resonate with a Hillportian lifestyle (and vice versa). But Eldus possesses the psychological and emphatic qualities to understand them both. Curiosity guides Galen; psychology guides Eldus. But both believe in hope and gratitude–the everpresent themes of Tysz’s work.
Tysz also elaborates this intertwinement on a macro level. Bio magic, which can affect one’s body on a cellular level, is regulated by both Church (religion) and State (politics). I never imagined a magician going to trial! Despite the magical incapacity of most of the physical world, the Cosmos contains beings (such as mages, biomages) and inanimate objects (such as places or things with remnants of old magic) that are either from or are affected by the world of imagination. Mages and biomages in the workforce, church, military, and state shows how knotted magic and physics cohabitate in the physical world.
Rising action takes longer than typical science-fiction and fantasy works. But like a roller coaster that takes its time before the big surprise, the Voulhirian ride entertains during the exposition before the steep climb with the stories of Galen Bray, Eldus Alderman (a former judge sent to rule Hillport, a town plagued by misfortune but with potential of becoming an economic powerhouse), and Beth (a young person who has escaped Caromentis and transported herself to the Cosmos.
Tysz provides a well-thought knot of philosophy, religion, and politics. These knots are shown by political and religious leaders and through the worldviews of the everyday people. The exposition also contains a blend of hyperboles during magical action, poetic imageries of the landscapes, metaphors that connect with nature, personifications that imprint visuals in one’s mind, funny similes, and oxymorons to describe the contradictory nature of humans to keep one entertained until the rising action and rewarding end comes. A dancing army, a boat made from ice, mysterious characters, and hidden parts of the physical world that are only visible to those who possess the power of imagination. What’s not to love?
The themes of gratitude and hope show how the characters who possess such virtues soldier on through life despite their personal and collective hardships. Whether a hard-working person, a ruler, or an escapee, they all show varying degrees of hope and gratitude. This story shows that hope and gratitude are valuable possessions in one’s life regardless of socioeconomic status, life changes, and long-lasting turmoil.
The writing style is easy to read and has spotless grammar–a mark of professional editing. The effect of Tysz’s precision is a reading that is neither distracted by unnecessary information nor dull exposition. From beginning to end, the world of Voulhire keeps readers wanting more. After finishing this book, I anticipate how the story, the characters, and its distinct but intertwined world will collide in the following books. This book is a must-read for science-fiction and fantasy fans and lovers of magic.
I rate We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies 5 out of stars. If you have the patience–which I hope that you do–to submerge yourself into the exposition, you will read a story that rewards you as it unfolds. The story lacks some explanation of the spiritual world. But how the imaginary bends the rules of physics by those who possess magical powers and the character arcs make the unfolding of the Voulhirian universe an entertaining must-read.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: What did you do at school today? by C.C. Lacavera
