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.]
Book Title: We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
Author: Matthew Tysz
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Page Count: 320 pages
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Review:
The stimulating and insightful preface to Matthew Tysz's grandiose fantasy trilogy is provided by We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies. This isn't your usual fantasy debut filled with action. As an alternative, Tysz painstakingly creates a rich universe where philosophy, science, and spirituality converge, providing a singular setting for the protagonist, Galen Bray, to set out on his adventure.
After fleeing a war-torn country, Galen settles in Voulhire and gradually learns about the intricate details of his new home. Although Voulhire is a center of knowledge, beneath its supposedly civilized surface are darker forces with more evil goals. Galen's interest and his slow assimilation into this strange new world are interesting aspects of the story that ground it and make him approachable even as the broader, more fantastical aspects of the plot come to life.
We are Voulhire stands out for its consideration of philosophy and world-building. Instead of diving right into fight scenes or intense drama, Tysz takes his time acquainting the reader with Voulhire's complex social, political, and philosophical structures. This sometimes gives the work the impression of being slow, but it benefits readers who value rich, detailed narrative.
Tysz also strikes a balance between action and suspenseful scenes and these weighty topics, particularly when Galen starts to discover the secrets of everyone around him. Despite Voulhire's superior knowledge, its citizens are not all that unified in their goals, and the darker aspect of humanity seeps into the story, creating conflict and complexity.
One thing to have in mind is that rather than being a stand-alone book, this first book feels more like an opening to a longer series. The book is structured more like an episode than a full-length movie, as even Tysz admits, and that's precisely how it reads. You're intrigued to see where the series is going because of the sense of buildup.
We are Voulhire is a fantastic place to start if you appreciate deep, sophisticated fiction that examines the relationship between human nature and more powerful elements like science and spirituality. Just be ready to take your time—Tysz doesn't rush anything, and it seems like he's setting the stage for a much more ambitious adventure in store.
About the Author :
Born on May 24, 1989, Matthew Tysz was raised on Long Island. His career path has brought him through a variety of positions, including group home employment, high school security, retail, and auto sales. Additionally, he has worked as a night watchman at his neighborhood hospital.
A self-described homebody who enjoys the city, Tysz has a special spot in his heart for Manhattan, which, like his literary hero, H.P. Lovecraft, he has passionately destroyed in numerous of his novels. People captivate Tysz, who frequently watches and muses about their actions, conjuring up tales about their lives in his imagination. He crazily likes to think about how chaos is the inspiration of invention, picturing common people in unusual situations.
Discussion Questions:
1.How did you feel about the balance between world-building and action in this novel? Did the exposition help or hinder the story for you?
2.Galen is an outsider learning about a new world, much like the reader. How did you connect with him, and what do you think about his role in this unfolding epic?
3.The themes of science, spirituality, and philosophy are central to Voulhire. Which of these aspects did you find most intriguing in the story?
4.Given that this book is structured more as an introduction to a much larger series, does it leave you eager to continue with the next installment?
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Book Title: We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
Author: Matthew Tysz
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Page Count: 320 pages
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Review:
The stimulating and insightful preface to Matthew Tysz's grandiose fantasy trilogy is provided by We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies. This isn't your usual fantasy debut filled with action. As an alternative, Tysz painstakingly creates a rich universe where philosophy, science, and spirituality converge, providing a singular setting for the protagonist, Galen Bray, to set out on his adventure.
After fleeing a war-torn country, Galen settles in Voulhire and gradually learns about the intricate details of his new home. Although Voulhire is a center of knowledge, beneath its supposedly civilized surface are darker forces with more evil goals. Galen's interest and his slow assimilation into this strange new world are interesting aspects of the story that ground it and make him approachable even as the broader, more fantastical aspects of the plot come to life.
We are Voulhire stands out for its consideration of philosophy and world-building. Instead of diving right into fight scenes or intense drama, Tysz takes his time acquainting the reader with Voulhire's complex social, political, and philosophical structures. This sometimes gives the work the impression of being slow, but it benefits readers who value rich, detailed narrative.
Tysz also strikes a balance between action and suspenseful scenes and these weighty topics, particularly when Galen starts to discover the secrets of everyone around him. Despite Voulhire's superior knowledge, its citizens are not all that unified in their goals, and the darker aspect of humanity seeps into the story, creating conflict and complexity.
One thing to have in mind is that rather than being a stand-alone book, this first book feels more like an opening to a longer series. The book is structured more like an episode than a full-length movie, as even Tysz admits, and that's precisely how it reads. You're intrigued to see where the series is going because of the sense of buildup.
We are Voulhire is a fantastic place to start if you appreciate deep, sophisticated fiction that examines the relationship between human nature and more powerful elements like science and spirituality. Just be ready to take your time—Tysz doesn't rush anything, and it seems like he's setting the stage for a much more ambitious adventure in store.
About the Author :
Born on May 24, 1989, Matthew Tysz was raised on Long Island. His career path has brought him through a variety of positions, including group home employment, high school security, retail, and auto sales. Additionally, he has worked as a night watchman at his neighborhood hospital.
A self-described homebody who enjoys the city, Tysz has a special spot in his heart for Manhattan, which, like his literary hero, H.P. Lovecraft, he has passionately destroyed in numerous of his novels. People captivate Tysz, who frequently watches and muses about their actions, conjuring up tales about their lives in his imagination. He crazily likes to think about how chaos is the inspiration of invention, picturing common people in unusual situations.
Discussion Questions:
1.How did you feel about the balance between world-building and action in this novel? Did the exposition help or hinder the story for you?
2.Galen is an outsider learning about a new world, much like the reader. How did you connect with him, and what do you think about his role in this unfolding epic?
3.The themes of science, spirituality, and philosophy are central to Voulhire. Which of these aspects did you find most intriguing in the story?
4.Given that this book is structured more as an introduction to a much larger series, does it leave you eager to continue with the next installment?
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
