Review of We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
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Stacey O Akinyi
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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" by Matthew Tysz is a captivating fantasy novel that throws you into a world teeming with magic, political intrigue, and deeply human conflicts. The story follows Galen Bray, a refugee who arrives in the kingdom of Voulhire, seeking a fresh start after escaping the chaos of his homeland, the war-torn Lands of the Princes. He inherits his uncle’s forge and estate in the town of Magnum Caelum, but as he settles into his new life, he quickly realizes the kingdom is on the verge of its own upheavals. The dark mage Meldorath, once imprisoned, is making his return, and the rebellious faction Riva Rohavi threatens the stability of the entire realm.
Right off the bat, what struck me about the reading experience was how smoothly the story flows. The way Tysz blends different elements—personal struggles, kingdom-wide threats, and magical intrigue—is really something. You’ve got Galen’s quiet, almost modest journey of learning how to run a forge, while at the same time, there are political schemes in the capital and the looming danger of Meldorath's return (and trust me, you feel the dread whenever his name comes up). The tension builds naturally without feeling forced or rushed.
One thing that truly amazed me was how real the characters feel. Galen is a great example. He’s not some overpowered hero who knows how to solve everything (thank goodness for that!). He’s figuring things out—often stumbling through—and it makes his character so relatable. You see him learning to forge and trying to honor his uncle's legacy while unknowingly being drawn into a much larger conflict. There’s something really satisfying about watching him grow in his own small way as the kingdom's much bigger drama unfolds around him.
Then you have characters like Lord Eldus, whose attempt to heal Hillport after years of abuse under previous lords made me really root for him. His efforts to restore the town’s spirit, especially helping the traumatized children, felt like more than just a subplot; it was a reminder that real change comes slowly and is often messy. And yet, the tragedy of his ultimate downfall during the Riva Rohavi’s attack shows how even the best leaders can be brought down by the overwhelming forces of darkness and chaos.
Meldorath, though, is the wildcard that keeps everything unpredictable. His reappearance (escaping from Lorcia's Isle, where he was supposedly locked away!) is one of those moments that flips everything upside down. You never quite know what he’s up to, but you can feel his influence seeping into everything, which adds this constant layer of tension. It’s fascinating—and unnerving—how he moves behind the scenes, even before fully making his presence known.
Overall, the reading experience was a perfect balance of suspense, wonder, and immersion. The pacing felt just right, with the quieter moments allowing the characters to develop and the tension gradually ramping up. The seamless editing also helped, as the writing is polished and flows well, making it easy to get lost in the story. "We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" is one of those books where you finish a chapter, and you’re like, "Okay, just one more!" but before you know it, you're deep into the next one.
In short, Tysz has created a world that feels incredibly alive, with characters you care about and a story that keeps you guessing. Whether it's Galen's personal growth, the political chess game between King Wilhelm and his council, or the eerie sense of dread that surrounds Meldorath's return, there’s always something pulling you further in. If you’re a fan of richly layered fantasy that doesn’t just rely on flashy magic but also digs into personal and political stakes, this book will absolutely keep you hooked. It deserves 5 out of 5 stars and has no negative aspects or grammar errors.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" by Matthew Tysz is a captivating fantasy novel that throws you into a world teeming with magic, political intrigue, and deeply human conflicts. The story follows Galen Bray, a refugee who arrives in the kingdom of Voulhire, seeking a fresh start after escaping the chaos of his homeland, the war-torn Lands of the Princes. He inherits his uncle’s forge and estate in the town of Magnum Caelum, but as he settles into his new life, he quickly realizes the kingdom is on the verge of its own upheavals. The dark mage Meldorath, once imprisoned, is making his return, and the rebellious faction Riva Rohavi threatens the stability of the entire realm.
Right off the bat, what struck me about the reading experience was how smoothly the story flows. The way Tysz blends different elements—personal struggles, kingdom-wide threats, and magical intrigue—is really something. You’ve got Galen’s quiet, almost modest journey of learning how to run a forge, while at the same time, there are political schemes in the capital and the looming danger of Meldorath's return (and trust me, you feel the dread whenever his name comes up). The tension builds naturally without feeling forced or rushed.
One thing that truly amazed me was how real the characters feel. Galen is a great example. He’s not some overpowered hero who knows how to solve everything (thank goodness for that!). He’s figuring things out—often stumbling through—and it makes his character so relatable. You see him learning to forge and trying to honor his uncle's legacy while unknowingly being drawn into a much larger conflict. There’s something really satisfying about watching him grow in his own small way as the kingdom's much bigger drama unfolds around him.
Then you have characters like Lord Eldus, whose attempt to heal Hillport after years of abuse under previous lords made me really root for him. His efforts to restore the town’s spirit, especially helping the traumatized children, felt like more than just a subplot; it was a reminder that real change comes slowly and is often messy. And yet, the tragedy of his ultimate downfall during the Riva Rohavi’s attack shows how even the best leaders can be brought down by the overwhelming forces of darkness and chaos.
Meldorath, though, is the wildcard that keeps everything unpredictable. His reappearance (escaping from Lorcia's Isle, where he was supposedly locked away!) is one of those moments that flips everything upside down. You never quite know what he’s up to, but you can feel his influence seeping into everything, which adds this constant layer of tension. It’s fascinating—and unnerving—how he moves behind the scenes, even before fully making his presence known.
Overall, the reading experience was a perfect balance of suspense, wonder, and immersion. The pacing felt just right, with the quieter moments allowing the characters to develop and the tension gradually ramping up. The seamless editing also helped, as the writing is polished and flows well, making it easy to get lost in the story. "We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" is one of those books where you finish a chapter, and you’re like, "Okay, just one more!" but before you know it, you're deep into the next one.
In short, Tysz has created a world that feels incredibly alive, with characters you care about and a story that keeps you guessing. Whether it's Galen's personal growth, the political chess game between King Wilhelm and his council, or the eerie sense of dread that surrounds Meldorath's return, there’s always something pulling you further in. If you’re a fan of richly layered fantasy that doesn’t just rely on flashy magic but also digs into personal and political stakes, this book will absolutely keep you hooked. It deserves 5 out of 5 stars and has no negative aspects or grammar errors.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
