Review by courtneylmata84 -- We are Voulhire: A New Arri...
Posted: 18 Jul 2019, 11:40
[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" by Matthew Tysz.]
4 out of 4 stars
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We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies, by Matthew Tysz is a creatively written journey of a humble man discovering a world of hope. I rated this book a 4 out of 4, because throughout the entire story the author draws you in to a world full of mystery, magic, hope, and perplexity. This book would appeal to adults who enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, and/or adventure fiction. What I most liked about this book is how the language artistically lures the reader into a world of emperors, knights, lords and ladies, and paupers. Also, how it builds hope and imagination by introducing the reader to the people and nation of Voulhire.
The main character, Galen Bray, is a humble and relatable common man born in a nation overruled by war and classification. When a distant uncle passes and leaves Galen all he has, he is presented with the opportunity to travel to the unique, magnificent land of Voulhire. A land founded by Saint Idus over 2,000 years ago. Voulhire is narrated through a third person point of view that gives the reader insight to the complexities and mysteries behind the land and people.
This may not be the marvelous land of hope that Galen heard rumor of all his life. Voulhire has advanced far beyond the rest of the world in many ways, but there lurks darkness behind it. Tysz foreshadows through a variety of character's perspectives a threat to this progressive, promising nation. This threat is revealed gradually to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. You will be captivated by the intermingling of the real world and the magical realm of Caromentis and how the dreaded mage, Meldorath, seems to seek sinister power over both.
The thing I disliked about this book was that some of the language used in it did not seem to fit in the era in which it Tysz seems to be writing about throughout the story. Such as, on page 23 where "dementia" is mentioned or on page 61 when Rowan is called "metro sexual". A few more examples include the word "masturbate" on page 48 and then "bleached blond hair and eyebrow piercing" on page 106 is used to describe the prince. These terms just don’t seem to fit in a time of living by lamplight and when trades such as blacksmithing were prevalent.
Also, there a few instances in the beginning, in which the tense it is written in appears conflicting. For example, on page 16 when he mentions "those days" in past tense, then switches to present tense with "now I was here", and then reverts back to past tense with "I ended up" in the next sentence. This also appeared on page 4 when he states it was "presently" that he "rose".
Overall, I felt We are Voulhire was an intricately woven tapestry of wonder and imagination.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies, by Matthew Tysz is a creatively written journey of a humble man discovering a world of hope. I rated this book a 4 out of 4, because throughout the entire story the author draws you in to a world full of mystery, magic, hope, and perplexity. This book would appeal to adults who enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, and/or adventure fiction. What I most liked about this book is how the language artistically lures the reader into a world of emperors, knights, lords and ladies, and paupers. Also, how it builds hope and imagination by introducing the reader to the people and nation of Voulhire.
The main character, Galen Bray, is a humble and relatable common man born in a nation overruled by war and classification. When a distant uncle passes and leaves Galen all he has, he is presented with the opportunity to travel to the unique, magnificent land of Voulhire. A land founded by Saint Idus over 2,000 years ago. Voulhire is narrated through a third person point of view that gives the reader insight to the complexities and mysteries behind the land and people.
This may not be the marvelous land of hope that Galen heard rumor of all his life. Voulhire has advanced far beyond the rest of the world in many ways, but there lurks darkness behind it. Tysz foreshadows through a variety of character's perspectives a threat to this progressive, promising nation. This threat is revealed gradually to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. You will be captivated by the intermingling of the real world and the magical realm of Caromentis and how the dreaded mage, Meldorath, seems to seek sinister power over both.
The thing I disliked about this book was that some of the language used in it did not seem to fit in the era in which it Tysz seems to be writing about throughout the story. Such as, on page 23 where "dementia" is mentioned or on page 61 when Rowan is called "metro sexual". A few more examples include the word "masturbate" on page 48 and then "bleached blond hair and eyebrow piercing" on page 106 is used to describe the prince. These terms just don’t seem to fit in a time of living by lamplight and when trades such as blacksmithing were prevalent.
Also, there a few instances in the beginning, in which the tense it is written in appears conflicting. For example, on page 16 when he mentions "those days" in past tense, then switches to present tense with "now I was here", and then reverts back to past tense with "I ended up" in the next sentence. This also appeared on page 4 when he states it was "presently" that he "rose".
Overall, I felt We are Voulhire was an intricately woven tapestry of wonder and imagination.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon