Review by Madyp10 -- We are Voulhire: A New Arrival unde...

[Madyp10]

[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" by Matthew Tysz.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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In We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival Under Great Skies, Matthew Tysz creates his first installment of a ten book series crafted for the science fiction lover. Tysz’s writing is simple yet gripping, likely most appealing to a young adult audience who enjoys complicated characters with a magical twist. Set in the intricate and mysterious land of Voulhire, Tysz begins to peel back the layers of this magical world’s secrets through the stories of his characters.


The main protagonist, Galen Bray, leaves behind a brutal past in search of opportunity in this new land. Saved by his uncle from a life destined for savagery, Galen is shipped overseas to learn the family craft. Sadly, his uncle dies before landing ashore, and Galen is left to delve into Voulhire’s mysteries with the assistance of his questionable hired executor, Rowan. Although the land of Voulhire seemingly flows with milk and honey for Galen, the reader quickly discovers there are darker forces at play.


Rumors of past Lords’ debauchery haunt Lord Eldus as he and his family move into the southern town of Hillport. Lord Eldus seeks to improve his newly inherited realm, but his attempts to shield his family from the truth may do more harm than good. Lord Eldus’s appointer, King Willheim of Voulhire, reveals concerning glimpses of the kingdom’s past and foreshadows a looming conflict.


In this work, Tysz weaves a unique story that leaves the reader wanting more. What I liked most in this novel is Tysz’s skill in painting a bigger picture from each character’s point of view. He skillfully transitions between different stories to create an overarching theme. Though the thesis was a bit vague, Tysz leaves room for the imagination to wander with a cliffhanger, leaving the reader anticipating his second installation. In contrast, what I disliked most about this work is how little development is made to the plot. With such a promising story line, I was left wanting for more challenging prose and movement in the plot. The writing and flow can be choppy and shallow in certain places, which is why I would suggest this to a young adult audience.


Overall, I rate this as a 3 out of 4 stars for its captivating storyline and easy-to-love characters. This work appears to have been edited well, since I found only a few errors. There were minimal instances of profanity and erotic scenes, but some may find these mildly offensive. There is also extended reading, a glossary, and a website for curious readers to learn more about the world of Voulhire. Although there is room for improvement in flow and plot progression, I anticipate improvement in the second installation of this series. I look forward to the second chapter of Voulhire.

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We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
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[Mariana Figueira]

I love your review, it was so through! Thanks for sharing