Review by a_r_egerton -- We are Voulhire: The Ascension ...
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Review by a_r_egerton -- We are Voulhire: The Ascension ...
[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry" by Matthew Tysz.]
We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry continues the fantasy series by Matthew Tysz. It starts about a week after the conclusion of the fourth book that had described the destruction of Chalethire and the cleansing of Virko. Lord Meldorath had also come out of hiding and revealed that he was the new eiodi.
Many of the characters are simply trying to rebuild their lives or at least catch their breath. Demetrius, however, has a major decision to make. The people of Virko are extremely grateful to him for his role in ridding their city of the demons and want him to become their high magus, which is roughly equivalent to a bishop or archbishop. Demetrius isn’t entirely sure if he is the right man for such an august position.
This potentially interesting subplot is quickly sidelined, however. As irritating as that is, it also makes sense. This is only the fifth book in a series that is eventually supposed to have nine books, so Demetrius can’t be kicked upstairs just yet.
Meanwhile, Galen has been telepathically contacted by the Emperor of Lullabies who wants him to somehow “overthrow” Meldorath. Knowing that he can’t confront Meldorath by himself, Galen asks Demetrius if he knows anybody who could help – and Demetrius tells him about Akistry, who he had met in the previous book. Akistry lives in the fearsome Dire Vine Jungle, and the journey through it is one of the book’s highlights.
Akistry and Meldorath begin getting first-person perspectives like the main trio. Meldorath is the first antagonist to get this treatment, while the benevolent Akistry is the first non-human to narrate his own story. This is a daring move on Tysz’s part, for first-person narration can risk making Akistry sound too human.
Akistry is a serpentine humanoid called a dekan. He has lived in seclusion for centuries and has become a figure of legend.
I liked most the worldbuilding in this book. Akistry and his fellow dekans live in an underground settlement called Shathremar, and they share the place with some humans. There seem to be at least two types of dekans: Some have hoods like cobras, but most do not. The hooded dekans, like Akistry, are a despised minority, and Akistry had originally come to Voulhire to escape his people’s bigotry.
We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry also develops a theme on how the past influences the present. Voulhire is around two thousand years old, and some of its rulers either dabbled in dangerous magic or tried to suppress all knowledge of it. In one interesting subplot, King Nartik finds a book about magic that his predecessors had banned and hidden in the royal archives. He views it as an important part of Voulhire’s heritage – a belief that could have profound consequences.
Tysz is finally slowly diversifying the cast. A few minor characters are described as “black”; they have dark skin and come from a realm called Kurgia. Tysz also introduces another female POV character. Her name is Rhea Varro, and she serves King Nartik as one of his chief advisors. Harper Renard returns as King Nartik’s new chancellor.
I disliked most the subplot about the orphans being experimented on at the university. Its main purpose seemed to be to establish Akistry’s credentials as a good guy, and it ended abruptly with no real resolution.
We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry is the fifth book in a series, so it won’t make much sense to people who haven’t read the first four books. While adult and teenage fans of fantasy may enjoy it, the book is not suitable for children. Tysz tries his hand at writing erotica when he briefly describes a sexual fantasy that Harper has about Galen. The book also contains some violence and vulgar language.
I give We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry three out of four stars. I had to dock a star for errors. The book is still an entertaining fantasy with an interesting setting and likable characters.
******
We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry continues the fantasy series by Matthew Tysz. It starts about a week after the conclusion of the fourth book that had described the destruction of Chalethire and the cleansing of Virko. Lord Meldorath had also come out of hiding and revealed that he was the new eiodi.
Many of the characters are simply trying to rebuild their lives or at least catch their breath. Demetrius, however, has a major decision to make. The people of Virko are extremely grateful to him for his role in ridding their city of the demons and want him to become their high magus, which is roughly equivalent to a bishop or archbishop. Demetrius isn’t entirely sure if he is the right man for such an august position.
This potentially interesting subplot is quickly sidelined, however. As irritating as that is, it also makes sense. This is only the fifth book in a series that is eventually supposed to have nine books, so Demetrius can’t be kicked upstairs just yet.
Meanwhile, Galen has been telepathically contacted by the Emperor of Lullabies who wants him to somehow “overthrow” Meldorath. Knowing that he can’t confront Meldorath by himself, Galen asks Demetrius if he knows anybody who could help – and Demetrius tells him about Akistry, who he had met in the previous book. Akistry lives in the fearsome Dire Vine Jungle, and the journey through it is one of the book’s highlights.
Akistry and Meldorath begin getting first-person perspectives like the main trio. Meldorath is the first antagonist to get this treatment, while the benevolent Akistry is the first non-human to narrate his own story. This is a daring move on Tysz’s part, for first-person narration can risk making Akistry sound too human.
Akistry is a serpentine humanoid called a dekan. He has lived in seclusion for centuries and has become a figure of legend.
I liked most the worldbuilding in this book. Akistry and his fellow dekans live in an underground settlement called Shathremar, and they share the place with some humans. There seem to be at least two types of dekans: Some have hoods like cobras, but most do not. The hooded dekans, like Akistry, are a despised minority, and Akistry had originally come to Voulhire to escape his people’s bigotry.
We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry also develops a theme on how the past influences the present. Voulhire is around two thousand years old, and some of its rulers either dabbled in dangerous magic or tried to suppress all knowledge of it. In one interesting subplot, King Nartik finds a book about magic that his predecessors had banned and hidden in the royal archives. He views it as an important part of Voulhire’s heritage – a belief that could have profound consequences.
Tysz is finally slowly diversifying the cast. A few minor characters are described as “black”; they have dark skin and come from a realm called Kurgia. Tysz also introduces another female POV character. Her name is Rhea Varro, and she serves King Nartik as one of his chief advisors. Harper Renard returns as King Nartik’s new chancellor.
I disliked most the subplot about the orphans being experimented on at the university. Its main purpose seemed to be to establish Akistry’s credentials as a good guy, and it ended abruptly with no real resolution.
We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry is the fifth book in a series, so it won’t make much sense to people who haven’t read the first four books. While adult and teenage fans of fantasy may enjoy it, the book is not suitable for children. Tysz tries his hand at writing erotica when he briefly describes a sexual fantasy that Harper has about Galen. The book also contains some violence and vulgar language.
I give We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry three out of four stars. I had to dock a star for errors. The book is still an entertaining fantasy with an interesting setting and likable characters.
******
We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
