Review by LogantheLaymanCritic -- We are Voulhire: A New...

[LoganHoffman11]

[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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Matthew Tysz unveils a new fantasy world with We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies. This first book in the series introduces us to the country of Voulhire, a land of magic, bloodshed, and political intrigue. A young man named Galen has escaped the hardship and terror of his homeland to begin a new life as a blacksmith. As he gains new friends and discovers the wonders of life in Voulhire, there is danger brewing under the surface. Scandals and acts of horror have left the town of Hillport in fear. The king has charged Lord Eldus with the task of reforming the land and guarding it against further evil. Little does he know that there are forces already conspiring against them all.

Matthew Tysz has made a concerted effort to create a book that's immersive and alluring. The science fiction and fantasy genres have always lent themselves well to world-building, and Tysz has done his homework. Voulhire is a world full of color and grit. The characters are well-developed in personality and description. And if the novel itself isn't enough to sate your appetite, the author has an index and website that further expands upon the lore.

The novel moves at a brisk pace, dividing its focus primarily on the characters of Galen and Eldus. Each serves as an effective means of exploring the world of Voulhire. Like Galen, the reader is seeing this new world with fresh eyes and learning how things work as the story unfolds. With Eldus, we are exposed to the politics and mechanics of Hillport's culture. Sprinkled throughout are segments focusing on the supporting characters, providing the reader with more information to uncover the mysteries of the novel.

Galen serves as a likable and engaging protagonist. His chapters are the only ones in the novel which are told in the first-person, giving the reader the voice of someone full of wonder and naivete. These segments tend to be lighter and serve as relief from the darker sections with Eldus. This turns out to be a double-edged sword, as the meat of the story occurs almost exclusively with the lord of Hillport. As enjoyable and immersive as the chapters with Galen are, the protagonist does very little to influence the over-arching story.

Another issue with the novel is the denouement. The story feels incomplete. Much of the book is spent introducing us to characters and building up anticipation for the horrors ahead. Unfortunately, there's not enough pay-off. The climax, while quite exciting, ends at yet another set-up. The final chapter ends like a regular chapter. Undoubtedly, the author intended to whet the appetites of readers so that they will buy the next book. He was successful, yet it feels like he's cheating. A novel, even one of a series, should have a beginning, middle, and end. It would've benefitted from a few more chapters to provide a sufficient conclusion for this first book.

All that is to say that We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies is still an impressive novel. The editing is close to perfect, with very little in the way of errors. The prose and dialogue flow naturally and move the story along. The action is exciting and described with just the right amount of detail so that the scenes don't get bogged down. I give this novel a rating of three stars out of four.

I recommend this book to readers who are fans of fantasy and want to get lost in a new world. It's best enjoyed by readers who are 17 and up, as the book contains many instances of off-color humor and language as well as some subject matter on child abuse.

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We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
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