Review by The frant1c reader -- We are Voulhire: A New A...

[The frant1c reader]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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Science and magic - both characterised by intrigue, mystery, curiosity and in the knowledge of which lies tremendous potential, power that could serve the learner in unimaginable ways. Yet, they are separated apart - perhaps due to their likeness - by a constant repulsive force like that of the same poles of two different magnets; Similar yet immiscible. What would be the result if these two powerful entities collaborated?

We are Voulhire: A new arrival under great skies by Matthew Tysz introduces its readers to a fantasyland, a world enriched by a fine blend of science and magic. Our journey begins with 'Galen Bray', one of the many lead characters in the storyline, exploring the new lands of Voulhire after escaping a war-torn land, 'The land of Princes. With the hope of uniting with his last remaining kin, Galen sets foot on the Voulhirian city named Magnum Caelum. This new abode offers peace and stability to his so far tragic life but amidst all the beauty and riches of this country lies secrets, fear, selfish personal and political agendas and an extremely powerful and notorious villain.

The storyline advances in the form of monologues and experiences of the main characters in the book. The narrative jumps from one character to another - all of whom have different perspectives, belong to different hierarchical classes, have varied mindsets and different sets of challenges as well. Readers are surely gifted with an overall experience as it helps to connect with the characters and their beliefs on a deeper level. It grants a better sense of their personalities and their evolution throughout the length of the story. However, little is understood regarding Galen's influence and role in the story. Perhaps this would be evident as the story gradually unfolds in the sequels to this book.

I couldn't help but complain about naming certain characters with modern names like Mendelson, Rita etc. as they feel not only odd- considering the historical and fantasy theme but also inconsistent compared to the nomenclature of the rest of the elements in the story. But this fact in no way affects the storyline and the characters in the book, so we can happily set aside this minor drawback.

Along with fantasy and adventure themes like politics, history, and drama bring the entire story to a whole new level. The poignant theme of the storyline adds deeper meaning to philosophical and abstract concepts like gratitude, hope, desire etc. At the same time, efforts have been put into developing a culturally rich background where unique specialities and traditions are practised by groups of people across varied geographical regions. I genuinely loved this effort to lift every possible aspect of the story, be it the characters or their manner of speech or even the way they address each other at different corners of the country. The story could be a little slow-paced for some readers but it gradually speeds up. For me, the pace was not a problem.

If you like fantasy, adventure, political drama or historical themes, I would recommend you to read We are Voulhire: A new arrival under great skies by Matthew Tysz. This book contains profanity and certain themes not advisable for the younger and sensitive audience. It has almost no grammatical errors and seems to be professionally edited. Considering everything mentioned in this review so far, I would happily rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I am excited to discover the proceeding plotlines of the story so sequels to this book are eagerly awaited!

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

I just finished this book, and I really enjoyed reading the funny parts with Eldus and Rowan.
Thank you for your review.

[aodonnell]

I agree the story was slow in some parts. But I think this can be a common challenge in the first in a fantasy series, as the author has to take time to adequately build the world. I suspect the pace of the story will speed up as the series continues. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[The frant1c reader]

I just finished this book, and I really enjoyed reading the funny parts with Eldus and Rowan.
Thank you for your review.

Thanks for dropping by

[The frant1c reader]

I agree the story was slow in some parts. But I think this can be a common challenge in the first in a fantasy series, as the author has to take time to adequately build the world. I suspect the pace of the story will speed up as the series continues. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I totally agree with this. However the story was pretty captivating so the pace never posed as a problem. Thanks for passing by!

[Ace John]

I've enjoyed reading your review! You bring out your reading experience with this book so well that I also want to read it, too.