Review of We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
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Review of We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" by Matthew Tysz.]
"We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" by Matthew Tysz opens with a young man named Galen Bray arriving in the kingdom of Voulhire, seeking refuge from the war-torn Lands of the Princes. Galen’s new life is meant to be a fresh start, but, as expected, nothing goes quite as smoothly as he hopes. He inherits a metalworking business from his great uncle in the quaint town of Magnum Caelum—sounds peaceful, right? Not quite. The kingdom of Voulhire is brimming with political intrigue, magic, and dangerous secrets that are as murky as the skies that loom over it. From a kingdom in turmoil to a resurrected villain (the infamous Meldorath, no less), Galen is thrown into a web of mystery and power struggles that pull the reader into a deep, complex world.
Now, where do I even begin with the world-building? This is where Tysz’s writing really shines. He’s crafted a world that feels alive and enormous, yet not overwhelming (well, most of the time). Voulhire is not just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right. You’ve got a kingdom that feels politically tense, with a monarch (King Wilhelm) trying to balance his duties, a looming threat in the form of a rebel group (the Riva Rohavi), and, oh yes, a potentially mad magician (Meldorath) who may or may not have been plotting something deeply sinister all along. The world is so richly detailed that you can almost smell the blacksmith’s forge in Magnum Caelum or sense the eerie stillness in the Graylands.
Going forward, Caromentis, the mystical realm where magic originates, is a beautiful, eerie concept, and the biomagic practiced by certain characters adds an extra layer of moral complexity to the story, and I loved how magic wasn’t just some abstract, convenient tool to move the plot along—it felt deeply integrated into the political and social structures of Voulhire. And yet, while I enjoyed the intricate details of the world, I will say that at times, the level of detail became... a little much. There’s even a glossary at the back of the book, and let’s just say I found myself flipping to it more often than I expected. (Maybe I’m not as good at keeping track of cities and factions as I thought!) But if you’re a fan of deep, immersive fantasy worlds, where everything has a place and history, you’re going to love this.
I must mention just how much Galen Bray makes for an excellent protagonist—not too perfect, not too flawed. He’s just a guy trying to find his way in a land that is much more complicated than he anticipated. His relationships with the other characters, particularly Rowan (his business partner and somewhat of a mentor figure), feel organic and grounded. You root for Galen not because he’s some chosen hero (because he’s not), but because he’s relatable—someone who feels out of place and is just trying to survive.
And one of my favorite parts of the book was witnessing King Wilhelm’s internal struggle. Here’s a king who’s supposed to have everything under control, and yet, he’s doubting himself at every turn. The political maneuvering in the court is gripping—watching Wilhelm balance his role as king against the ever-cunning Chancellor Maido, and trying to keep the kingdom from falling apart, is as thrilling as any sword fight. The politics of Voulhire feel real, as if Tysz has pulled from historical monarchies with all their layers of intrigue and betrayal.
There are some moments where I felt like certain character arcs could have been fleshed out more (looking at you, Chancellor Maido). While he’s a crafty political player, his motivations felt a little too one-note at times, especially compared to the depth given to other characters like King Wilhelm or Galen. But this is a minor gripe in the grand scheme of things.
Also, the tension in the story builds beautifully. You can feel the storm brewing—both literally and figuratively. By the time you hit the climax, you’re fully invested in the outcome. And without giving away any spoilers, let’s just say the ending leaves you wanting more, but in a good way. You know there’s more to come, and Tysz leaves just enough unresolved to keep you eagerly awaiting the next installment.
One last note: this book is superbly edited. I didn’t catch a single grammatical hiccup or awkward sentence structure, which is a refreshing change from what you sometimes get in indie-published works. Overall, I think "We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" is a stunning blend of immersive world-building, thoughtful character development, and a plot that keeps you guessing. While there are moments where the detail can feel a bit overwhelming, the richness of the world makes up for it. The stakes feel real, the magic feels fresh, and the characters are ones you care about. Even if you’re someone who struggles with complex worlds, the payoff is well worth the effort. This is a must-read for any fantasy lover! I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" by Matthew Tysz opens with a young man named Galen Bray arriving in the kingdom of Voulhire, seeking refuge from the war-torn Lands of the Princes. Galen’s new life is meant to be a fresh start, but, as expected, nothing goes quite as smoothly as he hopes. He inherits a metalworking business from his great uncle in the quaint town of Magnum Caelum—sounds peaceful, right? Not quite. The kingdom of Voulhire is brimming with political intrigue, magic, and dangerous secrets that are as murky as the skies that loom over it. From a kingdom in turmoil to a resurrected villain (the infamous Meldorath, no less), Galen is thrown into a web of mystery and power struggles that pull the reader into a deep, complex world.
Now, where do I even begin with the world-building? This is where Tysz’s writing really shines. He’s crafted a world that feels alive and enormous, yet not overwhelming (well, most of the time). Voulhire is not just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right. You’ve got a kingdom that feels politically tense, with a monarch (King Wilhelm) trying to balance his duties, a looming threat in the form of a rebel group (the Riva Rohavi), and, oh yes, a potentially mad magician (Meldorath) who may or may not have been plotting something deeply sinister all along. The world is so richly detailed that you can almost smell the blacksmith’s forge in Magnum Caelum or sense the eerie stillness in the Graylands.
Going forward, Caromentis, the mystical realm where magic originates, is a beautiful, eerie concept, and the biomagic practiced by certain characters adds an extra layer of moral complexity to the story, and I loved how magic wasn’t just some abstract, convenient tool to move the plot along—it felt deeply integrated into the political and social structures of Voulhire. And yet, while I enjoyed the intricate details of the world, I will say that at times, the level of detail became... a little much. There’s even a glossary at the back of the book, and let’s just say I found myself flipping to it more often than I expected. (Maybe I’m not as good at keeping track of cities and factions as I thought!) But if you’re a fan of deep, immersive fantasy worlds, where everything has a place and history, you’re going to love this.
I must mention just how much Galen Bray makes for an excellent protagonist—not too perfect, not too flawed. He’s just a guy trying to find his way in a land that is much more complicated than he anticipated. His relationships with the other characters, particularly Rowan (his business partner and somewhat of a mentor figure), feel organic and grounded. You root for Galen not because he’s some chosen hero (because he’s not), but because he’s relatable—someone who feels out of place and is just trying to survive.
And one of my favorite parts of the book was witnessing King Wilhelm’s internal struggle. Here’s a king who’s supposed to have everything under control, and yet, he’s doubting himself at every turn. The political maneuvering in the court is gripping—watching Wilhelm balance his role as king against the ever-cunning Chancellor Maido, and trying to keep the kingdom from falling apart, is as thrilling as any sword fight. The politics of Voulhire feel real, as if Tysz has pulled from historical monarchies with all their layers of intrigue and betrayal.
There are some moments where I felt like certain character arcs could have been fleshed out more (looking at you, Chancellor Maido). While he’s a crafty political player, his motivations felt a little too one-note at times, especially compared to the depth given to other characters like King Wilhelm or Galen. But this is a minor gripe in the grand scheme of things.
Also, the tension in the story builds beautifully. You can feel the storm brewing—both literally and figuratively. By the time you hit the climax, you’re fully invested in the outcome. And without giving away any spoilers, let’s just say the ending leaves you wanting more, but in a good way. You know there’s more to come, and Tysz leaves just enough unresolved to keep you eagerly awaiting the next installment.
One last note: this book is superbly edited. I didn’t catch a single grammatical hiccup or awkward sentence structure, which is a refreshing change from what you sometimes get in indie-published works. Overall, I think "We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies" is a stunning blend of immersive world-building, thoughtful character development, and a plot that keeps you guessing. While there are moments where the detail can feel a bit overwhelming, the richness of the world makes up for it. The stakes feel real, the magic feels fresh, and the characters are ones you care about. Even if you’re someone who struggles with complex worlds, the payoff is well worth the effort. This is a must-read for any fantasy lover! I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
******
We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
