Review by nangel04 -- We are Voulhire: The Knights of Ch...
-
nangel04
- Posts: 56
- Joined: 09 Feb 2020, 01:02
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 29
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nangel04.html
- Latest Review: We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry by Matthew Tysz
Review by nangel04 -- We are Voulhire: The Knights of Ch...
[Following is a volunteer review of "We are Voulhire: The Knights of Chalethire" by Matthew Tysz.]
In Matthew Tysz’s We Are Voulhire: The Knights of Chalethire, we are finally introduced to the legendary knights spoken about in the previous three novels when Galen and his friends relocate to the great city of Chalethire. After Galen’s home is destroyed, he and his friends find themselves in this great city where Galen continues to learn his craft as a blacksmith, Demetrius submits to the tutelage of monks belonging to the Order of Joshua, and Rowan goes to work in an accounting office. They fit in quite well. It even seems as if their problems are momentarily forgotten. However, they cannot hide forever. Meanwhile, the new king and the Mianoran council seem to be in a covert battle for power even as both sides share the concern that the count of Chalethire plans to use his knights to extend his rule into other areas of Voulhire. With Virko still infested with demons and all of Voulhire facing the looming threat of their old enemy, the Riva Rohavi, the Chaltherian knights may be just the weapon needed to eliminate these unrelenting adversaries.
After the third book, I was expecting to be blown away by this fourth installment, yet I am left feeling torn. I do not want to mislead anyone because the book was far from bad, it was just not all that I imagined it would be. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I was expecting more character development and background for Galen and his companions. What I got was very little development and no further background for Galen or Rowan. Yes, there was a little background provided for Demetrius, and the relationship between Rowan and Demetrius was developed somewhat, but Galen’s development was practically stunted in this novel. He meets Harper, a paladin in the Chaltherian army, and his entire storyline in this novel revolves around her. It is great that Tysz has given Galen a potential love interest, but he does not need to be completely lost in her.
Now, with that complaint out of the way, I can say that there were more good qualities in this book than bad. Tysz moves at a fast pace, not allowing for downtime. The novel will have no trouble keeping readers engaged. Just as well, his ability to mix in new characters so seamlessly is a skill other series writers should envy. While developing background for his main characters could use some work, Tysz has no trouble at all dropping in a new character in such a way that it seems as if he or she has always been there. However, the best aspect of this novel would have to be the way he weaves everything together. There are so many individual stories that come together: Galen and his companions, the Chaltherian knights, Lord Kayden and his demons, King Nartik and Maido, Meldorath, Siden and Beth, and the Riva Rohavi. Somehow, Tysz knits them all together effortlessly.
I do have to admit that I was surprised by the number of errors I came across as I am not used to finding more than two or three in Tysz’s novels. This is not to say that there were so many it made this particular book hard to read, I was just caught off guard because the books I have read by him so far are usually better edited. Still, this does not disrupt Tysz’s usual high-quality rhythm too much, so do not be alarmed.
I really wanted to give this book the highest rating, but I feel it deserves only three out of four stars because of the inconsistency of development. Even so, I would certainly recommend this novel to any adult looking to delve into a new fantasy series. Despite my minor disappointment, the novel was intriguing and I look forward to getting my hands on the next book in the series.
******
We are Voulhire: The Knights of Chalethire
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In Matthew Tysz’s We Are Voulhire: The Knights of Chalethire, we are finally introduced to the legendary knights spoken about in the previous three novels when Galen and his friends relocate to the great city of Chalethire. After Galen’s home is destroyed, he and his friends find themselves in this great city where Galen continues to learn his craft as a blacksmith, Demetrius submits to the tutelage of monks belonging to the Order of Joshua, and Rowan goes to work in an accounting office. They fit in quite well. It even seems as if their problems are momentarily forgotten. However, they cannot hide forever. Meanwhile, the new king and the Mianoran council seem to be in a covert battle for power even as both sides share the concern that the count of Chalethire plans to use his knights to extend his rule into other areas of Voulhire. With Virko still infested with demons and all of Voulhire facing the looming threat of their old enemy, the Riva Rohavi, the Chaltherian knights may be just the weapon needed to eliminate these unrelenting adversaries.
After the third book, I was expecting to be blown away by this fourth installment, yet I am left feeling torn. I do not want to mislead anyone because the book was far from bad, it was just not all that I imagined it would be. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I was expecting more character development and background for Galen and his companions. What I got was very little development and no further background for Galen or Rowan. Yes, there was a little background provided for Demetrius, and the relationship between Rowan and Demetrius was developed somewhat, but Galen’s development was practically stunted in this novel. He meets Harper, a paladin in the Chaltherian army, and his entire storyline in this novel revolves around her. It is great that Tysz has given Galen a potential love interest, but he does not need to be completely lost in her.
Now, with that complaint out of the way, I can say that there were more good qualities in this book than bad. Tysz moves at a fast pace, not allowing for downtime. The novel will have no trouble keeping readers engaged. Just as well, his ability to mix in new characters so seamlessly is a skill other series writers should envy. While developing background for his main characters could use some work, Tysz has no trouble at all dropping in a new character in such a way that it seems as if he or she has always been there. However, the best aspect of this novel would have to be the way he weaves everything together. There are so many individual stories that come together: Galen and his companions, the Chaltherian knights, Lord Kayden and his demons, King Nartik and Maido, Meldorath, Siden and Beth, and the Riva Rohavi. Somehow, Tysz knits them all together effortlessly.
I do have to admit that I was surprised by the number of errors I came across as I am not used to finding more than two or three in Tysz’s novels. This is not to say that there were so many it made this particular book hard to read, I was just caught off guard because the books I have read by him so far are usually better edited. Still, this does not disrupt Tysz’s usual high-quality rhythm too much, so do not be alarmed.
I really wanted to give this book the highest rating, but I feel it deserves only three out of four stars because of the inconsistency of development. Even so, I would certainly recommend this novel to any adult looking to delve into a new fantasy series. Despite my minor disappointment, the novel was intriguing and I look forward to getting my hands on the next book in the series.
******
We are Voulhire: The Knights of Chalethire
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In the beginning was the Word...John 1:1
Reason and love keep little company together nowadays. ~Shakespeare; A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Reason and love keep little company together nowadays. ~Shakespeare; A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry by Matthew Tysz
