Review by Kalohe -- We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under...

Kalohe · Post by **Kalohe** » 22 Dec 2020, 14:11

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

3 out of 4 stars

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We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival Under Great Skies, the first in a series of novels by Matthew Tysz, is well worth reading for its character development and story arc. The author plans for 9 books in the series. I would give it 3 out of 4 stars, and look forward to reading others in his series. A reader interested in a fairly classic Science Fiction/Fantasy tale will be pleased with what they find in this novel.

I feel that I must raise a trigger warning in that one of the characters is accused of “bedroom acts upon children” early in the book (on page eight) and that issue comes up a few times throughout the book. It is a small part of the narrative, but it is there. The other issue I’d mention is the use of “queen” in describing the Chancellor Maido, the leader of the elite guard of Voulhire. He is described as wearing makeup in that scene and there are later allusions to his being at least bisexual.

Despite enjoying my read, I found the author’s language use at times idiosyncratic and cumbersome. An example of that is the author’s description of a sword fight in which “one swing ejected 3 legs from their stumps…”. I’m not sure “ejected” fits here. There are other instances, but overall they don’t really detract from what I felt was a pleasant fantasy experience.

This book is largely introductory. The author sets down the warp of his narrative tapestry that he will be filling and weaving during the rest of his series. We become acquainted with Voulhire and its residents and their story begins to advance in this volume. There is certainly enough going on to keep your interest to the end. We meet and learn to like the main characters and the lands of Voulhire. The characters and setting descriptions are well developed through the narrative and the reader is allowed to explore and discover the other story elements. I’d also mention that there is a glossary included at the end of the book, as well access to a supportive website, helping to clarify some of the places and people in Voulhire.

As we travel through Voulhire we meet several of the characters that drive the narrative. Gallen Bray enters the story and Voulhire on a quest for his inheritance. Accepting that new life requires that he learn blacksmithing along with learning the mores of a new land and lifestyle. The rest of the story swirls around this core and allows the reader to wonder how all of it will be tied together. Judge Eldus Alderman is made Lord of Hillport and is driven to work on improving the lives of those who live there. Taking on this responsibility and bringing his family to this depressed and challenged area is demanding beyond his dreams, and possibly his ability to cope. Meldorath, the evil mage, first despoils Hillport and then becomes a ghost figure. His influence is large, whether he is dead or alive. He covets much more that just a part of Voulhire. The Riva Rohavi, a group of outlaws and terrorists, long thought to be a minimal threat to the land and its people, are reborn and that spells trouble. Standing athwart of lawlessness is Chancellor Maido and the Mianoran Guards. However, is Maido so involved in far-flung secrets and court intrigue that his, and the Guards’, effectiveness is blunted? There are others, but allow this to wet your appetite and give you a bit of a taste of what goes on in this novel.

We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival Under Great Skies is definitely worth reading and I look forward to the other novels in the series. The action and intrigue beguiles. The setting is interesting and the characters are engaging. Science Fiction/Fantasy is often formulaic, but there is enough that is fresh here to recommend this book and Voulhire.

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We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
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