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I am naturally drawn to historical/fantasy works and recently young adult fiction. I must say Matthew Tysz’s “We Are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies” was a definite treat. The author clearly defines the main characters with relatable human traits – even in a fantasy world. I appreciated the historic dialect with a young adult language.
You follow key players in the various regions of Voulhire as their lives soon intertwine. From the king’s four sons fighting for the throne to the townspeople of Magnum Caelum inviting Galen into their simple world; you will soon find yourself submerged in a fantasy tale like no other. While magic is commonplace, you quickly learn not all magic is created equal. Author Matthew Tysz’s description of each area had me pining for the sunny coast to enjoy lobster while packing spelunking gear to dive deep into the mountains of Riva Rohavi’s threshold of bewilderment.
By the middle of the book, you have found yourself knee-deep in civil unrest brought on by the three factions: faith, science, and magic. This is completely brilliant because humans have fought for land and life over these beliefs since the beginning of time. Not only does it give you a better understanding of the people of Voulhire but may also sway which side you are on.
What I liked most about this book was the thrill of the journey. I was easily submerged in the character’s well-being and rooting for the “good guy” to win. While having said that, the storyline could have been stronger; I felt the last few chapters were rushed. I understand when you reach the climax everything happens so fast, but in my opinion, author Matthew Tysz may have been pushed to finish the story which caused him to miss a great opportunity for detail in the end. Having said that I give the book a 4 out of 5 stars. There was room for improvement, and I hope the next book in the series is given the time it deserves.
We Are Voulhire is the perfect read for fantasy, ancient historical literature, and anyone who is looking for something new! While it is classified as a young adult, I believe anyone looking to dive into a new world full of adventure and magic will appreciate all this book has to offer.
