The Will of the Many
by James Islington
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At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.
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The Catenan Republic--the Hierarchy--may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.
I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus--what they call Will--to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.
I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.
But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.
And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.
To survive, though, I will still have to rise through the Academy's ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.
And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781982141172
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- James Islington
- Publisher
- S&s/Saga Press
- Published Date
- May 23, 2023
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 640
- Physical Info
- 1.81 in H x 9.28 in L x 6.36 in W (1.73 lb)
This is possibly the most fun I have ever had reading a book. Cannot wait to start book 2. The Licanius Trilogy was a work of art. In the 200 or so books that i have read in the last 8 or so years, this story is definitely in my top 10
An absolute standout in modern fantasy.The Will of the Many completely drew me in from the very beginning. The world-building is some of the best I’ve read in recent years—rich, detailed, and gradually revealed through an engaging academic setting that actually teaches you as the characters learn. I found myself genuinely fascinated by the classes and the society’s structure.The plot twists hit hard and kept me guessing, and while the main storyline is compelling, it was the side characters and the depth of their friendships that really brought the story to life. Every character feels like they have their own arc and purpose, which makes the emotional moments land even harder.If you love epic fantasy with a clever protagonist, layered world-building, and strong interpersonal dynamics, this is a must-read. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next!
I was recommended this by a patient.The world building, the character interplay and the action were such a joy that I kept finding myself pausing reading so that I could enjoy it longer.I like how the mysteries haven't tipped their hand yet. I usually am able to guess them by the time I read 25% but I'm still not sure and I've read the whole thing! Very excited for the second one whenever it's ready.
CRAZY good. Going on the shelf with other epic stories like Name of the Wind. The other reviews make all the more detailed points so I won't repeat it all - it simply pulls you in and doesn't let go. Unlike some comments, the ending isn't a let down, it's a straight up cliff hanger with a hard twist. The only problem is now waiting for book 2 to be released.
The Will of the Many begins with a challenging start—the writing style and flow initially felt dense and somewhat difficult to follow. However, once immersed, the narrative takes off with remarkable intensity. The story quickly becomes gripping, and I found myself completely drawn in and unable to put it down.The plot is compelling, the world-building is rich, and the overall arc is executed with skill. It’s a deeply engaging book that holds your attention through much of its length. That said, the ending was a notable letdown. After such a powerful buildup, the conclusion felt unexpectedly flat—like holding a deflated balloon after waiting for it to soar.Despite this, the book is absolutely worth reading. I sincerely hope the sequel picks up where the story left off and delivers the satisfying payoff that this book seemed to be building toward. As it stands, The Will of the Many is a strong read that falls just short of greatness—but with immense potential to be part of an exceptional series.
