Name: The Will of the Many
ISBN: 9781982141172

James Islington

At the elite Catenan Academy, where students are prepared as the future leaders of the Hierarchy empire, the curriculum reveals a layered set of mysteries which turn murderous in this new fantasy by bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington. Vis, the adopted son of Magnus Quintus Ulcisor, a prominent senator within the Hierarchy, is trained to enter the famed Catenan Academy to help Ulciscor learn what the hidden agenda is of the remote island academy. Secretly, he also wants Vis to discover what happed to his brother who died at the academy. He’s sure the current Principalis of the academy, Quintus Veridius Julii, a political rival, knows much more than he’s revealing. The Academy’s vigorous syllabus is a challenge Vis is ably suited to meet, but it is the training in the use of Will, a practice that Vis finds abhorrent, that he must learn in order to excel at the Academy. Will—a concept that encompasses their energy, drive, focus, initiative, ambition, and vitality—can be voluntarily “ceded” to someone else. A single recipient can accept ceded Will from multiple people, growing in power towards superhuman levels. Within the hierarchy your level of Will, or legal rank, determines how you live or die. And there are those who are determined to destroy this hierarchal system, as well as those in the Academy who use it to gain dominance in internationally bestselling author James Islington’s wonderfully crafted new epic fantasy series.

The Will of the Many

Não tava esperando ser tão impactado por uma frase tão simples, mas ela ficou comigo por dias.

Pedro Rodarte

Chain your anger in the dark, my mother used to tell me, and it will only thrive.

Vanessa

Cassidy Nolan

Laura Mei

The power to protect is the highest of responsibilities, Diago. When a man is given it, his duty is not only to the people he thinks are worthy.

There comes a point in every man's life where he can rail against the unfairness of the world until he loses, or he can do his best in it. Remain a victim, or become a survivor.

"That's the problem with people, though, isn't it? They always think that 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 are the problem. You want to remove the Princeps? The senators? You'll just become them, sooner or later. If all you're trying to do is change who's in power, then you don't really want to change anything."

"Maybe you're right," she says. "But you have to start somewhere."

lily

lmmune or not, these things are designed to instantly drain Will on contact. Not just the portion Hierarchy ustually takes from the millions of Octavii who form its foundation either. All of your drive, your focus, your mental and physical energy, is funnelled away by these pale stone beds to be received by some distant, particularly favoured Septimus.

Confidence, real or perceived, has a peculiar power over people.

But the nice, theoretical simplicity of the calculations end there: they're useful for understanding someone's physical strength, but that's only the most basic use of Will. Imbuing objects- controlling them through mental effort-is where the true power of the Hierarchy lies, exponentially increasing the efficacy of that strength for anyone who can do it.

Anyone who looks at a system of people and thinks the system is the problem is a fool. (…) Greed is by definition the moral ruler of the Hierarchy, Diago. All decisions are based upon it. It is not the strong who benefit in their system, no matter what they say, it is the weak. It is the ones willing to do anything, sacrifice anything, to rise. It rewards avarice and is so steeped in a wrong way of thinking that those within it cannot even see.

I think you're so used to resisting, you don't know how not to.

Sometimes bullies are better off with the truth, no matter how unpleasant.

Mary Carmona

“No, it’s not. Conviction is admirable, but it can only take a man so far.” He leans forward. “So what I want to know, Vis, is what are you punishing yourself for?”

I stare at him, a jolt of sick, uncomfortable emotion low in my chest, lost for how to respond.

A fair system only works if there's an unbiased means if assessing merit. When there is no pride or selfishness involved. Fair systems cannot exist where people are involved. 

I am dangling, and it is only my father’s blood-slicked grip around my wrist that stops me from falling.

“Courage,” he whispers. He pours heartbreak and hope into the word.

But my father was passionate in his belief in the importance of a history uncoloured by Hierarchy translators. My mother was a scholar, fluent in three languages herself. And I was groomed by both them and my tutors for fourteen years to be a diplomat, to support my sister in her eventual rule by travelling to other nations.

I don’t offer any words of thanks for his concern. Part of me wants to.

But then I remember that if he knew my real name, this seemingly humane grey-haired man would see me dead just as quickly as anyone else.

Even so, there’s less of the Hierarchy this far south than almost anywhere else in the world. I sometimes tell myself that’s why I stopped running.

Of course, if I’m honest, the hunger and loneliness contributed.

At least the hunger’s no longer a problem.

“Vis, my boy!” Septimus Ellanher rises as she utters the words in her rich, aristocratic voice, a hawkish smile splitting her angular face. She’s powerfully built, a head taller than me, with a mass of wavy raven-black tresses that fall freely to her waist. Her arms are bare, glistening in the candlelight from the sweat of some exertion or other, highlighting both muscles and scars.

I stare at the ground, coming to grips with what’s about to happen, then straighten. Look her in the eye. “Triple pay.”

“You’re supposed to meet in the middle when you haggle, darling.”

I follow his nod to the sparse crowd, spotting the girl soon enough. A thick dark cloak still swathes her, despite the relative warmth indoors. My age, at a guess, maybe a few years older. Dark skin and long, curly brown hair.

I love when a book has me hooked from the beginning and doesn’t let up. Also, my favorite blend of genres is a perfect balance of fantasy and scifi, which was executed expertly here.

I was thoroughly impressed by how vivid the descriptions were, creating a movie in my mind. I was intrigued by every character. Even the background characters were fleshed out enough for me to believe the author put thought into them and their motivations.

My only qualm is that while this is definitely not YA, the main character is 17. This isn’t inherently a problem, but none of the teenage character read like teenagers. I think the author could’ve easily aged some of those characters up without it disrupting the plot. I sometimes found myself taken out of the moment when a character said something wise and then I remembered their age.

Overall, excellent work, and I can’t wait to get to the next one.

Nik ✨

I love when a book has me hooked from the beginning and doesn’t let up. Also, my favorite blend of genres is a perfect balance of fantasy and scifi, which was executed expertly here.

I was thoroughly impressed by how vivid the descriptions were, creating a movie in my mind. I was intrigued by every character. Even the background characters were fleshed out enough for me to believe the author put thought into them and their motivations.

My only qualm is that while this is definitely not YA, the main character is 17. This isn’t inherently a problem, but none of the teenage character read like teenagers. I think the author could’ve easily aged some of those characters up without it disrupting the plot. I sometimes found myself taken out of the moment when a character said something wise and then I remembered their age.

Overall, excellent work, and I can’t wait to get to the next one.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I really liked and rooted for Vis's character. I would have liked more exposition in the beginning, since I spent the first 15% a little confused. But once I got my bearings, the story was intricate, with an interesting magic system, and had really great side characters. I'm excited for book 2 in a few weeks!

Michelle Hruby

Vis — what an amazing, flawed and likable character in all the senses of the words. His journey had me in physical pain for everything he has(d) to continuously endure. Besides the well written main character WOW what a story!! I am already itching to delve deeper into the Hierarchy and pre-cataclysmic history. 

Alison Hinklom

abi a

The will of the many is unlike any other fantasy book I have read before. Reading it truly felt like stepping into another world: a sci-fi ancient Rome, a prince in hiding infiltrating an elite academy; such a wonderful, unique plot. I think at first it can be hard to process all the new terms and understand the world; however, as you read, things begin to fall into place. I really loved the twists and turns in the storytelling; the smallest details end up being important elements in the overall narrative. There is so much at stake and so many elements to consider; this book continually keeps you on your toes. Similarly, I think Vis was an amazing main character; he is driven, and the somewhat mysterious nature of his backstory makes you question him as a reliable narrator. When you begin to think you know what's coming next, the book takes you by surprise and leads you somewhere else. Even as it ends, it leaves you wondering what really happened and how on earth what you have learned will play a role in what's next. It's action-packed, it's touching, it's mysterious and full of surprises. It's everything you would want in a fantasy book. 

Marz 

Kelsey 

The perfect mix between fantasy and sci-fi. That ending was such a cliffhanger with so many unanswered questions that I’ve literally added the release date for the second book into my calendar. This is definitely going to become one of those “must read classic fantasy books”.

Anna

this is a very, very good book! the writing is direct but complicated; it forces you to slow down and read everything thoroughly, which was nice for me, as I feel like I’ve been reading fast paced, simple, basic books recently. you really need to retain a lot of information in this too. it’s a very good read! Vis is a great main character, and he reminds me so much of Darrow from red rising! I think the two books are super similar actually and if you enjoyed one you’d enjoy the other. the plot itself was basic because you’re following Vis in training and then through school, but there was a lot to the character development and the interactions with characters that made it worthwhile—I would say that the folks calling this dark academia are incorrect but also like kind of right in that it followed similar pacings. it was akin to something like secret history where you follow Vis through the school year without much external plot beyond school dynamics. where it differed I think, and one criticism I have of the book, is that the reader doesn’t really get an explanation of the concepts Vis learns about; we see him studying but are not told what beyond just about Will. I still don’t really understand how Will works. that said, it did not detract from my enjoyment or understanding of the book. I would highly recommend this! also no spoilers but the wolf!! so cute!! and that ending?? I need more!!

fris🐝

Enjoyed this book a lot but the storyline seemed very complex in comparison to what I usually read so it was a bit difficult to follow, sometimes having to read over sections twice to understand what was happening. It had nothing to do with the way it was written or the author, just my own comprehension issues. Listening to the audio book when I was stuck definitely helped! 

The first 20% of the book is really slow and takes a bit to get into but that, it had a great plot and was kept interested to keep reading. Towards to the end, it had me doubting every character Vis got close to. 

Even then, I was NOT expecting that ending!

Can’t wait to see what happens when the next book drops. 

Enjoyed this book a lot but the storyline seemed very complex in comparison to what I usually read so it was a bit difficult to follow, sometimes having to read over sections twice to understand what was happening. It had nothing to do with the way it was written or the author, just my own comprehension issues. Listening to the audio book when I was stuck definitely helped! 

The first 20% of the book is really slow and takes a bit to get into but that, it had a great plot and was kept interested to keep reading. Towards to the end, it had me doubting every character Vis got close to. 

Even then, I was NOT expecting that ending!

Can’t wait to see what happens when the next book drops. 



O que fazer quando o primeiro livro que você lê talvez seja o melhor que você vai ler em todo o ano? A história, a narração, os personagens, o world building, a política, o magic system, tudo isso e muito mais foi feito com perfeição, e eu preciso do próximo livro da série imediatamente

Vek! This was a gigantic mindf*ckery. God's graves. Someone tell me what's in the sequel?

Cherine Fok

Kesar Varma

writing is really good (islington loves using the word nonplussed tho) but the plot and planning and ending is just amazing. can’t wait to see where this series goes

Daphne Li-Chen

It’s giving red rising, which is also one of the reasons it took me so long to get into it. You’ve got a 17yo orphan prince plucked from obscurity and placed in the midst of some great academy, being used by multiple factions to achieve their respective goals. But as the book went on, there was something boiling beneath, and I really enjoyed the unexpected twists that had me dismayed upon turning the page to find “acknowledgements” and that I’d have to wait for the next installation to have some resolution to all this newly revealed information. Islington was apparently inspired by Rothfuss’ name of the wind, which I definitely see too.

Katharine kollman

I really enjoyed this book. At first, I was a little jarred they just throw you into it without really pausing to explain anything - but after the second chapter it started to make sense even if you were still putting the puzzle pieces of the world together. Before I was even 1/4 into the book I knew I would read the next one in the series. It had a mix of political intrigue, cool "magic: system, academia, interesting characters, and a society that gives a very interesting view into how this world (and our own) operate. This book also had the most insane jawdropping reveals - one of the very first books where I felt  I couldn't predict anything that was coming. The last 40/ 50 chapters did taper off a bit for me but I did like it and it left a lot of questions. I need to read the next book in the series and recommend this book highly if you like fantasy.

Ashley Denktas

vis telimus, leader of the sassy man apocalypse! 

tink 😵‍💫⭐

˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶

will of the many vs me on a 14 hour flight

anya

Genuinely not sure what to make of my thoughts on this. I had an alright time reading it; it flowed easily for the most part, even though it would have benefitted from some editing and more focus. But at the same time, it felt so juvenile in execution that it really threw me off.

Yes, the work draws a lot of comparisons and deservedly so. It is derivative enough to be able to market it to hard-core fans of the genre but mixes things up enough to be able to offer something to newbies and/or casual readers. As someone who is in the middle, I cannot say that the comparisons are favourable. "Red Rising"? I adore the original trilogy; I was first to say how much it felt like a re-hashing of "Ender's Game" to me but still how much fun it was. "The Hunger Games"? Nowhere near enough, in my opinion; it is rather Naomi Novik's "Scholomance". "Harry Potter"? I certainly felt like I was stuck in "The Goblet of Fire" - my least favourite of the series - but twice as long. "The Name of the Wind"? Never read it because my friend took one for the team and barely got through it.

To my knowledge, this was never marketed as YA but as adult fantasy. It sits pretty squarely in the older YA age group, in my opinion. So worst of all, in my eyes, this novel has to complete with the excellent "An Ember in the Ashes", and it is not winning.

The dissonance between what the book is aiming for and where it lands carries throughout, not just in its marketing. The main character is supposed to be 17 but often sounds like someone who is headed to their 40's while also doing things that no kid that has fend for itself on the streets, however shortly, would be doing. (I think the novel wanted us to think he is smart and resourceful but he really is not either; what he is is actually lucky.) His adoptive father - and correct me if I am wrong - is about 26 years old. And you want me to take this seriously.

Most curious to me was, however, that this is a novel that feels pretty devoid of drive. It is perhaps an inherent lack of focus due to the length of the novel (the audiobook clocks in just over 28h; I think the physical is about 640 pages long). However, I cannot overlook the fact that the politics of this book are, well, bizarrely secondary - which is why I am not even bringing up the comparison to "Babel". Kuang's politics may be limited only within her own experiences but at least she holds her beliefs with conviction.

It is also why the comparison with "Red Rising" starts to fall apart; this is a series where politics are central to the story, there is an ideology and an understanding that class struggle is inextricable from a rigidly stratified society. "The Will of the Many" sometimes pretends to understand this but largely does not appear to care for it. Vis feels quite self-serving in his motivations, where present, and I found it bizarre how often the novel slipped into a reflection on the better times under his father's rule. It does not really bother to consider that maybe Vis was free because he was in a position of power. It does not really bother to consider how his experiences under the Hierarchy among the lowest strate of society could have challenged his views (if anything, there is a concerning impression that Vis looks down upon those same people).

Some may call it character consistency; part of me would be willing to even give it the benefit of the doubt that maybe it was intentional to write this bratty side of Vis's character. Some may say that these questions will form part of subsequent instalments. But 28 hours run-time is a lot of time to ignore what would be pretty key aspects of fleshing out your world and characters.

I am OK with people sometimes writing just for fun or because something sounds cool to them. But you also have to stop and wonder why while you are just entertaining yourself, certain things occur within your narration and they don't bother you.

Also this book is weird towards women. Love how institutionalised misogyny also forms part of matters mentioned but not examined. Why create a rigid society as a short-hand for imperial oppression and colonialisation, spend 640 pages on it (first of however many books) and examine the different forms of oppression and do so intersectionally, am I right, ladies?

Genuinely not sure what to make of my thoughts on this. I had an alright time reading it; it flowed easily for the most part, even though it would have benefitted from some editing and more focus. But at the same time, it felt so juvenile in execution that it really threw me off.

Yes, the work draws a lot of comparisons and deservedly so. It is derivative enough to be able to market it to hard-core fans of the genre but mixes things up enough to be able to offer something to newbies and/or casual readers. As someone who is in the middle, I cannot say that the comparisons are favourable. "Red Rising"? I adore the original trilogy; I was first to say how much it felt like a re-hashing of "Ender's Game" to me but still how much fun it was. "The Hunger Games"? Nowhere near enough, in my opinion; it is rather Naomi Novik's "Scholomance". "Harry Potter"? I certainly felt like I was stuck in "The Goblet of Fire" - my least favourite of the series - but twice as long. "The Name of the Wind"? Never read it because my friend took one for the team and barely got through it.

To my knowledge, this was never marketed as YA but as adult fantasy. It sits pretty squarely in the older YA age group, in my opinion. So worst of all, in my eyes, this novel has to complete with the excellent "An Ember in the Ashes", and it is not winning.

The dissonance between what the book is aiming for and where it lands carries throughout, not just in its marketing. The main character is supposed to be 17 but often sounds like someone who is headed to their 40's while also doing things that no kid that has fend for itself on the streets, however shortly, would be doing. (I think the novel wanted us to think he is smart and resourceful but he really is not either; what he is is actually lucky.) His adoptive father - and correct me if I am wrong - is about 26 years old. And you want me to take this seriously.

Most curious to me was, however, that this is a novel that feels pretty devoid of drive. It is perhaps an inherent lack of focus due to the length of the novel (the audiobook clocks in just over 28h; I think the physical is about 640 pages long). However, I cannot overlook the fact that the politics of this book are, well, bizarrely secondary - which is why I am not even bringing up the comparison to "Babel". Kuang's politics may be limited only within her own experiences but at least she holds her beliefs with conviction.

It is also why the comparison with "Red Rising" starts to fall apart; this is a series where politics are central to the story, there is an ideology and an understanding that class struggle is inextricable from a rigidly stratified society. "The Will of the Many" sometimes pretends to understand this but largely does not appear to care for it. Vis feels quite self-serving in his motivations, where present, and I found it bizarre how often the novel slipped into a reflection on the better times under his father's rule. It does not really bother to consider that maybe Vis was free because he was in a position of power. It does not really bother to consider how his experiences under the Hierarchy among the lowest strate of society could have challenged his views (if anything, there is a concerning impression that Vis looks down upon those same people).

Some may call it character consistency; part of me would be willing to even give it the benefit of the doubt that maybe it was intentional to write this bratty side of Vis's character. Some may say that these questions will form part of subsequent instalments. But 28 hours run-time is a lot of time to ignore what would be pretty key aspects of fleshing out your world and characters.

I am OK with people sometimes writing just for fun or because something sounds cool to them. But you also have to stop and wonder why while you are just entertaining yourself, certain things occur within your narration and they don't bother you.

Also this book is weird towards women. Love how institutionalised misogyny also forms part of matters mentioned but not examined. Why create a rigid society as a short-hand for imperial oppression and colonialisation, spend 640 pages on it (first of however many books) and examine the different forms of oppression and do so intersectionally, am I right, ladies?

This book was more than I hoped it would be! And has definitely jumped up my favourite dark academia reads!

The characters were incredibly flawed but compelling and intelligently written, giving them a substance, a realness I hadn't expected. I was instantly drawn to Vis, cheering and commiserating with him from the sidelines.

The world-building was slow but essential. You needed its slow build-up to give your mind time to get your head around how complicated the magic and ranking system in this world is.

For me, this did not deter how gripping the plot was. I found it perfectly paced and full of mysteries and intrigue. I loved discovering little details as they were revealed to Vis, keeping me hooked and never bored.

But we need to talk about that ending because I need the sequel now! What does it mean for the sequel???

Victoria Justice

This book was more than I hoped it would be! And has definitely jumped up my favourite dark academia reads!

The characters were incredibly flawed but compelling and intelligently written, giving them a substance, a realness I hadn't expected. I was instantly drawn to Vis, cheering and commiserating with him from the sidelines.

The world-building was slow but essential. You needed its slow build-up to give your mind time to get your head around how complicated the magic and ranking system in this world is.

For me, this did not deter how gripping the plot was. I found it perfectly paced and full of mysteries and intrigue. I loved discovering little details as they were revealed to Vis, keeping me hooked and never bored.

But we need to talk about that ending because I need the sequel now! What does it mean for the sequel???

This got me out of my reading slump after a whole year of avoiding my rotting TBR.

Joseph Jumao-as

What a brilliant fantasy novel!!! I haven’t read much high fantasy before and after reading this I don’t think I want to read anything but. 

The story of Vis Telimus, an orphan adopted by a powerful man & how he deceives, perseveres & tests the limits everyday against the power of the “hierarchy” 

I loved this story and it had me deeply invested. Brilliant! 

jaz ☁️

What a brilliant fantasy novel!!! I haven’t read much high fantasy before and after reading this I don’t think I want to read anything but. 

The story of Vis Telimus, an orphan adopted by a powerful man & how he deceives, perseveres & tests the limits everyday against the power of the “hierarchy” 

I loved this story and it had me deeply invested. Brilliant! 

10/5 stars. An absolute banger of a book and possibly my favorite read of the year.