Blurb:

AUDI. VIDE. TACE.

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.

Review:

Be prepared to step into the rule of the Hierarchy, as James Islington is back with another epic fantasy! As someone who rates Islington’s Licanius trilogy as one of their top three series of all time, Will hit all the right notes with an engaging plot, exquisite world building, unique magic systems, and unforgettable characters. A perfect combination of Dark Academia meeting The Hunger Games, this book will be one to stay with you for the long run!

Have you ever read a book so jaw dropping and engaging that you genuinely don’t know what to write for a review? That’s The Will of the Many. Very rarely do some books hit me with a complete combination of awe, emotional pain, and a deep sense of satisfaction.

The world in which you are transported to, Catenan, is heavily Roman Empire inspired. You will be able to draw on some familiar historical aspects, but there is a twist to it which makes it    

highly unique. There is an aspect of technology and advancement, but it stays within the bounds of fantasy. Most of the plot focuses on the Academy and the secrets it holds, but as the story goes on you delve deeper into how far one person will go in desperation when their life is on the line. As mentioned, Will has a Hunger Games type theme in that the students at the Academy are always pitted against each other. Ascending class ranks is the most sought-after outcome, and all characters will use whatever means necessary to achieve this goal.

The character development in Will is what I would describe as steady. You learn more about our protagonist, Vis, as the book goes on. Instead of having the first few chapters be overly crammed with backstory and lore, bits and pieces of Vis’s past are revealed at just the right moments to provide a sense of reveal in times of tension and uncertainty. If you have read any of Islington’s previous works, you will know he is a master of this tactic. The supporting characters are well written. You will quickly form your own opinions on them as you decide who in the story is trustworthy and who has ulterior motives.

The magic system in this book is something that I have never seen. The concept is “will”, a person’s physical strength and drive, which is to be ceded to those of a higher standing to make them stronger, faster, and more powerful than those below them. The higher you are in the hierarchical political standing, the more of the nation’s population cede their will to you. Additionally, the combination of people’s “will” is also used to power machinery, mechanisms, and the daily life of the nation.

“Stronger together.”

Moving to what I enjoyed? Well, honestly everything. It could be that I have a slight bias since I loved all of Islington’s previous works, but he is just an amazing writer. The prose, the buildup, and the twist. This book has an ending that you will not see coming.

In summary, this book is easily in my top five favorite series. I highly recommend you give it a shot, especially if you enjoy writers like Anthony Ryan or Mark Lawrence. Islington has this uncanny ability to create worlds you fall completely in love with. I cannot wait for book two, The Strength of the Few, coming soon May 23, 2024.