Book Review: The Will of the Many by James Islington

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Will of the Many by James Islington

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book 1 of The Hierarchy

Publisher: Gallery/Saga Press (May 23, 2023)

Length: 688 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

It’s a shame this book isn’t getting as much attention or recognition compared to other big name fantasy titles releasing this year, because I have a feeling this one’s going to end up in my top three picks for the genre in 2023. In fact, I’m just going to say it: If you are a fan of epic fantasy, The Will of the Many absolutely needs to be on your reading list. Like, right now. No excuses.

Set in the aftermath of the conquering of his kingdom by the Hierarchy, a young prince who escaped execution must conceal his true identity until the perfect opportunity arises to exact his revenge. Formerly known as Prince Diago of Suus, Vis now lives the life of an unassuming orphan, biding his time as he pretends to support the new regime of their enslavers.

However, his time is running short. Society in the Hierarchy, which is heavily inspired by the Roman Empire, is built on a system of Will—which is sort of like a person’s life force. Those at the top draw this energy from the subjugated, who are told to cede their Will for the greater good as it is what literally makes the world go ‘round in the Hierarchy. It’s also what keeps the ruling class in power; the more people they conquer, the stronger they get. And unfortunately, Vis has almost reached the age where he can no longer avoid having his Will drained by the Sappers.

But then, he receives an offer of help from an unexpected quarter. Senator Ulciscor Telimus, whose brother died under mysterious circumstances at the prestigious Catenan Academy, wants to adopt Vis and send him to school there to get answers about the suspected murder. The plan is for Vis to infiltrate the student body which is made up of the children of the elite, all destined for the highest ranks of the Hierarchy. Vis can help Ulciscor uncover the secrets at the Academy, and if he does well in his studies, he might even receive a leadership position which would give him the freedom to do anything he wants and, more importantly, keep his Will.

What comes next is a vast, winding saga consisting of layers upon layers of mystery and intrigue. It is also a phenomenal achievement in world-building and character development. Some reviewers have said that this book reminds them of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising, and I would say those comparisons are apt, though in many ways The Will of the Many is even better. For one, the plot feels deeper, more mature and complex. The relationships between Vis and those around him are also more multidimensional and meaningful. Until now, I have only read the first of James Islington’s Licanius trilogy, and it’s clear he has come a long way.

The emotional journey of our protagonist is only one of the many praiseworthy aspects of this novel. The Hierarchy killed his family and stole his future, but as Vis enters Catenan Academy, he must force himself to swallow the hatred and rage towards his people’s oppressors while trying to become one of them. And yet, in the course of his spying, unexpected friendships started to form. He may even end up finding love.

The storytelling was also superb. Islington takes readers on a dizzying ride of plot twists and turns as Vis encounters multiple obstacles and challenges, because after all, where’s the fun in plans that go exactly as expected? Harrowing close calls and gasp-worthy betrayals force our protagonist to act quickly and think on the fly in order to protect his identity. It’s also not a proper magic school story unless the protagonist has made several enemies among students and teaching staff whose sole purpose is to make his life a living hell, and believe me, The Will of the Many is a proper magic school story, one of the best.

That said, if I had to level one criticism at this novel, it’s the fact that it leans on certain tropes a bit too much. At almost 700 pages, I also don’t expect each and every single one of them to contain something riveting, but there were definitely a few lulls that went on longer than I would have liked. Of course, none of these are dealbreakers, and always the story managed to steer things back on track with another bout of action and excitement.

To say I’m impressed is understating it by miles. This book is a gem that deserves to be a much bigger deal, and if you only have room to squeeze just one more title into your reading schedule this year, I highly recommend it being The Will of the Many. Yes, I know it’s quite the tome, but it is worth it. I am excited for the sequel to see what will happen next.