If there's such a thing as a cliffhanger that's too sheer, then this is it. The Will of the Many ends on a stunning cliffhanger that can affect your mental health if you're not careful. There are far too many loose ends and questions for one book here, and it's frankly frustrating that the next book in the series will not be out for some time.
Anyway, that tells you how good the book was- over 600 pages of non-stop intrigue, it was.
An orphaned prince attempts to rebuild something from the remnants of a shattered life and a youth cruelly torn away when the conquering armies of the Catenan Republic come for his home kingdom, killing everyone he holds dear. Despite being thrown headfirst into the cruel, unforgiving world of the Hierarchy, he's more than capable of surviving, with the skills and knowledge earned as royalty in previous years serving him well. While his heritage remains well hidden from the public, he struggles to conceal his considerable talents, all with powerful elements lurking and observing in the background.
At the right time, his skills come to the notice of one of the most powerful Senators in the Republic, and Vis soon finds himself at the thick end of a deadly three-way conflict involving two rival factions of the Catenan Republic, and a rebel faction that opposes everything the Hierarchy stands for.
Amid all of this, our hero must contend with the powerful forces of seen and unseen politics deep inside the den of the Hierarchy, a highly structured cutthroat system that channels the physical and mental gifts to the privileged few at the top of the social pyramid, transforming the elite to powerful tyrants and their respective underlings to little more than chattel.
At the Academy, an elite finishing school for the children of the most powerful individuals in the Catenan Republic, Vis comes face to face with the offspring of his enemies and enjoys the privilege of the unnatural relationship between both ends of the Hierarchy.
Will his ideals hold fast when faced with the beautifully masked evils of the Hierarchy? Or will he be a pawn in a deadly game between the rival factions, even as his reputation grows?
The Will of the Many is perhaps the best book I've read this year- and I've certainly read several excellent fantasy books this year. There's really no flaw all-round, and I can say that The Will of the Many is one of the books I've ever read that comes as close to perfect as possible.
To begin with, it is an undroppable book. The only breaks I took while reading this book were to carry out essentials like eating and bathing- nothing else! The Will of the Many locks you in a vice-like grip and forces you to focus on the story at the cost of your life until the very end. There's no dull moment from start to finish. Every word and chapter has a meaning, even as the author's writing remains unrushed. There is life and purpose in every scene, and nothing is wasted.
A keen reader will quickly draw parallels with The Will of the Many and works such as Pierce Brown's Red Rising. However, I daresay that this book is better! Red Rising is an equally stunning book (and series), but the sheer stakes and deadliness on show here make The Will of the Many something in its own league.
I loved the idea of the Hierarchy, and while the theme of an unfairly structured society is not unique in this type of fantasy, James Islington simply writes it better than most.
The book also has every type of character imaginable. There's the loyal friend, the scheming academic rival, the vengeful brother, the outcast seeking redemption, the privileged royal... the list is endless. I believe that the characters' variety, depth, and richness are major contributing factors to the brilliance of The Will of the Many.
I'm trying to think of something I didn't like about this book, but I frankly can't think of any. Thus, I strongly recommend The Will of the Many to every fantasy reader out there. It's a story that's not only thoroughly enjoyable but quite unforgettable.
