The Will of the Many by James Islington
Blurb:
At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this “brilliant and gut-churning masterpiece” (Library Journal, starred review) by the internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.
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 civilized 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:
The Will of the Many by James Islington follows Vis, an orphaned boy who is tasked with infiltrating the most prestigious academy in the Republic to solve a murder, search for an ancient weapon and uncover secrets that could tear the entire system apart. To survive, Vis must climb the ranks of the Academy, blending in among the elite while concealing his true identity. If the Hierarchy, those who rule over the Republic’s rigid social order, ever discover who he really is, they will kill him without hesitation. But Vis has a mission, and failure is not an option. The question is, can he complete his task before the Republic consumes him?
I first came across this novel thanks to its massive popularity on Bookstagram and let’s be honest, because of that jaw-dropping special edition produced by The Broken Binding. The sprayed edges, the intricate cover design, how could I resist? I was already intrigued by James Islington’s work, especially The Licanius Trilogy, but I wanted to start something new that I could enjoy in stages as each book was released. There’s always that self-inflicted pressure when a completed trilogy sits on your shelf, silently judging you every day you don’t pick it up. As a book collector and Bookstagrammer, I can confirm this is a very real struggle. So, despite the side-eye from my unread Licanius set, I decided that The Will of the Many would be my entry point into Islington’s writing.
From the very first chapter, Islington showcases his talent for immersive worldbuilding. The novel is told almost entirely through Vis’s first-person perspective, which works perfectly for a story built on secrets, power, and manipulation. Because Vis is only seventeen and still learning about the world himself, readers are introduced to the setting naturally through his observations, conversations, and memories. When he visits places that connect to his past or recalls experiences with his guardians, the story subtly expands without feeling like a dense lore dump. It’s a smart, layered approach that draws you deeper into both Vis’s personal history and the intricate political system of the Republic.
The world itself operates under a strict hierarchy, a literal pyramid of power. Those at the bottom must give their “will” to those above them, effectively surrendering pieces of their autonomy in exchange for protection and survival. It’s a fascinating, chilling structure that mirrors both the cruelty of the empire and the human hunger for control. Everyone at the top is scheming for more, while those beneath them are trapped in cycles of dependence and obedience, a setup that feels both fantastical and uncomfortably believable.
What truly stood out for me, though, was Vis himself. He’s a character who constantly has to adapt, manipulate, and survive, always one step behind yet somehow still pushing forward. Each challenge seems to back him into a corner, but his determination and cunning keep him moving. I really admired how Islington wrote his resilience; Vis is flawed and often overwhelmed, but he’s never defeated. However, at times I did feel his core mission, the true reason behind his infiltration became slightly muddled amid the constant tests, rivalries, and political games he was forced to navigate. That said, Islington refocuses the story beautifully by the end, reminding readers what Vis is truly fighting for and setting up what promises to be an explosive continuation in the next instalment.
And then there are the twists. Oh, the twists. The latter part of the book is packed with reveals that left me stunned, flipping back through earlier chapters just to see how I missed the clues. It’s that satisfying kind of shock where you realise everything was meticulously planned, every thread leading to that precise moment.
In conclusion, The Will of the Many is an ambitious and deeply engaging start to what promises to be another epic fantasy series from James Islington. It balances character-driven storytelling with intricate worldbuilding, delivering both emotional depth and high-stakes intrigue. For fans of fantasy with layers of mystery, political tension, and jaw-dropping revelations, this is a must-read. As for me, I’m already eagerly awaiting book two and maybe, just maybe, I’ll finally let my Licanius Trilogy copies stop glaring at me from the shelf.
