The Will of the Many (Hierarchy)
Featuring a reversible book cover with the original hardcover art design.
At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.
AUDI. VIDE. TACE.
The Catenan Republicâthe Hierarchyâmay 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 focusâwhat they call Willâto 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 Academyâs 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.
At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.
AUDI. VIDE. TACE.
The Catenan Republicâthe Hierarchyâmay 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 focusâwhat they call Willâto 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 Academyâs 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.
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Community Reviews
I devoured this read. Vis (mc) is complex, deep, thoughtful and loyal to the core. Easily one of my top favorite MCs in sci fi. The world building is just enough, easy to absorb with rich characters that add depth to the storyline in a manner that isnât overly complex but more so, real and raw.
The Will of the Many was a slow start for me, and I won't lie about that. It took time to settle into the world, the pacing, and the characters, and for a while I wasn't sure if it was fully clicking. But somewhere around the 45-60% mark, everything shifted. The story suddenly became hard to put down, the stakes felt clearer, and the threads that had been quietly building started to tighten in really compelling ways. From that point on, the book is an absolute delight. The writing is confident and immersive, the pacing sharpens, and the plot twists are genuinely well executed, surprising without feeling forced.
By the end, I was completely invested and very glad I stuck with it. A slow burn that truly rewards patience.
First book I read after the LA fires that kept me engaged. It is a male driven book that is action packed. Looking forward to the second book.
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