The Will of the Many
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 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.
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James Islington
James Islington’s work stands as a testament to the power of intricate world-building and the unyielding pull of morally complex characters. As a master of epic fantasy, he crafts stories that stretch the imagination, leaving readers questioning the very nature of fate, choice, and time itself. His debut novel, The Shadow of What Was Lost, quickly became a beloved cornerstone of modern fantasy, praised for its layered narrative and deep philosophical undercurrents.
Born and raised in Australia, Islington’s early love for speculative fiction was sparked by the works of authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and Brandon Sanderson. However, it wasn’t just these giants of the genre that influenced his writing. The complexity of time travel, alternate realities, and the tension between light and dark are themes he has explored ever since his first foray into the world of storytelling. For Islington, writing isn’t just about creating new worlds—it’s about asking the big questions: What happens when the hero must become the villain? What if choices made in the past could irrevocably alter the present?
The Hierarchy
Power is a delicate illusion—one that crumbles the moment you see its cracks.
In a world where control is absolute and rebellion is whispered in the dark, The Hierarchy unravels the layers of a society built on deception, ambition, and the chilling cost of order. Within its rigid structure, those at the top dictate reality, while those below are left questioning the very fabric of their existence. But what happens when the illusion begins to falter?
The Hierarchy consists of one book and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of two more books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Book Reviews
The book was better than I thought it would be, it's a lot different than his Licanius Trilogy, but in a good way.