Book Review

Title: The Will of the Many

Author: James Islington

Publisher: Gallery / Saga Press

Publication Date: May 23, 2023

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Political Fantasy

Series: Hierarchy (Book 1)

Page Count: ~640 pages

Overall

“Silence is a statement, Diago. Inaction picks a side. And when those lead to personal benefit, they are complicity.

Quotes like these are exactly what made this novel special for me. The author was never afraid to have the protagonist face morality checks. Diago was challenged from the beginning to make decisions based on his own moral judgment while also aligning with his mission. What I didn’t expect was for Islington to masterfully weave a plot that left me speechless until the end. The supernatural aspects, along with the mysteries and unanswered questions, keep you turning the pages desperately. The characters keep it alive and breathing as well—no character felt meaningless or lacked importance to the story. Even now, I could tell you about certain characters’ personalities or thought processes because Islington fleshed them out so well. The Will of the Many is a book for readers who want to be part of a world with interesting political rule and questions of moral justice. One answer isn’t always the right one. Islington doesn’t decide for you; the question is: which side will you choose at the end?

Ratings

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

Plot: 5 out of 5 stars

World Building: 4 out of 5 stars

Pacing: 4 out of 5 stars

Characters: 5 out of 5 stars

Side Note

Callidus Ericius is one of my all-time favorite side characters in a novel. His introduction is nothing compared to his impact on the story for me. Ericius is the character that will be hard for me to forget long after reading the book.