The Will of the Many by James Islington

The Will of the Many: A Thrilling Epic Fantasy by James Islington

About the Book

The Will of the Many is the first book in the Hierarchy series by internationally bestselling author James Islington. It drops readers into a richly imagined world of power, politics, and buried secrets, where one young man’s survival depends on how well he can lie.

From the Back Cover

At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive hides in plain sight, carrying secrets that could shake the foundations of an empire. He is there to uncover the truth, but the truth may destroy everything he has built.

About the Author

James Islington is an Australian fantasy author best known for The Licanius Trilogy and the Hierarchy series. He has sold more than two million books worldwide, and his work has been translated into seventeen different languages.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is perfect for fans of political fantasy, dark academia, and intricate magic systems. If you loved Pierce Brown’s Red Rising, Patrick Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind, or Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn, this story belongs on your shelf.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is The Will of the Many a standalone book or part of a series? It is the first book in the Hierarchy series by James Islington. The sequel, The Strength of the Few, was published in November 2025. The series is planned to continue, making this a great time to start from the beginning.

Q2. What kind of fantasy is The Will of the Many? Is it suitable for teens? It is an epic fantasy with dark academia and political intrigue elements, set in a Roman-inspired world. The story is suitable for readers aged 16 and above. It contains mature themes like power, survival, and identity, but has no graphic content.

Q3. How does The Will of the Many compare to Red Rising by Pierce Brown? Both books follow a young protagonist who hides their true identity inside a powerful institution, slowly rising through the ranks while uncovering a corrupt system. Readers who enjoyed Red Rising often rate The Will of the Many as darker, more layered, and just as hard to put down.

Q4. Is the magic system in The Will of the Many easy to understand? Yes. The magic in this book, called Will, is clearly explained from the start. The concept of the lower classes ceding their energy to those above them is central to both the plot and the world. It is original, intuitive, and deeply tied to the story’s themes.