The Will of the Many: Winner of the 2023 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel
Hierarchy, Book One
James Islington
‘Phenomenal! One of the best high fantasy novels I’ve read in years-think Red Rising meets The Name of the Wind. I couldn’t put it down.’ Lynette Noni
This new edition of book one in the Hierarchy series features never-before-seen bonus materials, including a full-colour map by the author, a note to the reader and new cover art.
At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by the internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.
AUDI. VICE. TACE.
The Catenan Republic—the Hierarchy—may rule the world, but they do not know everything.
I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned three years ago, and that only good fortune has got me into their most prestigious school. I tell them that, when I graduate, I will allow my strength and drive—what they call Will—to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as everyone must do.
I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.
But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.
And that I will never cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.
To survive, though, I will have to rise through the Academy’s ranks, and win. Because if I cannot, those 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.
INTERVIEWS and REVIEWS
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andThe Will of the Many
‘Phenomenal! One of the best high fantasy novels I’ve read in years—think Red Rising meets The Name of the Wind. I couldn’t put it down.’
‘Islington’s worldbuilding is exceptionally detailed and thoughtful, making suspending disbelief effortless. Perfectly balancing character development and plot momentum, this will have fantasy fans clamoring for more.’
‘Fans of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising will enjoy this book, but it’s darker, deeper, and takes unexpected paths worth traveling.‘
‘Ancient Roman politics, dark academia, and epic fantasy coalesce in this brilliant and gut-churning masterpiece from Islington… This is powerful storytelling at its finest, and the mind-blowing ending opens the series to so much more potential.’
‘The Will of the Many is well plotted, well paced, and delivers enough intrigue and action for any epic fantasy fan to enjoy in a compelling, unique setting. Definitely read this one all the way through, and then join me in the wait for the next one, because I’m confident Islington is only going to make it more interesting from here.’
‘The most high-octane, twisting and turning magical conspiracy I have ever read. I stayed up all night to finish it and had to pick my jaw up off the ground once I was done…The magic system and world building felt up there with some of the best in the genre.’
‘Readers that love watching a world slowly unfold with lots of political intrigue will thoroughly enjoy this book.’
‘Hands down my favourite book of the year so far. A masterful combination of mystery, action, and suspense set in a uniquely immersive world that captivated me from the very first page.’
‘Islington subverts the magic school trope and Roman-inspired world building to make this fantasy-dystopian setting distinctly his own…[He] hits the nail right on the head…The pages truly whiz by.’
‘Cleverly intersperses the world and character building with bursts of action and intrigue which kept me gripped from beginning to end…A fabulously addictive read which I would recommend for lovers of epic fantasy.’
‘The Will of the Many is my favourite book of 2023. One of the best fantasy books I have read…If you haven’t read fantasy before this is the one to start with.’
PaperbackISBN: 978192305826210 June 2025
