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The Will of the Many

Hierarchy, Book 1

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The Will of the Many

By: James Islington
Narrated by: Euan Morton
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About this listen

At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally best-selling 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 civilized 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.

©2023 James Islington (P)2023 Audible, Inc.
Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fiction Historical Fantasy
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About the Creator - James Islington

About the Creator

James Islington was born and raised in southern Victoria, Australia. His influences growing up were the stories of Raymond E. Feist and Robert Jordan, but it wasn’t until he read Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series that he was finally inspired to write something of his own. He now is the internationally bestselling author of the Licanius Trilogy, comprising The Shadow of What Was Lost, An Echo of Things to Come, and The Light of All That Falls. Islington lives with his wife and two children on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

Critic reviews

"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.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"Fans of Pierce Brown's Red Rising will enjoy this book, but it’s darker, deeper, and takes unexpected paths worth traveling. Trust that the author will get you there in the end." (Kirkus, starred review)

“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.” (Library Journal, starred review)

What listeners say about The Will of the Many

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AWESOME

I struggled with getting into the book - the narrator seems frustratingly cliche at first (y'know the classic edgy YA narrator who trusts no one and is super OP) but the development of the character and the story genuinely subverted my first assumptions. The story is thrilling, fun and even terrifying at parts. The narrator perfectly captures it's energy.

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A new favorite

I absolutely loved it. I was so sad when it ended. Looking forward to the next book. Get to writing, James!

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Outstanding!

Gripping from start to finish with layer upon layer of mystery, intrigue and magics unknown. Brilliantly crafted characters, never a dull moment. Can't wait for more of this series. Well read as well!

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Amazing

Could not stop listening, what an amazing story that keeps you guessing. Wonderful world and story telling

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Very Good, looking forward to the sequel

World building is good and rich but feels a little cliche with a heavily Roman lean to it. Story makes up for it heavily as it’s gripping even though again follows cliches of going to a school to as an outsider to learn and be a savant at almost everything. at first annoyed at how this feels so much like the magic system from another author (see Warbreaker) that I thought it was plagiarism. However the magic is more developed and applied than the other book so I can live with it

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What a journey

Damn just damn can't wait for the next book. So many questions unanswered, please mr. Islington release it asap

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Really enjoyed it

Enjoyed the concepts, different take on magic. The Roma. setting was also quite interesting along with the pyramids.

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Excellent

The best fantasy book I've listened to (or read) in years. The plot is excellent, the characters are well written, the world feels well thought out with an intriguing magic system, and there's still plenty of mysteries left for the next book. The narration is also very very good, each character is uniquely voiced and easy to distinguish.

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Fantastic

Top tier first person pov fantasy. Can't wait for the next one. Would recommend to any fantasy lovers, and the perfmance was great.

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Great story

Really good storytelling. Really enjoyed this. Definitely as good as Brandon Sanderson, if not better. Wish the next episode was out

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