Reviews - The Will of the Many

16k reviews for:

The Will of the Many

James Islington

4.57 AVERAGE

banjomel's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

333_mk_333's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This is a character-driven epic fantasy that hooked me from the start. It’s well plotted, well paced, and delivers just the right mix of intrigue and action to keep things compelling all the way through.

The main character, Vis, is fantastic—vicious when he needs to be, yet also caring and intelligent. He feels like a fully rounded, believable person, and following his perspective was never dull. In fact, the book sticks to a single POV, which really deepens our connection with him.

The story carries strong dark academia vibes, layered with a powerful theme of colonialism and the devastation it brings. On top of that, the worldbuilding is fresh and fascinating, with a unique magic system where a person’s strength, drive, and focus—their “Will”—can be leeched away and given to those in higher social positions. It’s such a sharp way to explore power, inequality, and control.

With plenty of twists and turns, this book kept me guessing and never once felt boring. If you love character-driven fantasy with a unique setting and a touch of darkness, The Will of the Many is absolutely worth picking up.