Book Review: The Will of the Many

By Eowyn Ream

As an avid fantasy reader, I regularly peruse Goodreads to find the next great story to dive into. I’m generally looking for a rating of about 4 out of 5 stars, and even that can be tricky to find. When The Will of the Many by James Islington popped up in my recommended with a rating of 4.61—perhaps the highest Goodreads score I’ve seen, and higher than Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—I was intrigued. 

It’s difficult to describe this book and feel that I’m doing it justice. It involves a magic school, so an obvious comparison is Harry Potter, but specifically with the darkness of the later books in the series. There are also hints of The Hunger Games that add tension and stakes, making for an engaging read. The society is Roman-inspired, with distinct socioeconomic classes that determine one’s access to magic. The main character is an orphan named Vis who’s sent to the Academy to investigate and uncover close-held secrets. The magic system is morally and technically complex, functioning like a pyramid where each class cedes half of their “Will” (as in will to live—their energy, strength, life force) to those above them. The moral and philosophical implications of the society’s structure are explored through the eyes of Vis. Who is to take responsibility for a corrupt system? What does it mean to be complicit in a greater societal evil when you’re just an average person?

While The Will of the Many leaves the reader with many important questions to chew on, I don’t want to imply that the story is not entertaining—because it certainly is. I finished the 640-page book in 24 hours, then I reread it a week later in 48 hours. That’s how much I loved this book. It’s well-paced and holds your attention, and the build-up to an incredible ending left me simultaneously satisfied but also in dire need of the second book. 

The Will of the Many might be one of my favorite books, ever—and I don’t say that lightly. Most books are forgettable, some are great, and a few are remarkable. The Will of the Many is remarkable and undoubtedly deserving of its 4.61 rating on Goodreads. If you’re a lover of fantasy, and you haven’t read this book…respectfully, what are you doing? Get on it. Even if you’re not a big fantasy reader, I would encourage you to give this book a shot. A good story is a good story, regardless of genre. 

If you’re not one for starting an unfinished series, touché, although you’ll be happy to hear that the second book, The Strength of the Few, is releasing November 11th of this year. All in all, whatever your hesitation is for starting The Will of the Many, I urge you to set it aside. I promise—this book is worth it.