The Will of the ManyThe Will of the Many
What it's about
In the Catenan Republic, a society modeled on ancient Rome, everyone is expected to cede their Will, part of their life energy, to those above them in a vast pyramid, powering the elite. Vis Telimus, a fugitive whose family was killed for rebelling, refuses. Adopted by a powerful senator, he's sent to the elite Academy to spy, and discovers secrets that could change everything.
Why it's worth reading
It was a Goodreads Choice finalist and became a word-of-mouth fantasy hit. It's a gripping 'dark academia' fantasy with a hidden mystery.
You'll love it if you liked
Red Rising
Babel
The Goblin EmperorGood to know
It's long and the first of a planned series. There's violence and political intrigue.
By the numbers
- Readers98 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller60 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #27 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #36 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #52 of the 481 new books we rank
- #292 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Gripping, Thought-provoking
More by James Islington
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Quick answers
Is The Will of the Many worth reading?
Yes. It was a Goodreads Choice finalist and became a word-of-mouth fantasy hit. It ranks #292 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 81.8 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Will of the Many about?
In the Catenan Republic, a society modeled on ancient Rome, everyone is expected to cede their Will, part of their life energy, to those above them in a vast pyramid, powering the elite. Vis Telimus, a fugitive whose family was killed for rebelling, refuses. Adopted by a powerful senator, he's sent to the elite Academy to spy, and discovers secrets that could change everything.
How long does it take to read The Will of the Many?
About 16 hours (640 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Will of the Many?
If you liked it, try Red Rising by Pierce Brown, Babel by R. F. Kuang or The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison.