The Will of the Many (spoiler free review) by James Islington

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7 ай бұрын

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Пікірлер: 62

@fantasybookclub 6 ай бұрын

One of the reasons this book was so incredible in my opinion is the way Islington is able to keep the tension building for so long and also continuously surprise the reader with how the tension ends up getting broken. And, in the more generic "going through magic school" sections, there were often just little scenes and time skips to move you ahead to the next exciting moment, so they kind of served as a reset to start building anticipation for the next bit of action. The ending was also exciting, any time a book ends and I suddenly want to go back and reread many sections to get further understanding is a win for me!

@DwayneRidgwayOfficial 7 ай бұрын

SO glad you loved this book. In my review I cited the number one reason I loved this book was the tension. Never read a book like this before where every scene feels incredibly tense and I'm scared for what can happen. Fantastic setting and characters too.

@fishingalot247 3 ай бұрын

I completely agree! Im reading it now and the sword fight scene at the academy was soo intense. I couldnt stop reading lol

@iNeedScissors67 Ай бұрын

@@fishingalot247Last night I read the scene at the gladiatorial ship combat event and I was like....holy hell that was insane.

@JARHuygebaert 2 ай бұрын

Best academy setting I've read since Harry Potter and easily one of the best books of the last ten years

@alliedavidson4175 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for this review, because otherwise I'm not sure I would have picked this book up. It was just not on my radar. So... WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW. The Will of the Many has become one of my favorite top ten books. What a fantastic story. Islington is a very good writer, he paints a great picture of his world and characters without overdoing it. The magitech in the story is unique and intriguing, the hero is both heroic and broken, the supporting characters are well-drawn. There were more than a few twists I did not see coming at all. Everything about this book worked for me. I didn't want it to end, and has become one of the few books I will 100% preorder when it's ready. It reminded me a bit of a cross between Sun Eater series (freaking fantastic story) and Red Rising, another favorite.

@DarkoDame 7 ай бұрын

I can’t wait until the next book just so I can re-read this.

@paulmiller2807 7 ай бұрын

I was on your discord read along. This book was amazing, glad I joined in.

@DegzToyDen 7 ай бұрын

So glad you have finally read it and so glad you loved it! My favorite book of 2023 and one of my all time favorites

@Talking_Story 7 ай бұрын

Just picked this up and now I am truly excited!

@misternegative4918 7 ай бұрын

One of the few books I’ve finished that once it was done it I wanted to just start it again. I also listened to it, so I think I will be reading it next time before the sequel releases. Just such a great book and so many great and interesting characters.

@QuestBoundReader 7 ай бұрын

I knew you were going to love this one! The next one comes out soon and I can't wait! A great way to end the year.

@adycardiac698 7 ай бұрын

Hey Matt hope you had a good Christmas….i picked this up just before Xmas and about to start this this eve…..great timing your vid came along todayas heard nothing but good things about this and appreciate your honest reviews ….cheers.

@jujubean9063 7 ай бұрын

Im going to have to read it again when the next one comes out. Its fantastic.

@NerdBookReview 7 ай бұрын

Well now I have to read this since you and Petrik both loved it! I haven't started it because I too didn't care much for the first book in the Licanus series.

@RecordingsofaReader 7 ай бұрын

Same for me. I didn't love the first Licanius book and decided not to continue that series. I was a little hesitant to read The Will of the Many, but was so glad that I did. I loved it!

@lewst 7 ай бұрын

I just finished it. I gave it a shot after so many reviewers in your video put it as the favorite of the year. Similar to you i didn't even finish the licanius trilogy, but boy did james Islington improve his writing. A compelling though sometimes frustrating protagonist, capable but not a gary stu. Super intense, but still able to give us moments to grow. It's not perfect, but Islington is definitely on my radar again!

@BooksWithBenghisKahn 7 ай бұрын

Love getting hyped to try this one!!

@DanExploresBooks 7 ай бұрын

Great. I wasn't sure i was loving it until about halfway. Looking forward to #2!

@sampsoon9269 6 ай бұрын

Perfect time. I just finished the age of madness and need another dog walking audiobook! Thanks for the recommendation :)

@Thxlbx 7 ай бұрын

I loved Will of the Many. It was my first book by Islington. I started Licanius but am struggling to get through book 1. It isn't bad, I just cannot seem to get into a groove with it.

@RosLanta 7 ай бұрын

I read the Will of the Many as soon as it came out and absolutely adored it - ever since I've been thrilled by how many people have loved it, I'm honestly not sure I've seen a single negative review.

@fishingalot247 3 ай бұрын

Currently reading this book, about two thirds of the way in and the world building is great. One of my favorite books so far

@DoNotLookDown 7 ай бұрын

After DNFing The Shadow of What Was Lost I was a little hesitant to read this one. I was very wrong. This book was amazing and has me rethinking about finishing The Licanius Trilogy if books 2 and 3 are closer to this quality. The ending had me re-reading entire passages of the book with an entirely new perspective. I feel like some parts at the school kinda drag a bit for me in the middle but it doesn't detract from the book. And the magic is very limited and not really a main focus in the story so far. It feels more like a sci-fi power system and not really all that magical. The second book has the makings of something truly unique if it can make it all make sense. My theory brain is going wild with that ending.

@RosLanta 7 ай бұрын

If you like Roman-inspired fantasy I thoroughly recommend Codex Alera by Jim Butcher (the first book can be slow for some readers, though I like it, but it gets sooo much better). The combination of Roman legions with elemental magic leads to some of my favourite battle scenes from any fantasy books.

@ruzinus_ 7 ай бұрын

This was my first buddy read, definitely a fun book for it.

@mrsnaythomas9773 7 ай бұрын

I have this one on my kindle. Can't wait to get to it.

@TheMrNukeman 7 ай бұрын

I don't read books in unfinished series, but this series is now on the TBR for when it is finished.

@pizza6464 7 ай бұрын

Of war and ruin and Will of the Many are the best books I have read this year. The Bound and The Broken has become among my best series I have ever read. Easy top 5.

@noname3609 7 ай бұрын

Added on tbr 😊

@musicgenius1948 6 ай бұрын

Agreed! This book was fantastic

@RosLanta 7 ай бұрын

I really loved the Licanius trilogy and the way book 3 ended might be my favourite conclusion of any fantasy series I've read to date. That said, if you don't like time travel... I wouldn't bother continuing.

@burge2695 7 ай бұрын

I haven't read it yet! I really need to

@shawnthornton454 7 ай бұрын

Maybe....go back and finish his trilogy? Just saying. Such an awesome trilogy. It all comes together so well. I would not say it's for an "ending". Each book reveals more layers.

@jayrocs 7 ай бұрын

Wow you really saved the best for last here

@Thomas.R.Howell 5 ай бұрын

I’ve heard people say if you love Name of the Wind, you’ll love this. Is that true? NotW is my favorite book of all time

@joevesayaporn 7 ай бұрын

Excellent book indeed

@ramspencer5492 6 ай бұрын

Yep... just finished it. It's so good! 💯. I'm glad i put it off... because i have less time to wait for the sequel. 😎 The Licanius Trilogy is rough... I was very split for the first couple books... Whether to keep going Really.... imaginative... Didn't feel like a copy paste world.... good world building... The character work was really weak in the first two books... But the last book is really strong writing.... It gave me great confidence in what would come next for the author! It was often a slog with all all those memory exposition dumps and jumping around with pretty poor character work.... I loved the last book so much. It's more than just the ending It's the whole last book! It didn't take long to be totally engaged. there's a huge maturity jump in his writing. The author really matured during his first trilogy. I started Of Blood And Fire (on your recommendation of the last book)... It's not as hard to follow but it's way more pedantic than the way the Licanius Trilogy begins so far. It's a slog. It feels really cookie cutter so far.

@MattsFantasyBookReviews 6 ай бұрын

It is cookie cutter. it's not until the second book that it becomes amazing.

@shawnthornton454 6 ай бұрын

Coming back after finishing Book 1. Highly recommend you continue with Islington's previous trilogy. If you liked this book, then you must have been in a weird mood when you read the previous book 1 trilogy. Very little difference in quality.

@kevins4254 4 ай бұрын

I got 40 pages in and couldn’t continue. Maybe I’ll let it rest and try again.

@ramspencer5492 6 ай бұрын

The pros really suit the storytelling style... Especially being first person.... Flowery pros would be really weird!

@Kris_Terry 7 ай бұрын

Everyone just reads the first book in the Licanius trilogy and puts it down 😢 the next two books are SO GOOD

@jch5150 7 ай бұрын

I'm reading it now. Loving it so far. When I heard it had small vibes with Name of the Wind I started it right away!!

@jonathankrueger3288 Ай бұрын

There are books written by the author before this one. Can I read this as a stand alone book?

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Ай бұрын

Yup

@samueladeyemi6889 27 күн бұрын

Anyone you who survives wot can get through any slog 😂

@anushaheed1346 6 ай бұрын

Who is verideus?

@jayadevs281 7 ай бұрын

The ending for book 3 kf licanius was fine, you just see it coming miles away

@ahlamhossain7906 7 ай бұрын

I read so much Roman history to last me 3 lifetimes that I think I will pass this up. 😅

@jeroenadmiraal8714 7 ай бұрын

But what is so good about it? I didn't get it from your review.

@terryj33 6 ай бұрын

The book sucks.

@DanielM796 6 ай бұрын

@@terryj33why?

@terryj33 6 ай бұрын

@@DanielM796 😝 this book is plot armor infused. The emperor has no clothes. It wants to be name of the wind + red rising, but it fails miserably.

@andrewp319 3 ай бұрын

I strongly disagree. I loved this book. It was well paced, not super fast, but I was always interested, and I kept turning the pages. There were a lot of mysteries that were fun to figure out. The conflicting interests of the different parties kept a constant sense of tension. The characters were interesting and well developed, but I will say that it's not the best character development I've seen (Lonesome Dove). The world building was thorough and exciting. Overall, a good book.

@Nathan-vt1jz 15 күн бұрын

@@terryj33 It’s much better than Red Rising and is at least an equal to The Name of the Wind.

@lukasa6374 3 ай бұрын

Was it just me or was Vis a bit of a marry stu, was just straight up great at everything

@user-ts8js6nz9k 7 ай бұрын

You need to go finish blood meridian and then get back to this.. Somebody should have told you it's not a book you're supposed to enjoy your first time through. In fact, most people don't even finish it on their first read. Read it again. And then read it two more times. There is heart to be found. There are character motivations that you will find. They don't try to blatantly present themselves. And the kid is not the insufferable monster you think. There is a very powerful scene where he encounters an old woman in a bone yard, and what is revealed is truly sad. The inner monologue that you are looking for is not necessary and this is explained by the judge when towards the end he speaks of the flawed place in the fabric of the boys heart. All of this moral quandary you're looking for is directly addressed by the book itself and is considered pointless next to the true calling in a man's heart. This book operates on a different level than what I think you may be used to

@terryj33 6 ай бұрын

This book was a 2 star book. Don’t be fooled.

@elguerojusticiero 4 ай бұрын

i have my gripes with the book but 2 stars? how come?

@terryj33 4 ай бұрын

@@elguerojusticiero Nothing was setup well. The ending was out of nowhere. The book boils down to him being a prince who was made ELITE at everything because he was a prince. And there are some awful tropes, ie The Wolf. An easy read but it wasn’t good.

@terryj33 4 ай бұрын

@@elguerojusticiero What would your rating be closer to? 2 stars or book of the year like all the booktubers are being paid to have you believe?