The Will of the Many (Volume 1) (Hierarchy)

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Between the prose style and the tropiness, this book sits nicely between YA and adult fantasy. Fans of either genre will feel right at home here. The young protagonists, magical school, and first-person present narration will appeal to YA fans, while the complex magic system, critiques of colonialism/power, and the political maneuvering will keep fans of adult fantasy interested. I’m not sure if I have read a book that so seamlessly draws in both audiences without alienating one or the other at some point! I will do all I can. Oath.” Hospius draws Nateo’s attention away from me. “But you… his friend. Please. If you know…” So my original hope of being finished by June is, I think at this stage, unlikely – it may only take me a month or two longer, but all things considered, September feels like a safer bet. Either way, my next update will be in June, so I expect the end will at least be in sight by then!

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 civilised 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. Offer’s still there, Vis,” says Hrolf, watching me. His eyes are suddenly sad, though he tries to hide it. “I don’t mind changing our terms if you want to stay, help awhile longer.” The voice for this series will be Euan Morton, a fantastic narrator who's also an experienced stage actor (he's currently on Broadway playing King George in the musical Hamilton). I couldn't be happier with this casting - after listening to a lot of candidates, he was far and away my first choice.More than anything else what I loved about Islington’s worldbuilding is that he has carefully thought about how magic would actually impact the world. While it is definitely Roman inspired, Islington’s world doesn’t look exactly like Ancient Rome. For example, flying trains and mass transit are common in this world because of course it does. Magic makes it really easy to transport objects and people, so why wouldn’t an efficiently run empire have this? I don’t see this kind of thinking enough in epic fantasy, and I loved how it was used here. On that front - we’re looking at a Spring (US) 2023 release. That’s... a long way away, I know. It’s primarily for marketing / scheduling reasons, which honestly I don't mind, because I’m excited about this series and want to make sure it has the best launch possible. But on a practical level I’m also quietly pleased, as I’ll be writing The Strength of the Few (Hierarchy #2) in the interim – which means there should be Conflicting motivations and factions (the wills of the many, perhaps?) are the throughline of the book. Vis himself wants to get as far away as possible from Catenan, not to work for its government; Ulciscor needs him to do his spywork; and if that weren’t enough, the Anguis, a vicious group rebelling against Catenan, are pressuring Vis by threatening to reveal his secrets.

The proconsul doesn’t know that. Your matron doesn’t know that. And it’s not as if the coin isn’t already paid.”

The Will of the Many

While (as always) this timeline’s subject to change, it feels realistic – barring unforeseen circumstances, I think I can keep to it. So hopefully in September’s update, I won’t be too far from the finish line!