The Will of the Many

The Will of the Many is the fantastic start to a fantasy series from James Islington, author of the Licanius Trilogy. Set in the Roman-inspired Catenan Republic, an orphan harboring no love for the nation  stemming from a dangerous secret, is adopted by a Senator to investigate a mysterious death at the country's most elite academy. Vis is quickly tangled in a web of conspiracies and mysteries that play out in a way you have to read to believe. On the outset, this book seems extremely similar to Pierce Brown's Red Rising, but despite the parallels Islington crafts a story that diverges from Brown's work (or at least the first three books that I've read) in significant ways, creating a wholly unique and captivating fantasy experience. Excellent character development, shocking plot twists, and good world building. Readers will be left with many questions, but it's a brilliant ride that left me eager for a sequel.