The Will of The Many by James Islington Book Review & Reaction | Does it Meet the Universal Acclaim?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hi guys! Sorry about the "What is it about" segment getting muted. Even though I used a no copyright song, KZbin still hit me with a copyright so I had to mute it. My apologies!

[@MillardLatimer]

Thank you for telling us. I was confused for a moment.

[@PetrikLeo]

I absolutely loved it. Book of the year so far for me. By far. The ending was brilliant and mind-blowing. :)

[@mikesbookreviews]

If you say so!

[@FlowerPower69123]

Sold it, gonna get this book😂

[@DanExploresBooks]

Just finished this today and loved it!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Great to hear your take on The Will of the Many, Mike! I haven't read anything by Islington yet, but I might start with this trilogy.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I look forward to your thoughts eventually!

[@russellregister8553]

I overall agree with your review! I read The Will Of The Many off the heels of finishing Light Bringer and found myself surprised at its overwhelming praise. It's not that I hated it, but I did find it just really average as I had a number of problems with it. The premise and overall arc of the story (especially the ending) were good. I struggled to really love any of the characters and thought character development and dialogue lacking( I think I didnt find it believable?). I did enjoy it and will likely pick up book 2 in hopes that some of my issues are addressed. I gave it a 3/5

[@matthewlockhart6243]

So many books, so little time. I could read faster but I like to take my time. This author feels, to me, that their best work is still to come. I love your passionate reviews. I don’t have time to read average books. I got to read the good stuff. A mix of old and new. Thank you for putting yourself out there. I value your opinion and enjoy the insights into your life. Keep talking

[@mikesbookreviews]

I hope you do give it a chance when you find time.

[@matthewlockhart6243]

Oh, for sure. I’m not as fast a reader as you though

[@TW_Drums]

This was a weird one for me. Didn't love it while reading, but really love it after reading it. I had to force myself to keep reading at certain points. But a week after finishing it, I find myself thinking about it a lot which is surprising. It's really grown on me and it'll definitely be one that I re-read before the 2nd book. And I think more things will stand out on the 2nd read

[@mikesbookreviews]

I can definitely see things being clearer a second run through

[@dandrum1ify]

This was kind of my experience, too. Love Licanius more post reading

[@cindyjemutai9812]

How did anyone not love this

[@kiddocter13]

I'm one that definitely prefers to wait until series are completed to binge them, so I'm waiting, but glad you liked it! I did really enjoy Licanius, and agreed that he stuck the landing with that trilogy.

[@chevalierdulys]

I agree. I am like you. I dislike to read and wait one year. Or two or sometimea three. Then people reread it. I don't have time to reread. So I will wait

[@audreyapproved]

I read The Will of the Many because Patrick Leo called it one of his favorite books of 2023. I really, really enjoyed it - maybe not love, but definitely a 4-4.5 star for me. I think my favorite part of the reading experience is how I didn't see a lot of the plot coming (like the ending). I don't read a ton of fantasy and I feel like this book has gotten me back into reading that genre. Super excited for the sequel when it drops!!

[@lukasa6374]

wild to give it 4.5-5 if you didn't love it? :)

[@audreyapproved]

@@lukasa6374 We all have different scales. I usually give books 4 stars if I really enjoyed it and I’d recommend it to others, but I might not think about it a lot over time. 5 stars I truly love and have stuck in my head. But everybody has different ratings 🤷🏻‍♀️ it’s all arbitrary

[@lukasa6374]

@@audreyapproved fair enough! Scales are like you said, very personal and arbitrary when it comes to subjective enjoyment of a book. What did you not like about the novel? I wasnt a fan of Vis being a gary stue, also had a lot of gripes with him as a character in general

[@audreyapproved]

@@lukasa6374 I rly liked the world building and magic system. Vis was kinda one of those main characters where everything comes to them naturally (reminded me a bit of the main character in Name of the Wind) and sometimes it’s fun when the protagonist is a little less perfect. Maybe a little slow in the beginning plot wise until they got to the school, but I’m really interested to see where this story goes after that ending! I am kinda bad at not finishing series but I will try book 2 for this one

[@lukasa6374]

@@audreyapproved i liked the world building as well but would have wamted more of the magic system. The main charcaters didnt even really use it. Felt more like a part of the world building to me. Will definitely check out book 2 as well

[@davids2735]

Great review Mike! I am one of those people who said that it's my favorite book of the year so far, though I would definitely not go as far and say it's the best I've read in like 5 years lol. You are not alone in being confused by the ending. I felt like I had no idea what was going on, but I was also completely okay with that because of the trust I have in Islington from Licanius and knowing how he likes his mysteries. That was definitely on purpose and I really enjoyed it because of the promise of secrets revealed in the upcoming books. I also really liked that although about 1/2-2/3 of the book was in a school setting it didn't have a focus on classes. I felt that the classes were more kind of breezed by as a necessity while the focus was still on the macro plot of solving the mysteries Vis was sent there for. I think that may bring in ppl who aren't typically magic school fans. Also, all the different Optimii, septimii, etc confused me too lol It was very very good in my opinion and I'm looking forward to The Strength of the Few because I feel like I have absolutely no idea where it's gonna go and I love that🔥😂

[@mikesbookreviews]

Indeed. He has my trust in getting there.

[@jujubean9063]

I read it twice. First time I gave it 3 stars. Kept seeing everyone praising it so I decided to read it again and gave it 5 stars. I think I was expecting something else on my first read, second read my expectations were tampered and I loved it.

[@chrissereni9606]

Nice honest review. Thanks for keeping it real!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Always!

[@pyrosdestiny]

My favourite book this year I've read since words of radiance.

[@jonjo2598]

Agreed. Very average book - fair bit of writing / structural issues. Felt more like I was reading a draft than a book. Examples (Spoilers!!!) 1. Vis beats the greatest fencer-dude - - - 20 pages after we learn that the greatest fencer dude won the Catenan games. But no worries! We learn in 5 more pages that Vis is even better. 2. Vis beats the greatest Foundation player - - - 5 pages after we learn she is the greatest Foundation player. But again - NO WORRIES!!!! We learn mid-game that he is even better than her at Foundation. Again - just the two most obvious examples. Generally just crummy writing. 4/10

[@bruceallday]

I really enjoyed it - But agree Vis seemed a bit too capable and got the the top of the most prestigious school in the world like it was nothing.

[@huntersteed2880]

I really liked it. The ending was confusing but it got me real excited to read more. I don’t think it’s the best thing since sliced bread or anything but I’m glad I read it

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm with you there. I want to keep going. But the reactions to me not thinking it's "incredible" have really surprised me.

[@BaldBookTuber]

I’m anxious to get to this one, just need to find the time. Great review as always, Mike.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@ROTFLTV]

I just finished this book today. I too felt the ending is a big question mark. This is my first Islington book so I remain hopeful, but I was perplexed about the ending here. It felt a little over complicated. Also I was disappointed in some characters. I like the book a lot, but I will need part 2 and 3 to really celebrate the series.

[@DustinHarrisWHBC]

Best first book I’ve ever read in a fantasy series. I’m hooked, need book 2 now.

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Glad to have a balanced take on it to temper the ol expectations a bit. I’ll probably wait on this one until the whole series is ready to read, and glad you liked it!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Never a bad decision!

[@hattemsbookworld]

I'm still planning to read the Licanius Trilogy this year, so I'll put off this until the series is complete. Good review as always.

[@kingmeech4396]

I agree with you. Trip to suus was amazing and definitely the best part. Yeah that ending was interesting. I’ll definitely have to wait for book 2 to see if it the ending of 1 was good or not. I think how highly you like it depends on how much you can like/relate to the rage of vis and him trying to deal with it.

[@loganpennington352]

I bought this at Barnes and Noble the other day but haven’t read it yet, perfect timing for this video!

[@Thxlbx]

Got this from the library and is on deck for the next few weeks. Thanks for the review!

[@talkamardesh7562]

My most anticipated review of yours since finding your channel… damn

[@adrianazavelea1241]

I loved the book ! Looking forward to reading the next one ! 📚📚📚

[@Tom-sd9jb]

I love your videos. They appear to be very genuine which is a great and rare thing on today's KZbin.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you like them!

[@pizza6464]

Huh, damn. I am loving the book. Seriously gives me Red Rising vibes.

[@fishclaw901]

I’m reading Sun Eater: Empire of silence. I was told it was similar to RR but I’m not liking it, I want to give this book a chance but I’m afraid of being disappointed again 😅

[@OtherTheDave]

I couldn’t put the book down! I _think_ I understand the ending, but I don’t really want to discuss it in a forum that doesn’t have spoiler tags.

[@MichaelSmith-zx5lw]

I love am honest review. I feel so may youtubers seek to praise EVERYTHING but I try the books and I'm confuzzled. I trust your thoughts, always have. Even when we disagree I'm like YES I SEE YOUR THOUGHTS

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm certainly not invalidating anyone who thinks this book is beyond spectacular. I respect their opinions, no doubt. It just didn't hit me in that fashion. But I did enjoy the book.

[@MKReads]

Glad to get your opinion. I haven’t read anything by James Islington. This would be my first book by him. I’ve only read the first chapter and I’m hoping to like this but we will see. 😊

[@danijelb.3384]

Great review, Mike. Putting this on my ever growing TBR.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@JakabBigShow]

I really enjoyed but I too found the ending confusing. However, he gave us just enough to make me excited for book 2!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Right on. Same here.

[@neerajcherukuri4052]

Congrats on the 95k subs. Gonna reach 100k by the end of 2023.

[@williamgwynne]

Great review as always! The Will of the Many is high on my TBR, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I think of it.

[@cindyjemutai9812]

This book is very good, 100/10

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

Great review. I read The Shadow of What was Lost and enjoyed and plan to continue read the rest of the trilogy before the end of the year, so I'm hoping Will of the Many will come out in paperback by then.

[@katieamarsh]

I liked it, I gave it a 4/5. I flew through it and enjoyed the friendships.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think that's fair.

[@aldan7812]

Haha - its good to see the channel growth Mike :-) Good stuff - I just actually picked up book 2 Licanius, so i might hit this one after i finish book 3!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@safinan8008]

Happy reading to you… 📖🎉

[@Ulmo90]

Great review Mike, haven't picked this one up yet, perhaps towards the end of thd summer

[@artyomborsch3729]

I finished the book prior to watching this which is normally backwards to how I do it.... then again I usually buy the book, then watch the reviews then read the book, I loved this book it was hard for me to get into at first but around page 93 I was invested and by about 120 I was hooked

[@robinmixon6999]

I just finished this and really enjoyed it!

[@YaFeya13]

Totally agree with you, Mike, it’s a good book, but to me is just not great. I am tired of the school setting, which was done amazingly well in the red rising and I’m just done with it. Also, most relationships felt just a little two dimensional to me nothing distinguished one character from the other I constantly had to refer to the glossary. I kept forgetting who they all are. This never happened in the red rising. I immediately had a name above the character in my mind. I don’t know, the red rising was the first one for me and I absolutely absolutely adored it and everything else I can’t help but compare and it’s never quite as good. I did love the structure of the society. I thought that worked very well and the ending left me wondering what’s going to happen next my problem is I just didn’t have quite as much fun getting there.

[@danielw8620]

I was listening to this in the background and the "What is it about" I had to double take and make sure I wasn't on a Red Rising video.

[@ElijsDima]

Arrived yesterday, will read it sometime this month. Let's see how it goes; certainly a lot of hype over this online.

[@Hombredemadera]

Haven’t read this book yet, but how dare you Mike. I’m personally offended you didn’t like this as much as the rest of the world. 😜 Always appreciate opposing views, makes the discussion more interesting!

[@jarock-wh9lj]

Huh. I enjoyed Licanius even if I wasn't blown away so I guess I need to add this to the pile. May want to wait til the rest are done 😁

[@SpickyRooster]

Took me a while to get into it, almost shelved but then a major event happens early and just gets better from there. Really good and fantastic ending I thought

[@MrHehj]

Quite suprised by how even handed and ultimately positive this take was, considering some of the comments! Maybe I'm removed from book talk enough not to know how hyped this is, but I left this thinking it'd be a cool read at some point.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Seems to be the way of reviewing now. Everything has to be 5 stars or 1 star.

[@giwu-music]

Hey! Love your channel and reviews. I was wondering, have you read anything by David Weber? I think if not, you would adore his Safehold Series and/or Honor Harrington series. Awesome review! Another book for my TBR.

[@maximus2031]

Thanks for an honest review!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Always!

[@michaelpantalone171]

Your best opening yet

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha so many questions

[@lip_100]

Loved it.

[@DizzleMCSTANG88]

Was there an audio issue at the start?

[@ScottnCarol4JC]

I’m halfway through it and I think it is good, but I’m hardly blown away by it. The class system reminds me of Red Rising, but the plot is definitely different.

[@BookMaven9]

I really loved this one

[@Deafturtle911]

I really did not like it. The characters where just so unbelievable. The MC has an extremely* fucked up past but in the story he's the most goodest most handsomest most smartest, goody two shoes character I've ever read, who self policies his own thoughts.

[@itsaduck]

Great review. I agree and disagree on parts but that's to be expected. I loved the book but i wish i waited a few years for the series to be done to read this now, because of the ending haha.

[@samm8190]

Well there goes the “Mike is a paid schil theory”

[@Bakarost]

Awwwwww mannnn

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's funny how many people think Amazon pays me. They won't even send me a Kindle for a demo even when I offered to return it after using ha ha

[@bethconfer8099]

Thanks for the honest review. I'm lazy...not going to work too hard to get it.

[@Tom-sd9jb]

Payed shill my arse 🤣 He is one of the most even handed book reviewers on KZbin

[@BeyondTigerMilk]

You probably never want to use payed.

[@XBullitt16X]

Naw, if anything Licanius was too short, it felt very rushed towards the end. More so the problem, is that it wasn't greatly paced.

[@lukasa6374]

Spoilers* * I feel like Vis is a pretty big mary sue. He is just great at everything. James could have given him at least SOME gaps. I get he was trained a lot as a kid and by Ulcissor but it just results in him excelling at everything and me as a reader never worrying about him failing, ever. Every single challenge that came, he succeeded. He beat that one guy in group 6/7 in a 1-1 duel. He beat the girl that died in the ludicreum in chess, he finished the labyrinth, whereas the runner in school failed. He even won the final contest. Sure he lost his arm but I am willing to bet a lot that he'll get it back from the other planes of existence or something. * I think Vis being from Suus and the conflict of interest he is supposed to have with being in the Hierarchy is HIGHLY underutilized, he barely shows any animosity towards the hierarchy besides not wanting to cede. Besides that, it is just a background thought of his. I think they did it a lot better with Darrow in RR even though Darrow also enjoyed himself at the institute and beyond * Writing was honestly meh

[@chrismarshall4955]

I really wanted to love this, but especially towards the end I thought the book drug on and drug on. It had moments of greatness, but I felt more meh about it. Not sure if I will continue with this series…

[@dsm_796]

I finished this one today and I hated the writing. I felt like it needed so much more work to make it whole. I was surprised with the high ratings this one has and I am reconsidering getting into the licanius trilogy considering that this “improved writing”. I didn’t get the ending…

[@andrewjones7800]

I haven’t finished it yet, but man this is miles beyond Red Rising so far in my opinion. This has the world building, pacing, and grounded characters that RR lacked. The first person is written SO MUCH BETTER here too. Just my opinion though…I feel many people on both sides of this book make great arguments for and against it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

To each their own.

[@andrewjones7800]

@@mikesbookreviewsof course! 😁

[@maxittome]

10% in and why am I getting Babel: An Arcane History vibes ? Will instead of silver running the mundane to the necessities of the empire ? A youth with divided loyalties taken under the wing of a powerful person who wants to bring the system down..

[@samthomlinsonmusic]

Ending confused me too. Had to read some explanations.

[@neondemon5137]

Damn, Mike woke up and chose violence.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha. If this pretty positive review is considered violence, some folks need to take a vacation more than I do.

[@PnutButtaJllyMan]

I wanna read this. I never finished licanius. No particular reason. It just kinda kept getting pulled.

[@lukasa6374]

For the terminology part, I had the opposite issue with James calling the factions religion, military and governance. Felt super jarring and lazy to just call it that instead of an actual name

[@cassieplatt1480]

HOLD THE HORSES...I didn't realize this was taking place after his first trilogy?! 😳 Is this why I'm kinda confused?? Otherwise really enjoying it about 100 pages in 😅

[@tatakosani2531]

Spoiler alert Sedotia's reveal truly left me shell shocked

[@s.p.8508]

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But for real, I absolutely loved this book. 11/10. So freaking good. But everyone has different tastes, so…🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mikesbookreviews]

So if I give it an 8/10 do we really disagree that much?

[@s.p.8508]

@@mikesbookreviews 🤨…….🤔……🧐……😃……🙁…..😩……😳….🤯…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….🤷🏻‍♂️.

[@dakhrotson8063]

Mike didn't ceaded to it being the best novel of 2023 . 😂

[@divinekidd73]

Whats the set of books to Mikes left? White with red numerics?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Vagabond, the manga series

[@divinekidd73]

@mikesbookreviews Thanks Mike! Love your channel!!

[@derrickonkst4733]

I still haven't finished his Licanius Trilogy. So this isn't going to speed me along to finish it. Have too many other series I want to get to, not including, Lightbringer releasing in a month.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Just read some of these other comments. I seem to be alone on the island of thinking it was good, but nothing special. I think I'd go with the field on this one.

[@derrickonkst4733]

@@mikesbookreviews I tend to trust your judgement on books as you haven't steered me wrong yet in your recommendations. So I may get back to this at some point.

[@MillardLatimer]

The whole time I kept thinking about how this was not Red Rising. It was a disappointing slog for me.

[@akashas6012]

It was an okay book

[@MrZacke08]

I was excited for this book but that was before I realized it's written in present tense... ugh.

[@breag6936]

Do I need to read anything before I read this?

[@charlesstone7289]

No

[@philippburnett6045]

If Will of many gets overhyped, that’s a sure notice I won’t be reading it

[@edgytypebeat781]

Just cause a book is “overhyped” doesn’t mean it’s bad, it’s just hyped up to the point where you didn’t even get a chance to experience it yourself in which it shouldn’t have been over talked about.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I always encourage others to read these things and make up their own mind. Like I said, I really liked the book! But if I don't hail it as an all-time classic it has been met with negative reaction.

[@philippburnett6045]

@@edgytypebeat781 many of overhyped books turned out to be meh for me. I kinda just don’t want to be like a lot of people and be on a wagon for something that is everywhere, you know? Obviously I read lots of popular series like GoT, and others

[@Verlopil]

I felt like you about the ending, that I'll wait and see. I've never read anything from this guy before but what I read made me want to trust him enough to go on. I also agree with you about the book overall. This was a good book and I had a lot of fun reading it. It seems to do what it's doing better than most of the books like it that have come out lately. HOWEVER, this ain't Game of Thrones. It's not a masterpiece. It's not a game changer. There are things about this book that are fairly pedestrian, like the prose and the way thematic elements are dealt with. Maybe it's just that I've been reading fantasy novels for nigh on 50 years and I've seen great books --to me this is a tier or two down. And that's okay; that doesn't mean it's bad or that I dislike it, just that for me it's not the amazing book that everyone is making it out to be.

[@Gooby12337]

I'm about half way into this book and not really feeling it. Does it get better? I just find the characters to be boring even the main character is a bore. The world-building isn't that engaging to me either.

[@Gooby12337]

Ya... So I pushed through this book and absolutely hated it.

[@dsm_796]

Definitely not worth it.

[@DavoGalavotti]

Mike, where’s the new Dune trailer, man?! 😅

[@samiurai0]

Thank you, Mike, for keeping it real. Love the authenticity in your reviews and thoroughly enjoy most of the books you've recommended so far. ✌️

[@liviajelliot]

Interesting review! I've been on the fence about this one, to be honest--the academy trope and too many teenage characters can put me off. a book. In any case, it was really nice and in-depth, and you somehow managed not to make it spoilery. Thanks!

[@JerodimusPrime]

So, Mike hates the book? 🤷🏿‍♂ 😜😜

[@aspiringgoldsoul]

I enjoyed it, but it is certainly overhyped. A solid 3-4 star read but not book of the year.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That’s where I’m at. Definitely want to continue with the series. But I’m not counting the days or anything.

[@talkamardesh7562]

I need a spoiler review

[@eldadhertz]

YA book

[@BookMaven9]

Definitely not YA

[@Ghostlyape123]

I DNFed this book by page 92. It should not take you that long to get me invested. It was so boring, took me 3 weeks just to get that far. Characters were flat, and this is a dumb nitpick but I could not stand the naming conventions lol.

[@otoanskye]

If this book isn't the best book you've read in the last year, what is?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Every book off of my Top 10 list in 2022?

[@otoanskye]

​@@mikesbookreviews I haven't watched any of your videos. I was just recommended this one for some reason. I really enjoyed Will of the Many and while I wouldn't place them better than some on your list it's definitely been a while since I've read them. LIke memory sorrow and thorn I think I read in high school (20 years ago) or any of the Robin Hobb books or Jade City (and Jade Legacy kind of dragged on to the point that I didn't even finish it so that puts a bitter memory for Jade City).

[@amy_harboredinpages8272]

📖🤔📚

[@andrehoward6521]

You don't say lol

[@protagonistspub]

DNF'd this by page 50. It was horrible, boring, and just poorly written. Writing style was horrid and the dialogue was a masterclass in what not to do.

[@josephwilson-doan4163]

Not a fan. Dnf’d at like 30%.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh dang

[@mulligan1976]

I liked how it started, but it had too many lazy writing gimmicks. The wolf that he meets and saves as a pup?? Bleh 🤮.