what i loved about the will of the many was how there was finally a clever protagonist. someone who takes all things into consideration and when smth is too dangerous, instead of being like "i'm the main character, nothing's gonna happen to me so i'm just gonna go do this thing and succeed," he just leaves because it's not worth the risk and comes back better prepared. i was also pleasantly surprised by how certain characters were portrayed (A BIT OF A SPOILER) - like veridius who is described as the principal at the academy and so you probably imagine him as this middle-aged/old dude who holds lots of power and will be a nuisance (at least i did) but instead you get this young charismatic guy who gets on well with the students and has you questioning whether he's actually as bad as you were told. also the setting being inspired by ancient rome is just a great bonus to it all.
@pippaschroeder96602 ай бұрын
I loved how Vis gave zero fucks in the chess-like game against that one girl and the duel where he busted the guy for cheating. Eidhin also subverted expectations when you thought he was gonna be the Neville long bottom bully of the story but ends but befriending Vis, I loved their friendship
@hunterramey81803 ай бұрын
This book was fantastic. Even my wife liked it and she usually sticks to Sarah J. Maas type books. Part 3 was god tier level stuff when Vis goes back "home."
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Great scenes all around
@Deedubyar3 ай бұрын
You can’t tell that best moment in this book was not when Belli offered Vis the chance to remove a piece from the board to make it easier for him but he ends up removing one of his own pieces. Like bro… what a guy. Seems like something Darrow would do and I love it.
@henryyt13 ай бұрын
The chess match was one of my fav scenes. Badass and cathartic. Chapter 20 is the highlight of the book for me though, what a chapter
@dishamistrymazepa76323 ай бұрын
This book is a masterpiece, I still haven’t stopped recommending it to anyone who will listen
@alexiasp3 ай бұрын
i like seeing Austin excited, it’s been a while
@xgremlynnx3 ай бұрын
I couldn't get into Red Rising, but THIS book??? I was completely obsessed!! Waiting for the sequel has been so painful, but it'll be worth the wait for sure.
@ladymairreads3 ай бұрын
The will of the many is THE Roman Empire book. Read it twice and loved it more each time
@scionsilverbeat81493 ай бұрын
It’s been MONTHS since I read it. Yet hearing you guys talk about specific scenes brought me right back to the feels I had reading it as though I’d just read it yesterday. This book was insane in the best way possible.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
👊👊
@Playatoma3 ай бұрын
Been waiting for this one!! I also read The Licanius Trilogy years back and thought it was really underrated. But by the first chapter alone I have never seen such a dramatic improvement in a writers ability to prose, dialogue, style, etc. such a great book!
@HMadalin3 ай бұрын
I've read it one year ago and I still think about it. One of my favorite books
@deelak23292 ай бұрын
Look, I thought this book was fine. But it really shouldn't be compared to Red Rising. Red Rising series is next level.
@Animotost2 ай бұрын
Bro I literally thought I was the only one who didn’t fall in love with this book! Glad to see a new member of the club
@ollebergqvist16903 ай бұрын
Love your videos. Can you guys pls do a top 10 favorite books or something similar. If you talked 2-3 minutes about every book. Woud be a really fun watch.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Maybe we can do an update at the end of each year like other Booktubers do of our top 10!
@ollebergqvist16903 ай бұрын
@@2ToRamble That woud be awesome. The Will of the many went to number 1 of my tbt after watching the spoiler free section. Love from Sweden🇸🇪
@pandusonu3 ай бұрын
20:45 absolutely my fav scene. Chapter XLV, I read the last few pages multiple times, total badass scene. And he didn't say he is moving to next class to the shitty professor, he just said "It seems you need to check the equpment again" He didnt need to say he won or is moving to next class, everyone just silently knew and accepted that.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
100%
@Doctor_Rockso3 ай бұрын
Enjoy the content guys! Richard one complaint is that your worldbuilding criticisms are usually that if the book wasnt a history textbook spelling everything out, then it wasnt world building. Suggestions and implications and mysteries are part of worldbuilding imo. Sometimes i feel that you only rate worldbuilding highly if it comes at the detriment of plot and characters because the book didnt spend all its page real estate in world description
@Emily-vk8gw3 ай бұрын
Not sure I have the same critique because I haven't watched enough of their videos. But I really liked the fact that Islington didn't info dump. It treats the reader as intelligent and let's them figure it out over the course of the book. It annoys me when books explain too much or characters have conversations that are too simplistic just for the reader's benefit.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Curious what Richard thinks on this - ill have to bring this up to see if he agrees with the criticism! (Also thanks for watching and not criticising me, austin, fragile ego)
@marcochen91173 ай бұрын
I think this novel is the perfect segway for king killer fans. It shares many of the same tropes with a school setting, climbing the ladder of a hierarchy of sorts. Imo the prose of Name of the wind didn't wow me as it did many others, so I don't think fans will be disappointed with the prose by Islington (which is heavily improved since the licanius trilogy). I think the characters are way more plentiful and interesting than the king killer though, the side characters both in the school, and in other factions have lots of great dynamics with the main character, as well as a whole lot of political intrigue with the overall world. What I do think both books share is a bit of an "OP" main character, who imo are both a bit of blank slates. But imo Vis in Will of the Many is a little bit more interesting and at least has better dynamics than Kvothe. I actually thought Kvothe was at his most interesting in the recount chapters. I do think both books have a bit of a "down" segment to them. I really really disliked the dragon hunting section of name of the wind, it took way too long, wasn't really exciting and just went on for too long. I think with Will of the Many, during the climax, there was a long section where Vis is doing another mission to uncover a secret, it gets a bit jumbled there for me and the revelation takes a bit of time to get going. I think with the Will of the Many tho that part has a bigger role in the 2nd book, where as the dragon hunting in Name of the wind was just a bit of time dragging that doesn't necessarily drive the story forward.
@AL8INOCARE8EAR3 ай бұрын
Perfect timing! I finished this book last night after starting it on Friday. I went into this book expecting some similarities to Red Rising. Immediately after reaching Ch 1 I knew I was going to love the book. Red Rising-ish plot with Warbreaker-ish magic system? Count me IN. I was glued to the book the entire time. I would have given it a perfect 5/5 but there were was 1 scene/interaction that almost felt forced, and a couple of scenes that felt repetitive. Still enjoyable, but those took me out just a tad. Solid 4.5/5
@jaishans3 ай бұрын
Never thought I would see Austin cheat on Peirce Brown so hard.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Dont worry, Pierce doesnt have to know
@Emily-vk8gw3 ай бұрын
So glad you guys finally reviewed this one! I can't wait for the second book 🙂 SPOILERS: Quick note about characters: Islington’s dialogue is sparingly used. But when he does use it it’s very well done. The scene where Vis and Eidhin are making fun of the teacher had me laughing out loud, and did more to develop their friendship than any of the other descriptions. My opinion with the Gary Stu thing is that the book is told in first person, so of course Vis is going to get out of any issues that arise. The question is how. The fact is that Vis is not actually better than everyone at everything. There are characters who are more intelligent, or at least better educated (Indol, Emissa). And Belli is better at him in running the maze and about equal to him at the chess game. He’s not particularly good at getting people to like him (as established in class 7, 6, and 5) because political maneuvering is not something he enjoys even though he’s trained at it. He only starts being successful at it in the upper classes when the classmates themselves are also prioritizing politicking. The thing that he consistently does is not overextend his hand. No one had seen him play chess, so no one knew he was good at it. But we as an audience know he’s good because it was literally on the first page. And the fact that he speaks Eidhin’s language is not surprising because it’s established from chapter one that his family prioritized knowing languages so that you could read ancient texts without Hierarchy biases. All of that said I do wish that they used the side characters’ expertise more to solve the issues. I’m hoping that becomes more prevalent in the second book when he is (I assume) going to have to do more politics maneuvering.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Rich and I both agree he leans more gary stuff but definitely not using that term in a negative way, at least for me, because it didnt detract. I like your point tho!
@nicodemogawronski20523 ай бұрын
I loved the audiobook. I'm really looking forward to book 2
@BreathResolution3 ай бұрын
I literally just finished this last night, and was like "what the fuuuuuuuuuuuu". Can only agree on this book getting me out of my reading slump.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Right???
@emersonwright53903 ай бұрын
Went and picked up the book. You guys have me very excited.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Lets gooo!
@matthewmckinnon92983 ай бұрын
If it weren’t for Lonesome Dove and Pillars of the Earth this would be my favorite book I’ve read this year
@mayhem5023 ай бұрын
I've been just as excited as Austin about this book lol. I got Red Rising vibes from it in terms of the writing it just felt really good, dying waiting for the next one. (I wrote this comment before Richard mentioned it also being similar to Red Rising glad we got the same vibes from it lol.)
@BrownTown893 ай бұрын
Have yal played the red rising board game?? I just got it, would be cool to play it on stream lol
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
We havent but do own it!
@HashiraFranklinАй бұрын
Just finished the book and I didn't love it. It felt like with every character and scenario their only purpose was to progress the plot. I also found Vis super unlikeable with how mary sue he was.
@2ToRambleАй бұрын
Ahh fair enough, what are books more up your alley? Anything similar to Will of the Many?
@HashiraFranklinАй бұрын
@@2ToRamble I loved the Red Rising series which I'd say mirrors Will of the Many in a lot of ways. Best thing I've read this year was probably Artificial Wisdom. Also really enjoying The First Law series of books. I'm currently on Red Country.
@CombativeRoboGuy3 ай бұрын
God I want to reread this book now. I read it during a trying time and I was just obsessed after I passed page 200.
@renimaruuu92203 ай бұрын
I remmeber i made comment about this book back in October im so happy that yall made vid on this
@guilleyo1613 ай бұрын
Why did you change from rating out of 10 to the 5 stars rating?
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
We released an episode (#126) explaining in depth the changes to the 5 star scale!
@ScottBass3 ай бұрын
Great vids, boys. Seems like we are all in the same boat on this one: give me a great story and I’ll be flexible on many other issues. Give me a reason to trust an author, and I’ll hang on through even self-perceived lulls or bad points.
@samuelleask11323 ай бұрын
Top 3 reads from me that I read last year, along with Empire of the Vampire and Legends & Lattes
@phoebeknightly992229 күн бұрын
I'm pretty sure James islington mentioned that vis is based on kvothe from name of the wind. It was interesting to hear how your opinion on the 2 characters were similar.
@kristen762316 күн бұрын
Part one draggggged for me and then the rest of the book was an easy 5/5. Don’t give up!!!
@cacophonic73 ай бұрын
Have you guys read the prequels: The Will of the One, and The Will of the Two?
@valliyarnl3 ай бұрын
Want to read this but got to do Licanius first :)
@tenthlegionstudios13433 ай бұрын
One of my favorite books last year, and maybe in a long time. My wife and mom also read it and loved it. It seems to reach a large audience. Although - if I had one complaint, the print in the actual physical book is so tiny. What is this, a book for ants?? Come on James.
@Emily-vk8gw3 ай бұрын
To be fair, in an interview he says he was surprised by how small the font was too. Apparently it has something to do with the cost of paper going up.
@tenthlegionstudios13433 ай бұрын
@@Emily-vk8gw didnt know that! Figured it was around hitting a shorter overall page count to sell. But cost makes more sense.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Oh dang we didnt know that!
@ashleyholbird42873 ай бұрын
Everybodys highly reccomending this book...but... i hated Lycanius. Pretty scared to read another one by him
@stephanieneal59423 ай бұрын
I wasn't a big fan of Licanius either - to be honest, I don't even remember much of it. But I really liked The Will of the Many, I think it's a big step up. I'd give it a try!
@PreppinShootinLivin3 ай бұрын
I haven't read this one yet, but just realize that Licanious was first released 10 years ago and was his debut...so a couple of good reasons to give him a second chance at this point...especially since everyone seems to love it. : )
@katherinep10103 ай бұрын
Stopped after the spoiler free. I'm currently reading the first Licanus book and you guys have convinced me to try this one out too. I super duper appreciate that you guys told us it just follows the one character perspective. I wish that sort of info was easier to find about a book, along with whether or not it's dual timeline.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
We will make sure to include that info more in our reviews!
@ESimms4 күн бұрын
I’ve read hundreds of books and have never read any fantasy, I was blessed to have this as my first in the genre. I loved this book! I’m so excited for the next installments and am now looking for others to try!
@2ToRamble2 күн бұрын
Welcome to the genre! What a great book to start with - rly glad you loved it
@grabsgranite31883 ай бұрын
I wish I enjoyed this as much as you guys! I liked it and will definitely continue the series. Love seeing the excitement!
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
😁
@ladymairreads3 ай бұрын
Also if you don’t like name of the wind I’d recommend the first binding. People criticise it for being too like NOTW but I found it veered away. I adore it (and didn’t like NOTW)
@Slobrojoe3 ай бұрын
I haven’t read it (so I’m obviously not going to watch past the spoiler-free part) but I’m not convinced. Mike’s Book Reviews said it was just “good” not 5/5 and also not like Red Rising. I’ll see if I can make space on the schedule for it, but I’m not too hopeful
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Let us know if you ever get to it!
@jonjo259815 күн бұрын
This one was a disappointment for me - terrible plot with many plot-holes. Not a fan.
@2ToRamble14 күн бұрын
Darn, was there a redeemable aspect for you?
@JARHuygebaert2 ай бұрын
Is it possible to listen to the patreon discussion about this book after you sign up? Was it recorded?
@2ToRamble2 ай бұрын
It was and is on our patreon
@esmayrosalyne3 ай бұрын
This entire video just had me wanting to pump my fists in the air because of Austin's unbridled enthusiasm lol. HECK YES, I needed the sequel like yesterday!! And I think it's going to be 4 books, which I am super happy about because the more the better 🤩
@firecy3 ай бұрын
Given how excited Austin is about both this book and Red Rising, and especially given how he's generally OK with the Mary Sue aspects of Vis's personality, I'd be really interested to see how he feels about Name of the Wind.
@tgibridays3 ай бұрын
Yaaaaaas! I loved this book. All hype for me. Definitely Red Rising vibes, but also a better book one since he's a more experienced author than Pierce Brown was when he wrote RR.
@PixelatedEpiphany28 күн бұрын
Just for clarification on Gary Stew or Mary Sue. The important part is that they have all these skills out of no where without any training on the page and or screen. They are just magically the best ever at everything.
@vigilantScrivener3 ай бұрын
I didn’t care for the first book of the Licanius trilogy, so that put me off from reading this one. Now that I’ve got time I’ll have to check it out.
@minaa1073 ай бұрын
haven’t watched this all yet but interested to hear your guys’ thoughts! personally I wasn’t a huge fan, or at least I wasn’t for the first like 50% of the book lol. I think where it really failed for me was the characters; I didn’t really care for anyone and so much of their progression seemed to happen off page? I also think it could’ve done with some more editing, but book 2 could be really great based on that ending. I think this was like a 3.5 for me
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Fair - seems like youll still give book 2 a shot?
@minaa1073 ай бұрын
@@2ToRamble yeah i’ll definitely give it a shot! I’d be interested to see where the story goes
@Gooby123373 ай бұрын
I'm the same way with this book. I almost DNF'd it, but pushed through. I thought the world building, magic system, and characters were all dull. I just couldn't find a personal connection with any of them and the whole book felt like it was just about the students running the labryinth over and over again. I loved the beginning where Vis was exploring things and uncovering secrets, but then that vibe just stopped dead in it's tracks. I couldn't stand this book to be blunt lol but that's what makes reading great. We all enjoy different things :)
@minaa1073 ай бұрын
@@Gooby12337 I almost dnf’d too but kept going because everyone was raving about it 😅 definitely agree with you. especially since characters are so important for me in a story; I’m honestly surprised to see people praise that aspect of the book lol. but you’re right, different strokes for different folks!
@JesusJr2693 ай бұрын
Literally finished the book today! Really enjoyed it, the final scene with Calidous (if you know, you know) really got me shook. So many unanswered questions, glad it shouldn’t be too long a wait for book 2 :)
@pattypage67232 ай бұрын
Loved this book!! Just finished it last week. Second book please❤
@SImba877193 ай бұрын
I tried reading Rage of Dragons, but couldn’t get into it.
@ivorv50633 ай бұрын
The first book of the licanius trilogy is not rough, i think the second one is the roughest. I loved the series but i feel it should have been more books.
@reallifeshisui66443 ай бұрын
Now this is a review I’ve been waiting for…. Before watching: curious to see how Austin reacts to a better Red Rising book 1. (The rest of RR is obviously goated, but book 1 vs will of the many is just not close)
@minaa1073 ай бұрын
I thought red rising book 1 was better 😭 or at least it did better at grabbing my attention
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
It’s close but RR is just one of my favorites!
@reallifeshisui66443 ай бұрын
@@2ToRamble in defense of pierce, his book 1 is like half the length of WotM and James also had an entire trilogy of experience. Plus I’m pretty sure islington credits RR as a source of inspo.
@loonar79603 ай бұрын
I feel like this does more than book 1 of Red Rising, but isn't executed as well. They are both roughly 4/5 for me, but for different reasons. I'd call TWOTM a 3.75 and RR is a solid 4.
@Emily-vk8gw3 ай бұрын
I just read the first three books in Red Rising because everyone kept comparing them and I loved this one so much... and I understand why people are making the comparison because they both have the 17 year old from the "lower class" integrating into an elite school. But when you're comparing book one to book one they weren't really in the same category for me. Part of it happens to take place at a school, but that's not really integral to the story as a whole in The Will of the Many. This is definitely more of a political intrigue book. And despite the fact that magic system is not well described it's very clear that the magic system makes the economics of the world go round. Which makes the morality questions of technological advances vs subjugation of the populus all the more interesting. Exploring the politics and letting the world build naturally in a way that wasn't just info dumping were my favorite parts. Red Rising, especially book one, doesn't have that level of intricacy. And since everyone was comparing them I went into it expecting political intrigue and so it was a let down for me. Maybe books 4-6 have more of it but even if they do it took 3 books to get there. This one did all of it in book one, and book 2 is set up to expand passed what we've already seen.
@CasualTotoro2 ай бұрын
I’ve had this saved in my watch later, and have been listening to this on my runs and hikes since you guys uploaded this. Aside from the butchering of the names, you guys are spot on! Funny enough. I’ve adopted your ratting metric and this was mine: a 4.25 😂 Emotional Impact: 4.5 Thought Provoking: 3.5 Characters: 4.5 Plot: 4.25 World Building: 4.75 Prose: 4
@2ToRamble2 ай бұрын
Great score!
@focusrelax88383 ай бұрын
1:07:25 is the prose similar to Brandon Sanderson?
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Not super similar, mainly the difference of first vs third person narration
@adeoyesunday33233 ай бұрын
You had me at "fantasy version of red rising,", I am starting today lol
@allysoncaron84057 күн бұрын
I loooove this book and so enjoyed hearing you talk about it
@2ToRamble4 күн бұрын
Fantastic book - thank you for listening!
@blu3poisonfrog2 ай бұрын
i read this book in january back-to-back and am still insane about it
@amy_harboredinpages82723 ай бұрын
I really liked this book too! That end though! Mind blown 🤯 ...😎 4.75 for me. 📚🥰📖
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
🤝
@reirei70863 ай бұрын
Saw your video. Had this book on my TBR. Watched up until the spoiler section. Read the book. Came back and watched the rest of the video. I’m so glad I did cause I loved this book. Kinda annoyed I have to wait until 2025 to get my answers to that cliffhanger of an ending but damn. ‘‘Twas worth it 😅❤
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Sorry for making you wait, that’s the biggest negative about this book 😭
@BookishGecko3 ай бұрын
Excellent book! I initially borrowed it from the library, finished it and immediately ordered a copy because I want this book on my shelves and I’m definitely carrying on with it as soon as book 2 is out. I read The Shadow of What Was Lost yesterday and I really enjoyed it and I’m upset that it’ll take a week for the next book to get to my library for me 😭😂 Also boo Levy (I say with love)
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Poor Levy lol
@senecaryan41553 ай бұрын
Last two times he got stoked like this was Red Rising & Stormlight Archive.... and those are both two of the best underdog feel good series I've gotten sucked into. Not that wheel of time 🧀🧀🧀🧀
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Exactly 😂
@anomanderrake693 ай бұрын
Towards the end of it now and REALLLLLLY enjoying it
@MaiaGothmog3 ай бұрын
I haven’t had this serious post-book depression since finishing Mistborn, which Austin NEEDS to read btw
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
I am as we speak 🤓
@mcp0y33 ай бұрын
Ok CONVINCED ME TO BUY!
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
🤝🤝
@ShanBatavia3 ай бұрын
So happy about this review, was waiting for this one!
@johnzack69613 ай бұрын
Seeing this drop while in the middle of the book made me so happy to know I’ll have something to watch about it after finishing. Islington’s other stuff definitely is moving up on the TBR
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
🙏
@jsummer89743 ай бұрын
Austin Please read Rage of Dragons!!!!!
@focusrelax88383 ай бұрын
Is this book anything better and any books in the stormlight series?
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Personally (austin here) not better than Stormlight first 3 books. I would say it’s better than Rhythm of War
@alynam823 ай бұрын
Cutting out before spoilers. But nice to see such high regards for this book. I'm looking forward to getting to this. Wow Austin, 4.5☆? It must be golden
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Loved it! Hope you give it a try and let us know what you think
@johnlewis72722 ай бұрын
The main thing this book taught me was to wait until a series is completed before starting. The wait for the second book is agonizing.
@2ToRamble2 ай бұрын
Lol very true
@laarnimariesotelo23793 ай бұрын
The epilogue was where it’s at. The epilogue is why I understand people have this book 5 stars.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Soso good
@wahajchaudhry75633 ай бұрын
Long time subscriber, first time commenter - You guys are what reignited my spark for reading!
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for watching our stuff! What a conpliment - glad youre back into reading
@MrBigmorg3000Ай бұрын
Finished this book last night. WOW!! It was fantastic!! Having only Vis’s POV was a great idea. With how every single person is out for themselves, or at least it seems this way, you never know what the others are plotting. Now I don’t know what to read next. I could use some help deciding from the following: Elantris Warbreaker Shadows of Self The Sunlit Man The Blade Itself Heaven Breaker IT Any suggestions, and yes I have read the Stormlight Archive including Dawnshard and Edgedancer.
@2ToRambleАй бұрын
I (Austin) equally love Warbreaker and Will of the Many! I think you’d really enjoy since it seems we’re similar kind of readers
@MrBigmorg3000Ай бұрын
@@2ToRamble sounds like that is my next book then. As I always say, the more Brando Sando, the better! Thanks!
@darthmalgus2323 ай бұрын
I’m not the finishing the book until the sequel comes out, so I can just go right into the next one. I hate cliffhangers (I spoiled the ending for myself, but I do that with most books/movies anyways. It doesn’t really bother me personally).
@joaquimreeves6060Сағат бұрын
Psychopath behavior…
@qbanboi0693 ай бұрын
Mike from Mike's book review interviewed James, and he asked him the biggest question we all had... It's Islington, like island. 🤣 And I agree Richard, Austin would be super pumped reading Rage of Dragons!
@qbanboi0693 ай бұрын
I love how character is the longest portion like it was for the book club.. and mainly about Vis being a Gary Stu xD
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Had to do it 😂
@anthonybrigante90872 ай бұрын
35:32 - Haven’t finished the video and maybe I’m the one misremembering, but I swear that they mentioned Vis’ skill at Swordplay & Foundation significantly earlier in the book and not just at the moment he needed to be good at it.
@2ToRamble2 ай бұрын
I (believe) they did?
@vallano89702 ай бұрын
They did. We learn about the foundation skill basically right at the state when he's playing against the man he worked with. And we learn about his sword skill when he's practicing again lanistia
@zaga0023 ай бұрын
Oh, I’ve been waiting for this one
@stargatefish3 ай бұрын
I'm 2 thirds of the way through the book and Literally look up if you guys had done a review on it yesterday!!! It's soo good so far! Can't wait to finish the book
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Great timing!!
@stargatefish3 ай бұрын
@@2ToRamble I'm going to finish the book today and then geek out about it while watching you guys do the same haha
@PreppinShootinLivin3 ай бұрын
I mean....Democracy is cringe.
@thomasciuffreda87833 ай бұрын
Read this a few months ago, besides The Sword of Kaigen, this is easily one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a long time. Ironically, I thought James Islington's first book The Shadow of What Was Lost was far too cliche-ridden to continue the Licanius trilogy, time-travel shenanigans non-withstanding, He's definitely improved a lot as a writer between the two series.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
This book and Sword of Kaigen - impeccable taste 🤌
@thomasciuffreda87833 ай бұрын
@@2ToRamble Thank you. I am madly jealous of your bookshelf though lol. I also love Discworld and the Farseer series, loved them both for 20+ years. I hope you cover both series in the future. I know you covered Mort already, but I can't wait till you guys read Guards! Guards! Wyrd Sisters, Moving Pictures, The Truth, Reaper Man and Interesting Times. These are among Pratchett's absolute best in the series
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
@@thomasciuffreda8783 We will absolutely cover all of Pratchett's books one day and one book at a time!
@andrewcozad94223 ай бұрын
You should read one piece!
@clayface15263 ай бұрын
The book was really good while reading it but once you finished it and look back to see what makes this book good, you find out that this book is nothing special. I only read it because a lot of people who loved red rising recommended this but it's nothing like red rising. I'll still read the next book though.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Glad youll still read on!
@hitzkooler153 ай бұрын
Its a good book but widely overrated, come on... it does have one of the GOAT book titles though
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
It is a sick title
@seeschwalbe3 ай бұрын
Best book I read last year, I'm so excited to read it again before the next one comes out! Spoilery part of the comment: I absolutely love stories where a character has a secret that could be the end of them if someone found out so they can't really trust anyone. And that is the whole book! And most of the characters! And that secret makes the protagonist the underdog to the whole oppressive system (who doesn't root for the underdog)! I was really at the edge of my seat the whole time reading this book because this whole card house of secrets that is the plot was build so precariously that it could crumble at any moment and I wanted to know how the characters would make sure it didn't. As an added bonus I got a lot of really smart characters, which are typically the ones that end up as my favourites. And I absolutely agree, the plotting that went into this book was insanely good! I also really like your theories about where the second book will go after that epilogue, they make a lot of sense and would make for an amazing story. If I remember correctly (its been a few months), when I finished the book I got the feeling that maybe one of the alternate Vis' might go down a darker route and have a character change for the worse since he got pushed into these directions a few times already in book one (again, if I remember correctly). I am really excited to find out where the story will go from here.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Oh yes - the tension of “i cant be found out is awesome - another one of my (austin) favorite books does that 😁
@seeschwalbe3 ай бұрын
@@2ToRamble ooh, which one? I probably should add it to my tbr list if I haven't read it yet!
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
@@seeschwalbe golden son :D
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
@@seeschwalbe Golden Son :D
@SissouLoveVideo3 ай бұрын
Yes I have been waiting for this one ! I didn't love it as much as some people it was a 4 stars for me but still, great great book !! If you liked some of the thematics here : the survivor of a fallen kingdom, the critic of democracy etc. you should read The Aurelian Cycle ! It's a complete trilogy with great themes and... it has dragons ! It is categorised as YA, and the first half of the first book reads a bit like that but overall it really doesn't take the expected YA tropes and I've seen youtube reviewers who are used to reading only Adult fantasy LOVING this series !
@SImba877193 ай бұрын
I recommend Aurelian Cycle any chance I can. It’s such a great trilogy.
@SissouLoveVideo3 ай бұрын
@@SImba87719 It IS !!!!
@zarruhsuponkulov57103 ай бұрын
Just waiting for yall to start the suneater series.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
We reviewed book 1, just havent reviewed book 2 yet
@terryj333 ай бұрын
I just don’t get it. Didn’t like this book at all.
@Talking_Story3 ай бұрын
Wow! This is moving up my TBR.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
🙏
@focusrelax88383 ай бұрын
8:21 it’s going to be 4 books in this series not 3
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
This is right, thank you for the correction!
@Smileysmiley0123 ай бұрын
Goats 🐐
@IndiaTides3 ай бұрын
I was overhyped for this book. The only issue was that it didn't live upto the expectation.
@Gooby123373 ай бұрын
Exactly. I absolutely hated this book. I could barely finish it. Nothing was interesting to me. The world building, magic system, characters, plot, etc... It was all just so dull and lifeless in my opinion. Not to mention the ending was bizarre and very out there. Just not my taste
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Ahh damn, unfortunate - did you read/enjoy Licanius?
@IndiaTides3 ай бұрын
@@2ToRamble Nah, this was my first Islington. I would try if you recommend it but I am not sure anymore.😔
@hollisbigham38863 ай бұрын
Loved this book. The ending was so good. The audiobook just as amazing. Vis is a little bit of Gary Stu and too good at everything but he’s interesting which matters. 4.25/5 for me. Honestly, least favorite part, the tiny ass font size!
@fidato_3 ай бұрын
I hate this book. The magic system wasn't explained properly. The main character was too unbelievable. He was just 17 and he knows all the languages and everything there is to know. There were no real obstacles for him to face. Everyone in the academy was helping him instead of focusing on their own ranking. 200 pages too long and didn't feel like it was an adult fantasy.
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Ah darn - did you ever read Licanius and have thoughts on that as well?
@fidato_3 ай бұрын
@@2ToRamble no I didn't read that one. But I am sure it's better than will of the many. Any thing is better than that book even twilight.
@jackruth44063 ай бұрын
Magic system was explained properly, most people seemed to understand it. Sounds like reader error. Main character definitely too good at some things, but he knows 3 languages, not "all". There were many obstacles for him to face, what do you even mean? Just because he accomplishes things doesn't mean there were no obstacles. This is an extremely lazy critique, do better. And no, in fact most in the academy were against him, he had only 3 or 4 people helping him throughout his journey. I can name multiple points at which people were out to get him. Or do those not count? Most of his progress came from people outside the academy cheating to get him through, not from his friends in the Academy. Did you even read this? Womp womp, colosseum and ending scenes are not scenes you get in YA. It has some adult themes, but its not grimdark so it's not "adult enough" for you I guess. Given the setting, of course a bunch of adult things aren't going to happen. But given the trajectory, its an apt label even if the first book doesn't delve as much into these themes. I always hear people say they didn't like this book, but their critiques are always half assed, never elaborated upon, and easily debunked. You are being a contrarian for the sake of it.
@fidato_3 ай бұрын
@jackruth4406 Oh really then pls enlighten me on how the magic system works. What is conditional imbuing of will? How can someone who has never taken someone's will can use it? And what obstacles ? The ones that were conveniently shoved aside? How many times did the main character lose? He git trained for two months before joining the academy, and that training led him to know all the answers and everything. Isn't it funny that none of the other kids were trained by their parents? lol He even fought a combat that he had no training for. His friend helped him, and with that one day of training, he was able to beat the most dangerous fighter lol lol lol 3 languages hahahah 17 year old boy 😂 Everyone was focused on helping him for no good reason 😂 didn't they know only a few could go on top. They didn't focus on their own progress 😂 I mean, in normal academies, there is too much competition. No one shares their assignments and all. This book is so bad that it makes twilight look good.
@ramspencer549214 күн бұрын
You guys are way to stingy with your reviews... In my world there's at least a couple of books in every genre That deserve a five-star rating..... This was my favorite fantasy book released in 2023 and it's not particularly close. Not sure how you can dock this book a half star.... This book is insanely good... Like the way of king's good... It needs to be five stars... It's not fair to over nitpick it like that. Sure Sanderson is better at creative world building like place... Setting.... But Islington has his own strengths... 5 out of five stars. I'm not a fan of breaking down reviews into different categories and adding up the numbers afterwards.... You have to judge the entire thing based on how good the book was out of five stars... Books get five-star ratings for different reasons. It's not just a some of its parts
@2ToRamble13 күн бұрын
Our overall rating is separate from the categories and not a sum of the other scores, we just use those categories to talk about different aspects - I (austin) loved the book, it looks like you mightve loved it more which is ok!
@lukasa63743 ай бұрын
Weird, feel like im the only one who thought it was pretty overrated
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
What would you rate it?
@lukasa63743 ай бұрын
@@2ToRamble 3.5/5. Still a solid book, just didnt find it great. I thought the writing was a little janky and some of the dialogue felt forced/unreal
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
@@lukasa6374 Fair -- if the book wasn't raved about so much maybe you'd think more highly of it? Happens to me a bunch where Im like 'wait this is what ppl are fawning over?' -- totally get it
@lukasa63743 ай бұрын
@@2ToRamble yeah that's true, goes both ways too, if i find a hidden gem i probably find it better than i would have if it was more mainstream
@bigflee35563 ай бұрын
Good morning
@2ToRamble3 ай бұрын
Morning!
@rcoughy19773 ай бұрын
Maybe fantasy isn’t for me. I enjoyed this book. Especially towards the end. But red rising is still above this for me. Not even too sure why I feel that way
@safinan80083 ай бұрын
Sorry this book wasn’t for me… thanks for the review!! 😊