I get the sense that James Islington is a fan of all the same things I am when it comes to fantasy. I adored the Licanius Trilogy, and this new book didn't disappoint. His books get compared heavily to other popular series, but I think he does an incredible job of taking those influences and expanding it into something novel.

The Will of the Many is a fantastic start to a new epic fantasy. The way the plot slowly revealed itself was wonderful. While half of the book is set in an academic setting, it doesn't completely focus around that theme, which I appreciate. The world building is extensive, but there is obviously more to know and learn. It kept me guessing and engaged. Some of the characters could have been slightly more nuanced, but there was so much packed into this book that I'm not sure where you could fit more character development. Plus, more information about some of these characters would take away the mystery. I really enjoyed not knowing which characters to trust. I found the intrigue and betrayal extremely satisfying. 

All-in-all, I loved this, and I would highly recommend it. If you're a fan of fantasy, you should be reading Islington. 

The audiobook is great, but it's an audible exclusive, which is a bummer. I understand why some authors do this, but I don't like it. I wish that the author was fairly paid regardless of where I purchased their work.