The Strength of the Few by James Islington
James Islington is back with his explosive sequel to The Will of the Many. The Strength of the Few picks up right where the first one ends. Vis has survived the final trial of the Catenan Academy, the Iudicium, though not without loss.
The ancient device beyond the Labyrinth, hidden deep within the ruins on the Academy Island of Solivagus, has replicated Vis across three separate worlds. Vis must now live three separate lives, worlds apart, and find answers to stop the world-ending Cataclysm before it’s too late.
Where Politics Turn Deadly and Every Alliance Has Teeth
On his original home world, Vis emerges from the labyrinth victorious, though injured. Unaware of the cloning, Vis and the other surviving students are sent out of the Academy and into the world of politics, espionage, sabotage and subterfuge.
The branches of the Senate are warring, the rebels are making bolder moves, and the former students are trying to find their place in the broader world, with Vis getting more adept at juggling his double lives.
On one side, he has taken a position within Governance, subverting expectations that he would join Military and follow in his newly adoptive father’s footsteps. On the other hand, he is involuntarily working for the rebel organization to overthrow the Hierarchy. Lastly, he is working with his friends — and in some cases, former enemies — to find out the truth that both organizations are desperate to keep from the world.
Secrets, lies and deceit are uncovered at every turn. Even those they believe they can trust are hiding dark secrets they will do anything to prevent coming to light. Each faction believes they are justified in their actions as they attempt to prevent the coming Cataclysm, but the truth behind their actions may prove otherwise.
Hostile Wastelands, Lush Kingdoms and the Secrets That Bind Them
The second Vis awakens in a barren and hostile world where everything, even the air, is designed to kill. All alone, Vis soon finds an unexpected friend waiting for him, and together, they embark on a journey to uncover the truth of the device, the cloning and, hopefully, kill a God.
The final Vis wakes up in a lush and beautiful world on the verge of civil war between two sides who both believe they have the right to rule. Vis attempts to find his place in this new world, though he is immediately hunted, sentenced to death for unknown reasons. He makes new friends and discovers a new Will-driven power designed to heal and protect, rather than control and kill.
The first novel was full of intriguing mysteries surrounding the history of the world of Caten. What is this world-ending Cataclysm? Why does it repeat every 300 years? What are the ruins? What is the secret of Will — the strength, drive and focus leeched from the masses to power those above — and the system behind the Senate and the Hierarchy?
When the first book finished, there appeared to be more questions than answers. The Strength of the Few offered up some well-needed answers, but as the story progresses and the plot thickens, we are met with yet more questions needing answers.
World-Building Levels Up: More Magic, More Realms and More to Love
The focus of book one was primarily on Vis’s time in the Academy and his secret missions given to him by his adoptive father — a high-ranking member of the Senate within the Military faction — and the secretive rebel organization. Both are seeking answers to what the Hierarchy is hiding in the ruins of Solivagus.
This singular focus allowed the reader to learn the world, begin to understand the complex magic system and connect with the characters. In The Strength of the Few, the world-building and magic system are amped up. With the introduction of these two new worlds, each becomes more complex, whilst simultaneously adding to the depth of the story.
More is revealed about the returning characters from Vis’s time at the academy, allowing for a better understanding of their histories and motivations and a deeper connection with the reader.
As you would expect, the two new worlds come with a slew of new characters, which could have easily become hard to keep straight. But the book has an awesome glossary of terms, people and locations in the back that was a huge help.
The enhanced world-building and character work are a great focus in The Strength of the Few, as is common when reading a sequel in a trilogy or series. The author is trying to build on the foundation of the first novel while setting up the rising conflict for an impressive finale in subsequent books.
Islington Proves This Series Is Just Getting Started—and Fans Will Be Obsessed
Normally, that would be a pain point leading to a diminished experience with the book, but Islington has crafted such an interesting world and intriguing mysteries that I am excited and eager to spend as much time in the world as possible.
That is not to say that there are no worthwhile answers in this book. All three plotlines are full of action and adventure, and it felt like, as the reader, you were part of the action, uncovering the secrets and mysteries alongside the characters.
A lot of time and care is spent growing with and developing the characters in book one. In the sequel, the reader has built a deeper connection to the characters so that all of the experiences in later books feel richer and more genuine.
The Strength of the Few is the sequel everyone will be talking about this year. Islington has crafted an incredible follow-up to his viral hit, setting up a story that appears to grow more and more complex and detailed with each new installment.
Originally planned for a trilogy, it was recently confirmed that this series will have at least four books, and I, for one, could not be more excited.
About James Islington:
James Islington is the bestselling author of The Will of the Many (the first novel in the Hierarchy series), as well as the Licanius Trilogy (beginning with The Shadow of What Was Lost). He has sold more than two million books, and his work has been translated into seventeen different languages. He lives on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia, with his wife and two children.
