Estimated Reading Time: 6min
I honestly didn’t think anything you could write possibly needed to be this many pages (684!), but here we are. After reading this one, I can see now why it was so many pages, however I stand by the fact that this could 100% have been split into more books and have become a reasonable length.. even for fantasy, this felt like a lot. With a steep learning curve, and deep mythology roots (more of which pop out in the second book), this was an interesting ride and mostly fascinating.
The Will of the Many
I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilized society in allowing my strength, my drive, and my focus—what they call Will—to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.
I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.
But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Blood
Moderate: Death of Parent, Suicide, Grief
Minor: Vomit, War, Child Death
My Review
This was a long one. Almost 700 pages long. I honestly thought there was no way a story needed to be that long, but when you consider that there were around 3 different stories crammed into one world, time and setting, it made sense. It was well written, the magic system and world building was very good, and I enjoyed the varying characters. I do think if the books were split into more, rather than cram this much into so few, it would have been easier to consume. Having said that, lots of books out there exist that are longer than this, and it is the first extremely long book I’ve read.
With a bit of scouting on the follow up book, I’m not sure what to think of where this story is going, but I am intrigued.
Would I Recommend This Book?
While I DNF’d the second book in this series as it got creepier, I did enjoy this first one. We saw a hint of the creepy pop through towards the end, but most of this book was orphan inside a world with strange abilities goes to a war college/rich prep school and tries to figure out how to survive. If that is something you think you would enjoy, along with vague (and sometimes not so vague) ancient Roman and Greek mythology thrown in and twisted around into something new, this one’s for you. Yes, I would recommend to certain audiences.
Similar Books You Might Like
If you are thinking what kind of books would have similar feel, themes or content, here is a list that you can consider:
- Red Rising (Pierce Brown)
- The Poppy War (R.F. Kuang)
- The Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss)
See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace
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