This Is the Greatest Epic Fantasy Book of the Last 10 Years

The fantasy genre continues to thrive in the 2020s, especially in the realm of literature. Great books keep coming out, many of them indebted to the classics and many breaking new ground through inventive worldbuilding, compelling characters, rich prose, and exhilarating action. Still, some books are better than others, that much is true, and in the last decade or so, no fantasy book has been better than The Will of the Many.

Written by Australian author James Islington, The Will of the Many is fantasy on a truly epic scale. The worldbuilding borrows from the real-world Roman Republic to construct its dystopian vision, and the result is truly fascinating. Powered by Islington’s detailed, evocative, atmospheric prose, a complex but creative power system, and one of the most intriguing and layered protagonists we’ve seen in a minute, The Will of the Many is a genuine treat for fantasy lovers that ranks among the best genre books of the 21st century.

What Is ‘The Will of the Many’ About?

The Will of the Many is set in a world reeling from a devastating cataclysm that took place 300 years before the start of the story. Over the last century or so, the Catenan Republic has conquered most of the known world using technology from the ancient civilizations. The Hierarchy is a structure that uses people’s physical and mental energy, known as Will. The structure ranges from the Octavi, the lowest class where each individual cedes half of their Will and receives none in return, to the Princepts, the upper echelon that benefits from the Will of about 400 men and cedes none of it.

Our story centers on Vis, a tortured teenager of about 17 and a runaway hiding in the Catenan Republic, working in the brutal prisons while living in an orphanage. To save money, Vis also participates in underworld fights, hoping to escape from the Hierarchy altogether. One fateful night, he attracts the attention of Magnus Quintus Ulciscor, a powerful Senator who offers Vis a chance to not only escape his situation but also potentially, albeit eventually, evade having to cede any of his Will. Thus, Vis embarks on a dangerous assignment that will throw him into a world of conspiracy and danger. That’s the gist of it, at least without giving any major plot points away, and believe me, there’s a lot to give away regarding Ulciscor’s motives and Vis’ backstory.

‘The Will of the Many’ Has the Best Worldbuilding in Modern Fantasy

Image via Saga Press

From the get-go, what traps you about The Will of the Many is Islington’s intricate and careful worldbuilding. The author opts for a slow and deliberate approach, introducing new bits of lore as the story progresses rather than doing it all at once. Yes, there are a few info dumps, especially in the early chapters, but it’s understandable: the world that Islington is building here is layered, made up of several moving parts, each with a specific reason behind it. Crucially, it’s never complicated to understand; even at its most technical, the worldbuilding of The Will of the Many is compelling and, above all, interesting.

By dosing the details of the Hierarchy’s larger operation and institutions, Islington compels you to learn more about its dynamics and subtleties, questioning its many moving parts and where they fit in Vis’ overarching story. For example, from early on, you know there’s a Senate, but you don’t get to see it or learn of its purpose until well past the book’s first act. Similarly, you discover the existence of a rebel group, but its motives and role in the plot don’t become clear until halfway through the book. This approach also fits thematically, as the book raises questions about the nature of oppression and what people are willing to accept and ignore in favor of a sense of belonging.

The inspiration in the Roman Republic also makes The Will of the Many stand out above the many other great fantasy books out there. The Republic laid the foundation for so much of contemporary civilization, so it’s actually kind of shocking that few previous books have used it as an inspiration. Here, Islington embraces the visual language of what we commonly relate to the Republic — columns, pillars, togas, tunics, specific constructions, and even gladiators — with the tropes and archetypes typical to its organization — titles, an emphasis on military and religion, and heavy inequality.

Lastly, there’s the book’s main gimmick and attraction: the Will, Islington’s equivalent of magic that adds the more mystical aspect of what would otherwise be a tense political thriller. The idea of Will is not only creative but suitably ruthless for this unforgiving world. It’s not exactly magic per se; rather, it features aspects of science through the Aurora Columnae, the pre-Cataclysm artifacts that allow people to cede their Will. On a certain level, Will also adopts conventions from the superhero genre — not by using traditional notions of good-versus-evil but rather in the way it’s used and the numerous applications it can have.

‘The Will of the Many’ Is Epic Fantasy Done Right

Image via Gallery / Saga Press

The Will of the Many is probably the most creative and atmospheric fantasy novel of the last decade. The plot itself is quite riveting, offering a classic coming-of-age tale against a background of political intricacies, lies, and changing allegiances — think of it as John Le Carré meets Rome with a dash of Prince of Thorns and a hint of The Secret History. It’s such a unique mix of elements that shouldn’t work in theory, and the fact that Islington managed to pull it off is nothing short of spectacular considering how easily it could’ve failed; just ask Francis Ford Coppola.

If you’re a lover of political fantasy in larger-than-life worlds that defy the imagination, then The Will of the Many is the book for you. The plot is streamlined but detailed and atmospheric, and Vis is an intriguing protagonist with a rich inner world that’s often in conflict with his ruthless surroundings. Few fantasy novels, much less movies or TV shows, of the last decade come close to the level of bold creativity here. There’s already a movie adaptation in the works, but as we all know, the book is almost always better.