 | |
| Author | James Islington |
|---|---|
| Series | The Hierarchy |
| Genre | Epic fantasy |
| Publisher | Gallery / Saga Press |
Publication date | November 11, 2025 |
| Preceded by | The Will of the Many |
The Strength of the Few is an epic fantasy novel by Australian author James Islington. Published in 2025 by Gallery / Saga Press, it is the second installment in The Hierarchy series, following The Will of the Many (2023).
The novel continues the story and world introduced in The Will of the Many , expanding on the political, metaphysical, and historical implications of the Hierarchy’s system of power based on the extraction and accumulation of Will. Islington announced the title and publication timeline after the release and commercial success of the first volume.
The Strength of the Few was released in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats on November 11, 2025.
Set in the aftermath of the events of The Will of the Many , the novel follows Vis Telimus as the consequences of the Academy trials and the revelations surrounding the ancient labyrinths begin to reshape the balance of power within the Catenan Republic. As internal factions maneuver for control and long-suppressed forces move closer to open conflict, Vis is drawn deeper into the true nature of Synchronism and the legacy of the Cataclysm.
The narrative further explores the competing realms hinted at in the first novel, as well as the moral and political costs of a society built on compulsory submission and concentrated power.
Like its predecessor, The Strength of the Few examines themes of complicity, authoritarianism, and resistance, focusing on the tension between individual agency and systemic coercion. The novel also develops the series’ exploration of power asymmetry, historical amnesia, and the ethical limits of technological and metaphysical control.
The audiobook edition of the book, narrated by Euan Morton, reached #1 on Audible's bestseller lists in three categories on its release day, November 11, 2025: Historical Fantasy, Action & Adventure Fantasy, and Epic Fantasy. [1] [2] [3] That same month, Sony Pictures purchased the rights to adapt the series to film. [4]
Critical reception to The Strength of the Few has noted its expanded scope and deepened worldbuilding, particularly in its treatment of the Hierarchy’s origins and the evolving role of its protagonist. Reviewers have highlighted Islington’s continued emphasis on structured magic systems and political intrigue.