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.
Premise
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.
Plot
Main characters
Res
Vis Telimus Catenicus – Former prince of Suus, in hiding until he was adopted by Ulciscor Telimus. Now a Sextus in Governance after winning the Iudicium competition in The Will of the Many
Eidhin Breac – Sextus in Military, friend of Vis and his ally in finding out who was behind the events at the Iudicium
Aequa Claudius – Quintus in Governance, survivor of the naumachia, friend of Vis and his ally in finding out who was behind the events at the Iudicium
Emissa Corenius – Sextus in Military, love interest to Vis before the events of the Iudicium
Ulciscor Telimus – Magnus Quintus and Military senator. Adoptive father of Vis Telimus and consumed with finding out what really happened to his brother, Caeror.
Lanistia Scipio – Sextus residing in Ulciscor's family estate. Tutor to Vis. Former classmate of the deceased Caeror Telimus.
Relucia Telimus – Sextus, wife of Ulciscor, secretly a member of the Anguis rebel group resisting the Hierarchy.
Veridius Julii – The Principalis, in charge of the Academy, Quintus in Religion
Kadmos - Septimus in Military, Dispensator to the Telimus family and tutor to Vis.
Livia Ericius - Septimus in Governance, sister to the deceased Callidus
Ericius - Magnus Tertius in Governance, father to Callidus and Livia, supervisor to Vis
Indol Quiscil - Sextus in Religion, friend of Vis and his ally in finding out who was behind the events at the Iudicium
Amercus Decimus - Tertius in Religion, father of Iro, embittered toward Vis for his daughter's death at the naumachia
Ostius - a mysterious ally of the Anguis, who can travel between Res and Luceum
Cristoval - former king of Suus, Vis' father, executed by the Hierarchy five years before the events of The Strength of the Few
Luceum
Deaglán also known as Leathfhear – Vis' identity in Luceum after passing through the Gate between the worlds in The Will of the Many
Tara - a student at Loch Traenala, daughter of King Rónán
Gallchobhar - Champion of King Rónán
Lir - a druid assigned to King Rónán
Conor - a student at Loch Traenala
Fearghus - a student at Loch Traenala
Seanna - a student at Loch Traenala
Miach - a student at Loch Traenala
Conor - a student at Loch Traenala
Grainne - a woman who takes in Vis after his arrival in Luceum
Cian - a druid who assists Vis after he arrives in Luceum
Pádraig - instructor at Loch Traenala
Ruarc - a mysterious druid who some believe is exerting undue influence over the Grove and who appears to want Vis dead
Obiteum
Siamun - Vis' identity in Obiteum after passing through the Gate between the worlds in The Will of the Many
Caeror Telimus - brother of Ulciscor, has been surviving in Obiteum since passing through the Gate seven years previously
Ahmose - a iunctus and ally of Vis in Duat
Netiqret - an assassin who assists Vis in Duat
Kiya - a child iunctus who appears to obey Netiqret
Nofret - a child living in Qabr
Tash - a iunctus in Qabr
Ka - the man in control of Duat who Caeror believes will cause the next Cataclysm
Themes
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.
Audiobook
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] In January 2026, two months after its release, the audiobook held the #2 position on Amazon's Epic Fantasy bestseller list, with its predecessor The Will of the Many maintaining the #1 spot.[5]
Reception
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.
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