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The Strength of the Few (Hierarchy)
James Islington
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Featuring sprayed edges and beautifully designed endpapers!
This highly anticipated follow-up to The Will of the Many—one of 2023’s most lauded and bestselling fantasy novels—follows Vis as he grapples with a dangerous secret that could unravel history across alternate dimensions.
OMNE TRIUM PERFECTUM
The Hierarchy still call me Vis Telimus. Still hail me as Catenicus. They still, as one, believe they know who I am. But with all that has happened—with what I fear is coming—I am not sure it matters anymore. I am no longer one. I won the Iudicium, and lost everything—and now, impossibly, the ancient device beyond the Labyrinth has replicated me across three separate worlds. A different version of myself in each of Obiteum, Luceum, and Res.
Three different bodies, three different lives. I have to hide; fight; play politics. I have to train; trust; lie. I have to kill; heal; prove myself again, and again, and again. I am loved, and hated, and entirely alone. Above all, though, I need to find answers before it’s too late. To understand the nature of what has happened to me, and why. I need to find a way to stop the coming Cataclysm, because if all I have learned is true, I may be the only one who can.
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Posts about this title from DocoftheDarkArts
DocoftheDarkArts\
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Bob Stuntz\
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• Nov 25 2025
Weekly Reading Update: 11/16 - 11/22
I had another really good reading week.
9 books
2
DocoftheDarkArts\
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Bob Stuntz\
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• Nov 17 2025
Weekly Reading Update: 11/8/25 - 11/15/25
7 books
1
Posts about this book from across Bindery
The Alchemist Society\
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Shay\
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• Mar 17
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It's been a while. No really, since November. \
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Since the new year, I have had a few life changes. One, I had a career change! Prior to that I spent time in Boston with my family for my younger cousins wedding and my birthday the next day (I miss Boston).\
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I've primarily been able to listen to audiobooks. I'm in a season of Malazan and Robin Hobb in that format more recently, and had a short detour into Heated Rivalry (which I DNFd but may pick up again at a later time).\
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Back to Malazan though. Malazan is considered by many to be one of the most intimidating fantasy series you could read. I'm here to say don't let that stop you from giving it a try. It is rich and intense and has a great depth to it that I absolutely adore, but I find it captivating and even sometimes fun! Not Deadhouse Gates (book two is brutal and I still cry thinking about it).\
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I was lucky enough to be able to obtain a set of the first six books in the series from The Broken Binding.\
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and a little moment for the covers\
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So I listened to the first three of these books on audio, of course on Libro, my favorite audio book platform where purchases support local indie bookstores and I actually own my books (and am not just purchasing the license to the books, unlike some big global retailers).\
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Unfortunately, the narrator, Ralph Lister is replaced after book three with another narrator and I am not transitioning well. Nothing against Michael Page but Ralph was just so good. I did a bit of a deep dive and found out that he was replaced because he was a union member and was more expensive so I am participating in an act of boycott 15+ years too late. Just kidding, I just can't get used to a new author yet.\
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Anyhow book one, Gardens of the Moon was a fun adventure introducing us to the world of Malazan.\
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Book two, Deadhouse Gates, is a brutal 180. Emotional and complex, it further expands the universe all while giving us a glimpse into another working limb of the Malazan Empire. We are able to see how the Empire has expanded and grew into the Empire it is while also seeing the civilizations and cultures that are both around them (unconquered) and within, adapting to fit within the Empires mold. There is a heavy influence from both the Roman and Ottoman Empires, visible in the way that once a place is conquered, the local people are set up to govern again, though they are now within the Empire itself. No spoilers but book two show a visceral and maddening look at a Malazan refugee train moving across a continent, all while attempting to survive a holy war keen on exterminating them. We also see some friendly faces from Book 1 in the only slightly, lighthearted storyline in this god damed (excellent) book.\
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Finally, I got to Memories of Ice which was EPIC. It had a lot of the emotional depth that Deadhouse Gates had, without nearly as much of the distressing heaviness (though there was still some of that). Memories of Ice has a bit more of the adventurous "fun" vibe that I felt in Gardens of the Moon. I was also really happy to see more of the humor that we caught glimpses of in the previous two books, giving some moments of levity and showing very real interactions where the worst possible thing you can think of can be happening to a character, and yet they still make a little quip. I've been told by quite a few people that it is the fan favorite of the series and I can see why. It brings together multiple characters with incredible arcs and plot progression, not to mention a shocking and insane final chapter. I can't wait to dive into Book 4, House of Chains, and I'm interested in seeing if the experience changes while reading a physical copy myself, vs listening to the audio for the previous three books. I will of course still hear Ralph's voice in my head.\
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While listening to the Malazan books, I was also reading physical copies of The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb. I don't want to get too much into it here because I full plan on writing a full post about it but it was incredible and I loved everything about it so much. It is without a doubt one of the best fantasy series I have ever read. \
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In February, I finally got around to reading The Strength of the Few, after I finished reading my physical copies of the Farseer Trilogy. Again, I don't want to get too deep into it but I did enjoy it overall and I am really excited to see where it goes. I really enjoy how Islington really gets into the nitty-gritty of good vs. evil and doing the wrong thing for the right reasons and vice versa. I think we will see more of this in book three, The Justice of One. \
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Now, I am listening to The Liveship Traders Trilogy, by Robin Hobb. I am losing my mind. I find there is more exposition in Ship of Magic which was quite a change in my opinion fromThe Farseer Trilogy. BUT also, the maddening part, I am a certified HATER of Kyle fucking Haven. It actually hurts to read anything this man does or says, and also, Keffiyah needs to grow a damn spine. Jeez. But all that to say I am still interested in the plot.\
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Lastly, I need to touch on the Poet Empress by Shen Tao. This debut dark fantasy novel was excellent (I read in February), and it follows a young women who is set to become the future empress of her country. She is searching for a way to save it from famine and her people from starvation, which is actually how she ended up in the Crown Princes harem and was then chose as future Empress. Her new husband, the next Emperor is a despot, with a magical penchant for violence and weapons (and several brothers with other varying magical abilities). Wei Yin decides she must kill him, but the only way she can kill him is to write a spell, and that spell requires that she love him in order to kill him. We see deep and heavy familial bonds and and the breaking of those bonds, court politics, difficult decisions, magic and lies, but also moments of kindness and empathy. I can not wait to see more from Shen Tao in the future because this was a wonderful and moving standalone novel.\
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That's what I've been up to recently, but next, I will be going through the Spring 2026 Bindery Arcs that I just received, starting with my most anticipated, Burn the Sea by Mona Tewari. This is a fantasy novel inspired by the Portuguese attacks on South India in the 1500's, but in this story, the Portuguese are half men and half sea creature. I've really been enjoying it so far and can't wait to see where the story goes so I can share more:)
Malazan, Robin Hobb and taking time
9 books
2
Nathan’s Booktok!\
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Nathan\
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• Dec 12 2025
Join for free
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Ten before the end yes, no, maybe!
Here’s the 10 books I read before the end of the year and whether or not I would recommend them to you!
Books mentioned:
Malice by John Gwynne
City of Brass by SA Chakraborty
Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristof
Before they are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
Cellos Gate by Maurice Africh
Babel by RF Kuang
Jade City by Fonda Lee
Strength of the Few by James Islington
Ironbound by Andrew Givler
#booktok #booktube #fantasybooks
10 books
Nathan’s Booktok!\
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Nathan\
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• Dec 2 2025
Join for free
Weekly Reading wrap up
Here is what I read last week! Books mentioned!
Babel by RF Kuang
The Strength of the Few by James Islington
Cellos Gate by Maurice Africh
Jade City by Fonda Lee
#booktube #babelrfkuang #strengthofthefew #jamesislington #cellosgate #indieauthor #jadecity #fondalee #fantasybooks #books #readingwrapup
4 books
DocoftheDarkArts\
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Bob Stuntz\
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• Nov 25 2025
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Join for free or login](https://docofthedarkarts.binderybooks.com/item/MhZRd9guAEAwT9qAzimt/)
Weekly Reading Update: 11/16 - 11/22
I had another really good reading week.
9 books
2
Written Reveries\
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Krystal\
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• Nov 23 2025
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I Interviewed James Islington!
Thank you so much James for your time, and Saga Press for making this happen!
2 books
4
2
DocoftheDarkArts\
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Bob Stuntz\
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• Nov 17 2025
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Join for free or login](https://docofthedarkarts.binderybooks.com/item/girguDmmbOOmrmRmIU7I/)
Weekly Reading Update: 11/8/25 - 11/15/25
7 books
1
Rachel Skye Reads\
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Rachel\
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• Nov 10 2025
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November Book Club Double Feature!
The readers have spoken: It’s a double feature month book club!
Hierarchy book one, The Will of the Many is already out, and the second book The Strength of the Few comes out tomorrow.
Book one is a reread for me, and I have been looking forward to this next release for more than a year. The story follows a main character with a secret climbing a pyramid of power with the hope of escaping it.
Join my Bindery in the link in my bio.
2 books
The Brothers Gwynne\
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Ed & Will\
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• Nov 6 2025
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12 Books We Read In October
Our October Wrap-Up! What was your book of the month for October? Books mentioned: The Scour by Richard Swan The Book of Fallen Leaves by A.S. Tamaki Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff Vinland Saga Vol. 4 by Yukimura The Adventures of Hucklebury Finn by Mark Twain The Blackfire Blade by James Logan Child of God by Cormac McCarthy Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon The Strength of the Few by James Islington #readingwrapup #monthlyreads #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram
11 books
4
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Rachel Skye Reads\
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Rachel\
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• Nov 5 2025
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November Book Club Pick Voting
Welcome to our chaotic book club! Mood readers, which book should we read together this month? Join Bindery (for free) to vote, and meet us on discord to yap!
#rachelskyereads #bookclub #moodreader
6 books
1
The Inkborne Society\
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Azhangia\
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• Nov 4 2025
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Join for free or login](https://azhangia.binderybooks.com/item/5DUWzcWJET3oUA9TfaL7/)
November 2025 Book Releases (Fantasy & Sci-Fi)
8 books
5
The Inkborne Society\
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Azhangia\
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• Aug 31 2025
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With multiple books hitting 4.5 stars or above, August turned out to be quite the month for good reads! Here are some thoughts on each of the books I read:\
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My Top 3 of the Month \
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⭐4.75 - The Works of Vermin (Hiron Ennes)\
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One of the most fascinating fantasy books I’ve read in a while, The Works of Vermin featured sharp and deliberate writing, a trans main character, innovative worldbuilding (the magic system is based on a chemical toxin from a giant worm and weaponized perfumes), and a setting that was the perfect backdrop for the book’s themes of systemic exploitation, societal decay, and class division. The veneer of progress hides the rot eating away at society, both literally in the form of vermin and metaphorically in the way corruption thrives, and time and time again, the working class is forced to endure with the tenacity of roaches. This is a story that has crawled under my skin, unsettling and unforgettable, and I can’t wait for more readers to discover it!!\
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⭐4.50 - The Strength of the Few (James Islington)\
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I read The Will of the Many in 2023, which means I have been left on that brutal cliffhanger for two years now… so I was very excited when I got an early copy of The Strength of the Few! In TSOTF, the stakes are heightened, the intrigue ramps up, and though we’re still left with many questions by the end of the book (and another brutal cliffhanger), it is so exciting to witness the puzzle pieces starting to come together!! I also appreciated how Vis felt less like a YA main character in this book, as his perfection became more of a burden and the weight of his responsibility was directly addressed. Overall, I thought this was a very solid sequel and am looking forward to the next installment of the series.\
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⭐4.50 - Clockwork Angel (Cassandra Clare)\
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I was a big fan of The Mortal Instruments series in my pre-teen years, but never got around to reading The Infernal Devices. Boy was I missing out, because this series had everything I wanted in a YA fantasy series, and I was having the time of my life reading it (ily Will Herondale). It feels so nostalgic to be back in the world of the Shadowhunters, and I have been forewarned that this series will cause some emotional damage…can’t wait to get to that point :)\
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⭐4.50 - Daedalus is Dead (Seamus Sullivan)\
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Daedalus is Dead had a depth and complexity I was not at all expecting going into the novella, and I think lovers of Greek Mythology will find this to be a really thought provoking read about fatherhood, grief, and the monstrous truths we build around ourselves to become the heroes of our stories. That said, I probably wouldn’t recommend it to readers unfamiliar with Greek myths, as it leans somewhat heavily on references that aren’t always explained. Overall, I was really impressed by this - I’ve always wanted a mythology retelling of Icarus, but a retelling of the myth from his father Daedalus’ perspective proved far more interesting than I could have imagined.\
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⭐4.50 - A Little Hatred (Joe Abercrombie)\
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Many people have said that the Age of Madness trilogy is Joe Abercrombie's best work, so I was incredibly excited to finally pick up this series after finishing the previous books in the world of the First Law. A Little Hatred sits at the dawn of a new technological age, with characters grappling for power and control amidst the conflict between technology vs. magic and innovation vs. tradition. This book reminded me a lot of The Legend of Korra (a god-tier show for those who haven’t seen it, I was also actually picturing one of the characters as Asami), and the blend of grimdark and steampunk elements combined with Abercrombie’s signature wit made this a highly enjoyable read. Can’t wait to read the rest of this trilogy soon!\
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⭐4.25 - Fate’s Bane (C.L. Clarke)\
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A sapphic tragedy that felt like a story being sung by a bard around a fire, Fate’s Bane delivered all the yearning I could ever want. Set in a Celtic inspired swampy world filled with warring clans and inescapable fate, this novella offered a take on Romeo and Juliet that felt both familiar and fresh. It’s beautifully written and well-paced, and I had a hard time putting it down!\
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⭐3.75 - The Memory of the Ogisi (Moses Ote Utomi)\
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Inspired by African folklore and set in various desert civilizations, each book in the Forever Desert series reads like a fable, exploring the different forms that oppression can take. While I did appreciate The Memory of the Ogisi, the final book of the series, the story felt slightly repetitive at times. Given that the first book can technically be read as a standalone, I don’t know if I would recommend the rest of the series, but I do think book one, The Lies of the Ajungo, is very much worth a read.\
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⭐3.25 - Of Monsters and Mainframes (Barbara Truelove)\
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I can 100% see how other people enjoy this book, but it unfortunately just wasn’t for me. I loved the quirky blend of science fiction and pulp horror, but I struggled to become emotionally invested in the characters, which ultimately dampened my enjoyment of the read. I still thought it was a lot of fun though!\
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Since there are some new faces in this community following the launch of the book club, I just wanted to re-introduce some things you can expect from this page in addition to the book club. At the end of each month, I share one of these wrap-up posts with reviews of books I've read, and at the beginning of each month, I share a list of upcoming fantasy & sci-fi releases that have caught my eye (with reviews of ARCs I have read). Other content will be popping up at random (giveaways, deep dives, etc.) - so excited you are all here!\
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August Reading Wrap-Up (Ratings & Reviews)
8 books
2