The Will of the Many (Volume 1) (Hierarchy)

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But Foundryside’s Sancia is intimately, viscerally enmeshed in the magic of scriving, and she works with researchers and artisans that have dedicated their life to understanding its secrets. Even when the old rules start to break down, Sancia and her crew aren’t far behind in understanding, or at least theorizing, how it works. Vis is far removed from the specifics of Will—he’s never wielded it, and Islington glosses over the more technical aspects of his education, like the discussion in class of “how Casual and sub-Harmonic imbuing can be combined to reduce the amount of Will needed to operate complex machinery.” There are unsettling, gripping scenes where we can see a deeper power at work… but, at least in this first book, we don’t move much closer to understanding it. Does it matter? “I’d have to look at the ledger.” I keep my tone bored. Neutral. Try to make him understand that this is every day down here. “We should keep moving, Sextus.”

Although the book itself was a masterpiece imo, I worry about where the Hierarchy trilogy is headed, based on the conclusion of a major arc and certain events at the end of the WOTM (you'll know which, if you've read it). Specifically, I worry that these events hint at a change in scope, setting, and direction. As at 06/2022 Aside from copyediting, edits are (finally) complete! The word count has been slimmed down to around 240k – the cuts have really helped focus the last couple of areas that needed tightening up – and it’s all really come together well. Discussions around the book cover are underway, and everything is moving forward. Hoping to have an official release date to share very soon! Not sure. They were talking in some other language.” I deposit the fetched supplies onto their shelf, then flop into my seat. Anyway, in the short term, the aim is to finish this first draft by next update (the end of March). For now, though, I’m off to spend time with family over the end of year break – wishing everyone a fantastic Christmas and holidays! Hrolf pulls the jail ledger from atop the shelf in the corner, flipping it open. There are a few seconds of him tracing down the paper with his finger. “Nateo, Nateo… here he is. Deep cells, east forty-one. Vis, you wait here.”And, of course, I would have to navigate another new Septimus. Of the three who have managed Letens Prison since I started, Hrolf has been by far the easiest to deal with. In addition, the story itself is a blatant ripoff of Red Rising, mixed with a bit of Harry Potter, and ending with a full blown Hunger Games. It’s derivative in the worst way- it’s just boring. I love fantasy, and I love to see the way fantasy and sci-fi authors riff off of each other and real life and the struggles people actually go through. This had none of that. It’s not even a coming of age story. All of the sad parts are just talked about in the past, without putting the reader through any of the actual emotional impact. Fine.” I see Hrolf’s bushy grey eyebrows twitch in the corner of my vision. “I’m fine, old man. Just thinking. Sappers haven’t got me yet.” No heat to the words. I know the way his faded brown eyes crinkle with concern is genuine. And I know he has to ask. As at 06/2021 Good news for this update – the past few months have gone very well, and The Will of the Many is almost ready for submission to the publisher! This year as a whole has been a strange one thus far, where I’ve only written about half of what I planned to – but I am very happy with the state of what’s actually on paper, probably more so than usual at this early draft stage. I’m hopeful that will translate into subsequent drafts needing less work than they have in the past, and thus a shortening of the end of the process. My target is still to be ready to submit for editing mid next year, around when The Will of the Many is released… as always, though, we’ll see how we go.

It becomes apparent rather fast that while The Catenan Republic reigns supreme in the world, as there is nothing less to conquer, the Senate's factions (Religion, Military and Governance) naturally fall to political infighting and factions are waging proxy wars and espionage against each other. I hope. Information first.” Hospius sees the rising panic in the imprisoned man and reaches out, grasping his shoulder, steadying him as the chains begin to rattle from his trembling. “I know… you innocent. Need to understand… why you in here. Veridius?” The name is a question, asked with quiet intensity. The good news is that, at least as things currently stand, the remainder of this year feels relatively clear. If I can reach 150k-160k words by December, I’ll feel like I’m in a pretty good position entering 2023!I read the licanthus trilogy, Islington’s first series (and only other published work I know of). That series was great but the first book in particular was weak. Ended up being a fantastic trilogy, but a little on the YA side. Rotting gods.” I’m cursing and moving before I have a chance to properly assess. Sliding around the white stone, slamming hard into Nateo’s arm, jamming myself between the two men before the Sextus can be dragged onto the device. Nateo’s grip breaks. His hand scrapes along my shoulder. I’m already off-balance. Never seen a Sapper before?” It takes all I have not to show satisfaction at the towering man’s horror. Hierarchy, Book 2 - The Strength of the Few As at 09/2023 I’m pleased to say it’s been another productive few months, with the second draft of The Strength of the Few now complete at 245,000 words!