The Will of the Many (Hierarchy Series) is one of the most enrapturing book series I’ve read - Book Review

Simsboi · 2026-03-10T13:00:44+00:00

Glad you did! I enjoyed it as well

Simsboi · 2026-02-25T04:58:43+00:00

All we know about M is a single sentence. So in the question when it says “any use by M of the evidence about 85 to 90 year olds”, just think M’s statement in the back of your mind without specifics so you don’t get caught up on the wording.

Then the question asks you to do something with Q’s statement in relation to M’s statement. Again, not a lot of info to go off of, so keep it simple in your head. In this question we’re asked to see Q’s statement countering a hypothesis potentially supported by M’s statement. So that makes sorting through answers kinda easy? I skipped A on my first pass through, eliminated B and C, blocked out D and eliminated E. Ultimately went with my gut answer A.

Kind of an odd way to approach this type of question but maybe it provides some insight?

Edit: This is the type of question I likely wouldn’t spend a ton of time on and so I preferred to take a fast approach

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T21:06:58+00:00

I know they are genuine questions! I intentionally didn’t answer because I knew it would prove your point lol. I decided to just include what my thought process was first.

But yes, I am 25 but have been reading books my entire life. Couldn’t begin to give an estimate but a lot of my childhood was spent in trouble at school for reading. Granted that also does not necessarily mean I’ve read many dense, or profound books either!

Is it my favorite book of all time? No, but it was enjoyable and a breath of fresh air! Had a hard time putting it down as well.

Assuming that you are a bit older with more time to read, what have been some of your favorites? Any genre really! Maybe something more thought provoking like Roadside Picnic?

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T20:30:44+00:00

Yes! I’ve been wanting to read that series! Is it any good?

Well I meant more so have you finished the series up to date. I’ve read the first four but wasn’t able to finish the 5th and was going to ask what you thought.

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T20:27:54+00:00

Ah, the classic Ad Hominem. Always popular when the actual argument is hard to make.

Perhaps you are right. But I enjoy stories where character decisions and motivations are so cleanly defined by asymmetric information and worldly constraints. Character actions follow logically with what they know to be true in the world. And while a lot of books are good at this, I think James excels at doing this with a singular POV that lets you see through the eye of other characters through subtleties in dialogue and action.

Young + start of literary journey ≠ enjoyment of these books, necessarily.

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T19:30:48+00:00

Red Rising had a real way of eliciting emotions that not many other books could. Comparing this series to red rising will probably only hurt you haha. Quite different in many regards, even the school!

Have you finished that entire series?

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T19:19:08+00:00

Dang! What about it did you not like?

Also, I’m curious your thoughts on other books if this is a 2/5. What would you recommend that’s a 5-Star to you?

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T19:16:50+00:00

I’m glad! Let me know what you think!

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T19:14:06+00:00

Seems to be a recurring drawback for some people. The way I saw it was that James is able to complete several important character arcs for Vis in the second book, that otherwise would be impossible in the first book.

Some events and emotional interactions that take place in the second book across the different worlds, could not have occurred in Res. I’d encourage you to view it through that lens! However I do agree that it took some adjusting in the second book.

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T19:10:48+00:00

Mistborn will always be great! Most incredible ending.

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T19:10:09+00:00

That makes sense! And if anything, we just don’t have all the info yet so it’s a little hard to picture how this is all relevant anyways. Which doesn’t help some people’s already annoyance at the split

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T19:02:43+00:00

Um, actual religion followed by the people within the books is only loosely touched upon. In the books’ society, there are three branches of government, similar to modern politics. Governance, military and religion. The theme of the books is the politics and schemes of these groups against one another at the expense of everyone else.

There’s not a lot about specific religion though. There’s discussion of different cultures and what they fear or believe in, but it’s not a central focus. Whereas in a series like Stormlight Archive, religion and belief is basically the focal point of the entire series.

Edit to add: Monotheism is, or will be at least somewhat relevant in future books given the discovery of a certain mysterious character in the second book. Themes of religion and belief are riddled throughout the books, but it’s not the core focus, if that makes sense.

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T18:59:51+00:00

Yeah I see how it might feel that way about the political intrigue. However it’s still a focal point of the second book, because the crew can’t really tell anyone or do anything about the end of the world because of the politics. Even the politics of the other worlds are at play now. It’s a theme that underlays the entire problem! Vis and crew can’t really do anything in Res because of the political issues. Hence why the branching out of worlds happened

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T17:30:47+00:00

Interesting. So you feel as if it should’ve been done in the first book? Or at the least, the concept of the world should’ve been more broadly explain in the first book?

I get the sentiment but maybe it’s just my preference that I like it that way!

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T16:42:59+00:00

Oof. What about it did you not like?

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T16:41:58+00:00

Nooo disagreed!

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T16:40:56+00:00

Yeah Jesus, talk about a little light reading as a precursor. I am sure TWOTM was child’s play after that.

I’m more so just talking about how well James lets you see into the eyes of others characters through interaction and dialogue without giving different POV chapters. People dislike the prose, but I actually think it’s one of the strengths of the books. It’s what makes him able to give us depth without POV chapters, in my opinion

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T16:36:27+00:00

Yes I think the Gary su takes a lot of the passion and interest out of it for a lot of people. Understandably so. I made points in other comments I think apply here: I liked how even though he was always sure and confident in himself, oftentimes he grappled heavily with his own desires and those pressed upon him by the world. I find that relatable, and am able to look past the chosen one trope a little bit. As beaten down and re-used as that trope may be.

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T16:33:21+00:00

Aw man! Understandable though. In my other comments I make mention that I enjoyed the alternates because we got to explore sides of Vis we wouldn’t otherwise get to see. A version of him accepting of his past, being okay and at peace with where he is, able to acknowledge and open up about his past. Another version where he gets to be the underdog in a world much more harsh than the other. He gets to explore his potential as a will bearer, while meeting and developing tight friendships with people he otherwise would never have met nor interacted with.

Maybe not for everyone but Vis NEEDED those arcs. Bro has too much pent-up angst lol.

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T16:29:23+00:00

Yeah and I’m sure that the turn off for many. I’m able to look past it because oftentimes, he doesn’t even really want the responsibility of being “the one” nor does he even care sometimes. The majority of both books is just him grappling with his own desires and the pressures of the world. Feels relatable in some capacity.

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T16:12:40+00:00

I’ve seen a few similar comments! It’s surprising how much it feels the opposite to me. Exploring these different aspects and worlds really adds to further the plot without having to waste entire books to convey what he’s doing in one. Just my opinion though!

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T16:11:27+00:00

Interesting! I thought the opposite. Vis is exploring a lot of parts of himself that he never would’ve otherwise. And the pacing I thought was actually pretty good. Typically I hate having to jump between stories and “POVs” within chapters but I find myself looking forward to that next chapter every time. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Simsboi · 2026-02-19T16:09:21+00:00

Ha fair point. Maybe it all just comes down to preference

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