The Will of the Many — James Islington
At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.
AUDI. VIDE. TACE.
The Catenan Republic – the Hierarchy – may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.
I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus – what they call Will – to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.
- p. 49 · loc. 887–888
whether I was filling my own potential, rather than exceeding that of others.
- p. 51 · loc. 927
simpering coterie.
- p. 53 · loc. 965
“Nothing that didn’t need to be said.”
- p. 56 · loc. 1013
interminable;
- p. 56 · loc. 1019
proffers
- p. 61 · loc. 1119
‘A ladder should not be climbed from the shoulders of others,’
- p. 63 · loc. 1150
mirth.
- p. 64 · loc. 1176
nonplussed
- p. 67 · loc. 1231
vexed
- p. 79 · loc. 1412
tetchily.
- p. 89 · loc. 1570
unguent,
- p. 91 · loc. 1603
vacillates,
- p. 92 · loc. 1607
mettle
- p. 95 · loc. 1678
indelible
- p. 99 · loc. 1745–1746
“They say that young men know they will die, but only old men believe it.
- p. 106 · loc. 1881
alights,
- p. 119 · loc. 2064
enjoin
- p. 147 · loc. 2548
incongruous
- p. 152 · loc. 2647
alacrity
- p. 158 · loc. 2761
wheedling,
- p. 164 · loc. 2875
rivulets
- p. 168 · loc. 2946
fetid
- p. 169 · loc. 2953
askance
- p. 189 · loc. 3305–3306
“Silence is a statement, Diago. Inaction picks a side. And when those lead to personal benefit, they are complicity.”
- p. 216 · loc. 3743–3744
There can be no love without honesty.
- p. 249 · loc. 4295
“To our enemies, and the destructions they bring upon themselves.”
- p. 283 · loc. 4852–4853
The Republic rewards people who take, not who deserve.”
- p. 283 · loc. 4853
“A system built on promise, and therefore on greed,”
- p. 287 · loc. 4933
nimbus
- p. 331 · loc. 5684
vacuous.
- p. 331 · loc. 5685
chortles
- p. 334 · loc. 5742–5743
lessons about honour. About how it exists to provide a guideline for how to live, not how to die.
- p. 340 · loc. 5858
“You cannot be free if you are afraid to die.”
- p. 425 · loc. 7355–7356
The decision may have been made by the few, Diago, but it’s the Will of the many that killed your family.”
- p. 471 · loc. 8114
ensconced,
- p. 486 · loc. 8376–8379
“You’re saying there’s no such thing as a good ruler.” “There isn’t.” He sounded surprised that I got the answer so quickly, though he didn’t compliment me on it. “And this is the risk of our world, Diago. The flaw of our system is in its head. In us. The qualities of a king change the kingdom. And not one of us is perfect enough to have a right to lead.”
- p. 486 · loc. 8381–8382
Anyone who looks at a system of people and thinks the system is the problem, is a fool.
- p. 486 · loc. 8385–8388
“Greed is by definition the moral ruler of the Hierarchy, Diago. All decisions are based upon it. It is not the strong who benefit in their system, no matter what they say—it is the weak. It is the ones willing to do anything, sacrifice anything, to rise. It rewards avarice and is so steeped in a wrong way of thinking that those within it cannot even see it.”
- p. 507 · loc. 8718
stratagems.