REVIEW: The Strength of the Few by James Islington

 

This novel is the second book in The Hierarchy Trilogy by James Islington and picks up where The Will of the Many left off. Vis is still reeling from what happened in the last book and the government is barely hanging on. The novel immediately splits into three separate narratives and introduces two new storylines populated by a completely new set of characters. The three storylines take place in three worlds that look completely different from each other but all starring Vis (in different situations of course). The first storyline is the one we read about in the first book, the second involves Vis waking up in a rural area that is very quiet and the third involves Vis waking up in a third world that literally burns his lungs as he breathes. Vis clearly is meant to explore different facets of his personality in each world and by the end, he is somewhat successful, I guess. 

I did not like this book as much as I liked the first one.  The fragmentation was disconcerting and not cohesive (although if that was the author's goal then it worked brilliantly). The pace and momentum were not as compelling as in the first novel so the narrative seemed to lag in parts. I attribute the lack of momentum to the choppiness of moving in between three distinct storylines - I wanted to learn more about the original Vis, instead of the one in the country or hell. And I didn't get that so I was majorly disappointed. I enjoy Islington's writing style, but even that seemed to get lost in the transitions between the three storylines. 

Having said that I'm hoping that the last book in the trilogy will be better.  I'm committed to finishing out this series, and if you are and haven't read this book yet, please make sure your expectations are in the right place. I don't know that I would have finished this book if I didn't want to finish what I started. 

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This week, we were visiting with family in Sag Harbor. I even took a surfing lesson!  That has been on my bucket list so it was so great. As a 47 year old I never thought I would be able to do that but here we are. I finished one book and am halfway through David Copperfield.  I promise reviews are upcoming. 

• The August 2026 BOTM selections are out.
• Some Egyptian mythology books.  I can't wait to read the Odyssey, which I know is Greek but is still mythology.
• Why an 85 year old has spent her last years reading the Ancient Classics.
• The Defense Department wants to ban hundreds of books.
• A man used a civil war artifact as a paperweight - but it could have exploded.
• 13 new books to get you through the end of summer.
• How the Miss America pageant ignited a discussion over beauty, race and power.
• NPR staffers and their favorite books of the year so far.
• 7 memoirs about finding close relatives later in life.
• Why am i not shocked by this?
• Ten best new books to read in August.
• This man survived both Hiroshima AND Nagasaki.
• The best US Colleges for long term career success. 
• 7 movies that you may not know were Stephen King adaptations.

Have a great week!

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Happy Sunday everyone!  This upcoming week, I'm visiting family in NY so I likely won't be blogging all that much until we return. I sorely needed this vacation.

• ADHD looks different in women and poses unique health risks. 
• The lessons learned from Twin Peaks.
• The best Heist and con artist books.
• The time Johnny Cash started a prison riot at San Quentin.
• LA Public Library unveils the largest pop up book.
• The best books about understanding American politics. 
• Dr. Fauci's diary entries from the pandemic are released. Guys, that was six years ago already.
• Leila Slimani's interview with Fresh Air.
• Why you wake up earlier as you get older.
• Dolly Parton's favorite books.
• Booker Prize longlist is here. 
• 5 great books inspired by Greek mythology.
• What is weird girl fiction?
• How the rise of Mystery podcasts has fueled the True Crime memoir genre. 
• FIFA couldn't get more sketchy, but apparently it has. And then it was scrapped.
• How do you get out of a reading slump?
• This vitamin deficiency may be why you lose muscle with age. 
• 7 novels set on islands. 
• 6 narrative non-fiction reads that are like fiction.
• The best new cozy fantasy books. 
• The tragedy of loving Sylvia Plath. 
• 8 things every living room had in the 1980's.
• President Obama releases his summer reading list. He always has great selections. 
• Meet the woman stunt performer who doubled Matt Damon in the Odyssey. 
• The 7 most charming Main Streets in the US.
• Books with unreliable narrators. 
• 7 phrases that come from Greek mythology.
• 7 books that imagine what happens after singularity.
• How reading became sexy.
• OMG.
• Another tragic historical event is being resurrected by the Shoshone to educate us. 
• Kirkus' 20 best books to read in August.

I am listening to Judy Blume: a Life and I am LOVING it.  I grew up reading Judy Blume (Are You There God, it's Me, Margaret, and the Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing books - which cracked me up and Blubber).  My only wish is that she had written a book about Margaret going through perimenopause and menopause cause Lord knows her readers need it right now.  I'm finishing up The Strength of the Few by James Islington (book 2 of the Hierarch Trilogy) and plan on reading David Copperfield and Demon Copperhead while on vacay.

Please visit my Pangobooks store. I even have a code you can use.

REVIEW American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed by Isaac Fitzgerald

 

This book has been all over the place and seemed interesting, so I grabbed it. I hadn't read Fitzgerald's earlier book, Dirtbag, Massachusetts (although it's on hold for me at the library!). Fitzgerald is obsessed with Johnny Appleseed (whose legal name was John Chapman) and I guess this makes sense since both hail from Leominster, MA. In the process of searching for an American hero, Fitzgerald found himself.

Fitzgerald, I think, was naturally drawn to this hero.  His parents were hikers and storytellers (the best kind of parents I think) and Fitzgerald was also, I suspect, drawn to the roaming of Appleseed given that Fitzgerald himself was unhoused for quite some time. Life was complicated by his mother's mental illness, and his parents' stormy relationship. That being said, I loved this writer's search for himself in his search for the true story of a legend.  He didn't actually WALK it though, buying a better of a car to make it through and catching a ride home when he was in Massachusetts, having been unable to hack the weather. 

The book often digressed, which I enjoyed, but if that would annoy you, I would stay away. I love digressions because I think they show insight into people, but most people don't understandably. I loved reading about the history of the areas, the time periods and the things that Fitzgerald encountered but my absolute FAVORITE parts were the parts where Fitzgerald described meeting and interacting with some good, solid and authentic people along the way. In these interactions, it becomes quickly clear that he's learning about himself and that is beautiful. I enjoyed seeing and experiencing Fitzgerald be pushed beyond his comfort zone. Fitzgerald also has a sense of humor that makes you snort or chuckle so loudly that the people around you look, openly, at you in a funny manner (not even the side eye!!). 

This book is one for the ages and I can't wait to read his first as well as see what he's got coming. 

REVIEW The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

 

I have heard so many good things about this epistolary novel and all of it was well deserved.  The person corresponding is Sybil Van Antwerp, a septuagenarian that has lived a very full and dramatic life. She is a divorcee, sister, mother, friend, lawyer (retired)-and I felt like, initially, I had met a ton of women like her. She came across as privileged with an opinion on EVERYTHING that she would share bluntly no matter whether you asked for it or not. However, I grew to be really fond of her because she was just so....human?  Flawed?  Trying her best and yet failing?  Relatable for sure.  Sybil literally word vomits everything about her life, all of her opinions and her observations, and secrets to whoever she comes across (friends, famous authors, customer service reps - everyone is fair game). 

We learn that she is slowly going blind - which is scary and devastating for her - and she's also getting anonymous letters that are threatening and stalker-ish. Sybil, as a result, is forced to reflect upon a very, very tough and shameful part of her past.  At the same time, she's dealing with a rift with her daughter that is threatening to become permanent. 

There were a lot of things that I adored about this book, but the thing I adored the most was Sybil's (and her friends) ending letters with discussion about what they're reading.  Made me add things to my TBR list to be frank. I loved that this book seemed to excel in conveying that life and all of its calamities are in shades of grey. There is very little that is black and white.  I also really enjoyed the subtleties in how things unfolded. Evans was masterful in this.  I, as a reader, had to really pay attention to figure out what was going on and I am fully intending to read it a second time because I'm fairly certain that I missed stuff the first go around (and I'll do it gladly, this book was that good). It was absolutely delightful to see Sybil begin to open up and confront the painful memories of her past.  She became courageous over the course of the novel, confronting not only past painful issues but current ones too. 

Please, drop what you're doing and go get this novel.  It was wonderful. 

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I'm very glad it's Friday. It's been a week.  I have some work stress and am not sleeping well in part due to the stress but also because my shoulder has been hurting me when I'm lying down flat. :(  I wonder if it's inflammation from rowing.  

1. So distressed that you can't think straight? Use these skills.
2. Romance books recommended by NPR staff.
3. This book sounds interesting.
4. Literary Fiction to read with your book club.
5. Why we need more women centric re-telling's of The Odyssey. 
6. 6 must read books that will strengthen your character. 
7. The 2026 First Novel Prize long list has been released!
8. Jimothy is now in Dungeons and Dragons. Here's the story about Jimothy.  Do yourself a favor and Google "jimothy the racoon."  You won't regret it. 
9. The lives of princesses in Egypt. 
10. Inside the campaign that acquitted Karen Read. 
11. Set your crime novels in this city.
12. Rebecca Solnit on the Western Tradition of silencing women. 
13. How the USWMNT staff get their athletes ready for the World Cup.
14. 7 household items every Greek household owned. 

I hope that everyone has a good week.  Please don't forget to visit my Pangobooks store.

REVIEW: The Will of the Many by James Islington

 

If I had to classify this book, I'd classify it as dark academia - it reminded me a lot of Lord of the Flies that meets The Secret Stranger with a bit of Harry Potter thrown in for good measure.  The main character is Vis, a teenage ousted prince whose kingdom has "civilized" (aka invaded and taken over) by The Hierarchy, a Roman/Greek type of society where its members engage in a pyramid structure of "will ceding." The lower classes are at the bottom of the pyramid and they cede their wills to those that occupy the higher levels, with the few at the top getting will from the thousands of people below them. The ones who receive the will receive tremendous physical benefits, but the ones that cede their will suffer terribly in the process.  It's an awful caste system that is reminiscent of apartheid or slavery. Vis, an orphan on top of being ousted, is adopted by a prestigious family and sent to "The Academy" by his adoptive father in order to investigate his adoptive uncle's death.

This lengthy novel is VERY ambitious. There are themes of colonialism and capitalism, nepotism, definitions of family and friends (i.e. how do you define them?), loyalty and revenge.  In spite of taking these own in a heavy handed manner, Islington is subtle in how he presents these, and the book is action packed, making it both exciting and interesting.  I didn't lose interest, that's for sure. Vis, and many of the other characters, are very complex.  Vis especially has to struggle with anger, scars and a strong moral compass that compels him to do the right thing in spite of the odds and pressures being put on him.  I often forgot that he was only 17 in the book (he turns 18 at one point).

There are a lot of training montages in this novel and the vast majority of the book occurs in an academic setting so if that's not your favorite, then stay away. Otherwise, pick this up! I couldn't put it down.