Fantasy Author's Sequel Dives into Multiverse Madness

In late 2023, author James Islington was surprised to see his fantasy novel The Will of the Many become a sensation on TikTok, selling out across the U.S. just six months after its initial publication. By that time, Islington was already well into writing the sequel, The Strength of the Few, which he had envisioned as a much bigger and more complicated follow-up.

The Strength of the Few, published on November 11, 2025, skips between three branching stories as the protagonist Vis Telimus learns about a multiverse-spanning doomsday event. Each of the three Vis characters is shaped by their distinct world - one inspired by Roman culture, the others by Egypt and the Celts. As the versions of Vis gradually become different people, they may end up as allies or enemies in the unfolding mega-conflict.

Islington had planned the multiverse twist almost from the start, though he admits it was a daunting concept to execute. He was excited by the idea of exploring how a character could diverge based on their experiences, but also worried that it was a risky move that readers might not embrace. Ultimately, he remained committed to his vision, confident that the expanded scope and complexity would engage fans of the series.