Likely Stories - The Will of the Many by James Islington

Think The Hunger Games meets Gladiator with a dash of dark academia, a bit of magical realism, and top-notch world building and language mixed in. If you have read other fantasies like Name of the Wind or Red Rising, this will feel nicely familiar while still standing on its own merit.

The newly-formed Roman-esque Republic of Caten is built on the Hierarchy system, where citizens are divided into castes (Octavii, Septimii, and on up) who cede their Will for the betterment of the groups above them. The prestigious Academy is a training ground for the best and brightest young people to work their way up the class system and participate in a year-end trial to determine their placement in the Senate, the Military, or within the Religion sector, even though political and religious tensions often abound between the factions. Enter Vis Telimus, a talented young man with a secret past, who is tapped to join the Academy because of his inability or refusal to give up his Will for others above him.

Powerful people need Vis to infiltrate the Academy to discreetly search for 'something' that is hidden there, 'something' which could change everything. He must acclimate quickly, ascend the ranks, avoid enemies (of which there are many), and adapt to his changing surroundings. Danger and risk of failure is at every turn, and with Vis chasing a target that's constantly moving, he has to determine if his will is stronger than theirs.

This book is so complex and layered, and with a massive list of supporting characters, everyone feels interesting and rich. Almost everyone has ulterior motives for their actions, and teasing them out keeps things moving at a fairly brisk pace (though you will need to commit to making it through the world-building in the first 25%). A working knowledge of Latin helps with the pronunciation and understanding of the universe (shout-out to my 7th grade Latin teacher for things I still remember!), but you can always flip to the glossary and guide at the end.

There's a sequel coming in May, so now is a perfect time to be one of the few to jump into this fascinating story.

RECENT EPISODES OF LIKELY STORIES

Likely Stories - Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur by Jeff Pearlman

I'm Kevin Tankersley and this is likely stories on KWBU. I first learned about the book 'Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur' when I heard the author Jeff Pearlman on 'The Pete Sousa Show' podcast last year. I knew of Pearlman from his writings at Sports Illustrated and ESPN. He was a sports guy. Why would he be talking about Tupac?

Likely Stories - Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle

I can remember a number of truly incredible meals in my life, whether cooked for me at home or in restaurants locally or while traveling. Some of the food stands out in my mind: a perfectly-cooked piece of meat, a well-crafted cocktail, a side dish that pairs perfectly with the entree, a dessert that caps off the wonderful meal. But in all those epicurean events, what I recall most are the people with me around the table, loved ones sharing a gustatory experience always seems more important than the food itself.

Likely Stories - A Short History of a Small Place by T.R. Pearson

"Some books stay with you for decades. For me, that’s A Short History of a Small Place by T.R. Pearson. First published in 1985, it’s a funny, Southern tale of Neely, North Carolina, told through the eyes of young Louis Benfield, Jr. From quirky townsfolk to a chimpanzee companion, the story blends humor and heart in unforgettable ways. I first heard it on The Radio Reader in 1986—and I’ve never forgotten it."

Likely Stories - The Madwomen of Paris by Jennifer Cody Epstein

Imagine being punched in the ovaries to bring on a fit.This is The Madwomen of Paris by Jennifer Cody Epstein, which was inspired by the dark history of the Salpêtrière asylum in the 1880s.

Likely Stories - Killers of a Certain Age

I am a huge James Bond fan, and never missed an episode of Charlie’s Angels as a pre-teen growing up. A story about women my age who could still fight, run, plan, take action, and do all the things they did in their early years really appealed to me.

Likely Stories - My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

The book that I'm reviewing today is challenging. It was an unsettling read, and I thought about it for weeks after I finished it. I hesitated to recommend it on Likely Stories. But these difficult books catch our attention for a reason, they are important to talk about and examine.

Likely Stories - American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott

War is hell. And what comes after war, when soldiers return home, is often its own version of torment, one that takes exceptional patience and grace from everyone--those who love the soldiers as well as the soldiers themselves.

Likely Stories - Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live by Susan Morrison

I’ve been reading a lot about Saturday Night Live lately, for a couple of reasons. First, I talk about the show when I cover the history of television in my Introduction to Mass Communication class at Baylor, and I like to keep up with what’s going on with SNL. Second, Saturday Night Live just celebrated its 50th anniversary, so there’s been plenty written about it in the last year or so.

Likely Stories - The Celebrants by Steven Rowley

In nineteen-ninety-five, five college friends, distraught over the suspected suicide of their friend and haunted by the question “would Alec have died had he known how much he was loved?” enter into a lifelong pact to hold living funerals.

Likely Stories - Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Many times on public radio, you hear folks say, “Long-time listener, first-time caller.” Well, that’s me! I’m Maggie McCarthy—a long-time listener of KWBU—bringing you my, hopefully, first book review on Likely Stories.