(Reading time: 3 minutes)
Book in the Hierarchy series: #1
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.
I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.
But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.
And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.
To survive, though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.
And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me.
CW:
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
Everything about this book was great. It was easy to follow and understand… until the end. What happened?
This universe is fascinating because it’s easy to understand, even for someone not used to reading this type of book. The idea of creating a world inspired by the Roman Empire is excellent. The concept of the Will is well explained, but some elements may be difficult to grasp, especially at the beginning. A lot of information is presented at the start, although more is revealed throughout the book. Sometimes, the information comes across in a dumpy way, and occasionally, some elements don’t directly relate to the story, but they further immerse the reader.
The pacing could have been better, as it impacted the construction of the plot. It starts at a manageable speed for understanding the world—not too fast or slow. However, when the story transitions to the academy, it becomes strange. As Vis must achieve his goals quickly, the pace accelerates, which makes the plot a bit too predictable and occasionally dull. Nevertheless, this minor issue would not stop you from reading.
The main character, Vis, is both complex and bland. At first, he is interesting, with a complicated background that makes him hide who he truly is. You understand that he evolves in ways he never imagined following the death of his family and that he needs to adapt to survive. He is so accustomed to this that he has become like an actor in his own life. However, as we follow him through the story and his entrance to the academy, this character who had problems and was imperfect becomes oddly perfect. He knows what to do to achieve his goals instantly and can overcome challenges without real difficulty, making it harder to feel attached to him.
Overall, I liked the book and eagerly anticipate the next one, mainly because the ending left me thinking for two days, trying to understand what I missed during my reading.
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