Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 04/06/2026
Published by: The Text Publishing Company
ISBN: 9781923059436
Despite its impressively expanded worldbuilding, ‘The Strength of the Few’ never fully captivated me—the execution prevents it from being as engaging as its predecessor.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
I went into this sequel genuinely excited, even refreshing my memory of the previous book, so I could easily slip back into the series. At first, I was blown away by the rich worldbuilding, expanded across three brutal and fully realised worlds. Vis’ struggles, along with the cliffhanger chapter endings, also kept me intrigued.
Sadly, as the story progressed, my enthusiasm faded. While there are occasional bursts of action, the pacing often drags. The story also relies heavily on convenient moments and tends to tell rather than show, making it harder to stay immersed. Plus, I kept expecting the different plot threads to build toward something significant, but they never really gained enough momentum for me.
My biggest disappointment, however, was Vis’ character. A lot of what made him compelling before feels absent here. Instead, he mostly came off as passive, with little real growth in each world. Some of the later twists don’t help either, as they undermine the core of his character. The new characters and dynamics introduced also don’t fare any better with little depth or emotional impact.
Quotes:
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin is a great pick if you want a similar epic fantasy with multiple perspectives, layered worldbuilding, and strong themes around power and oppression. I’d also recommend Of Darkness and Light by Ryan Cahill. It’s another epic fantasy with rich worldbuilding, complex political tensions, and a chosen-one protagonist.
Q: Which character’s death shocked you most?
There’s no shortage of shocking deaths in this book—Cian, Aequa, Lir, and Ahmose are just a few. However, it was Ahmose’s death that shocked me most, because he had started to form a tentative bond with Vis, and his death felt abrupt. It almost felt like his character was written out once he was no longer needed.
Q: Do you think you would enjoy a quiet life on a farm?
It sounds nice in theory, as it would be peaceful and simple. I just can’t see myself living that way permanently. Even as an introvert, I still love the variety of entertainment and social options that city life provides. Plus, the physical demands and daily farmwork would cause the appeal to wear off fast.
Q: How well did you follow the worldbuilding—did any parts go over your head?
Q: Which parts of the worldbuilding felt the most memorable or interesting to you?
Q: Which world or point of view was your favourite?
Q: Were there any moments that managed to surprise you, or did you see most twists coming?
Q: Which part of the story did you think was the most brutal for Vis?
Q: Have you ever cheated on a test or in a competition?
Q: Are you a good dancer?
Q: Were you rooting for any of Vis’ romantic arcs?
Q: Which secondary characters stood out the most to you?
Q: What was your reaction to the characters who were brought back towards the end?
Q: What did you think about the revelations surrounding Ka and the Concurrence?
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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