After James Islington

The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan

If you devoured The Strength of the Few for its quantifiable Will system and Roman-inspired political machinations, The Justice of Kings ramps up the grimdark thrill with legalistic enchantments and empire-wide conspiracies that demand dissection. Fans love how both deliver flawed protagonists navigating ethical minefields, evolving through high-stakes betrayals without clichéd heroism. This rec mirrors that dense, rewarding prose that makes every twist feel earned and every reread a revelation.

The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

If the ruthless academy intrigue and Will-powered mind games in The Will of the Many had you hooked on underdog smarts dismantling oppressive systems, you'll devour this African-inspired epic where a vengeful protagonist wields tactical genius against a caste-bound society. Echoing the betrayals and moral ambiguity that made Islington's world unputdownable, Evan Winter's The Rage of Dragons amps up the intense battles and strategic combat for non-stop cerebral tension. It's the raw validation strategic thinkers crave—cunning over brute force, every twist a victory for the clever outsider.