Strength of the Few - A Book Review

I enjoyed this book.

As the second book in The Heiarchy Series, the shift to three different character POVs from one is handled well. Each time a chapter ended on a cliffhanger and moved to another perspective, I found myself quickly invested again rather than frustrated by the switch. The pacing benefits from this structure, and it kept me consistently engaged.

The worldbuilding remains a strong point. The Roman-inspired setting blended with Egyptian and Celtic names and influences creates a unique and interesting world that builds naturally on the first book. The decision to tell the story through three separate POVs of the same character is especially compelling. It almost reads like a “what if” exploration — showing how Vis reacts when shaped by different circumstances at the end of the previous book. Although these versions of Vis slowly develop into distinct characters, their shared backstory makes it easy to connect with all three.

That said, some elements didn’t fully work for me.

I wanted more character interaction across the board. Each version of Vis needed stronger, more frequent exchanges with their companions to better sell the emotional weight of those relationships.

One moment stood out as confusing. Vis is adamantly opposed to touching the Aurora Columnae, and the narrative builds significant tension toward the moment when he’s forced to do so. When he finally makes contact, it doesn’t work, and then the issue seems to disappear and is not addressed again. If this was clarified later, I missed it, but as written, it felt unresolved.

There were also several sections where I struggled to visualize what was happening. Obiteum is an interesting environment conceptually, but many of its structures were difficult to picture. The same issue came up during the chariot race, where I had trouble understanding the mechanics of the race and what the characters were actually riding.

Spoilers

I wasn’t a fan of the final act’s character death. While it was certainly shocking and motivating for Vis, it felt shocking for the sake of shock, especially given how much story potential remained for that character. The moment seemed more like a setup for a different character’s return than a natural conclusion.

I also struggled with Res Vis’s willingness to command an army of slaves. Vis has always been defined by his firm moral convictions, and while Res Vis is clearly changing, this decision felt like a sharp departure from what we know of him. That said, it may be an intentional setup, perhaps a version of Vis losing his way while the others are forced to confront him.

Closing

I have these critiques because I genuinely enjoy this series and care about where it’s going. The ideas are ambitious, the world is compelling, and the central character(s) remain engaging. Despite its flaws, this book held my attention throughout, and I’m very interested to see how the story develops from here.