James Islington, an Australian author, emerged as a recognized name in the realm of high fantasy with his acclaimed series The Licanius Trilogy. The series set a milestone in his career, further bolstered by the release of The Will of the Many in 2023, which marks the first installment of the Hierarchy series.

Islington's literary journey began in southern Victoria, Australia, where he was born and raised. Influenced by iconic fantasy storytellers such as Raymond E. Feist and Robert Jordan, it wasn't until he encountered Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series and Patrick Rothfuss' Name of the Wind that he felt compelled to write his own stories. Today, he resides on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria with his wife and two children.