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Dead Stars - Part One
(Emaneska #3)
by
The sky is falling.
The world trembles beneath it.
Emaneska is crying out for a saviour.
Somebody is hunting down the Written mages in the wilds. Murdering and skinning them alive. Who? A mere girl. A girl who was born to rip the stars from the sky and bring them crashing down to earth. The direst enemy Emaneska has ever faced.
In the wake of the Battle of Krauslung, th ...more
The world trembles beneath it.
Emaneska is crying out for a saviour.
Somebody is hunting down the Written mages in the wilds. Murdering and skinning them alive. Who? A mere girl. A girl who was born to rip the stars from the sky and bring them crashing down to earth. The direst enemy Emaneska has ever faced.
In the wake of the Battle of Krauslung, th ...more
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Paperback, First Edition, 482 pages
Published
May 31st 2013
by BenGalley.com
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Start your review of Dead Stars - Part One (Emaneska #3)

This gets 3.5-stars for me.
The author has some good ideas but there was way too much in the way of description for me to say I enjoyed it.
If you like the idea of reading dark fantasy with description then you will probably enjoy this. What I would say is that I think the author originally intended to write a trilogy but that it turned into four books. There's nothing wrong with that at all, though I think it could have easily been reduced by cutting out the descriptive stuff. My Brother-in-law ...more
The author has some good ideas but there was way too much in the way of description for me to say I enjoyed it.
If you like the idea of reading dark fantasy with description then you will probably enjoy this. What I would say is that I think the author originally intended to write a trilogy but that it turned into four books. There's nothing wrong with that at all, though I think it could have easily been reduced by cutting out the descriptive stuff. My Brother-in-law ...more

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I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this book. Having really enjoyed The Written & Pale Kings I was looking forward to reading this one. Ben is a master story teller, his descriptive language really brings the book to life. His characters are believable & the storyline exciting, once I started I just couldn't put it down. (Most of it was read in my breaks at work on my iPhone, such was my enthusiasm to keep reading). A truly brilliant book!
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Fabulous, I've loved every page of this epic fantasy, though there have been times where I've wanted to reach into the page and give Farden a bloody good shake. Anyway must go got to start Dead Stars part two.
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Dead Stars is the concluding novel to Ben Galley's Emaneska series. The book is so big; Ben has released it in two volumes, the first of which I'll review today. Discussing this book will unavoidably provide spoilers for books one and two, The Written and Pale Kings respectively. If you want to remain unspoiled for the prior books, please click away or skip to the last paragraph of this review.
Ben Galley is one of the two self-pubbed authors I've reviewed on the blog and as such is somewhat of a ...more
Ben Galley is one of the two self-pubbed authors I've reviewed on the blog and as such is somewhat of a ...more

Another brilliant book by Ben Galley the third in the very original "Emaneska" series, Dead Stars part one continues the story where Pale Kings ended. Fifteen years later the great city of Krauslung has been rebuilt after the disastrous battle. Tyrfing, Farden's uncle and the blind vampyre Durnus are the new twin Arkmages and Modren is undermage but all is not well.... Farden has disappeared and worse still someone is tracking down and killing the written one by one.. Can Farden's powerful reneg
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Awesome follow-up to The Written and Pale Kings! I'm immediately starting Dead Stars Part 2 as I just can't wait. I have really enjoyed this series tremendously. Ben has huge talent and a brilliant future ahead of him.
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Another solid entry in this saga. Although I had some issues with the first book, The Written, that barely managed to seep into the second book, Pale Kings, I found this third book in the series had really managed to find its footing. This tale has turned into something of a redemption story, and that aspect of it is quite well done.
This is technically the first part of what might have supposed to been a very large book that was cut in two. You know, like LotR was. But I find it interesting that ...more
This is technically the first part of what might have supposed to been a very large book that was cut in two. You know, like LotR was. But I find it interesting that ...more

Like a fine wine (although I don't actually drink much wine) this series is getting better and better. This book gives us an insight into the lives of many of the main characters following on from the aftermath of what happened at the end of the second book culminating in an epic final battle. I really enjoyed this instalment and look forward to moving onto the fourth and final book to see how it all ends.
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After the epic conclusion of Pale kings, we initially join the story nine years later with the return of Lilleth the seer and Samara, Farden's Daughter. Lilleth was entrusted by Vice, to bring up Samara, fill her head with lies and hatred, to bring to fruition the evil plans of Vice.
Samara is nine years old and has been slowly but surely brainwashed, poisoned against those who could possibly have any feelings for her and the truth kept as far from her as possible.
They keep a low profile, travel ...more
Samara is nine years old and has been slowly but surely brainwashed, poisoned against those who could possibly have any feelings for her and the truth kept as far from her as possible.
They keep a low profile, travel ...more

This book continues the story of Farden, the anti-hero mage. It's actually quite a heart-wrenching book as it deals with the emotional aftermath of Farden seeing the woman he loves die and his daughter escape, potentially to fulfill the dark prophesy surrounding her birth. Farden, in this book, reminded me a lot of Don Draper from Mad Men: he is amazingly skilled when he is properly engaged, and we can't help liking him and rooting for him despite his bad choices and self-destructive tendencies.
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This is so much better than Galley's last two books. The difference is stunning, but it's obvious that it's still the same author. He just worked hard and improved significantly.
I was a little tired of the characters from the previous two books, but I think if the previous two had been written with the quality of this one it would not have been the case. When Galley is done with these characters and does a new story altogether, his improved writing will serve him very well. He has earned a spot ...more
I was a little tired of the characters from the previous two books, but I think if the previous two had been written with the quality of this one it would not have been the case. When Galley is done with these characters and does a new story altogether, his improved writing will serve him very well. He has earned a spot ...more

This is the third book in the series but I get the feeling that is should have been book 2 or another series altogether.
I enjoyed book 2 but the beginning of book 3 was a step back. Farden was back to being a druggy and whining and feeling sorry for himself. Time has moved on and fifteen years have passed but farden has not aged due to his Scalussen armour. The drug Nevermar has coooked his memories and he is a part time assassin. Then his half daemon daughter appears and farden is dragged back ...more
I enjoyed book 2 but the beginning of book 3 was a step back. Farden was back to being a druggy and whining and feeling sorry for himself. Time has moved on and fifteen years have passed but farden has not aged due to his Scalussen armour. The drug Nevermar has coooked his memories and he is a part time assassin. Then his half daemon daughter appears and farden is dragged back ...more

Fantastic. The best of this compelling series so far.
Set about fifteen years after the last book. A mysterious girl has appeared, and she is targeting Written all across the land, once they encounter her they don't get far. Why is this happening?
Meanwhile Farden has become surly, complacent and sold his soul to the man. However when a real threat comes along can be be convinced to help? Or is he too wrapped up in his own problems?
The characters in this are so two sided, no one is inherently go ...more
Set about fifteen years after the last book. A mysterious girl has appeared, and she is targeting Written all across the land, once they encounter her they don't get far. Why is this happening?
Meanwhile Farden has become surly, complacent and sold his soul to the man. However when a real threat comes along can be be convinced to help? Or is he too wrapped up in his own problems?
The characters in this are so two sided, no one is inherently go ...more

I discovered Ben Galley and his work around a year or so ago and was immediately impressed. I started the "Emaneska" series, but (for reasons unknown) I took a massive break before starting on "Dead Stars".
Galley's writing has always been good, but "Dead Stars - Part One" is on another level. I love Farden's development throughout this novel; he is fast becoming one of my all-time favourite characters. I also really enjoyed reading the parts about Samara and I'm interested to see where Galley t ...more
Galley's writing has always been good, but "Dead Stars - Part One" is on another level. I love Farden's development throughout this novel; he is fast becoming one of my all-time favourite characters. I also really enjoyed reading the parts about Samara and I'm interested to see where Galley t ...more

Like the others in this series, this book build and builds! There is such a depth to this series and here what I really loved was the change in prose throughout between the characters and the gods. IN many ways this is a journey book and set up to the final battle but this doesn't in any way mean its not a great read. The cover is fantastic as always and makes me glad that I picked this series up when I did.
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I just finished reading the book, and I have to say it was terrific. Ben Galley has put a wonderfully epic story together. I am looking forward to reading book 2, feeling like I shouldn't rush to the end.
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Loved it! Great 3rd book in the Emaneska series. If you enjoyed The Written and Pale Kings, this book needs to be read. It will be released on May 31st along with Dead Stars Part 2! I couldn't stop reading the last half of Part 1, so I definitely can't wait to see how the series ends!
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After reading the first two parts a few months ago, I was eager to read parts three and four, which were bought for me as a gift. The story begins fifteen years after Pale Kings left off, with Durnus and Tyrfing trying to rebuild Krauslung, a difficult task after the debacle which it had suffered. It seems that Magick is being found in places where it never was before and there is a murderous young girl ( the illicit daughter of Farden) slaying ‘Written’ indiscriminately. A group of three young
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Well this didn’t disappoint. It was good to see a different facet to Farden, although he did start to annoy me a bit. His whole pity party did try me as a reader, but I persevered as glimpses of his true character were still obvious. It payed dividends, as the outcome of this story has been laced out so well for the next. I also liked the flashbacks to the Scalussen knights. Very nice touch 👍

Galley rocks again!
Dead Stars is a gritty and dark fantasy novel continuing the tale of Farden and Emaneska, his present world. Galley’s writing style is so descriptive with flourishing adjectives that the reader experiences each and every emotion, blow, punch, cut, and stab of his characters. No one does it better! Hurry and get Dead Stars - Part Two.
Dead Stars is a gritty and dark fantasy novel continuing the tale of Farden and Emaneska, his present world. Galley’s writing style is so descriptive with flourishing adjectives that the reader experiences each and every emotion, blow, punch, cut, and stab of his characters. No one does it better! Hurry and get Dead Stars - Part Two.

Cracking read, Ben Galley's writing flow's just nicely while reading away, now for the final installment...😃
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As fast paced as the previous books, and as detailed as ever, charting the progress of individual characters. Can't wait to get to the finale
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Another fantastic book. It's so well written, you just have to keep reading. I could not get enough of this story. I was actually glad I waited to read this, because now I could read all of it in one go. What a glorious time.
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I'm a bit of two minds about this book. I think the story telling is still strong and Ben is an amazing world builder. The end of the book really ended well to propel you into book 4, which is really the second half of this book. His writing is certainly getting stronger and really is a master with building a rich world and bringing it to life.
What I was less happy about was what seemed to be an overly long time in building the story. It starts with a time jump of 15 years in the future and Fa ...more
What I was less happy about was what seemed to be an overly long time in building the story. It starts with a time jump of 15 years in the future and Fa ...more
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Ben Galley is an author of dark and epic fantasy books who currently hails from Victoria, Canada. Since publishing his debut Emaneska Series, Ben has released a range of epic and dark fantasy novels, including the award-winning weird western Bloodrush and standalone novel The ...more
Ben Galley is an author of dark and epic fantasy books who currently hails from Victoria, Canada. Since publishing his debut Emaneska Series, Ben has released a range of epic and dark fantasy novels, including the award-winning weird western Bloodrush and standalone novel The ...more
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