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Dead Stars - Part Two

(Emaneska #4)

Ben Galley (Goodreads Author)

4.40 · Rating details · 325 ratings · 30 reviews

North, is where the battle will take place.
North, is where Farden must go.
But to death, to glory, or to both?

The Arka have chosen their champion, and now he must lead them to the top of the world - The Spine, where the black mountains belch fire, and where the battle against cataclysm will take place upon the ice.

As they travel north in a warship clad in iron, the ...more

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Paperback, First Edition, 544 pages

Published May 31st 2013 by BenGalley.com (first published May 29th 2013)

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Apr 13, 2013 Martin Belcher rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2013

This book is AMAZING. I've loved every page of the four book Emaneska series by the wonderfully talented young author, Mr Ben Galley. I'm so glad I stumbled on this fantasy series by accident by walking into Waterstones in Southampton and seeing the first book "The Written", I was hooked almost immediately by the main character, Farden, a Mage, a written. So deep, so scarred by his experiences, someone you can identify with.

Well on to a review of this final book "Dead Stars, part two", following ...more

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Nov 13, 2018 THE BIBLIOPHILE (Rituranjan) rated it really liked it

A satisfying conclusion to the series, although Galley left it open ended, and hence there are possibilities of more stories in the world of Emaneska. Galley himself has said that he would perhaps write another series in Emaneska, but, it's due for some other time. I enjoyed this more than the part 1 of the book, mainly because of the setting, character development, the thrilling plot, and the bloody action.

The events start right after the end of part 1. Modren's wife Elessi is in a daemon A satisfying conclusion to the series, although Galley left it open ended, and hence there are possibilities of more stories in the world of Emaneska. Galley himself has said that he would perhaps write another series in Emaneska, but, it's due for some other time. I enjoyed this more than the part 1 of the book, mainly because of the setting, character development, the thrilling plot, and the bloody action.

The events start right after the end of part 1. Modren's wife Elessi is in a daemon injured coma, and Farden's daughter is going to the north to the apex point of the world in order to bring back the daemons from the void. Krauslaung itself is in turmoil due to greed, and corruption of the council members led by the Marble Copse. Tyrfing, Farden, and the gods Heimdal and Loki venture into the north in a warship in order to stop the catastrophe that's about to happen. Meanwhile, the Sirens are silent and their stronghold is captured by the northern clans. A lot of events take place in the story, but, Galley manages to integrate it all into his plot without losing any momentum.

Farden is learning to accept the burden of saving the world once again. His magic hasn't come back yet, and he is searching for other pieces of the fabled Scaulussen armour. We here get to know how the armour and its legendary knights came into being, and how one of them is still alive somewhere. Farden and Tyrfing along with Loki ventures into Hel, the realm of the dead in order to bring back Elessi's soul. I have to say that Galley's worlbuilding is to be applauded in this regard. We get to see the realm of Hel in its full morose splendor. Loki is upto his own agendas again, and, it's difficult to know what is he playing at. His motives are vague at best, and Galley didn't bother to make it clear.

There are talking whales in this book, and they sing. I was delighted by this. The whole crew of the ship in this book is a jolly lot, and Roiks made me laugh with his fun attitude and boisterous stories. The Gods remain only as bystanders, without getting to the real fight. I was feeling pity for Samara at the end, and, when Farden confronts her with the truth, it's poignant and I could relate to the situation. That was well written. Galley however left the situation at Krauslaung unsolved which was a let down for me, but, not much. I missed the dragon Brightshow here. The fight at the end was a blast, with magic, dragons, daemons, and beasts clashing in a chaotic whirlwind of battle. It was pretty graphic. I was expecting to see a grand confrontation between Farden and Orion, but, it ended short in an unexpected manner. But, it was all a big boom.

I enjoyed this book, I enjoyed the epic adventure and magic of Emaneska. Galley improved his craft with each books, though there are some ups and downs. His writing is descriptive, and dense sometimes. He has a sense of humour and a little dark tone that suits my mood just well. I'm glad I read the series, and hope that Galley produces more epic fantasies soon enough. I will read his other books, and heard highly of a certain Golem. Perhaps I would go to an adventure with the Golem, who knows. I'll miss the dragons though. ...more

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Mar 05, 2019 Connie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I absolutely loved this series, I tried to make it last because I knew it was going to end, well end it has and I enjoyed every minute, it has everything you'd want in a high action fantasy. But don't take my word for it, just read it!

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May 07, 2013 Paul Nelson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013-books-read

A riveting finale to the Emaneska series, fast paced, action packed with some wonderful characters. This is a highly recommended dark fantasy series littered with magick, tattooed mages, daemons, dragons and Gods in an epic battle of good versus evil.
If you've not read any of this series the first & second novels, The Written & Pale Kings are both available on Kindle for an excellent price and its well worth following the flawed hero as he battles both himself and the insurmountable odds A riveting finale to the Emaneska series, fast paced, action packed with some wonderful characters. This is a highly recommended dark fantasy series littered with magick, tattooed mages, daemons, dragons and Gods in an epic battle of good versus evil.
If you've not read any of this series the first & second novels, The Written & Pale Kings are both available on Kindle for an excellent price and its well worth following the flawed hero as he battles both himself and the insurmountable odds thrown at him.

My review for The Written is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

If you've not read Dead Stars Part 1 then this first section of the review contains big spoilers .
The story resumes immediately after the chaotic climax to Dead Stars Part 1 of which the ending is definitely worth talking about as Samara summons 3 daemons down from the sky and they begin to wreak havoc at Modren and Elessi's wedding.
The Arkmages and the Written answer with spells of white ice shards and lightening, concentrating on one adversary they join together and throw everything they can muster at the daemon but in the end it was not the weight of spells that did for the daemon but a simple wine barrel. As he tripped over it and crashed into the spire, the screams spurred the mages on until the daemon and the spire are destroyed. Farden wreathed in utter fury and patience long gone is unable to use his magick but this major disadvantage doesn't stop him confronting one of the two remaining foes, the daemon hesitates and disappears spitting the words Godsblood at Farden and his armour.
Elessi is unconscious poisoned by the touch of the daemon, Farden is the only one who can save her and Loki gets a taste of what may come as he feels the power of a departing soul.

After escaping amid the chaos, Samara and Lilleth head North over the mountains to be met by the surviving daemons Hokus & Valfor, the North is where the magick is strongest and they must travel there to complete the spell again. Samara believes Farden to be the man who killed her father and on seeing him her determination to fulfil the prophecies and lies that Lilleth has told her increases tenfold.

Farden, Tyrfing and the surviving Written travel across the sea to the home of the Sirens seeking information on the daemon touched wound of Elessi, Farden begins to train, to recapture his fitness but his magick is still gone for the time being.

The daemons have travelled far and wide sowing their treacherous seeds with promises of power, breeding discontent amongst the rulers of Krauslung and the Sirens. The political manoeuvring is an interesting element to the plot as plans to dispose the Arkmages of Krauslung gather speed and the Sirens offer help to their fellow dragons of the Northern clan as traitors gather.

The story of Farden shows a character who is intensely stubborn, headstrong and single minded when given purpose. He blames his magic for all his problems and resorts to the drug Nevermar to banish it, he blames himself for the problems caused by the battle of the Pale Kings and the birth of his daughter and to solve this he disappears from Krauslung for 15 years. When the God Loki brings him back he finally takes responsibility for saving the daemon touched Elessi and facing the coming onslaught but he will do it his way, retrieving something long lost and travelling where only the dead may go. As with Part 1 the relationship between Loki & Farden is at times tense and fraught with potential violence, the God even learns how to cheat at cards and most of the time, just pissing Farden off seems to be his ultimate goal.

Running alongside the events in Emaneska is the story of Korrin from over 1500 years ago, now incredibly skilled in warfare, Korrin and the chosen nine receive a gift to aid them in their coming battles against tyrants and evil kings. Gifts of legend that are still sought even now. As with any series you enjoy that touches on the past to aid in the plot, I always feel there's more to tell and a bigger story or prelude novel could be produced, I guess that's testament to the skill of the writer and the self published Author Ben Galley is an extremely skilful story teller.
...more

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Oct 13, 2018 Damien Black rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This fourth book brings the Emaneska series to an exciting, action-packed finale, replete with heroism and tragedy in equal measures. I was engaged right the way through, and wanted to see how Farden, Durnus (possibly one of my favourite fantasy 'wise master' characters) and Tyrfing fared against the machiavellian Barkhart and the demonic lieutenants Valefor and Hokus.

I was also pleased to see the return of Eyrum, Lerel and the rest of the Sirens and their dragon counterparts, as the heroes ...more

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Jun 05, 2013 Liam rated it it was amazing

So now that I've come to the end of the Emaneska series I can give my final thoughts.

Bloody Brilliant.

The characters are fantastic! The Siren race feels like it has existed along side the standard elves and dwarves of so many years. The protagonist is one of the realest feeling characters of any fantasy book I've read, adding a few twists on the archetypal hero. The supporting characters are excellent, the final battle is truly Epic and the story had me grinning like a baboon in places.

The only ...more

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Jun 16, 2013 Max rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

A good read, with some pretty epic scenes. Sadly, it is suffering a bit from the lack of imagination where the gods are concerned. If you are not writing actual norse mythology (like the Iron Druid Chronicles, for example), don't steal some of their gods for your world. Or at least change their names to make it less obvious.

The book has both a satisfying and an unsatisfying ending. The ending itself is epic, but while the immediate plots have been resolved, there are still some important plot ...more

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May 14, 2013 Hels rated it it was amazing

Shelves: epic-fantasy

Awesome! This is a fantastic book to end one of the best fantasy series I have read, ever! My only disappointment is that the Emaneska series has come to an end.

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Jul 03, 2013 Mitchell rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

I finished this book a little while ago, but I wanted to take some time to let it sink in before writing a review. This book has a lot going for it, a lot to enjoy, but in the end I found it less satisfying than, perhaps it could have been.

This book picks up just after the end of Part 1 and the aftermath of the demon assault. Farden is still Farden; angry, bitter, and still suffering the effects of 15 years of nevermar use. While he slowly is regaining his confidence and strength, for the most ...more

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May 30, 2013 James rated it did not like it

Shelves: fantasy

I feel bad rating this one so poorly, but I really didn't enjoy it at all.

I thought the first book in the series was not great but not bad, and a worthy first offering.
I thought the second book in the series suffered from too many characters, but had an OK story that kept my interest.
I thought the third book in the series had really good writing, got rid of a lot of useless characters, and focused on an interesting story for about 2/3 of the book, but kind of lost steam at the end. If the author ...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Sue rated it really liked it

Satisfying conclusion to the Emaneska series while leaving just a few loose ends in case the author ever wants to return. I really enjoyed this series. The characters were compelling, the story line was interesting, and I was often surprised by certain plot twists. I have to say the last third of the book is so action packed that I stayed up until 1AM to finish it.

The only critique I have, and in my eyes this is minor, is that the manuscripts for these books need a proofreader. There were some ...more

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Apr 26, 2016 Agnes Conway rated it really liked it

Satisfying ending, though there are a lot of loose threads - perhaps he intends to write more books in the series? I hope so, and I'd buy them.

(view spoiler)

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Oct 19, 2016 Max André rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What more can i say!!!!

I can't believe the saga has come to an end, so invested I was with the character and the storyline. And yet with the way the story end I have my fingers cross for a surprising more stories to come!!!

Thanks Ben for sharing this journey with us!!!

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Jul 19, 2013 Bev rated it liked it

Basically some good ideas but quality of writing variable. Unsatisfying end to an odd series.

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Mar 22, 2018 James Casey rated it really liked it

Farden,still without his magick, together with his brave uncle Tyrfing and also his other loyal friends board an Iron clad ship and go north to where the last great battle will be fought against his almighty daughter Samara. He also has a quest to find the answer which will bring Elessi (who lies in a deathly coma) back to life and also to find the Scallussen armour which will protect him against anything and everything. While travelling through the ice in the frozen north they surprisingly find ...more

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Mar 02, 2019 Nigel P rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Absolutely fantastic

Can’t remember if I starred all the books, if not sorry - they all get 5*. Absolutely no point starting with this book it’s the last one. Buy them all and start st the beginning then lose a few days as you read them all, non- stop. Looking forward, very much, to whatever Ben Galley dreams up next - it’s bound to be interesting.

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May 13, 2019 Denise rated it it was amazing

Fantastic story! All of it.
So well written , could hardly put the book(s) down. And yet, I was dreading the end, because then it would be over.

So you can imagine my joy when I heard from the author himself no less that there's more of Emaneska to be read!

Also, give him a follow, he's a very nice guy. And better yet, READ HIS BOOKS ...more

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Feb 12, 2019 Andrew Gilchrist rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Cracking

I tell you what this guy sure can write a finale. A
strong ending to every book not least this last one. Ben deserves to be up there - this last book is a good as Brandon Sanderson’s best. His writing has grown each book. Keep going fella, bat on my friend. Great read.

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May 06, 2019 Jake Cruise rated it it was amazing

Great finish to a great series. Loved the ending

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Apr 29, 2019 Patricia birch-Hawkins rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Loved the characters

Can’t wait for more stories involving these characters great reads miss them already hope there’s some more soon or similar

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Mar 05, 2019 Chip rated it it was amazing

It's amazing to see the writing improve over the course of these four books. I thoroughly enjoyed this last book and will seek out all of Ben's books in the future.

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Jan 05, 2019 Andy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Very enjoyable read

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Jun 22, 2018 Hanna Garrison rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Amazing series!

This series was one that u couldn't put down, it was rich with adventure and imagination! I highly recommend it!

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Aug 07, 2019 Alan Behan rated it it was amazing

I absolutely loved this series, it has everything a fan of fantasy will love and more, thank you Ben Galley it was pleasure reading your work and can't wait to read your other series... ...more

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Mar 26, 2019 Paul Wandless rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I thought this was his best book yet. Had good pace and the action was really well written. I feel Dead Stars would have benefited form being just one book, instead of spread between two books. Quite often less is more and I think in an effort to really fill out the world, some editing could have been done in Dead Stars 1 to help the pace. Especially the first half of the book.
All in all it was a satisfying end to the series the had more ups than downs for me in the reading of the story. I look ...more

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Jun 01, 2013 Férial rated it really liked it

So. I had written a review but thanks to the erratic internet, it was never posted *sigh*

Alright. I was roughly saying that the end was satisfying...and at the same time it was not. Why ? Simply because a couple of plots were left "unfinished" and I was left scratching my head. What about Malvus ? What about Loki ? What about Illith's vision/prediction ? (view spoiler) ...more

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Mar 28, 2014 Alia Capodici rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Absolutely an Awesome Read

I just finished Ben Galley's Emaneska Series and I wish there were 12 more books still to go, I loved it that much. Although Galley's main character is in many ways flawed, the trials and tribulations he goes through during these four books change him into a hero anyone could love! This series is colorful, funny, and brilliantly written so the reader gets the most out of each chapter. Galley's characters are so well developed that I truly am sad to see them go. Well ...more

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Nov 11, 2013 Emma rated it really liked it

This was so much better than the last one - back to the Farden that we all know and love.

My only criticism would be that (SPOLIER ALERT!) when Farden's daughter dies the author could have pulled on the heart strings a lot more. I was dissapointed that what I had been waiting for, for the whole book, was over in a matter of seconds. This could have been such a poignant and bitter-sweet moment.

I will definitely be reading anything else that Ben writes and i will miss Emaneska.

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Apr 23, 2016 Ryan Hughes rated it it was amazing

The Emaneska Series is the reason I am trying to get into writing. It has everything a good series should have! Brilliantly witty with one of the most original magic systems and such easy to read writing! If I listed every positive about this book I would be sitting here for quite some time! Well done to Ben Galley for such a brilliant series!

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Apr 22, 2014 Alex rated it really liked it

It was an arduous journey to read the entire series, but Ben Galley wraps it all up nicely in the fourth book and it left me with a satisfying feeling. Overall, the series was a pleasant read.

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About Ben Galley

Ben Galley

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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 Heart of Stone. He is also the author of the critically-acclaimed Chasing Graves Trilogy.

When he isn’t conjuring up strange ...more