Reading Emaneska : Part One - The Written
Exploring Ben Galley's Emaneska series one book at a time
Since 2024 seems to be the year of the series reads I thought it appropriate to wait to write these reviews/explorations until I’ve finished the series and then release them as part of their own mini-series under the banner of a new feature here on the website. Without getting too lost in the weeds I’m still trying to figure out how best to tackle sharing reviews of the worlds I’m exploring (be it books or movies or tv) as I just feel like the “standard review” format isn’t cutting it.
I’ve been a big fan of the idea of the long running, chapter by chapter, exploration of these massive fantasy series - The Wheel of Time done on tor.com and on the fantastic The Wheel Weaves Podcast - is an excellent example. However, I don’t know that I have the patience to ONLY read one chapter at a time and then either write up or record(in podcast form) my thoughts on said chapter. I love exploring the worlds too much so selfishly don’t want to take 5 years to get through a single book series.
So we’re going to attempt a bit of a hybrid here. One that may evolve a little as we go, and we’re going to start with the Emaneska series that I just finished via audiobook. For Emaneska I’ll have four total entries - one for each book in the series.
With future series, I may break single books down into quarters or something of that sort, just so I can better engage us all in the story while also inviting all of you to check out these books with me.
For now though let’s stay flexible, allow for this to morph into whatever form it will take, and set sail for Emaneska and into the worlds created by Ben Galley!
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"The Written" by Ben Galley, is a fantasy rollercoaster with dragons, magic, dark elves, and even vampires and werewolves. It's like Norse mythology on steroids!
I’ll be honest, this book feels like someone brainstormed it after one too many drinks in college. It's got everything, and some folks get bent out of shape over the sheer madness. But, c'mon, lighten up! It's like a fantasy sugar rush – not every book needs an intricate universe. Sometimes a blast of pure fantasy adventure and excitement is just what the doctor ordered!
Looking at the plotlines of this book we follow our main character, a mage named Farden, as he is sent to broker a peace between his nation and a nation of dragons and their riders that have been at war as recently as the past decade and a half. Along the way there are dark evils rising, hidden truths being revealed, and an interesting twist where our main man Farden is addicted to a nasty drug called Nevermore.
While there are some very familiar fantasy tropes it still sounds pretty unique, right?
Because of some of those familiar tropes, it’s not hard to find plenty of grumpy people online criticizing this debut novel from Ben Galley as being unpolished or rough around the edges. Will you find a few repetitive phrases, sure. Because of the terrific audiobook narration by Steven Cree, I found the book to feel very natural in that “modern speech meets norse fantasy” way. As a debut novel I had no issues with any of the polish, or lack thereof, and enjoyed the adrenaline-fueled journey.
While plenty of questions linger after the last page, this is book one of a series, so let’s talk a little about twists - no spoilers here - I promise. A looming betrayal thread runs through this entire book that keeps you guessing, and even if it feels predictable at times, the gut punches and joyous surprises hit hard. Farden, the flawed hero, takes a predictable character growth path – a hot-head, drug addict, scarred individual but heroic at his core - whether he admits it or not. Call me a sucker, but I love flawed heroes and it’s a fantasy trope I doubt I’ll ever tire of.
You can’t talk fantasy books without taking a look at the magic, can you?! Due to the mayhem of so many moving pieces, there are actually a number of sources and types of magic to enjoy here. Farden's magic comes from a massive tattooed "book" that is written onto his back and his magical vambraces. Dragons have unexplained connections to their riders coupled with ancient magics and knowledge, vampires and werewolves do their monstery things, and ancient evil from demons and dark elves bring more mystery. I am hoping for more magic system evolution in the series as it’s kind of just laid out there as being what it is but not really explained at all.
Described as "Game of Thrones meets Die Hard," I have to call foul on - it's a stretch. Game of Thrones vibes? A bit, with politics and betrayals, but lighter and no incestual sex. Die Hard? Sure, it's action-packed, but the connection's fuzzy and there is certainly no crawling through heating ducts or epic villain falls from the top of a tower. Despite those claims, it's just FUN. A darker, violent indie fantasy that surprised me, drawing me in with its intensity and fast pace. Having that flawed MC in Farden, complete with his snarky attitude certainly didn’t hurt!
Comparisons aside, as the first piece of the foundational puzzle for this four book series, The Written was a solid beginning for Farden and his expanding journey through Emaneska’s dangers. There are enough lingering questions and a lot of meat left on the bone for this series to bloom into something more, the question is will it succeed in growing while maintaining the entertaining and enjoyable tone that book one has provided?
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If you’re needing a fast-paced, accessible fantasy without history lessons? "The Written" might be your jam. Character-focused, it's not about falling in love with the world; it's pure entertainment. Maybe that is where the Die Hard comparison is strongest? Like those classic 80’s and 90’s action films, it’s not about dense worldbuilding and histories, it’s all about a character we can get invested in as they navigate their adrenaline-fueled, action packed situations. “The Written” is a terrific palate cleanser between intense reads, perfect for zoning out and enjoying the ride.
Are you reading along with us or have you already read “The Written” or the Emaneska series? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Stay tuned for Reading Emaneska : Part Two - Pale Kings, where we’ll dive into the second book of the Emaneska series from Ben Galley.
Until then…Happy reading friends!
