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The Scalussen Chronicles #2
Heavy Lies the Crown
You don’t have to save the world, you just have to survive it
The battle for freedom has left Emaneska reeling and desolated. Both Scalussen and Arka are scattered to the winds. With the Blazing Throne now empty and the Arka Empire for the taking, the race to claim Emaneska has begun.
Farden and Mithrid have been stranded alone in strange eastern lands by errant magick, They battle not to return home, but to uncover an ancient weapon capable of defeating a god. A god who desires nothing but chaos.
In Emaneska, Elessi leads the survivors of the Rogue’s Armada to safer havens, something rare and lacking in the uncharted waters of the south.
Treachery and pain await them both, but the price of failure is steeper. New enemies lie in wait on those foreign paths. Dark creatures born of nightmares and forgotten powers. Warlords set on mastering magick. And an old threat reborn, doggedly pursuing one fate:
The death of Farden.
The battle for freedom has left Emaneska reeling and desolated. Both Scalussen and Arka are scattered to the winds. With the Blazing Throne now empty and the Arka Empire for the taking, the race to claim Emaneska has begun.
Farden and Mithrid have been stranded alone in strange eastern lands by errant magick, They battle not to return home, but to uncover an ancient weapon capable of defeating a god. A god who desires nothing but chaos.
In Emaneska, Elessi leads the survivors of the Rogue’s Armada to safer havens, something rare and lacking in the uncharted waters of the south.
Treachery and pain await them both, but the price of failure is steeper. New enemies lie in wait on those foreign paths. Dark creatures born of nightmares and forgotten powers. Warlords set on mastering magick. And an old threat reborn, doggedly pursuing one fate:
The death of Farden.
571 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2021
67 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Ben Galley
53 books856 followersBen Galley is a British author of dark and epic fantasy books who currently hails from Vancouver, Canada. Since publishing his debut Emaneska Series, Ben has released the award-winning weird western Scarlet Star Trilogy and standalone The Heart of Stone, the critically-acclaimed Chasing Graves Trilogy, and the new Scalussen Chronicles.
When he isn’t conjuring up strange new stories or arguing the finer points of magic systems and dragon anatomy, Ben explores the Canadian wilds, sips Scotch single malts, and snowboards very, very badly. One day he hopes to haunt an epic treehouse in the mountains.
Find all of Ben’s books or join his Discord and Patreon at: www.linktr.ee/bengalley
When he isn’t conjuring up strange new stories or arguing the finer points of magic systems and dragon anatomy, Ben explores the Canadian wilds, sips Scotch single malts, and snowboards very, very badly. One day he hopes to haunt an epic treehouse in the mountains.
Find all of Ben’s books or join his Discord and Patreon at: www.linktr.ee/bengalley
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 3, 2021
Ben Galley is one of those authors who I am increasingly impressed by. His Chasing Graves trilogy was among my very favorite fantasy series and I thought one of the most original that I have read in some time. It made me want to check out more of his books and I'm so glad that I did because his latest, The Scalussen Chronicles, is just as brilliant but in an entirely different way. Book one, The Forever King, knocked my socks off. So when I was fortunate enough to get an advance copy of book two, I really couldn't wait to jump back into this incredible story.
HEAVY LIES THE CROWN picks up pretty much immediately following the events that culminated the first book. I won't get into too much detail about what took place, but for various reasons the main cast finds itself separated and scattered in different areas across the map. So right away this creates a pretty cool setup for this next installment as the main characters attempt to regroup and follow their own specific path with the hopes of possibly reuniting at some point. And it turns out the journey is just what you'd expect from Galley, as monsters and magic loom around every corner.
Speaking of magic, if you like that sort of thing then this series is right up your alley. In fact, it's the heart of the story as those who would like to eradicate magic forever continue to hunt those who practice it. Likewise, those with the gift continue to try to preserve their history by way of floating libraries housed in ships that continually move so as not to leave themselves open to attack. It really is a brilliantly constructed story that makes you want to keep reading no matter what distractions come your way.
This book advanced the story immensely and I found myself mesmerized by the way that Galley puts his characters in continuous peril, whether it be by way of angry leviathans stalking the high seas, evil mages conjuring devastating spells, or belligerent gods bent on absolute destruction at all costs. One god in particular becomes so enamored with power that his meddling draws the attention and attracts the scorn of the other gods. It's this added dimension that really made this book unputdownable for me as there are so many subplots that added to the high quality of this intriguing follow-up.
This book had me on edge so many times (in a good way), and the pace picked up so much at about the halfway point that I didn't even realize I had read the final 200 pages in one sitting. That's how firmly the story had me in its grips. Suffice to say I was again dazzled by Ben Galley's writing chops. Here is an author who is at the top of his game right now and if you are not reading his books, you are missing one of the great writers of fantasy period.
If you are looking for a fantasy book and series that will capture your imagination and also entertain the heck out of you, then HEAVY LIES THE CROWN and The Scalussen Chronicles are just what the doctor ordered. Emotional characterization, jaw-dropping magic, world-building so vivid that it makes you feel as if this place tangibly exists. I can't say enough about how much I am enjoying this ride so far. My only regret is that I know that it will have to come to an end eventually. Fear not though because Ben Galley has proven time and time again that he knows how to top himself, and I have no doubt that he will continue that trend. I really can't wait to see how this series concludes, so write faster Ben!
HEAVY LIES THE CROWN picks up pretty much immediately following the events that culminated the first book. I won't get into too much detail about what took place, but for various reasons the main cast finds itself separated and scattered in different areas across the map. So right away this creates a pretty cool setup for this next installment as the main characters attempt to regroup and follow their own specific path with the hopes of possibly reuniting at some point. And it turns out the journey is just what you'd expect from Galley, as monsters and magic loom around every corner.
Speaking of magic, if you like that sort of thing then this series is right up your alley. In fact, it's the heart of the story as those who would like to eradicate magic forever continue to hunt those who practice it. Likewise, those with the gift continue to try to preserve their history by way of floating libraries housed in ships that continually move so as not to leave themselves open to attack. It really is a brilliantly constructed story that makes you want to keep reading no matter what distractions come your way.
This book advanced the story immensely and I found myself mesmerized by the way that Galley puts his characters in continuous peril, whether it be by way of angry leviathans stalking the high seas, evil mages conjuring devastating spells, or belligerent gods bent on absolute destruction at all costs. One god in particular becomes so enamored with power that his meddling draws the attention and attracts the scorn of the other gods. It's this added dimension that really made this book unputdownable for me as there are so many subplots that added to the high quality of this intriguing follow-up.
This book had me on edge so many times (in a good way), and the pace picked up so much at about the halfway point that I didn't even realize I had read the final 200 pages in one sitting. That's how firmly the story had me in its grips. Suffice to say I was again dazzled by Ben Galley's writing chops. Here is an author who is at the top of his game right now and if you are not reading his books, you are missing one of the great writers of fantasy period.
If you are looking for a fantasy book and series that will capture your imagination and also entertain the heck out of you, then HEAVY LIES THE CROWN and The Scalussen Chronicles are just what the doctor ordered. Emotional characterization, jaw-dropping magic, world-building so vivid that it makes you feel as if this place tangibly exists. I can't say enough about how much I am enjoying this ride so far. My only regret is that I know that it will have to come to an end eventually. Fear not though because Ben Galley has proven time and time again that he knows how to top himself, and I have no doubt that he will continue that trend. I really can't wait to see how this series concludes, so write faster Ben!
July 27, 2021
https://www.bookwormblues.net/2021/07...
When Ben Galley contacted me about editing this book, I kind of freaked out. You see, something you might not know, is this: Editors have inferiority complexes too. Ben is a big author. Everyone knows his name. When his books drop, the genre pays attention, and here he was, asking piddly old ME to edit his book. Yeah, I did freak out, and then I was super nervous the entire time. Then my stupid computer screwed up all the apostrophes and it was a whole thing (we figured out why it did that and how to fix it, but let me tell you, this is exactly what you DO NOT want to happen when you’re editing for a big author… or any author, for that matter.). But I did it, and Ben wasn’t terrifying to work with (except for the fact that he is such a big deal). He was a nice guy, and this book really blew me away.
I’ve been avoiding writing this review, to be honest. There are a few books that I just… have a hard time talking about, so I put them off, but I figure it’s time. It’s time to tell you how amazing this book is. It’s time to tell you why it matters.
I primarily edit fantasy. I write fantasy. I read fantasy. Sometimes, I can get a bit burnt out. Usually when I get burnt out, I read historical nonfiction and romance, but with my editing and writing obligations these days, needing a change of scenery happens more and more frequently. It’s not really the genre’s fault. It’s just, when your full-time job is eight hours of fantasy, five-plus days a week, and then writing your own fantasy on top of that, you start to feel it.
Sometimes, however, a book comes along that reminds me why this genre is so powerful. Why I love it so much. Dragon Mage did it for me when I was editing that book, and as I told Ben, Heavy Lies the Crown did it for me as well. It’s a book that reminded me of the stories I read when I first started to love fantasy in high school. It got under my skin and breathed new life into me. It stoked the flame of my passion for fantasy, and made it burn bright.
What I’m saying is, I was feeling really burnt out. Then I read this book, and I remembered why I love this genre so much. It’s due to stories like this. It’s authors who know their craft, and somehow manage to not only breathe new life into their books, but also touch on those bedrock elements of fantasy that bring up massive amounts of nostalgia at the same time.
In Heavy Lies the Crown, we have a story about a group of people on a quest. I am not typically the kind of reader who enjoys quest-fantasy, so understand, I was prepared to not be over the moon about this book. I knew it would be good, because everything Ben Galley touches is gold, I just didn’t think I’d like it as much as I ended up liking it.
This book takes off after the events of the first book. There are a few groups, all of which are worn down, exhausted, and scattered. In a different part of the world. They are pretty lost, not just literally, in some cases, but metaphorically as well. Galley starts the book out with this incredible feeling of the characters being unmoored. The feeling was so pervasive, it seemed to infect every aspect of the book. It’s hard to find fantasy that realistically deals with the physical and emotional consequences of (insert big event here) but I felt the start of Heavy Lies the Crown did just that and did it magnificently.
At the heart of this book is a story about magic, and about how it’s changing and how people want it to change. (I know I’m being vague here, but spoilers.) An object must be found, but to find said object, the world basically has to be upended. There are a ridiculous number of tense scenes, and a whole bunch of parts where things happen I did not expect and I had to stand up and walk away from my computer for a few minutes to let the implications sink in.
Heavy Lies the Crown follows a few different perspectives, dipping in and out of their stories naturally. Each group of people are on their own quest, some for this object, some for safety, some for… other things entirely. Lands are visited I’ve never come across before. The map of Galley’s world is expanded by leaps and bounds, and you’ll run into peoples and cultures that are remarkable just for the fact that in the brief moment they are on the page, they shine.
There is a lot of forward momentum here, and very little downtime. Every group in this book is almost constantly moving. Yet, for all that motion, the quiet moments Galley inserts into his narrative are all the more powerful for being there. Short and sweet as they are, there are quite a few moments I was brushing away tears, because I felt so profoundly, and I couldn’t help but ache for them. There were surprises, which not only upended the group as a whole and the characters themselves, but left me swearing at Galley in an email because HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO RECOVER FROM THIS?
Mixed into all this human drama, is a saga of the gods, which really unfolds as a subplot in this book but added a rich layer of depth to everything that happens. The gods are, as it turns out, not really that pleased with things happening the way they are happening. Discontent amongst the divine is causing rifts, and while, as I said, this does sort of take a back seat to the main story itself, it’s present and the implications are incredible. I don’t know where he will take this in future books, but the setup is amazing, especially when added to this sprawling landscape he’s playing with. I have a feeling the next book may give me a heart attack, because the stakes are just so high, both amongst the mortal world, and the immortal as well.
The ending of Heavy Lies the Crown made me cry. I’ll admit it. By the time the ending came, I felt like I was living this story, and when the stuff happened that happened, I felt like I might not recover from it. That’s what Galley does. He writes a story that is so real, it becomes part of you. This book not only reminded me why I fell in love with fantasy, it showed me what truly remarkable storytellers are capable of.
I have the best job.
Heavy Lies the Crown is absolutely unforgettable.
When Ben Galley contacted me about editing this book, I kind of freaked out. You see, something you might not know, is this: Editors have inferiority complexes too. Ben is a big author. Everyone knows his name. When his books drop, the genre pays attention, and here he was, asking piddly old ME to edit his book. Yeah, I did freak out, and then I was super nervous the entire time. Then my stupid computer screwed up all the apostrophes and it was a whole thing (we figured out why it did that and how to fix it, but let me tell you, this is exactly what you DO NOT want to happen when you’re editing for a big author… or any author, for that matter.). But I did it, and Ben wasn’t terrifying to work with (except for the fact that he is such a big deal). He was a nice guy, and this book really blew me away.
I’ve been avoiding writing this review, to be honest. There are a few books that I just… have a hard time talking about, so I put them off, but I figure it’s time. It’s time to tell you how amazing this book is. It’s time to tell you why it matters.
I primarily edit fantasy. I write fantasy. I read fantasy. Sometimes, I can get a bit burnt out. Usually when I get burnt out, I read historical nonfiction and romance, but with my editing and writing obligations these days, needing a change of scenery happens more and more frequently. It’s not really the genre’s fault. It’s just, when your full-time job is eight hours of fantasy, five-plus days a week, and then writing your own fantasy on top of that, you start to feel it.
Sometimes, however, a book comes along that reminds me why this genre is so powerful. Why I love it so much. Dragon Mage did it for me when I was editing that book, and as I told Ben, Heavy Lies the Crown did it for me as well. It’s a book that reminded me of the stories I read when I first started to love fantasy in high school. It got under my skin and breathed new life into me. It stoked the flame of my passion for fantasy, and made it burn bright.
What I’m saying is, I was feeling really burnt out. Then I read this book, and I remembered why I love this genre so much. It’s due to stories like this. It’s authors who know their craft, and somehow manage to not only breathe new life into their books, but also touch on those bedrock elements of fantasy that bring up massive amounts of nostalgia at the same time.
In Heavy Lies the Crown, we have a story about a group of people on a quest. I am not typically the kind of reader who enjoys quest-fantasy, so understand, I was prepared to not be over the moon about this book. I knew it would be good, because everything Ben Galley touches is gold, I just didn’t think I’d like it as much as I ended up liking it.
This book takes off after the events of the first book. There are a few groups, all of which are worn down, exhausted, and scattered. In a different part of the world. They are pretty lost, not just literally, in some cases, but metaphorically as well. Galley starts the book out with this incredible feeling of the characters being unmoored. The feeling was so pervasive, it seemed to infect every aspect of the book. It’s hard to find fantasy that realistically deals with the physical and emotional consequences of (insert big event here) but I felt the start of Heavy Lies the Crown did just that and did it magnificently.
At the heart of this book is a story about magic, and about how it’s changing and how people want it to change. (I know I’m being vague here, but spoilers.) An object must be found, but to find said object, the world basically has to be upended. There are a ridiculous number of tense scenes, and a whole bunch of parts where things happen I did not expect and I had to stand up and walk away from my computer for a few minutes to let the implications sink in.
Heavy Lies the Crown follows a few different perspectives, dipping in and out of their stories naturally. Each group of people are on their own quest, some for this object, some for safety, some for… other things entirely. Lands are visited I’ve never come across before. The map of Galley’s world is expanded by leaps and bounds, and you’ll run into peoples and cultures that are remarkable just for the fact that in the brief moment they are on the page, they shine.
There is a lot of forward momentum here, and very little downtime. Every group in this book is almost constantly moving. Yet, for all that motion, the quiet moments Galley inserts into his narrative are all the more powerful for being there. Short and sweet as they are, there are quite a few moments I was brushing away tears, because I felt so profoundly, and I couldn’t help but ache for them. There were surprises, which not only upended the group as a whole and the characters themselves, but left me swearing at Galley in an email because HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO RECOVER FROM THIS?
Mixed into all this human drama, is a saga of the gods, which really unfolds as a subplot in this book but added a rich layer of depth to everything that happens. The gods are, as it turns out, not really that pleased with things happening the way they are happening. Discontent amongst the divine is causing rifts, and while, as I said, this does sort of take a back seat to the main story itself, it’s present and the implications are incredible. I don’t know where he will take this in future books, but the setup is amazing, especially when added to this sprawling landscape he’s playing with. I have a feeling the next book may give me a heart attack, because the stakes are just so high, both amongst the mortal world, and the immortal as well.
The ending of Heavy Lies the Crown made me cry. I’ll admit it. By the time the ending came, I felt like I was living this story, and when the stuff happened that happened, I felt like I might not recover from it. That’s what Galley does. He writes a story that is so real, it becomes part of you. This book not only reminded me why I fell in love with fantasy, it showed me what truly remarkable storytellers are capable of.
I have the best job.
Heavy Lies the Crown is absolutely unforgettable.
December 2, 2021
6 out of 5
Ben Galley continues the story of Mithrid, Durnus & Farden in this continent crossing follow up to The Forever King.
Heavy Lies The Crown,the story continues straight after the climactic ending of the first book and Fardan and the gang find themselves 2000 miles from Emmaneska. Not only that, he finds himself, along with Mithrid, Durnus, Warbringer and Aspala separated from the rest of the Scalussen survivors who are loaded onto the remaining ships of the Armada.
Now, you think that with all that going on the lot of 'em don't need any more problems, but the itinerant god Loki has other ideas and decides that he is going to make life as hard as he can for all the members of Scalussen, whichever side of the world they are on. Oh, and he also decides to create an abomination against the gods in the process to chase Fardan & Mithrid.
Heavy Lies The Crown is such a bloody brilliant follow up to The Forever King that expands the story so much more. Ben Galley populates his books with fantastic characters and fantastic beasts, and Ben Galley astounds me again with this new book.
I have seen it mentioned by other reviewers that when they have read Ben Galley's books they remind them of the reason why they fell in love with the genre in the first place, and I must say I have to echo those sentiments. Ben Galley's writing has that heady mixture of adventure, full on fantasy and a dash of comedy. He uses all the tropes of fantasy that I love, found family, quests, magic and mythical beasts, all incorporated into a fresh new way. The relationships between the characters are brilliant. For instance, the love/hate relationship between Fardan and Mithrid (which I have to say involves a good deal of sweary snarkiness that I absolutely adore coz it makes me chuckle every time.
On top of that, Loki is such a good villain in this book. He has decided to throw all caution to the wind and is just plain nasty. In Heavy Lies The Crown, he is most definitely the main antagonist of the story and we see that more of his plans are revealed. Turns out, he has some pretty hefty plans afoot that not only involve Fardan and the gang, but also the whole of God Dom, and Ben Galley expertly knits this aspect of the story into background of the story that it is not readily noticeable until suddenly it jumps up and smacks you in the face.
The book has an interestingly dual dynamic with the two storylines of the split parties. On the one hand you get the story of the survivors as they are engaged in a taut cat and mouse game with Loki and his Leviathans, and on the other you get Mithrid and the gang off searching for a fabled artifact that has the potential to change the course of the war.
You'd think that that would be enough to keep a book filled but Mithrid and Fardan have other problems. Fardan has lost his magic and time is catching up with him, and the seeds of doubt are rife on the relationships of the party itself, causing friction and changing the dynamic of the party.
Heavy Lies The Crown is a totally amazing follow up to the first book, expanding the world massively. Ben Galley's writing is totally on point, maintaining the pace and the plot all the way through the book. Simply put, if you love classic fantasy that is filled with brilliantly realised characters, plenty of adventure and filled with fantasy monsters, Ben Galley's books are definitely up your street.
Ben Galley continues the story of Mithrid, Durnus & Farden in this continent crossing follow up to The Forever King.
Heavy Lies The Crown,the story continues straight after the climactic ending of the first book and Fardan and the gang find themselves 2000 miles from Emmaneska. Not only that, he finds himself, along with Mithrid, Durnus, Warbringer and Aspala separated from the rest of the Scalussen survivors who are loaded onto the remaining ships of the Armada.
Now, you think that with all that going on the lot of 'em don't need any more problems, but the itinerant god Loki has other ideas and decides that he is going to make life as hard as he can for all the members of Scalussen, whichever side of the world they are on. Oh, and he also decides to create an abomination against the gods in the process to chase Fardan & Mithrid.
Heavy Lies The Crown is such a bloody brilliant follow up to The Forever King that expands the story so much more. Ben Galley populates his books with fantastic characters and fantastic beasts, and Ben Galley astounds me again with this new book.
I have seen it mentioned by other reviewers that when they have read Ben Galley's books they remind them of the reason why they fell in love with the genre in the first place, and I must say I have to echo those sentiments. Ben Galley's writing has that heady mixture of adventure, full on fantasy and a dash of comedy. He uses all the tropes of fantasy that I love, found family, quests, magic and mythical beasts, all incorporated into a fresh new way. The relationships between the characters are brilliant. For instance, the love/hate relationship between Fardan and Mithrid (which I have to say involves a good deal of sweary snarkiness that I absolutely adore coz it makes me chuckle every time.
On top of that, Loki is such a good villain in this book. He has decided to throw all caution to the wind and is just plain nasty. In Heavy Lies The Crown, he is most definitely the main antagonist of the story and we see that more of his plans are revealed. Turns out, he has some pretty hefty plans afoot that not only involve Fardan and the gang, but also the whole of God Dom, and Ben Galley expertly knits this aspect of the story into background of the story that it is not readily noticeable until suddenly it jumps up and smacks you in the face.
The book has an interestingly dual dynamic with the two storylines of the split parties. On the one hand you get the story of the survivors as they are engaged in a taut cat and mouse game with Loki and his Leviathans, and on the other you get Mithrid and the gang off searching for a fabled artifact that has the potential to change the course of the war.
You'd think that that would be enough to keep a book filled but Mithrid and Fardan have other problems. Fardan has lost his magic and time is catching up with him, and the seeds of doubt are rife on the relationships of the party itself, causing friction and changing the dynamic of the party.
Heavy Lies The Crown is a totally amazing follow up to the first book, expanding the world massively. Ben Galley's writing is totally on point, maintaining the pace and the plot all the way through the book. Simply put, if you love classic fantasy that is filled with brilliantly realised characters, plenty of adventure and filled with fantasy monsters, Ben Galley's books are definitely up your street.
August 3, 2021
One of things I really don’t like about reviewing the middle book in a series is spoilers, because if you haven't read The Forever King then I highly recommend you do. This review will be as spoiler free as possible. The action picks up pretty much at the end of the first book, we find a group of our heroes led by Farden on a quest. Now I love quest - fantasy stories and what Ben does is make this a not so typical quest story. For starters, the group are exhausted and run down and not entirely certain what they are doing, what this does allow is for Ben’s signature world - building to come to the fore as we explore this strange new world.
n and Ben does magnificent job of portraying all sides of the conflict. It’s quite a fast paced book as well, there is very little down time for the characters but that is what makes the moments spent quietly so much more poignant. These are some of my favourite characters in fantasy fiction, it’s brilliant to spend time with them. One of the achievements of the book is the feeling that the characters feel, transcending to the reader. There is a strange feeling of the characters being removed, unmoored and this really affected me as a reader, not in a bad way but it helped to really appreciate what the characters are going through.
Now the story does have a pretty interesting concept, the idea of magic and how it is changing. Also how people want it to change as well, now I don't really want to say much more here because it will spoil a well crafted story which unfolds brilliantly. It is still a wonderful book and full of amazing scenes, some I was really not expecting and they hit hard and the human drama of this story is well handled. Then there is the sub plot story of the Gods, who are not happy with events happening in Emaneska and this is woven very nicely into the story. Now I have mentioned characters, however something I have always admired about Ben's writing is how he captures characters, they are all so unique and you can tell that people have an accent or a specific way of talking. It’s something I urge you all to experience if you can.
I was amazed at how Ben wraps up the story of the 2nd book with so much potentially going to happen in the 3rd, this is a satisfying read. It’s amazing to see an author expand a world in the way Ben does, I thoroughly enjoyed my read of this book but it did hit hard in places but it was satisfying to say the very least. So there you are, that is my review of Heavy Lies the Crown by Ben Galley which is a wonderful epic fantasy quest story - a quest happens for so many of the characters. It has a wonderfully created magic system, a well crafted sub plot within the main plot. A whole new part of the world is waiting for you to discover through this character driven, brilliant book that is a fantastic read! Ben thank you for the opportunity, this easily gets my recommendation to read.
n and Ben does magnificent job of portraying all sides of the conflict. It’s quite a fast paced book as well, there is very little down time for the characters but that is what makes the moments spent quietly so much more poignant. These are some of my favourite characters in fantasy fiction, it’s brilliant to spend time with them. One of the achievements of the book is the feeling that the characters feel, transcending to the reader. There is a strange feeling of the characters being removed, unmoored and this really affected me as a reader, not in a bad way but it helped to really appreciate what the characters are going through.
Now the story does have a pretty interesting concept, the idea of magic and how it is changing. Also how people want it to change as well, now I don't really want to say much more here because it will spoil a well crafted story which unfolds brilliantly. It is still a wonderful book and full of amazing scenes, some I was really not expecting and they hit hard and the human drama of this story is well handled. Then there is the sub plot story of the Gods, who are not happy with events happening in Emaneska and this is woven very nicely into the story. Now I have mentioned characters, however something I have always admired about Ben's writing is how he captures characters, they are all so unique and you can tell that people have an accent or a specific way of talking. It’s something I urge you all to experience if you can.
I was amazed at how Ben wraps up the story of the 2nd book with so much potentially going to happen in the 3rd, this is a satisfying read. It’s amazing to see an author expand a world in the way Ben does, I thoroughly enjoyed my read of this book but it did hit hard in places but it was satisfying to say the very least. So there you are, that is my review of Heavy Lies the Crown by Ben Galley which is a wonderful epic fantasy quest story - a quest happens for so many of the characters. It has a wonderfully created magic system, a well crafted sub plot within the main plot. A whole new part of the world is waiting for you to discover through this character driven, brilliant book that is a fantastic read! Ben thank you for the opportunity, this easily gets my recommendation to read.
August 3, 2021
Farden and Mithrid's little group of survivors embark on a quest to find the legendary Spear of Gunnir, and Loki isn't far behind them with a diabolical weapon of his own.
This is an epic follow up to the Forever King, a Nordic inspired fantasy that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There's Demons, Dragons and magic. Just don't get too attached to your favourite characters...
Thank you Ben Galley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.
This is an epic follow up to the Forever King, a Nordic inspired fantasy that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There's Demons, Dragons and magic. Just don't get too attached to your favourite characters...
Thank you Ben Galley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.
August 3, 2021
A Book of Awesomeness
Wow wow wow, awe man, I so didn't want it to end, where to begin, my head in still spinning after what I Just witnessed, one of the most action packed, an emotional roller coaster I've been on this year, After the end of the first book, we find our friends spit into two groups, General Elissi has taken the Scalussen survivor's and armada and is sailing towards Krauslung to retake their home, only to be met and turned away by that little conniving scheming little bollox Loki, Durnis has the taking others far into the Easterealm by magical means using the weight, after waking up and not known where they are, Farden finds him self with no magic, and no clue as to why Durnis would bring them so far into the Easterealm, but their is alway a method to his madness, they're new quest is to find the Legendary Spear of Gunnir, where ever Farden goes trouble always seems to find him or find it, Loki has gone and broken all the rules and created a monster, that is so pumped on magic, he has the power to bring down heavens, this book has it all, New enemies, new characters, 3 Giant Leviathans, not just 1 but bloody 3 of them, Fantastic Arena Battles, My favourite Dragons and me oul pal Illios, qnd the camaraderie between the groups is nothing but special, the way Ben draws you into the book and makes you feel you are their with the characters, with every emotion and loss, yep Galley likes to rip your heart out and hand it back to you with a devious smile like Loki, I would like to thank Ben for the opportunity to read this Arc of Heavy Lies The Crown, it was phenomenal, My favourite book of the year, now if your looking for something to get lost in for a while, then look no further than the Scalussen Chronicles, boom highly highly recommended, available for preorder on amazon..😁💙
Wow wow wow, awe man, I so didn't want it to end, where to begin, my head in still spinning after what I Just witnessed, one of the most action packed, an emotional roller coaster I've been on this year, After the end of the first book, we find our friends spit into two groups, General Elissi has taken the Scalussen survivor's and armada and is sailing towards Krauslung to retake their home, only to be met and turned away by that little conniving scheming little bollox Loki, Durnis has the taking others far into the Easterealm by magical means using the weight, after waking up and not known where they are, Farden finds him self with no magic, and no clue as to why Durnis would bring them so far into the Easterealm, but their is alway a method to his madness, they're new quest is to find the Legendary Spear of Gunnir, where ever Farden goes trouble always seems to find him or find it, Loki has gone and broken all the rules and created a monster, that is so pumped on magic, he has the power to bring down heavens, this book has it all, New enemies, new characters, 3 Giant Leviathans, not just 1 but bloody 3 of them, Fantastic Arena Battles, My favourite Dragons and me oul pal Illios, qnd the camaraderie between the groups is nothing but special, the way Ben draws you into the book and makes you feel you are their with the characters, with every emotion and loss, yep Galley likes to rip your heart out and hand it back to you with a devious smile like Loki, I would like to thank Ben for the opportunity to read this Arc of Heavy Lies The Crown, it was phenomenal, My favourite book of the year, now if your looking for something to get lost in for a while, then look no further than the Scalussen Chronicles, boom highly highly recommended, available for preorder on amazon..😁💙
August 3, 2021
Oh my goodness, what a rollercoaster ride!
Ben's writing goes from strength to strength!
The beginning of Heavy Lies The Crown starts immediately where The Forever King left off, with Farden, Durnus, Mithrid, Aspala and Warbringer finding themselves in a very strange land - which only gets more strange as you read further, new lands, towns and people - populated with some very odd creatures and ideals.
Farden does his usual traverse through it all, stirring up violence and hatred wherever he goes - which all culminates nicely at the end of the book.
So, I hear you ask, what about those left after the volcano erupted? Well, if you cast your mind back to The Written, we met a timid young lady - Elessi. She comes into her own in this book as General over the Bookships and the Scalussen et all. However, typical Ben Galley, this is not an easy task by any means as, Elessi has to battle wits with Loki before fleeing sea monsters and deathly islands.
There is a lot more in the world of Emaneska, Paraia and Easterealm than meets the eye (Ben's imagination knows no bounds) , both in terms of countries unexplored as well as oceans and monsters.
Ben writes the female protagonists with as much clout as the males, in fact the males seem to have come off worst in this book!
If you've read the The Forever King, this is a long awaited sequel and if not, what are you waiting for?
I, on the other hand, can't wait for book 3!
Ben's writing goes from strength to strength!
The beginning of Heavy Lies The Crown starts immediately where The Forever King left off, with Farden, Durnus, Mithrid, Aspala and Warbringer finding themselves in a very strange land - which only gets more strange as you read further, new lands, towns and people - populated with some very odd creatures and ideals.
Farden does his usual traverse through it all, stirring up violence and hatred wherever he goes - which all culminates nicely at the end of the book.
So, I hear you ask, what about those left after the volcano erupted? Well, if you cast your mind back to The Written, we met a timid young lady - Elessi. She comes into her own in this book as General over the Bookships and the Scalussen et all. However, typical Ben Galley, this is not an easy task by any means as, Elessi has to battle wits with Loki before fleeing sea monsters and deathly islands.
There is a lot more in the world of Emaneska, Paraia and Easterealm than meets the eye (Ben's imagination knows no bounds) , both in terms of countries unexplored as well as oceans and monsters.
Ben writes the female protagonists with as much clout as the males, in fact the males seem to have come off worst in this book!
If you've read the The Forever King, this is a long awaited sequel and if not, what are you waiting for?
I, on the other hand, can't wait for book 3!
July 30, 2021
Wow wow wow, awe man, I so didn't want it to end, where to begin, my head in still spinning after what I Just witnessed, one of the most action packed, an emotional roller coasters I've been on this year, After the end of the first book, we find our friends spit into two groups, General Elissi has taken the Scalussen survivor's and armada and is sailing towards Krauslung to retake their home, only to be met and turned away by that little conniving scheming little bollox Loki, Durnis has the taking others far into the Easterealm by magical means using the weight, after waking up and not known where they are, Farden finds him self with no magic, and no clue as to why Durnis would bring them so far into the Easterealm, but their is alway a method to his madness, they're new quest is to find the Legendary Spear of Gunnir, where ever Farden goes trouble always seems to find him or find it, Loki has gone and broken all the rules and created a monster, that is so pumped on magic, he has the power to bring down heavens, this book has it all, New enemies, new characters, 3 Giant Leviathans, not just 1 but bloody 3 of them, Fantastic Areana Battles, My favourite Dragons and me oul pal Illios, qnd the camaraderie between the groups is nothing but special, the way Ben draws you into the book and makes you feel you are their with the characters, with every emotion and loss, yep Galley likes to rip your heart out and hand it back to you with a devious smile like Loki, I would like to thank Ben for the opportunity to read this Arc of Heavy Lies The Crown, it was phenomenal, My favourite book of the year, now if your looking for something to get lost in for a while, then look no further than the Scalussen Chronicles, boom highly highly recommended, available for preorder on amazon..😁💙
August 3, 2021
If you haven't found Ben Galley and his work, now is the time. Pick up the Forever King and read it, then follow on with this second book in the Scalussen Chronicles. What can you expect with this series? Epic battles, rebellion and intrigue, a roller coaster ride of emotions as you anticipate the eminient death of one of the well loved characters or hope for the death of their adversaries. I cursed Galley and was quite mad at him for a time, but I also love how he spins the threads of story and ties off so many at the each of book while still leaving a clear, but muddy, path for the next book.
This particular episode works with the Forever King's people divided and travelling more or less the unknown. The threats from Forever King could very well be banned, but in exploring there are many other dangers to find. The insight and world-building in this book is fantastic as Galley shows us more of what lies beyond Emaneska. I can hardly wait to see what he brings us with the third book due to come out in 2022.
This particular episode works with the Forever King's people divided and travelling more or less the unknown. The threats from Forever King could very well be banned, but in exploring there are many other dangers to find. The insight and world-building in this book is fantastic as Galley shows us more of what lies beyond Emaneska. I can hardly wait to see what he brings us with the third book due to come out in 2022.
August 2, 2021
This book was one of the most enjoyable reads I have ever enjoyed. It flows very well. I have read the whole series so far and I honestly started missing Farden and his friends as soon as it was finished. They became part of my life. The characters are so real that you feel like you know them personally. The end was a huge surprise for me. Once again Ben made all the wait worth while and already I am looking forward to the next book. We'll done Ben!! I can honestly recommend not only Heavy Lies the crown, but the whole series.
August 7, 2021
As with most other Galley books, pretty much un-put-downable. A truly enjoyable read.
Each character and battle scene is well described and immersive. If only the charaters were not so memorable - one gets attached to them at your own perril. Highly recommended and already cannot wait for the next installment.
Each character and battle scene is well described and immersive. If only the charaters were not so memorable - one gets attached to them at your own perril. Highly recommended and already cannot wait for the next installment.
August 9, 2021
What a great book. Back to the Scalusen world with mages, minotuars,leviathans and gods whats not to love. With Farden and Mithrid central to the story again Ben Galley knows how to develop characters and worlds. I could not put this down and can't wait for the next installment.
August 3, 2021
One of the most amazing books out there. Excellent for any starving reader out there! Can't find words to recommend this piece of art enough
August 3, 2021
5 stars (8.5/10)
*I received an advance reader copy of HLTC in exchange for an honest review.
** This review may contain minor spoilers.
Heavy Lies the Crown is the second volume in The Scalussen Chronicles, itself a sequel series to Galley’s Emaneska series, beginning with The Written. While it won’t hurt to read that series beforehand, Scalussen opener The Forever King serves as an alternate entry point to the world of Emaneska. Having recently read The Written, I skipped ahead to start the new series because The Forever King is currently a contender in Mark Lawrence’s seventh Self Published Fantasy Blog-Off contest, where I predict it will make it to the semi-finals at least, and possibly find a slot amongst the final 10 contestants. Time will tell! On to Scalussen 2!
Heavy Lies the Crown begins where The Forever King left off: the final battle between the denizens of Scalussen, led by Farden, the strongest of a dying breed of mages powered by spellbooks inked onto their skins, and Malvus, the emperor who forbids magic in his realm but secretly uses it to keep his subjects in line and his rule secure, has sorely taxed both sides after nearly annihilating everyone in a deliberately triggered magical volcanic eruption. Malvus is rescued from a fiery death by the trickster god of lies, Loki, and they begin plotting a new, more personal campaign against the “Forever King,” Farden. The bulk of Farden’s followers in Scalussen escape just as narrowly from the volcanic eruption that destroys much of Malvus’s army, fleeing on three massive ships with additional naval support and carrying Scalussen’s survivors, the massive libraries they have stored aboard the ships, and their dragon allies back to the Emaneska capital of Krauslung, unaware until they arrive that Malvus and Loki survived the eruption after all. Chased away when Loki calls forth deadly leviathans of the deep, they flee South, hoping to skirt the nation of Paraia and circle back to find the missing party of Farden, scholar vampyre Durnus, Mithrid, who triggered the eruption, Aspala the Paraian warrior, and Warbringer, the minotaur who carries a soul-taking warhammer.
Farden’s party had escaped the destruction of the volcano when Durnus employed a teleportation device, the last surviving Weight, to carry them so far East they have no idea where they’ve arrived when they awaken from their ordeal. The location, however, is no accident of Durnus’s haste in pulling them all into the Weight’s transport spell. Farden’s old vampyre friend has a purpose in mind: to acquire an almost mythical artifact that may help them finally overcome Malvus and Loki. Thus while The Forever King fits squarely in the epic fantasy realm, Heavy Lies the Crown adds a new and welcome element, an epic quest!
Like any quest, theirs entails solving riddles, collecting artifacts, battling monsters to gain access to said artifacts - and demands a final sacrifice upon collecting the object of the quest, a legendary golden spear forged by a god. The abrasive Farden, reeling at the sudden loss of his Written magic and seemingly permanent damage to the magical armor that keeps him from aging, manages to tick off enough locals along the way to rival the enmity of his opponent Malvus, unaware of what Malvus is doing in the meantime, with Loki’s help, to visit the same kind of damage on Farden and his friends as they have done to his previously vast army. What Malvus doesn’t know is the divisions between Farden and the members of his party could as easily undo the Forever King’s efforts before Malvus can even find them again. They will have to sort out a number of threads of contention between them if their quest is to succeed.
Despite 500-600 pages or so in each volume, The Forever King and Heavy Lies the Crown make for quick reading, each full of blade-swinging action, plot twists, and magical battles to keep readers turning pages. And dragons!
*I received an advance reader copy of HLTC in exchange for an honest review.
** This review may contain minor spoilers.
Heavy Lies the Crown is the second volume in The Scalussen Chronicles, itself a sequel series to Galley’s Emaneska series, beginning with The Written. While it won’t hurt to read that series beforehand, Scalussen opener The Forever King serves as an alternate entry point to the world of Emaneska. Having recently read The Written, I skipped ahead to start the new series because The Forever King is currently a contender in Mark Lawrence’s seventh Self Published Fantasy Blog-Off contest, where I predict it will make it to the semi-finals at least, and possibly find a slot amongst the final 10 contestants. Time will tell! On to Scalussen 2!
Heavy Lies the Crown begins where The Forever King left off: the final battle between the denizens of Scalussen, led by Farden, the strongest of a dying breed of mages powered by spellbooks inked onto their skins, and Malvus, the emperor who forbids magic in his realm but secretly uses it to keep his subjects in line and his rule secure, has sorely taxed both sides after nearly annihilating everyone in a deliberately triggered magical volcanic eruption. Malvus is rescued from a fiery death by the trickster god of lies, Loki, and they begin plotting a new, more personal campaign against the “Forever King,” Farden. The bulk of Farden’s followers in Scalussen escape just as narrowly from the volcanic eruption that destroys much of Malvus’s army, fleeing on three massive ships with additional naval support and carrying Scalussen’s survivors, the massive libraries they have stored aboard the ships, and their dragon allies back to the Emaneska capital of Krauslung, unaware until they arrive that Malvus and Loki survived the eruption after all. Chased away when Loki calls forth deadly leviathans of the deep, they flee South, hoping to skirt the nation of Paraia and circle back to find the missing party of Farden, scholar vampyre Durnus, Mithrid, who triggered the eruption, Aspala the Paraian warrior, and Warbringer, the minotaur who carries a soul-taking warhammer.
Farden’s party had escaped the destruction of the volcano when Durnus employed a teleportation device, the last surviving Weight, to carry them so far East they have no idea where they’ve arrived when they awaken from their ordeal. The location, however, is no accident of Durnus’s haste in pulling them all into the Weight’s transport spell. Farden’s old vampyre friend has a purpose in mind: to acquire an almost mythical artifact that may help them finally overcome Malvus and Loki. Thus while The Forever King fits squarely in the epic fantasy realm, Heavy Lies the Crown adds a new and welcome element, an epic quest!
Like any quest, theirs entails solving riddles, collecting artifacts, battling monsters to gain access to said artifacts - and demands a final sacrifice upon collecting the object of the quest, a legendary golden spear forged by a god. The abrasive Farden, reeling at the sudden loss of his Written magic and seemingly permanent damage to the magical armor that keeps him from aging, manages to tick off enough locals along the way to rival the enmity of his opponent Malvus, unaware of what Malvus is doing in the meantime, with Loki’s help, to visit the same kind of damage on Farden and his friends as they have done to his previously vast army. What Malvus doesn’t know is the divisions between Farden and the members of his party could as easily undo the Forever King’s efforts before Malvus can even find them again. They will have to sort out a number of threads of contention between them if their quest is to succeed.
Despite 500-600 pages or so in each volume, The Forever King and Heavy Lies the Crown make for quick reading, each full of blade-swinging action, plot twists, and magical battles to keep readers turning pages. And dragons!
August 4, 2021
Just finished and need to soak it in a little more, catch my breath and let my mind sort through all that happened in this book to write a full review. But I'll give my initial thoughts and maybe edit this at a later date.
Since this story is set in new parts of the world, so there was a lot of new world building, new cultures, new politics, new schemes, new characters and new creatures. But there was still plenty of old enemies, familiar characters and amazing arc growths for Farden, Mithrid and company. No one is ever in one place for too long and that really keeps the pace moving along and is very exciting. But it's never at the expense of character development and relationship building.
There is much to love about this book, but Ben also gives you much to hate as well. Like Loki, Malvus and the Daemon Prince to name a few. Ben is great at creating characters that you really enjoy. But Ben also characters that you despise and hope he kills in one of his many violently creative deaths.
The story is in multiple POVs, but Ben balances them all nicely. He never stays in one POV so long that you loose track of the other POVs. They also relate well to each other and advance the overall story and never feel like independent threads.
Did I mention Leviathans and Unicorns? Vampyres and Minotaurs? Bookships and Daemons?
This is a great read and a wonderful addition to an already amazing series. Ben is one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read his next book in this world.
Since this story is set in new parts of the world, so there was a lot of new world building, new cultures, new politics, new schemes, new characters and new creatures. But there was still plenty of old enemies, familiar characters and amazing arc growths for Farden, Mithrid and company. No one is ever in one place for too long and that really keeps the pace moving along and is very exciting. But it's never at the expense of character development and relationship building.
There is much to love about this book, but Ben also gives you much to hate as well. Like Loki, Malvus and the Daemon Prince to name a few. Ben is great at creating characters that you really enjoy. But Ben also characters that you despise and hope he kills in one of his many violently creative deaths.
The story is in multiple POVs, but Ben balances them all nicely. He never stays in one POV so long that you loose track of the other POVs. They also relate well to each other and advance the overall story and never feel like independent threads.
Did I mention Leviathans and Unicorns? Vampyres and Minotaurs? Bookships and Daemons?
This is a great read and a wonderful addition to an already amazing series. Ben is one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read his next book in this world.
August 7, 2021
Ben Galley delivers again! Heavy Lies The Crown is such a compelling story with an amazing group of characters that Ben has brought to life in a way that makes you feel their emotions. Makes you hope that Farden, Mithrid and everyone else in the Rogues Armada will succeed in their fight against the all of their enemies. Ben puts so much detail into this rich and vibrant but at the same time dark and bloody world filled with mythos and dragons, gods and daemons, magic and death. Ben Galley does an amazing job bring this world to life! This book is full of action with plenty of death and despair! Ben Galley gives us another amazing book in the Scallusen Chronicles! Highly recommended!
August 3, 2021
Heavy Lies the Crown is the second book in the Scalussen Chronicles, a dark fantasy series set a an original Norse-like world, and the continuing story of the Written mage Farden. The book picks up immediately after Forever King and goes full throttle until the very last pages.
Ben Galley’s world is so descriptive, his characters so deep and life-like, that you are instantly pulled in and made a part of the story. And this one is a wild ride, a perfect book two, that already received it’s set up and has no problem pure action, magic, dragons, and a riddle-driven quest.
This is Mr. Galley at the top of his game and having fun with his reader. It stands apart from so much heavy handed and run of the mill fantasy writing by not only being deep and convincing but funny and enjoyable, a book you will not want to put down.
I recommend to all newcomers to Ben’s world that they pick up a copy of The Written and work their way to HLTC. You will not be disappointed!
Ben Galley’s world is so descriptive, his characters so deep and life-like, that you are instantly pulled in and made a part of the story. And this one is a wild ride, a perfect book two, that already received it’s set up and has no problem pure action, magic, dragons, and a riddle-driven quest.
This is Mr. Galley at the top of his game and having fun with his reader. It stands apart from so much heavy handed and run of the mill fantasy writing by not only being deep and convincing but funny and enjoyable, a book you will not want to put down.
I recommend to all newcomers to Ben’s world that they pick up a copy of The Written and work their way to HLTC. You will not be disappointed!
August 6, 2021
This book was an absolute blast to read. There was never a dull moment it was so action packed. I absolutely love Galleys writing style, his delivery of events, and his wonderful amount of details. It makes everything so vivid and I feel like that's hard to find. I love the variety of creatures he uses and I'm glad he didn't just stick with one or two. It's great following all of these characters and their journey. This one made me feel all the feels. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Hopefully it's not too long of a wait. Now, onto another one of his works. :)
August 4, 2021
A Catapult That Launches Mayhem With the Power of Badassery!
This is the second book in an action packed series that leaves a trail of blood in its wake. I really love when a story has such an abundance of violence and wrath but is tempered with the perfect touch of humor. This is such a story.
Ben Galley is producing high quality epics and is at the top of his game, which is supremely evident with Heavy Lies the Crown. Fantastic plot with a cast that you will not soon forget. The creatures are another point that I really enjoyed, well developed and as real as the emotions this story brings out. The only thing I wish was different about this series is that I would have read it sooner!
This story deserves a 5 out of 5 horns of Mead!
This is the second book in an action packed series that leaves a trail of blood in its wake. I really love when a story has such an abundance of violence and wrath but is tempered with the perfect touch of humor. This is such a story.
Ben Galley is producing high quality epics and is at the top of his game, which is supremely evident with Heavy Lies the Crown. Fantastic plot with a cast that you will not soon forget. The creatures are another point that I really enjoyed, well developed and as real as the emotions this story brings out. The only thing I wish was different about this series is that I would have read it sooner!
This story deserves a 5 out of 5 horns of Mead!
August 6, 2021
Heavy Lies the CrownWow !! What a ride .Ben Galley is one of those rare writers that pulls you into the book .I started with his book The Written and I was hooked .He has made me cry , laugh , and angry all in one fasinating story .Full of action and the kind of suspense that keeps you turning the pages one after another .I would highly recomend his books to all readers who love a good tale to curl up with .This is a series I will bring out and read again and again .Thank you , Ben Galley for the chance to explore the word of Emaneska with you on this awesome journey!
August 4, 2021
I could write a glowing report on how the characters are believable, the plot keeps you hanging, how Ben Galley randomly kills people off and leaves you wondering just what goes through his head, and all of that's true, but honestly just read it.
Download it, buy it, whatever you do, just read it.
This isn't a rubbish little attempt at fantasy. It's right up there with Joe Abercrombie for the gory believable brutal scenes and realistic language, it draws you in and makes you late for work because you've been sat up until 3am reading.
It's brilliant, the story just keeps going, and the few clichés in it are just what's needed.
Honestly can't wait until the next one!
Download it, buy it, whatever you do, just read it.
This isn't a rubbish little attempt at fantasy. It's right up there with Joe Abercrombie for the gory believable brutal scenes and realistic language, it draws you in and makes you late for work because you've been sat up until 3am reading.
It's brilliant, the story just keeps going, and the few clichés in it are just what's needed.
Honestly can't wait until the next one!
August 6, 2021
Heavy Lies The Crown is a captivating read! The plot is intense, the characters draw your emotions and you sink deep into the world of Emineska! Ben Galley is at the top of my list and this book shows he is at the top of his game. The world is crumbling around the protagonists as they struggle to find a way to save it, constantly they must overcome great odds and sordid treachery from man, demon and gods alike. Don’t miss out on this epic tale!
August 3, 2021
The second of the Scalussen chronicle books. Farden continues his quest against evil. Ben Galley manages to transport the reader into a fantasy world with new enemies along with old adversaries. You are treated to new fantasy lands described in such vivid detail. The relationship between the characters on the differing sides pulls you in. There are surprises aplenty, highs and lows. You don’t want to the book to finish.
March 11, 2025
Couple of warning markers before I continue with the review of this book. Ben’s writing makes the
world and characters in it tangible. Be prepared to physically drag yourself out of the books and
remind yourself the relationships and grief you feel, will not be mirrored by your loved ones. Also,
this is the second book in the Scalussen series. Do not pick up and start with this book! It would be
reasonable to begin with The Forever King however, my recommendation would be to go all the way
back and begin with The Written. HLC gave me chills and made the hairs on my arms stand on end.
You won’t get that if you start your Galley journey with TFK.
Now to the book, *there may be spoilers ahead*. I received an ARC in return to an honest review.
HLC picks up exactly where TFK left off with characters spread throughout the world, still fighting
Malvus/Loki as well as their own battles. I spent the whole time silently begging Farden was not
going to come to an end but the more the book continued the less certain I was. While Emaneska is
now in the same world as Heart of Stone (and there is a vague mention of Task!), there is more of
Chasing Graves type necromancy. The book reminded me of Pale Kings pt.1 which was used to set
the scene and build to the crescendo of the following one. That said the journey each character
takes and the description in the battle scenes is breath taking and makes a truly enjoyable read.
world and characters in it tangible. Be prepared to physically drag yourself out of the books and
remind yourself the relationships and grief you feel, will not be mirrored by your loved ones. Also,
this is the second book in the Scalussen series. Do not pick up and start with this book! It would be
reasonable to begin with The Forever King however, my recommendation would be to go all the way
back and begin with The Written. HLC gave me chills and made the hairs on my arms stand on end.
You won’t get that if you start your Galley journey with TFK.
Now to the book, *there may be spoilers ahead*. I received an ARC in return to an honest review.
HLC picks up exactly where TFK left off with characters spread throughout the world, still fighting
Malvus/Loki as well as their own battles. I spent the whole time silently begging Farden was not
going to come to an end but the more the book continued the less certain I was. While Emaneska is
now in the same world as Heart of Stone (and there is a vague mention of Task!), there is more of
Chasing Graves type necromancy. The book reminded me of Pale Kings pt.1 which was used to set
the scene and build to the crescendo of the following one. That said the journey each character
takes and the description in the battle scenes is breath taking and makes a truly enjoyable read.
September 11, 2022
About This Book: In this direct follow-up to The Forever King, Galley returns readers once more to the world of Emaneska. Mithrid has accepted that she cannot return to her earlier life, and now seeks to destroy Farden utterly.
What I Thought: One thing I really appreciate about this series is the shifting alliances and character motivations throughout. The introduction of some figures from Norse mythology doesn’t necessarily seem to entirely “fit” the story, but the characterization of these characters, particularly Loki, is absolutely delightful, and definitely helps keep the character dynamics feeling fresh and exciting.
Who I’d Recommend it To: Fans of the previous book should definitely pick this one up. I also think that readers of Kate Elliot’s Spirit Gate trilogy might find a lot to appreciate here.
January 2, 2025
Not my cup of tea
If you are into detailed battles and an ever increasing lazy editing, than this is for you. Unfortunately, I find myself rather disappointed. Halfway through I was no longer liking what I had expected to be a good continuance of a rather interesting view of gods, magic and righteous battles for good of all. First off, the many mistakes, or laxydasical editing? was getting in the way of enjoying book two, then I found myself skipping over rather uninteresting details going on too long, and finally, the conversation between characters only interrupted by battles or story line mistakes done me in.
It has been some time since I have not finished reading a book to it's end. I am rather a forgiving reader, but some issues get even me to shut a book before it's end, this is such a one.
If you are into detailed battles and an ever increasing lazy editing, than this is for you. Unfortunately, I find myself rather disappointed. Halfway through I was no longer liking what I had expected to be a good continuance of a rather interesting view of gods, magic and righteous battles for good of all. First off, the many mistakes, or laxydasical editing? was getting in the way of enjoying book two, then I found myself skipping over rather uninteresting details going on too long, and finally, the conversation between characters only interrupted by battles or story line mistakes done me in.
It has been some time since I have not finished reading a book to it's end. I am rather a forgiving reader, but some issues get even me to shut a book before it's end, this is such a one.
July 1, 2023
This is the best so far out of all the Emmaneska/Scalussen books.
It's also one of the few audiobooks I had to speed up. Otherwise it felt too slow and my bluetooth headphones kept dropping off in the long gaps between sentences. Nothing the author can do about that, but it's a thing.
After spending so much time with the assorted lands that make up Emmaneska, it was nice to see that the world is much bigger than what we had before.
I wonder about the siren/dragon bonds, though. Both of the siren queens we've seen are, well, awful people, but their dragons are level-headed and generally decent characters.
The loss of Farden's magic didn't quite have the impact it should have given that it's not the first time it's happened and he gets it all back in the end.
It's also one of the few audiobooks I had to speed up. Otherwise it felt too slow and my bluetooth headphones kept dropping off in the long gaps between sentences. Nothing the author can do about that, but it's a thing.
After spending so much time with the assorted lands that make up Emmaneska, it was nice to see that the world is much bigger than what we had before.
I wonder about the siren/dragon bonds, though. Both of the siren queens we've seen are, well, awful people, but their dragons are level-headed and generally decent characters.
The loss of Farden's magic didn't quite have the impact it should have given that it's not the first time it's happened and he gets it all back in the end.
August 16, 2021
Ben Galley has done such terrific work with Heavy Lies The Crown. From the depravity and menace of Malvus and Loki, to Farden and Mithrid battling against all odds to end the war and save their country, Ben throws one disaster after another and makes HLtC both impossible to put down and relentless; Ben has a way of making you scared for all of your favourite characters
If you have not read The Forever King - the first of The Scalussen Chronicles - then go read this immediately but be warned - this is a series you will not want to miss.
But seriously, Ben can be ruthless so prepare for some heartache.
If you have not read The Forever King - the first of The Scalussen Chronicles - then go read this immediately but be warned - this is a series you will not want to miss.
But seriously, Ben can be ruthless so prepare for some heartache.
July 20, 2023
I thought this book was great in the way it added a lot more nuance to characters originally kept more 1D. It did however, follow a more standard "group goes on a quest to find things". I felt like the focus was more on the adventure, relationships, and growth of characters rather than the riddles of the quest itself, as they seemed awfully easy to solve (if using page count per riddle as a metric).
If you've made it this far, you should definitely read the book. It does not dissapoint, it only took me a bit longer to finish than the last, since it was just slightly less engaging for me. Still highly reccomend!
If you've made it this far, you should definitely read the book. It does not dissapoint, it only took me a bit longer to finish than the last, since it was just slightly less engaging for me. Still highly reccomend!
October 25, 2021
4.5!! EXCUSE ME WHILE I WEEP AND MOURN THE LOSS OF FICTIONAL CHARACTERS 😭
ben galley continues to impress me with his story telling. i haven’t been attached to a story like this in quite awhile. from the worldbuilding, to the magic, and the characters i just can’t get enough. the banter between farden and mithrid were some of my favorite sequences to read. they learn so much from each other and their dynamic seriously makes me smile!
the only thing wrong with this book is that the third book isn’t out yet and i haven’t to wait to see what happens next.
ben galley continues to impress me with his story telling. i haven’t been attached to a story like this in quite awhile. from the worldbuilding, to the magic, and the characters i just can’t get enough. the banter between farden and mithrid were some of my favorite sequences to read. they learn so much from each other and their dynamic seriously makes me smile!
the only thing wrong with this book is that the third book isn’t out yet and i haven’t to wait to see what happens next.
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