Where to Start Reading Ben Galley
Ben Galley has created several distinct fantasy worlds, making it easy to choose a starting point based on your preferred subgenre. If you love classic, high-stakes epic fantasy with a Norse flare, dragons, and complex magic, you should start with his debut novel, The Written, which kicks off the Emaneska Series. For readers who prefer a self-contained story before committing to a massive saga, the award-winning standalone military fantasy The Heart of Stone is an excellent introduction to his character-driven, morally grey style. If you are a fan of steampunk, alternate history, and weird westerns, the award-winning Bloodrush (the first book of the Scarlet Star Trilogy) is the perfect gateway.
The Emaneska Universe Reading Order
The Emaneska Universe is Ben Galley's flagship setting, characterized by Norse mythology, elemental magic, and tattooed mages known as the Written. The universe spans the original Emaneska Series, a sequel series called The Scalussen Chronicles, and several prequel novellas and short stories. To get the most out of the overarching plot and character development, it is highly recommended to read the original series before moving on to the sequel series.
1. The Original Emaneska Series
This series follows Farden, a powerful mage whose spells are tattooed directly onto his skin. The core series should be read in publication order:
- The Written (2010) – Introduces Farden, the northern realm of Emaneska, and the threat of dragons and demons.
- Pale Kings (2012) – The stakes rise as political conflicts and dark magic threaten to tear the land apart.
- Dead Stars - Part One (2013) – The first half of the epic conclusion to Farden's initial journey.
- Dead Stars - Part Two (2013) – The final showdown that reshapes the world of Emaneska.
2. Bridging the Sagas: Prequels and Short Stories
Galley has expanded the lore of Emaneska with companion stories. While they can be read as standalones, they are best enjoyed after completing the main series to appreciate the world-building details:
- The Iron Keys (2022) – A prequel short story following Farden's very first combat experiences in the Efjar Skirmishes.
- A Feast for Wolves (2023) – A prequel novella set long before the events of the main series, focusing on Farden's uncle, Tyrfing, and the mage Beleketh as they investigate a murder that threatens war.
- The Weaver & The Wyrm (2022) – A Norse-inspired prequel novella focusing on Farden's journey to Albion before the events of The Written.
- No Fairytale (2019) – A bridge short story (originally published in the Lost Lore anthology) set in the aftermath of Dead Stars. It introduces a world where magic has been outlawed and serves as the direct setup for the sequel series.
- The Written Graphic Novel (2014) – A visual adaptation of the debut novel, illustrated by Mike Shipley.
3. The Scalussen Chronicles
Set approximately 20 years after the events of the original Emaneska Series, this sequel trilogy follows Farden and his protégé Mithrid as they deal with the fallout of the past and face new threats from the east. While written to be accessible to newcomers, returning readers will get a much richer experience:
- The Forever King (2020)
- Heavy Lies the Crown (2021)
- To Kill a God (2024)
The Chasing Graves Trilogy
For readers who enjoy grimdark fantasy, necromancy, and ancient Egyptian-inspired settings, the Chasing Graves Trilogy is a self-contained story that must be read in strict publication order. It takes place in a brutal world where the souls of the dead are bound to coins and forced into slavery by the living:
- Chasing Graves (2018) – Follows Caltro Basalt, a lockbreaker who finds himself murdered and resurrected as a ghost bound to serve his killer.
- Grim Solace (2019) – Caltro continues to navigate the dangerous underworld and politics of the city of Araxes.
- Breaking Chaos (2019) – The explosive conclusion to the trilogy where the fate of the city is decided.
The Scarlet Star Trilogy
This series is a unique blend of steampunk and weird western fantasy. It follows Tonmerion Hark, a wealthy young man exiled from his comfortable home to the wild, magical frontier of Wyoming:
- Bloodrush (2014) – Winner of Library Journal’s Indie eBook of the Year, introducing the harsh frontier life and mud-magic.
- Bloodmoon (2015) – The conflict escalates as Tonmerion becomes deeper entwined in frontier politics.
- Bloodfeud (2016) – The final battle for survival on the frontier.
The Bloodwood Saga (Co-authored with David Estes)
Co-authored with fellow fantasy writer David Estes, this dark and action-packed series explores a world dominated by massive, dangerous forests and demonic threats. The books should be read in order:
- Demon’s Reign (2022)
- Demon's Rage (2024)
- Demon's Ruin (2026)
Standalone Novels, Non-Fiction, and Anthologies
Aside from his major series, Ben Galley has published standalones and contributed to anthologies:
- The Heart of Stone (2017) – A highly acclaimed standalone military fantasy focusing on Task, a 400-year-old stone golem forced to fight in a human civil war while struggling with his own humanity. It won Best Self-Published Novel at the Booknest Fantasy Awards.
- Shelf Help (2014) – A non-fiction guide sharing Galley's DIY publishing advice, strategies, and marketing tips for self-published writers.
- Art of War: Anthology for Charity (2018) – A collection where Galley contributed the short story "Exhibition" to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders.
- Warhammer: Inferno! Volume 5 (2020) – Galley contributed the short story "Mournclaw" to this Age of Sigmar anthology, which was later compiled in the 2021 collection Inferno! An Age of Sigmar Collection.