Fantasy readers are usually obsessed with magic systems or dragons. It’s the standard. But then you pick up the Heart of Stone book by Ben Galley and suddenly you’re staring at a seven-foot-tall hunk of literal rock named Task. He’s a golem. He doesn't breathe. He doesn't sleep. He just kills whoever his master points at because he’s magically bound to a piece of parchment. It’s brutal.
Honestly, most grimdark fantasy tries way too hard to be edgy by just throwing blood at the page. Galley does something else here. He gives us a protagonist who is technically an object. Task has been alive—if you can call it that—for hundreds of years, and he’s tired. Not "I need a nap" tired. More like "I have seen every civilization crumble and I’m still just a tool for mediocre men" tired. It’s a heavy vibe.
The book dropped back in 2017 and it’s still one of those "if you know, you know" recommendations in indie fantasy circles. It didn't need a massive marketing machine. It just needed people to realize how heartbreaking it is to read about a sentient tank that just wants to stop existing.
What the Heart of Stone Book Actually Gets Right About War
Most military fantasy focuses on the generals. We see the maps. We see the grand strategy. In the Heart of Stone book, we’re stuck in the mud with the guy who can’t die. Task is owned by the Hartlian army, and he’s basically their nuclear option.
The story kicks off in the middle of a long, grinding conflict between the Hartlians and the Lesandrians. It’s a civil war, which means everyone is miserable and everything is gray. Galley writes these battle scenes with a weirdly clinical grit. Because Task is made of stone, he describes the impact of swords and maces as minor inconveniences. It’s like a human describing a mosquito bite. But the psychological toll? That’s where the actual story lives.
The Burden of Near-Immortality
Task isn't the only "creature" in the book, but he’s the most isolated. He’s got this internal monologue that is honestly some of the best character work in modern fantasy. He remembers masters from centuries ago. He remembers the girl who first gave him a soul, or something like it.
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People often compare this to The Witcher or The First Law, but it’s more like if the Iron Giant was forced to work for a corrupt mercenary company. You’ve got this massive, terrifying entity that is actually the most moral person in the room. It’s a trope, sure. But Galley leans into the tragedy of it so hard that it feels fresh.
Wait, let's talk about the magic. It isn't sparkly. It’s "Thaulmancy." It’s dirty, it’s restrictive, and it’s based on binding will to matter. If you lose the paper that controls the golem, you lose the golem. That’s a massive plot point. It makes the world feel fragile despite all the heavy masonry.
Why Task Isn't Your Typical Fantasy Hero
He’s a murderer. Let’s be real. Task has killed thousands. The Heart of Stone book doesn’t shy away from the fact that our "hero" is a war criminal by proxy. He has no choice, but he still feels the weight.
There’s this one character, Lesra. She’s a stable girl. A "nobody" in the grand scheme of the war. Her interaction with Task is the emotional anchor of the entire 500-odd pages. It’s not a romance—thank god—but a weird, platonic recognition of humanity. She treats him like a person, which is the most dangerous thing you can do to a weapon.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced romp, this isn't it. It’s slow. It’s methodical. Galley spends a lot of time letting you sit in Task’s head. You feel the cracks in his stone skin. You feel the dust. It’s atmospheric as hell.
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Breaking Down the Grimdark Label
Is it grimdark? Technically, yeah. People die in horrible ways. The world is cynical. The politics are messy. But there’s a core of empathy that most grimdark lacks.
- The Narrative Voice: It’s third-person, but it’s deeply focused on Task’s sensory experience.
- The Pace: It builds. The first half is a bit of a slog for some, but the payoff in the final third is massive.
- The Ending: No spoilers, but it’s not a "happily ever after" situation. It’s earned.
I've seen some reviews complain that the human characters are less interesting than Task. Kinda true. But I think that’s the point. Compared to a being that has lived for eras, the petty squabbles of lords and knights should feel small and a bit annoying.
How Ben Galley Changed the Indie Publishing Game
When we talk about the Heart of Stone book, we have to talk about the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO). This book was a finalist. It helped prove that you don’t need a "Big Five" publisher to produce a polished, high-concept epic.
Galley’s prose is tight. It doesn't have that "first draft" feel that some indie books struggle with. He knows when to shut up and let the action speak. He also knows how to use silence. Some of the most powerful moments in the book are just Task standing in the rain, waiting for an order.
Comparing the Golem to Other Lore
Usually, golems in mythology are mindless protectors. Think of the Golem of Prague. They are protectors that eventually go haywire. Task is the opposite. He’s a protector who is too sane. He knows exactly what he’s doing, and he hates it.
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This flip on the mythology is what keeps the pages turning. You’re waiting for him to snap. You’re waiting for him to find a loophole in his contract. The tension isn't just "will they win the war?" It’s "will Task ever be free?"
It's a heavy read. Literally.
Technical Details You Might Care About
The book is a standalone. That’s rare in fantasy. You don’t have to commit to a twelve-book series that the author might never finish. You get a beginning, a middle, and a very definitive end.
- Word Count: It sits around 150k words.
- Audiobook: The narration by Chris Emmett is top-tier. He gives Task this gravelly, ancient voice that fits perfectly.
- Physical Editions: The cover art by 1883 is iconic. It’s just Task’s face. It tells you everything you need to know.
The Verdict on Heart of Stone
If you’re tired of farm boys finding magic swords, read this. If you want a book that makes you feel sorry for a rock, read this. The Heart of Stone book is basically a character study masquerading as a war epic. It’s bleak, it’s beautiful, and it’s one of the best things Ben Galley has ever written.
People often ask if there's a sequel. There isn't. And honestly? There shouldn't be. The story is a complete arc. It explores the concept of the soul, the horror of immortality, and the price of loyalty.
Actionable Takeaways for Readers
If you're planning to dive into this one, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Clear your schedule for the last 100 pages. The climax moves fast and hits hard. You won't want to stop.
- Pay attention to the "patter." Task’s internal dialogue uses specific linguistic quirks that reveal how he views time and humanity.
- Check out the audiobook. If you struggle with slower pacing in the beginning, the voice acting helps carry the weight of the world-building.
- Look for the subtext. This isn't just a book about a golem; it’s a critique of how soldiers are used as disposable tools by the state.
Get a copy. Read it. Then sit in a quiet room for twenty minutes and think about what it means to be alive. That's the Ben Galley guarantee. It’s not just a fantasy novel; it’s a weight you carry with you long after you close the back cover.