Merciless. Murderer. Monster. He has been called many names in his time.

 Built for war and nothing else, he has witnessed every shade of violence humans know, and he has wrought his own masterpieces with their colours. He cared once, perhaps, but far too long ago. He is bound to his task, dead to the chaos he wreaks for his masters.

 Now, he has a new master to serve and a new war to endure. In the far reaches of the Realm, Hartlund tears itself in two over coin and crown. This time he will fight for a boy king and a general bent on victory.

 Beneath it all he longs for change. For something to surprise him. For an end to this cycle of warfare.

 Every fighter has a last fight. Even one made of stone.

This is the beautiful grimdark fairytale I didn’t know I needed!! Fucking loved The Heart of Stone from the first page to the last. 

This is the story of Task, a golem made of stone. He’s a war machine, for all intents & purposes. Or rather, he was *made* to be a war machine. Hundreds of years old, passed from one cruel master to the next, with one function: kill. Only…Task is no “ordinary” golem. He thinks for himself, even while carrying out orders he would rather not. He has a conscience…he feels everything, very deeply. He also has a bit of a disobedient & sarcastic side to his personality, much to the chagrin of his latest master, Huff. 

Much of the novel takes place in & around a war camp, where Task befriends Lesky, a girl as precocious as any young character I’ve encountered in fantasy. I couldn’t help but be reminded somewhat of Mattie Ross from True Grit as I read this!! Lesky is smart-mouthed & fearless & caring & kind…an incredible character, and the moral compass of the whole story in a way. 

Ben Galley does not skimp on the violence & gore…the main character is nine feet tall, made of stone, and occasionally falls into a rage-fueled battle lust, after all. But the tone of this book is so achingly sweet & thoughtful…goddamn…this was just beautiful!! Highly recommended!!