I truly had a great affection for these books, with The Drawing of the Three being my particular favorite. I delved into the first one during last Christmas. However, I wasn't overly compelled to pick up the second one until this past June when I decided to take it along on my vacation. I'm extremely glad that I did so. After voraciously consuming the third one, I am now engrossed in reading the fourth one and am thoroughly enjoying every moment of it.
If you have a penchant for long and captivating sagas, as I most certainly do, then I wholeheartedly recommend this series. Even if you don't find yourself completely spellbound by The Gunslinger right from the start, it is undoubtedly worthwhile to read it all the way to the end. This will set you on the right path to embark on the rest of this thrilling tale.
I simply cannot express enough praise for this remarkable work. The captivating plot weaves a web of mystery and excitement that holds you firmly in its grip from start to finish. The characters are so vividly drawn that they seem to leap off the page and into your imagination. And let's not forget the masterful writing of Stephen King. His words have a power and a charm that draw you in and make you feel as if you are right there in the story, experiencing every emotion along with the characters.
I was overjoyed when the final book of the series was released. It was like the culmination of a long and wonderful journey. And now, I find myself rereading the series through audiobooks, and it is just as enchanting the second time around. The fact that a seven-volume series is worthy of being reread speaks volumes about its quality and enduring appeal. It is a true testament to the talent of the author and the magic he has created within these pages.
Talk about a cliffhanger! The Dark Tower series is truly a series of cliffhangers. Stephen King seems to have no real direction and only a scanty outline, yet he manages to avoid painting himself into a corner. Just like in any dream (or nightmare), if he gets stuck with some logic, he simply changes the rules. And that's exactly what this series is, just one long dream. It contains all the elements that are characteristic of Stephen King, including his potty mouth.
Do not attempt to compare this loosely joined series of encounters with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan, and George Lucas. They bear no resemblance to the Joseph Campbell myth of someone being challenged to become more than they are. This series is in its own purely fantasy (don't look for depth) project. I call it a project because it is ongoing without a clear stopping point in mind. If you view it from this perspective, then it can be considered a "five star" in its category.
"The Gunslinger" is over almost before it gets started, leaving no time to form an opinion. "The Drawing of the Three" is twice as long as the previous one and leaves you with a dislike for lobster. "The Waste Lands" is again twice as long as the previous one and gives you a dislike for Amtrak. By now, you have no opinion, dislike eating lobster on Amtrak, and can't wait for the next installment, "Wizard and Glass."
Stephen King is a renowned author, and the yarn he spins in this work is somewhat loosely threaded. In my opinion, one has to be a die-hard Stephen King fan to truly relish this series. The references to some of his other notable works, such as "The Stand" and "Christine", add an extra layer of enjoyment for fans. However, I have a slight reservation about the basic premise. The idea of a futuristic world where gun slingers are like the Knight Errants, following a code and all that, just seemed a bit cheesy to me. Nevertheless, the story is filled with numerous twists and turns, which keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Additionally, the characters are very interesting and colorful, each with their own unique personalities and backstories. For these reasons alone, it is a decent read that is worth checking out.