Wolves of the Calla

If you've rolled across this review and aren't familiar with the series, this is Book 5 in The Dark Tower series. My advice: stop here and go start at the beginning with The Gunslinger. You're welcome.

This is the first book in the series that I felt was similar to a previous installment, which is that it was a story within a story. Sadly, I was not help captive by this story as I was with the one in Wizard & Glass. While I was very excited to get this story because it's a character I've met before, it just went on too long and wasn't nearly as interesting as I had hoped it would be.

The main storyline concerning the Wolves was fantastic! The ending made me want to go straight into the next one in the series, which is always a great sign. I'm ready for some answers - 2 books left to get them!!

I didn't think it was possible to be any more in love with this series than I already was. But with each book I reread, my love for it just keeps growing. I've become so invested in these characters and their journey that it feels like they've become a part of me. I had forgotten a lot of the details of the story so at times it's almost like I'm on the Dark Tower journey again for the first time. And it's truly a magical experience. I feel like now that I'm a bit older, I'm able to truly appreciate the epicness of this tale. And I'm noticing so many details that I hadn't before. I hadn't read as many King books the first couple times I read the series and it's truly stunning how he has woven in his other works and characters from them. This book is definitely one of my favourites out of the series. I love the secrets and the trickery that are present throughout. But most of all, I love getting to see the gunslingers in action and that stunning final showdown.

(B+) 76% | Good
Notes: Essentially one long side quest, it's hampered by a plodding back-story but recovers and ends on an interesting twist.

Помня ясно прашните облицовани с червен плюш седалки на кино "Аура", в едно време далечно - още преди да тръгна на училище. Светлините угасват внезапно и тръгва пропаганден соц преглед, възхваляващ пропадащата система. А след него започва филм, който съм гледал вече десетина пъти и който няма как да ми омръзне - "Великолепната седморка"!

Кинг умело е разработил този познат ни класически сюжет, заплитайки го в своя постапокалиптичен фентъзи свят.

Хареса ми, макар че книгата е почти 700 страници!

Цитати:

"Красноречието не винаги идва от убедеността, често се корени в бутилката."

"Противно на логиката ние се заблуждаваме, че ако се преместим на ново място, нещата ще потръгнат по-добре; че стремежът ни към саморазрушение ще изчезне."

"Гробовете ги копаят победителите."

Continuing my journey of reading all Stephen King's books in publication order and Wolves of Calla, an all time favourite was next, I couldn't wait to delve back into this one.

This is the Fifth instalment of The Dark Tower and it's a beauty, I am torn between this and The Drawing of the Three being my favourite DT book. This book like it's predecessor diverts the ka-tet from The Dark Tower, in doing so it explores so much of SK's universe, the stand out is Father Callahan if you have read Salem's Lot you'll know this man well. This book showcases the true beauty of reading SK's books in orders, not just nods to other SK works but things that actually effect the plot of The Dark Tower, masterfully done.

Although a large chunk of this book takes the ka-tet away from their path of The Dark Tower the plot moves forwards nicely. Everything that happens in this book still happens for a reason, its Ka without Calla their journey to the Dark Tower would be unsuccessful, even now the odds are stacked against them. These books always feel high risks and as an avid SK reader I know no one is safe.

So many new characters are introduced during the fifth instalment of The Dark Tower but we still get to know them so intimately. King’s character development during this book is next to none with Old Fella and Mia stealing the show. We are introduced to Roont children too, I think this is one of the more heart-breaking things SK has written about, is it worth living being a Roont, is life worth risking to save others from the same fate, well Roland might think so.

Roland shows his fun side at times during this book too, however it is undermined by his selfishness, as a reader we know he wouldn't be helping these people if he didn't think it would bring him closer to his tower. Not matter how much Roland loves his ka-tet he will always put his quest for the tower first.

Some of my favourite SK quotes come from the Wolves of Calla. "If being a grown up really meant knowing better, why did his father go on smoking three packs of unfiltered cigarettes and snorting cocaine until his nose bled?”

“He’s a hothead and I’m a coward. Perhaps that’s why we’re friends—we fit around each other’s wrong places, make something that’s almost whole.” I think this quote in particular is beautiful, two peoples weaknesses becoming strengths when they are put together no matter what people say about SK, between the horror and gore he creates beauty.

I still love OY and his relationship with Jake, a Jake who in this book we see is still really just a child which I love. It was nice to see Jake with a real life friendship, someone of his age, someone who he can be just a boy with so knowing what lies ahead hurts even more. I have benefited so much from re-reading this book, this is something that we always be re-readable for me. There is a little SK gore along the way in this one things to make the reader squirm, a lot of it at the hand of Mia.

This is a fairly big book and you need to be committed to the strange and unexpected world of The Dark Tower. I can see why this book gets some negative rating because there is just so much to take in – I fully advise you to take you time with this one, and be prepared to take on this epic series with all your concentration. If you love character building, world building, quests, a little bit of kookiness, some heart-warming moments and plenty of spine-chilling ones this is the series for you.

This was really good. Once again King's descriptions are breathtaking. I thought the buildup to the ending was nicely done. Once everything started to come together, I couldn't put it down! Also I thought ending was quite satisfying. Can't wait to see what happens in the next one....


2021 Reread:
I feel like I'm getting so much more out of my second journey to the Dark Tower! I could not imagine reading these books as they were released, having to wait for the next installment to come out. I don't typically handle cliffhangers all that well. This one is very fun and exciting to read! It's probably one of the most adventurous books in the whole series. The world building in this one is beyond elucidation. The word picture King paints here is a tour de force! The suspense is constantly building and the ending is super fulfilling. Aside from Roland and his ka-tet, the characters in this one aren't all that well developed. A few of them were still fairly likable. Some of the others, not so much. Overall this is an enjoyable read and one of my favorites of the series. I look forward to reading the next one!

5-stars yet again...



....to the surprise of absolutely no one.

Earlier:

Yes, it is just over 900-pages.
Yes, I have over 1,200 other books on my TBR.
Yes, I am reading it again.



Original:

All hail the King!



Full review to come...stay tuned!!!

10/14/20: Completely forgot that I never wrote a full review for this masterpiece.

Perhaps a project for the weekend...

Re-read August 2016

In the fifth installment of The Dark Tower, all the elements King has borrowed from cinema and literature are clearer than ever. While I usually find this aggravating, when authors use so many borrowed things in their work that is, King never lacks originality. In fact, it's crazy how he uses all those (stolen, one might say) elements and still stays true to his original work. That's a talent of its own, if you ask me.

Far West scenery, unborn demon babies, robots and doors that lead to parallel worlds. All these combine to make a hell of a novel that could almost stand alone. Since it's a part of The Dark Tower though, it's fair to say that it gives the series a significant momentum as it reaches The End.

Nearly 8 years after my first read, I'm dazzled in more than one ways.