Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 98 votes)
5 stars
34(35%)
4 stars
37(38%)
3 stars
27(28%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
98 reviews
April 17,2025
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I knew ever since reading the first book that this series would only get better in time. To be honest, I expected it to become really good after the 3rd or 4th book but this one really is the turn. The first one is only a small tease of what this series is and can be.

Being a big Stephen King fan, I find his mind exceedingly sharp, and his thoughts utterly cohesive, building and building and then breaking everything apart. He's extremely talented and it shows in his work.

While in the first book we see Roland, the hero, wandering about in a desert, looking for the Dark Man and ultimately for the Dark Tower, in this we see Roland hungry, thirsty and battered, doing his best to survive. After accomplishing his first task, at the cost of someone's life, the book ends quite abruptly with not much of a cliffhanger.

In this book, Roland travels in time to bring together the people, the cards he drew represent, together. The Prisoner, The Lady of the Shadows and The Pusher. Each and every personality of those three people is unique, and some of those are sadists or even schizophrenic, or drug addicts. Only Stephen King would be able to create such a strange fellowship.

Time travel has always been a favorite subject of mine, and though Stephen doesn't really delve in the details of what a time travel entails, it's really enjoyable seeing him jump from time to time to find those he's looking for.

What I really loved about it, was the constant anxiety it caused me. It gave me panic attacks. It was fast-paced and unlike the first book, the plot was really thick and complex and made me fall in love with this series and cannot actually wait to get my hands on the next book.
April 17,2025
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I u drugom citanju, odlicna. Cak i poglavlja koja su manje vise digresije su me drzala na rubu fotelje. Likovi su totalno opiceni, prica je na metafizicki nacin luda, nema se sto dodati. Cini se da koliko god epske knjizurine da jesu, nemaju ni recenicu viska. O Kulo, sve sam ti blize
April 17,2025
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n  Without thought, with the simple resolve that had made him the last of them all, the last to continue marching on and on long after Cuthbert and the others had died or given up, committed suicide or treachery or simply recanted the whole idea of the Tower; with the single-minded and incurious resolve that had driven him across the desert and all the years before the desert in the wake of the man in black, the gunslinger stepped through the doorway.n

The journey to the Dark Tower continues, and the gunslinger marches on. But the wonderful desert setting is gone, and so is the eerily mysterious man in black.

The Drawing of the Three feels like a spin-off. You realise while reading that the book has a purpose that fits into the overarching story of the series, but it feels like taking a break from the actually interesting part. Roland winds up on a beach in the middle of nowhere, and has to step through a doorway leading into the unknown, to find and recruit three rather unwilling companions for his journey.

I’ve read several reviews and opinions saying that The Gunslinger is a weak start to the series, and that this book takes it up to another level. And I couldn’t disagree more. I thought the first book was way better. Everything about it was much more interesting than this space-filler second volume.

The only thing that actually is better in my eyes, is the writing. Stephen King visibly improved between these two instalments, and some of his passages are a joy to read.

From the dead serious...

The sun was down. Darkness had come.

To the hilarious...

This screaming, writhing thing could not have just undergone inpromptu surgery by subway train half an hour ago.

In the end, this book was not particularly good. It added nothing, and it didn’t make me feel anything. I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would consider this outrageously boring side quest better than the adventures of Roland in the ruins of Midworld, but that's individual opinion for you. I am, however, looking very much forward to reading the next book in the series.

Onward to the Tower!

"We are going to go, Eddie. We are going to fight. We are going to be hurt. And in the end we will stand."



Dark Tower reviews:
#1 n  The Gunslingern
#2 n  The Drawing of the Threen
#3 n  The Waste Landsn
#4 n  Wizard and Glassn
#5 n  Wolves of the Callan
#6 n  Song of Susannahn
#7 n  The Dark Towern
April 17,2025
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Okay, I've been schooled. For lo these many years, I've prided myself on being one of the original Stephen King fans, the quintessential Constant Reader. I grew up with him, meaning that I am of an age that I read his books as he actually churned them out. I was there, hands outstretched, waiting for each eagerly anticipated tome, ready to devour it and add to my ever-growing admiration for the god of horror--except for the Dark Tower series. I can't even offer a satisfactory explanation for this dichotomy. Maybe because the first installment was called The Gunslinger? I've never had much interest in books of a Western bent (except for Lonesome Dove, that genre-transcending masterpiece) and I can't explain this irrational prejudice either. What's not to like about the West? The development of the West is the history of our country surging ahead, conquering new territories, a hardy, courageous people willing to abandon everything they know to carve a life for themselves in an unforgiving, hostile terrain. This flimsy excuse is the only one I can think of.

So, I have discovered the true depths of my idiocy by reading this book. This is what I get for questioning Uncle Stevie. When will I learn? I have avoided this series for years, and I loved this book! It starts off with freakin' awesome action in the prologue, and the tension escalates from there. Roland's story, which put-putts along sedately in the first book, takes off like a rocket in this book. We see Roland, unconscious on the beach, and the next thing we know he's involved in a life-and-death struggle with a weird lobster creature. I mean, let's face it, just regular lobsters and crabs are creepy looking, but these are like lobsters on steroids. After he survives this (but not without serious injury), Roland sets off to locate the people who will assist him in his quest for the Tower. The scene with Eddie in the airplane bathroom is incredibly tense and had me yelling at the book for them to "hurry up!" The scenes with Odetta/Detta ware equally suspenseful since you never know when the situation will take a sharp turn for the savage. Roland's "resolution" of Jack Mort is a thing of beauty, and resolves more than just Jack Mort.

The introduction of our world into the book, with Roland able to step into and explore our culture, creates a link for the reader to identify with. There are humorous moments as Roland attempts to comprehend the unfamiliar jargon and behaviors of 20th century America, such as "tooter-fish" sandwiches and "astin," the magical drug (aspirin) that temporarily relieves Roland's pain and fever. It also gives you an appreciation for those amenities we so take for granted. It is run-of-the-mill 20th century medicine that saves Roland's life. It reminds me of Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris, earnestly explaining why he cannot stay in the 1920's despite his love for the period, "I dreamed I went to the dentist and he didn't have novocain . . . these people don't have antibiotics!"

Overall, I was on the edge of my seat for the entire read, and can't wait to start the next book. I will never doubt Uncle Stevie again, I promise!
April 17,2025
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“Did-a-chick? Dum-a-chum? Dad-a-cham? Ded-a-check?”

This bit of nonsense is likely to send shivers down the spine of Dark Tower fans, it is one of the most memorable scenes in the entire series which spans seven books (originally). The bizarre “questions” are constantly asked by the “lobstrosity” creatures even while they are munching on people.


The above picture—lifted from the graphic novel edition—is not quite to scale as the lobstrosity is described in The Drawing of the Three as “four feet long and a foot high”, but the creepiness is about right!

The Drawing of the Three is volume two of Stephen King’s epic Dark Tower series. If my memory serves me correctly it is my favorite book of the series. This book is all about Roland Deschain recruiting three characters from our world to help him in his quest for the Dark Tower. As foretold by The Man in Black in the previous book these three are represented on Tarot cards as The Prisoner, The Lady of Shadows, and Death. Roland is to go through three doors which are portals into our world at different times.


The first of the three doors

The first person to be drawn to our world is “The Prisoner” Eddie Dean. Eddie is not imprisoned anywhere, but he is a heroin addict. The “drawing” of Eddie Dean involves drug smuggling, gangsters, a shootout au naturel, and more lobstrosities; never a dull moment.

Odetta / Detta by LadyFiszi.

The second “drawing” is of a black lady called Odetta Holmes who suffers from dissociative identity disorder schizophrenia with multiple personalities (see Stephanie's message 10 in the comments section) and has an evil secondary personality called Detta Walker who takes control of her body from time to time (usually when it is the most inexpedient for our heroes). Odetta is kindly and soft-spoken, while Detta is evil, cunning, and deadly, she talks like “a cartoon black woman, Butterfly McQueen gone Loony Tunes”. Even though she is missing legs below her knees Detta is very capable of killing both Roland and Eddie who she charmingly calls “honky mahfahs”.

The last drawing of The Three is not at all who I was expecting*, it involves a character even more psychotic than Detta. Without going into details it involves possession, crazy hyperkinetic shootouts, more lobstrosities and a unique way of dispatching a villain.

Art by Phil Hale

Phew! What a book! I hope I have not spoiled anything so far, if you think I did please let me know in the comments. The Drawing of the Three is a fabulous, riveting and thrilling read. The writing style here is much more typically Stephen King than the previous volume, The Gunslinger, where King takes a stab at some lyrical writing in the early chapters that confused my young mind when I first read it. I have to admit this is how I like my King. Screw “literature”, just tell the story so vividly that the reader is transported into Roland’s world (even though it has “moved on”). King’s accessible writing style is one of his chief weapons, it is the most effective way of conveying his outlandish narrative. Even with all the carnage going on the book is occasionally hilarious, with pop culture references and an almost “TMI” rectal examination scene. The “Roland in New York City” part is particularly amusing, with his bemusement by the city life and his failed attempt to avoid violence. Imagine Clint Eastwood’s The Man with No Name in modern day New York and you will have an inkling. The book does not end on a cliffhanger yet it does make you want to commit to the series, to follow Roland and his friends on the quest for the Tower, to see what happens next. As Roland would say, “it’s ka”.

Notes:
* I thought it was going to be poor Jake Chambers from The Gunslinger, but poor Jake only makes a quick cameo in this volume.

• Idris Elba is unlikely to be called “honky mahfah” in the forthcoming Dark Tower movie. Here is King's comment about the casting.

• Roland’s classic “ka-tet”, the crew of his quest, is not fully formed in this book, awaiting a couple more members. So this picture below, from the graphic novel edition, is a little misleading.


Quotes:
“There is an umbilicus which somehow connects our world to the world of the gunslinger.”

“The first is dark-haired. He stands on the brink of robbery and murder. A demon has infested him. The name of the demon is HEROIN.”
“Which demon is that? I know it not, even from nursery stories.”

“He walked out of nowhere toward nowhere, a man from another time who, it seemed, had reached a point of pointless ending.”

“Not his eyes but those of a stranger. Not hazel but a blue the color of fading Levis. Eyes that were chilly, precise, unexpected marvels of calibration. Bombardier’s eyes.”
April 17,2025
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Book 1: 2.5*
Book 2: 2.5*

The dichotomy that is this series. On the one hand I want to know how it turns out. On the other I don't think I can do another book with senseless rants, non stop nostalgic pop culture references, stereotypes ad nauseam and a storyline that meanders aimlessly.

The characters are all tough to like. Not because they have flaws but because they all have non sequitur inane ramblings that drive the reader to the brink of the craziness which drives the characters.

I simply cannot continue this series. Maybe I'll read a summary just to find out but overall it's just a waste of time.
April 17,2025
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My journey of reading all Stephen Kings books in publication order has brought me back to The Dark Tower.

This has become a comfort read for me, I love this instalment of The Dark Tower. The introduction to Eddie is one of my favourite character introduction ever absolute perfection. Eddie become fundamental in this book and future instalments, but he is such an unlikely main character.

One thing that stands out for me in this book is Roland learning things about our reality (Eddies reality) it is so well done, funny and it really makes the reader think. 'Tooter fish' is just one of the moments and its brilliant. Lobstrosities are horrific, only SK could make me scared of a big lobster. Although I enjoyed the first book in The Dark Tower this one is where it really kicks into a new gear.

We get a full insight into the characters in this book, we get to read about their inner thoughts and feelings which I really enjoyed. The character development even in this early instalment is really a masterpiece and I think this inner voice is one of the reasons its so good. As well as character development the relationship formed between Eddie and Roland is beautiful!

This book has a lot of foreshadowing, I think this makes the book really hard to put down. There is of course some Easter eggs including a mention of the Shinning. Detta/Odetta's characters is astonishing! So well written and incredibly interesting. The pacing in this book is so fast paced - it flows so well. The three characters contrast each other, yet compliment each other so well a perfectly dysfunction team. You can tell this is part of a serious, you can almost feel the oncoming storm.
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"Might as well try to drink the ocean with a spoon as argue with a lover."

"Roland could not understand why anyone would want cocaine or any other illegal drug, for that matter, in a world where such a powerful one as sugar was so plentiful and cheap." Roland's thoughts on sugar always packs a punch.

"Why do you keep looking back there? the guy in charge had asked. From time to time I need an antidote, Eddie said. From what? Your face."

"Because the difference between seeing and not seeing can be the difference between living and dying."

"Did-a-chick? Dad-a-Chum!"

There isn't a boring moment in this book and there is nothing I would change. This is a re-read and I do know how The Dark Tower ends but this just adds to my enjoyment - really one of my favourite books I have ever read.
April 17,2025
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Stephen King just doesn't work for me. While not a "bad" story, I just can't appreciate this type intentionally confusing writing style.

n  Watch my video review by clicking here.n
April 17,2025
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I love Stephen King, but this series just isn't for me! I won't be continuing on with the series.
April 17,2025
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Titulo: La llegada de los tres [The Dark Tower #2]
Autor: Stephen King
Motivo de lectura: #StephenKingChallenge
Lectura / Relectura: Relectura
Mi edicion: Tapa dura, 540 paginas, Plaza & Janes
Puntuacion: 4/5



La diferencia entre este volumen y el primer volumen es abismal.

En esta segunda entrega la accion es moneda corriente, y no hay tiempo para descansar.
Encuentro cierta similitud en la dinamica entre Roland y Eddie, mientras Eddie es un adicto a la heroina Roland siente la misma compulsion por la torre oscura. Ambos se congregan por una sed inagotable, cada uno por su tema, pero con muchos puntos en comun.

Durante la trama iremos encontrando otros personajes, donde basicamente King nos ofrece un abanico de personas con serios problemas de salud mental, y la interaccion entre ellos se basa en "hacemos lo que podemos, cuando podemos".

Realmente no me quiero extender en esta reseña, experimenten a King sin practicamente saber nada, es lo mejor, la accion, la no accion, las referencias, los dialogos, las interacciones, definitivamente vale la pena.
April 17,2025
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This book is so good! It was my second time reading it. I think I enjoyed it even more this time. I love getting to meet the other members of Roland's ka-tet. There's a couple of really good action sequences that are incredibly well written. I feel like this second book in the series really gets me pumped up for the rest of the series. King's descriptions are so detailed and striking. The imagery, world building, and character development are exemplary. It's so easy to see why this book is a lot of people's favorite of the entire series.
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