Mi favorito hasta ahora!!!

The Wizard and the Glass had to piss a lot of people off when it came out. The book is 95% a story from Roland's past - a tale the intertwines several genres including western, romance, and fantasy. And it proves Stephen King can do it all.

This backstory is in many ways far better than the main plot line. It had suspense, excellent plotting and pacing, a plethora of well-developed characters - everything about it was perfect... well, except my only complaint about the book  the villains, for the most part, meet their ends without that feeling of a final conflict where the heroes' lives balance on a tightrope (in short, they died too easily - Jonas, Lengyll, Depape, Thorin, Rimer, Reynolds (somewhere down the line) and the Tick-Tock Man (who had so much potential) in the main story line, resurrected for absolutely nothing - only Latigo really had that struggle). But of course, when matched against a gunslinger, these failed men perhaps should have died easy

But perhaps the book's best quality is its obvious parallels between Ka-tet A and Ka-tet B. Roland's first band - Cuthbert, Alain, Susan, and Sheemie - is in part resurrected with Eddie, Jake, Susannah, and Oy. The characters hold such blatant similarities that I need not go into them, with the most-notable variance being that Susan is perhaps strong when circumstances require it while Susannah is tough and gritty all around.

The characters from the past enrich the characters of the present and the story of the longest walk ever taken, as well. It shed greater light on Roland, and created more questions, particularly as to who he might become. Hero? Villain? Victim?

This book is fantastic. It makes me want to re-read the Gunslinger, the portions that pertain to people in Roland sees in the glass. And it makes me want to read on, to follow the path of the beam to the Dark Tower, should the damned thing take me in my fool's errand.

Also... and I just want to reiterate this...

I love Oy.

IN THIS REVIEW I WILL BE ASSUMING YOU HAVE READ THE BOOKS THAT PRECEDE THIS ONE IN THIS SERIES SO THERE WILL BE THINGS MENTIONED THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED SPOILERS FOR THOSE BOOKS.



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Picking up where The Waste Lands left off with everyone still on the runaway train controlled by an insane AI the book continues a sort of tradition I suppose, with Roland et al overcoming a deadly peril...or monster. The "lobstrosities" then "Shardick" now Blaine.

This novel unfolds as a sort of "story within a story" (which I'm sure you've probably run on before). We get a lot of Roland's background and history. We also see more of the interconnection between King's books. Interestingly we also get some "parallels" with other classic literature. :)

My "lack of enjoyment" continues here but so does my recognition that these books are well written. So my rather contradictory "I can't say I enjoy them, but I like the overall idea".



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Possible Spoiler

The parallels with The Wizard of OZ will pretty clearly jump out here but I wonder. Based on the overall picture painted of Roland's associates (those he loves and cares for) suffering, I wonder if there's any influence from the Elric character by Michael Moorcock. There is another obvious tie in at the end of the last book that would connect or draw together Roland Deschain, Elric, and the original Roland from the Song of Roland.

Jedina mana je ta što je četvrti deo podeljen u dve knjige, tek nekolicina događaja je zaokružena dok se rasplet očekuje u drugoj polovini. Međutim, to ne umanjuje uživanje jer se, poput prethodnog dela, priča završava tako da sam na ivici sedišta u iščekivanju da saznam šta se dalje dešava.

Veliki plus mi je dodirivanje i preplitanje sa "Uporištem" jer cela priča dobija na težini. Drago mi je zbog ovakvog spleta okolnosti jer mi je "Uporište" još uvek sveže u sećanju, a ujedno je još jedan roman koji mi se dopao. Isprva su ti dodiri bili suptilni u prethodnim knjigama, dok je u ovom delu zaista preklapanje koje me je obradovalo. Kontekstualizovanje na ovakav način mi je izuzetno zanimljivo i nadam se da će ga biti još u nekoj većoj meri jer postoje naznake za to. Naravno, ništa ne može da se meri sa saznanjima o Rolandovoj mladosti jer je to nešto što me je kopkalo i nešto što je bila misterija čak i njegovim saputnicima, a ta priča se još uvek priča.

Drugu polovinu, molim.

“He wanted her, suddenly and completely, with a desperate depth of feeling that felt like sickness. Everything he was and everything he had come for, it seemed, was secondary to her.”

Ahh, Wizard and Glass, the fourth installment in The Dark Tower series. This one is most definitely up there with my favorite Dark Tower books, and with good reason. Wizard and Glass revolves around Roland’s past and his first true love. The story develops Roland’s character immensely, and it will most certainly change the way you view him for the rest of the series. We first start out with Roland and the gang still trapped on the deadly monorail, Blaine (Blaine is a pain, and that is the truth). After they escape Blaine, they find themselves no longer in Roland’s world but in America. This is not the same ‘when’ or exactly the same ‘where’ that Eddie, Jake, and Susannah had come from but it is a version of America nonetheless.

I will say that reading The Stand prior to this book (or even The Wastelands for that matter) will give you tons more enjoyment as they find everyone in this world is dead from a ‘Super Flu’ that wiped out most of the population. Now that's all I’ll say about that and I’ll leave the rest of the ‘easter eggs’ for your own finding. Before long the Ka-Tet realizes they have been transported here through a tear in the fabric of reality Roland calls a Thinny. Before finding their way back Roland decides it is time to tell his new friends about his past, his first love, and how his journey to the Tower begun.

Not only is this an amazing installment into the Dark Tower series, and gives you ample information about the history of Roland's world and his journey to the Tower. But it's a beautiful story all on its own of love, loss, and friendship. It touches on all those hard choices we must make between lovers, friends, and responsibilities. The story also has a gorgeous setting that is new to the series. We find ourselves quite far from Mid-World. We are in the Outer Arc, in Mejis on the Clean Sea. It’s primarily a fishing and horse ranching town that King describes beautifully. He gives the town a Spanish culture complete with sombreros, serapes, and even its own lingo (which is very hard not to pick up yourself while reading).

We meet so many amazing characters, some of the best in the series. Roland's original Ka-Tet, Cuthbert, and Alain. And of course, his first true love, Susan. Not to mention loads of other great characters, good and bad. The terrifying Rhea of the Coos, the loveable Sheemie, and the wretched Blue Coffin Hunters! The list goes on. I’ve had people ask if it would be okay to skip this installment of the series, and my answer is always a big fat NO! You learn about The Wizard’s Rainbow, which is a huge part of the later books. We also see how Roland’s obsession with the Tower begun. I mean if you haven't been curious of that since the first book, are we reading the same series!? There are so many choices Roland has to make and the mistakes he does make play a crucial role in making him the Gunslinger he becomes. And there are some pretty cool fights so that's always another good selling point. Bottom line, DON'T SKIP IT!

When it comes down to it, I really can't say enough good things about this book. The foreshadowing for later events is almost poetic and just perfectly done! King ends the story in a heartbreakingly beautiful way, and the foundation for the rest of the series is set. As we truly begin to know Roland, his past, the kind of choices he makes, and the burdens he must carry, the series really starts to take off. With an interesting string of events that happen after Roland finishes his story, the Gunslinger and his new Ka-Tet find their way back to the path of the Beam, and their journey to the Tower continues.

Continuing my journey of reading all of Stephen King's books in order and my second way around The Dark Tower. Wizard and Glass isn't quite a five star read for me but it's still epic. I can't imagine having to wait six years after the Wastelands but the recap at the start of this book is so well done.

This book kicks off where The Wastelands comes to a close with Blaine the pain, who is one of the strangest villains in a horror book, but honestly one of the best. For such a dark journey the start of this book is crammed full on humour (Eddie being responsible for most).

This book is beautifully written too, although SK is known for horror the fantasy style of writing suits him so well. Each member of the Ka-Tet has their strength a reason for being and this book really show this off. Eddie is always underestimated yet plays such an important role, I love his character especially and his growth from the first book to the last is perfection.

Although this book gets going straight off the Wastelands the majority is set in Roland's past, 80% of this book is Roland telling his story of how he got the way he is and why The Dark Tower is so important. I think the similarities between Roland's old friends and his new Ka-Tet are beautiful Cuthbert and Eddie are especially similar, I think Roland needs someone like this to ground him and bring humour to his life.

We are introduced to a lot of important characters and leave things fundamental for the rest of the plot, everything is written so well it never gets muddled or confusing, even though there are some complexities to this series.

As the reader imagined Roland's life has been very hard, this book is all about loss, grief and determination. The romance in this book is pretty impressive considering it's a horror book at heart. This book feels very Western is has shoot out, horses and plenty of cowboys which was really good fun. In true King fashion you know no one is safe and the body horror is expertly done.

Knowing what we know of Roland going into this book and how he's spoken about his past gives the reader anxiety when delving into Roland's past you can't help wondering why certain people have never been mentioned and asking yourself, where are they now.

I can absolutely see why some people might see this as one of the weaker books because it steers the reader away from the plot, and I somewhat agree. Yet this is still as masterfully written book in the series and well worth the read, is it worth six years of waiting I'm not so sure. I am excited for Wolves of Calla because I remember being completely blown away by it.

For me The Dark Tower is one of my favourite series of all time. The depth and thought that went into these book is astonishing and these characters will forever live in my mind, Oy included!

I have never appreciated this book as much as I have with this, my third, reading of the book. The first time, I was in too much of a rush to finish my journey to the tower to appreciate going back in Roland’s past and appreciate the tale. Even though Sai King had me wait several years before sharing the rest of the Story with me. But now I took the time to savour the story, it’s meanings and mostly the genius behind it. My favourite of the series so far, in this journey.

“If it's ka it'll come like a wind, and your plans will stand before it no more than a barn before a cyclone”.

After the ultimate riddle contest with Blaine the Mono, Roland and his Ka-tet continue their journey along the Path of the Bean. Our gunslinger decides it's finally time to tell his companions about his past and the adventures that made him the man he is now. During a long night, Roland reveals the story of his youth, which includes his first love Susan Delgado and the challenges he faced while fighting against the Big Coffin Hunters and Reah of the Coos with two of his closest companions, Alain and Cuthbert.

The most interesting part of Wizard and Glass is the backstory of Roland. We get to know how he was as a teenager, a dreamer that follows the rules but also his instincts, not the killing machine he's become because of life. He was just a very young gunslinger, he fell deeply in love with a fierce and brave girl and, while I did overall enjoyed the romance, it also made my eyes roll a few times. I'm not a fan of romance, okay?

The power of Ka is all over the place and it was great. The last few chapters blew my mind! After too many pages of a complicated love story, we finally get action, explosions, visions, painful memories and, going back to our "present", a huge revelation that will probably have impact on the following books. I didn't see it coming and I loved it! That made me add a star to my final rating.

One last note: King's writing in this book is sublime, the narrative enthralling and the characterization simply brilliant. Even when I was a bit bored by the romance chapters, I was still in awe of the charming writing style, which is always an element that I note and appreciate particularly.

Overall this book is really good, not my favorite of this series, but still good. Onward to the Tower!

This has never been my favorite of the series, and on this re-read, I was dreading it more than ever before. I did end up not hating it as much as I thought I would because instalove and teen angsty romances are just not my jam, but I also couldn't drum up much enthusiasm for it either, and it dragged on and on... and on. I did end up hating it for other reasons though.

Part of the issue was the fact that I am not the same person as I was when I first encountered and fell in love with this series, and I feel like I have DEFINITELY outgrown this book. I probably will never read Wizard and Glass again, honestly. I still love the series as a whole, but this book just feels more and more unnecessary to me each time I trudge through it.

But more than that, this book just hasn't aged well in terms of how the women and relationships with women, and attitudes toward women were written. It's the same type of situation that I have encountered with the fat shaming in King's books. I have learned and grown and now see this book differently, and it just doesn't really work for me anymore.

Things like the agreement that 16 year old Susan enters into in order to "buy" back her property and independence, and how that is portrayed in the eyes of a 14 year old boy (via the man who wrote it), and the shame that SHE is made to feel at agreeing to it, while the "randy old goat" who is buying her services is portrayed as normal and that it's expected that old men lust after teenaged girls and can sell their own property back to them in exchange for their virginity... and that there's nothing wrong with that. Sorry what. NOPE.

Things like the fact that Roland can lose HIS virginity (excuse me, I meant "BECOME A MAN") with a whore, but a girl engaging in a barter of the use of her body for a period of time in order to regain her own property back is disgusting and shameful. Because sex work is only shameful for the woman, right King?

Things like the way that ROLAND'S forgiveness of Susan in light of an agreement she made before she ever met him is centered as the important aspect of their relationship - because Susan obviously has no say - despite his having literally met her the night before, and her owing him exactly NOTHING AT ALL. But HE forgave HER, so it's cool.

Things like the way that Cordelia is portrayed as a bitter, greedy old spinster, with a nice undertone of "if she just got some dick, she'd be happier". This is clear to me, especially in the interactions and dichotomy of how she and Susan were at each other's throats over Susan's extra-curricular activities.

Things like the way that Susan was burned at the stake like a witch, and how it was two other women who brought that about. One of whom literally WAS a witch.

Things like the fact that Olive Thorin is for 99% of her involvement in the story, just there for King to cast not-so-subtle body-shaming shade at her for daring to get older and gain weight. She's no longer an object of sexual desire, so she's essentially viewed and portrayed as worthless.

There's just a lot, aside from the utter dullness of the story that's about 500 pages too long, that makes me see it now as a misogynistic dumpster fire, and I just... don't like it anymore. At all.

“Kill if you will, but command me nothing!” the gunslinger roared. “You have forgotten the faces of those who made you! Now either kill us or be silent and listen to me, Roland of Gilead, son of Steven, gunslinger, and lord of ancient lands! I have not come across all the miles and all the years to listen to your childish prating! Do you understand? Now you will listen to ME!”

I hear you brother. In fact, it felt as though I’ve been listening to you ramble for days on end. Damn buddy, I honestly didn’t know that you had it in you. What happened to that taciturn badass I’d grown so accustomed to? Don’t go getting soft on me now.

You seem to be hung up on this Susan Delgado tale, so please allow me to speed things along for you. I believe the gist of it all can be summed up in 3½ minutes flat.

Whew, now that you’ve spun your little yarn, there’s still a few nagging questions that I just couldn’t quite puzzle out. So whaddya say we open this up to a little Q & A session?

But first, a quick suggestion. In the future, in order for your tale to maintain an air of mystery and intrigue, maybe you shouldn’t spoil the outcome in book one! Ah well, at least I was uncertain as to the fate of Alain & Cuthbert. Nope, your desire to foreshadow got the best of you there as well. *shakes head in frustration*

On to the questions:

1) How did Roland & his ka-tet get sucked into the ball, and travel to the past? Where they see and hear a scene play out, like ghosts in the background. It was clearly stated that one can only view terrible events within the ball, but never hear the conversations.

2) How did Roland take his ka-tet to the exact memory he wanted them to witness, when the ball supposedly has a mind of its own, and does its own bidding?

3) This is supposed to be Roland telling his tale to his ka-tet, so what’s with the 3rd person narrative? I thought speaking 3rd person was reserved for pro athletes, Bob Dole, or Elmo. Also, I’ve got to call bullshit on Roland learning all aspects of the story from his time inside the ball. He mentioned that he had trouble remembering what he’d seen directly after he’d returned from his initial flight within the ball, yet he somehow can recall every minute detail of this story? My theory is that Mr. King didn’t want to write in the 1st person, and simply glossed over Roland knowing everything by suggesting it came from the ball. Plus, it was stated quite clearly that the ball only shows tragic/terrible events, but there was plenty of good things Roland would have had to have witnessed, to get to all corners of this story.

Ah well, the world has moved on, I think it’s about time we follow suit. Enough of this digression, what say we get back to the quest?

3 stars: Excellent conclusion to the book 3 cliffhanger, intriguing opening act, falters a bit during the overlong Susan Delgado digression, and let’s just pretend the whole Wizard of Oz section never happened. ;)



“My world is like a huge ship that sank near enough shore for most of the wreckage to wash up on the beach. Much of what we find is fascinating, some of it may be useful, if ka allows, but all of it is still wreckage. Senseless wreckage.”

Buddy read with Stepheny, Delee, Jeff, Karly, and a few other peeps who’ve yet to finish, and/or start.

Wizard and Glass, the 4th-installment of Stephen King's epic Dark Tower series, successfully added 5-years to my life.



Honestly, what can I even say about this book?



It is immense. Epic. A beautifully told story of love and loss. It's tragic, it's moving, it's so damn good.

If you are reading this, you are most likely aware that Wizard and Glass is the fourth installment in Stephen King's beloved Epic Fantasy series, The Dark Tower.

My favorite series of all time.



In this book we hear the incredible tale of the early life of Roland of Gilead, beginning shortly after he became a Gunslinger.

He has been sent from home to the Barony of Mejis with two of his closest companions, Alain and Cuthbert, in order to keep him safe from the sinister Marten Broadcloak.



The boys settle in Hambry and there they encounter a ruthless and shady cast of characters, such as the Big Coffin Hunters, Mayor Thorin and everyone's favorite witch, Rhea of Coos.



The main story involves Roland meeting his true love, Susan Delgado, and focuses on their budding relationship.

The intricacy within this story, within this world, is absolutely astounding.



King is the master of character development and this story showcases that skill beautifully.

While reading this book, I truly felt like I could see everything playing out before me like a movie on a screen.



This book is completely different from the other books in this series. I adore it for that uniqueness.

Spellbinding from beginning to end. I feel more attached to Roland now than ever before!



Excited to move on with my journey to the Tower.

There is a kind of echo in the bright air, a yearning for other places in the blood, a loneliness in the heart that sings like the wind.

Who is Roland?

What secrets are hidden in the past of the last gunslinger of Gilead?

The questions are stuck in your mind from the very moment you open the first book in the series and read the best opening sentence ever written. The enigmatic nature of Roland’s character is part of what made him one of my favourite protagonists of all time and one of the saving graces of this series, along with his equally mysterious counterpart, the man in black.

I feel like I’ve been walking through fire. Against all odds, I’ve survived the ordeal of having to read about three impressively boring characters and their tedious, seemingly never-ending adventures. To get to this.

After a surprisingly strong beginning in a very interesting new location, Roland finally relents to the demands of his companions and begins the tale of his youth. A tale of the days before the Fall of Gilead. A tale of John Farson, and a tale of war. A tale of three young gunslingers being sent to the distant Barony of Mejis. A tale of the beautiful Susan Delgado. And a tale of Maerlyn’s Rainbow.

I’ve seen so many people hating this book. Stephen King fans who had to push themselves through it to continue, people who gave up on the series because of it. Well, I’m happy to say that Wizard and Glass saved the series for me.

For it is here, in the sleepy Out-World Barony of Mejis, that Mid-World's last great conflict will shortly begin; it is from here that the blood will begin to flow. In two years, no more, the world as it has been will be swept away. It starts here. From its field of roses, the Dark Tower cries out in its beast's voice. Time is a face on the water.



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