Rating: 
Summary: The Best of the Dark Tower Series to Date
Review: I am sick and tired of those old fans who complain that King's books are not as scary anymore. If you do not like the style of the book, that does not mean it is not well done.I have to say that this is his best in this series because it fixed the problems that were in the earlier ones. It is at the same time its own story (the story of the battle against the wolves), and part of the tower (Susannah's pregnancy, and the beginning of Callahan's role). For those of you who thought that this was boring, I would want to know what it would take. With the battle against the wolves, how could there be no excitement? Also, along these same lines, all the problems that come into the story because of Susannah's pregnancy and the growth of Roland's weaknesses are exactly what the series needs. We are getting near the end, and the best way to make the series become more tense to reach a climax is for more problems to arise. I hate to mention something that comes in near the end of the book. However, I have to say something about King being in the story. HE IS NOT A CHARACTER!!! Have any of you read other authors? There are many that do things similar to this. Not only that, but King slowly used the whole book to prepare for that moment. He constantly mentioned things in novels of another world being true within Roland's world. But the real reason that I am pleased he did this is that there is no better way to make this novel as real, and significant. He now makes it as though every story, and even reality, is a part of it without doing it in a manner to say that he is the only one worthy of it. One last thing I want to comend King on. He fixed the problem that is in Wizard and Glass. When Roland told of his past, it was too central, and far too long. It made the story much slower. In this, the story of Callahan's past was much shorter, and also divided so that the central plot was not left entirely. King, that was much better! Some may not be able to accept that King was INDIRECTLY part of the novel, but this was a minor part. IF you do not want to read this the end of the book may not be as crucial for you to read. Also, if you have been avoiding King because of his horror stories, there is much more to them. If you read him, only because you want a scary novel, I hope you have not missed the many themes in his earlier works. This is definitely the best of the series. Until you read this one, I feel that you have no idea how good this series can be.
Rating: 
Summary: Good additon, but no where near the best
Review: I've read all the others, and everything else SK has written, and although this book was good it was no where near as inspired as the others. It won't stop me from reading him though because although it was not the greatest or anywhere near the greatest, I still ache to know what happens next. I agree with another reviewer about the illustrations which the book would have been better without. The pictures vaguely followed the storyline, and you know who the characters were supposed to be as depicted in the illustrations, but they all fall flat as if the artist wasn't really interested and King maybe knew he needed money? The drawings were much too flat for even a really good comic. Sussanah looks absolutely nothing like a black woman... I mean, where would she be getting her hair straightened in Roland's world?, and I'm sure her character wouldn't even consider it. As for the story, the inspiration is lacking, but the mystery and tie ins with his other books and stories keep digging deeper and becoming more intertwined into one huge universe, and like it or not, good or bad I will be there at the end.
Rating:
Summary: True to the spirit of this series
Review: Maybe not the best in the series...I still think the fourth book holds that place, but well worth the wait. It is in this book we see the characters finally work together as trained Gunslingers. Each of the characters has a pressing problem and hardship in their lives, and yet they must put them aside to help the children of the Calla . How these characters deal with their own monumental problems and act as true heroes at the same time is a reflection of the fact they have become true gunslingers, following Roland. King also takes the opportunity to let this book show us more of Roland's world and culture. I found the dance Roland did at the start of the book fascinating, and the society of goddess worshiping disk throwing women seemed like they might have walked out of the pages of Roman Mythology. King does a great job rounding the culture, and giving us views of the world just as if we were reading a historical fiction, instead of high fantasy. Wolves of the Calla, at 736 pages, is the longest yet of the series. But the length is justified as King takes time to create characters and places so real, you feel as if you might have been there before in some odd and half forgotten dream. He builds suspense to the final battle with the Wolves, and then makes that battle as fast, and horrible as any real war skirmish. Many complained about the references to pop culture, Kings other works, and aspects of the "real" world, but I thought they only served to make the idea of the Tower as an axis of reality more believable. Making himself a real, yet invisible character in the book gave me a little shiver, after all...if King is real in that world so am I and all his readers. Heh heh heh. It only served to make the sense of so many realities tied in one moment of fate more grand. King also makes the themes of choices and payment for those choices central. Lives are altered forever by the Calla's choice to go along with the Wolves so long. Susannah's brave choice of using her sexuality as a weapon against the portal demon in book 3 is now coming due for payment as the birth of her monstrous child approaches. The choice the Father makes in forcing Roland's hand to not offer Susannah an abortion is about to be paid. Yet, King doesn't moralize these choices. He shows each character as someone who simply made the best choice they could. There is a great tragedy in this, and also a great beauty. I recommend this to anyone who has found their hearts tied to the fate of the brave little Ka-Tet. To anyone who has not read the others, go back to book one first and take the journey to this one. Only then will you truly understand the path that these brave gunslingers have walked so far, to save the tower and all realities. And you will understand how far the along the path they really have still to go. Hold on to your horses, kids. Its going to be a hell of a ride.
Rating: 
Summary: prettty good. can't wait for the next one
Review: this one was not as good as Wizard and Glass, which is my favorite in this amazing series but it was still a great book. i cant wait for the next one. i want to know what happens to Tower and Susannah. the only problem i have with this book is that it raises more questions than it answers. some people say that his trip into Calahan's(Salem' Lot) life is stupid and a pointless waist of time. but i think that everything stephen king says in this series is important and should be read like it is. something will surlly happen with calahan in the next book or in the dark tower.
Rating: 
Summary: Stephen! What have you done! >:o\
Review: If Wolves was "Just another King book" I would have given it 3, maybe 4 stars if I was in a generous mood. This however isn't "just another book". This is the path of the beam. This, is the Gunslinger series. When I read Kings latest disappointments "Dreamcatcher" and "Buick" I was worried about the fate of the Gunslinger series. King has just exceeded my worst fears. No, this book isn't scary, it's an terribly wrong turn for the DarkTower. Through four books I've followed Roland on his quest. I've loved that world, it's history and the characters that live there. I believed King was writing something important, but "Wolves" has shattered that. What has made this series great, up till now, has been the sense of Roland's world being a real world. You could almost touch it. Parallel to ours and maybe slightly out of our (the readers) reach, but it was still a real place. King has crushed that. Now the book has no importance. There's nothing of consequence as The Gunslinger Series has just turned into "The Never-ending Story". Stephen has now shown us that the Gunslinger's world is inhabited by characters from Marvel Comics, light-sabers from StarWars and, worst of all *shudder* Sneetches from *heavy sigh* Harry stinking Potter *rolls eyes*. What's in store for book 6, "Revenge of the Rock-Biter" and "Harry Potter meets the gunslinger"? It would have been better if King Never finished this book than to destroy this series this way. The Gunslinger had been King's finest work. It's now trash and I'm very, very sad.
Rating: 
Summary: Not worth the wait!!!!
Review: This book was not worth the wait, although it is a must read for Dark Tower buffs. I love the Dark Tower Series, however #5 is my least favorite. The book was about 250 pages too long. I found myself getting bored towards the middle of the book. Everything having to do with Callahan's past was interesting, but all of the exciting parts of the storyline were rushed! Potential SPOILER...don't read ahead if you yet to read the book~The battle with the Wolves was also disappointing. It was hyped for a good 300 pages, then the actuall battle consited of about 6 pages. The whole dish throwing thing was a little ridiculous too. Personally I am glad to see Susannah has transformed to MIA and disappeared. I can't stand her. This book would have been better had King expanded on the Calvin Tower storyline (I assume this will be a good portion of 6). After reading Wizard and Glass, I was hoping to hear more about Roland's youth. Hopefully, that will happen in volume 6!!!
Rating:
Summary: Who hired the illustrator?
Review: The book itself is amazing just like King's previous installments to this series. One thing, however, depreciates the value of this book and that's the illustrations. The man who drew the pictures for this book is untalented to say the least. Almost none of the illustrations even come close to verifying the text on the page. Those with any sort of imagination would find it insulting to find such pictures used as a representation of the plot. Dear Stephen, pay more attention when choosing who will depict your stories next time. The woman on the cover of the book jacket is a black woman with "tight curls" in the story, yet in the pictures she looks more like a Native American. Go back to comic books Wrightson.
Rating:
Summary: The Next Step Forward
Review: Wolves of the Calla is a great book and an excellent addition to the Dark Tower series. Any fan of these books already knows about them, has read them, and formed their own opinions. People new to the series : read the first four books and even some of King's other works (the ones in bold listed in the front of DT5) As far as some of the problems other readers had with this installment, I think they missed the point in many ways. There are two stories in DT5 - the side quest, and the advancement to the Tower. The plight of Calla Bryn Sturgis is somewhat peripheral. The protection of the Rose in New York/introducing Father Callahan/Susannah's conflicts are the advancement portion in the quest for the Tower. If you look at it as two interwoven parts, the story is very satisfying. WARNING - SPOILERS
And now for the big complaint of the other reviewers : pop culture and self-references. Light Sabers, Dr. Doom, Salem's Lot, Harry Potter, and even Stephen King himself are a part of this story. I see why people have a problem with these things being a part of the Dark Tower series. But in the context of the Tower as the axis of the universe, the hub of all existence and an infinite number of other worlds, the inclusion of such things are not out of place. Since The Gunslinger, King has said Roland's world shares many similarities with our own. People didn't seem to mind that Hey Jude by the Beatles was mentioned in DK1. Even Jesus has made the jump to Mid-world. Why is it so hard to accept that many things from our world exist in Roland's? And by King alluding to himself as the author of Salem's Lot, he implies that our earth is in fact a part of the Dark Tower universe. As long as he doesn't pull a Stan Lee and inject himself as an actual character into the Ka-Tet of 19, the reference was fine. One of the main underlying themes of these books has been, "...there are other worlds than these." People who take issue with the above might want to be a little more open minded toward what King is doing. As someone who has been reading The Dark Tower saga since 1993, I have to say I really am pleased with the fifth installment and the direction its taking. I look forward to Song of Susannah, and The Dark Tower along with the Concordance Vol. II
Rating:
Summary: Finally, a return to the quest for the Dark Tower
Review: Long-time King fans like myself have eagerly awaited this sequel for many years, and for the most part, the master storyteller does not disappoint. After focusing on Roland's past in the previous installment, Wizard and Glass, in Wolves of the Calla, King returns to the present-day challenges facing Roland and his companions, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and Oy. Much like in The Wastelands (the third book of the series), Wolves of the Calla tells the story not only of the ongoing quest for the Dark Tower but also of a more immediate predicament--in this case, the plight of the town of Calla Byrn Sturgis. King tantalizes the reader through brief returns to the New York City setting as well as glimpses of the tasks which lie ahead of the gunslingers in the future. In addition, dedicated King followers will appreciate the tie-ins with other King works, namely 'Salem's Lot. Although not quite as captivating as the second two books in the series, Wolves of the Calla is a satisfying continuation of this fascinating saga which will whet the reader's appetite for the two remaining Dark Tower novels, both of which are scheduled to be published in 2004.
Rating:
Summary: If it wasn't so heavy it'd be impossible to put down!
Review: Even though, as a mother of a 3 year old and a 1 year old - I value sleep more than gold - I gave up many hours of slumber to read this book. I listened to Books 1-4 on tape - this was the first Dark Tower book I actually READ - and I loved it. I assume that's partly because I found Book 4 to be an absolute SNORE (can anyone say backstory - dull and unnecessary backstory), but this book was riveting. Sure - it was plot driven - but that's exactly what I wanted! The characters of Roland, Eddie, Susannah and Jake are so different and interesting - and then to add a character from another Stephen King book - I was in heaven! (Won't tell you which book but you'd NEVER expect it.) And then his use of that book at the end - oh man - the worst thing about the book was getting to the end and realizing that I'd have to wait for #6!
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