Rating: Summary: WOW .. I Want More .... Review: King must know we all need friends. If you're short of a few, here's a quick fix. I thought the shifting back between worlds was fun but not too exciting...UNTIL I fell in love along with Roland. I thought I'd never find anyone who knew what it was like to BE YOUNG, GIFTED,IN LOVE AND to be oh so unprepared. The story is about Roland having to open up to his new friends about his old friends; sharing a tender love and growing closer to the past,present and future. I was so lost when I finished I went to the Library and got Dark Tower III and I might just hold on until I re-read the series and get the next installment V (Here's hoping it comes out soon). What a gift King has and a treat for us all who remember and dream... and dream....
Rating: Summary: A little bogged down Review: Don't get me wrong--this is an excellent piece of writing, as writing goes, but compared to the plot development and movement from The Wastelands, this book has to be considered a little bit of a slow down. That's not necessarily bad, and King does a good job of crossing into yet another genre in his writing here, but for fans of the series, the apparent halt in plot movement might be a bit frustrating. All the same, the story told here is told beautifully. I'm not a big fan of Westerns, but even I have to admit that this is a pretty good story, considering. It's not the best in the series by any evaluation, nor is it King's best writing ever, but it IS one of the first times that King honestly explores a positive emotion (though he can't resist incorporating some negativity into it). The work is really commendable, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend the book to a casual reader. For those interested in the Dark Tower series, the writing of Stephen King, or the Western Romance, this book is an excellent addition. For all others, it should be a good read, though it may leave the audience behind at some points. All in all, top notch.
Rating: Summary: Fantastically Fanatical Fantasy Review: So, I'm a fantasy nut. I've been reading it for years. I read philosophy and fantasy almost exclusively. I hate horror. So, no doubt, I was a bit superstitious when it was suggested to me that I read a book by Stephen King, the master of teh horror novel. I hate most of his books. I think they're worthless garbage (no offense intended, Mr. King, i couldn't write that worthless garbage myself, I can't write horror. I can only write philosophy, myself.) But, the point is, I did pick it up and once I did, there was no turning back. King immerses you into one of the most imaginitive, incredible worlds ever created, with this series. Anyone with an appreciation for good literature should read this series, though you might wait until it's completely finished first, because waiting on the next book is a horrible thing to deal with. This book in particular, the fourth in teh series, was so amazing that I found myself crying near the end of the book, after one of the, shall we say, "informative flashbacks". Needless to say, these books are some of the best written, in my opinion. They are rivals of J.R.R. Tolkien, Sir Walter Scott, or Robert A. Heinlein. (and that's saying a lot coming form me...those are three of my favorite authors of all-time. up there with Shakespeare, Daniel Quinn, Carlos Castaneda, and Tom Robbins.) Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: Far From King's Best Review: While I'm not surprised that most people are gushing over this book, I am surprised that others have picked up on what I have griped on about W&G. The interlude/flashback story was for me a real chore to get through. It was like reading a young adult romance novel. The hero and heroine perfect and flawless mentally and physically versus the bad guys who either slept with whores or were ugly outside as well as in. It was completely unrealistic and boring and irritating to read. The closest thing I can think of is watching a James Bond movie. You know what's going to happen before it happens and the characters (Susan the stereotypical strong female heroine) and storyline (hint, don't blame me, it was ka.)were predictable and poorly drawn. Forget the trouble with the Dark Tower, someone needs to put right was has been plaguing King's writing these last few years. The sickness has even spread to the Dark Tower.
Rating: Summary: the future the past Review: This book is the fourth in the dark tower series. I waited a long time for it to come out we find our KA-TET right where we left them but this book takes us deep into Roland's past. For those who are into this series this book is a must read (of course). If you never have read any of the others you can still enjoy this book (and then read the others knowing more than I did about Roland) I personaly don't read any thing else that King writes but this series facinates me. Enjoy
Rating: Summary: Love It But....! Review: I have read every book in the Dark Tower series and it has definitely been included in my collection of "best series" books that I keep to read again and again. I have been an avid reader of Stephen King's books for many years and I would place this series at the top of his list. However, there is one "But" to my praise.... it is a wonderful series BUT when will he end the frustration of waiting for the next book in this unfinished series?
Rating: Summary: Roland rides again Review: I love how Stephen King crosses his stories over the way he does. It kind of funny, that a man would take pridfe and redemption over the love of his life, seems that happens a lot. I really liked this story but it was a little unfair...I was waiting for the main thing to happen, Them to run into Randall Flagg and just fight it out...GOOD vs. EVIL. As always I have been captivated by something Mr. king has written. I hold him in high regard. i like to think that there will be many more books, and a movie one day to accent the story...But if they make a movie I want it to be longer than THE STAND and almost perfect to the book...LOL As much as a fan as I am, that seems fair to want. I am ready for the newest book, whenever that comes out...I'll be waiting behind the counter for it to be sold. I really like the characters and their caring for each other. I think Roland finally came out of his shell in this book, trying to let go of what he did, and forgive himself for it. it's nice to see these guys all together like a family...they are awesome. Not like most books I have read before.
Rating: Summary: King at his best Review: Like many of Stephen King's more recent works, Wizard and Glass is long. While some people find many of these epic works to be somewhat self-indulgent on King's part, I very much enjoy the incredible depth of the stories. Although they have plenty of deviations from the plot (and to this end Wizard and Glass is no exception) the digressions are nevertheless quite interesting and help to paint a more thorough picture to a fascinating tale. Although Stephen King is a competent writer, his incredible imagination is his greatest asset. Wizard and Glass, as well as the rest of the Dark Tower series, represents Stephen King's imagination at its best. With the exception of book three (which for some reason appears to be unavailable on audio) I have thoroughly enjoyed Frank Muller's rendition of the Dark Tower series. At first I found his voice more than a little irritating and thought there was no way I'd make it through one tape, much less a whole book. Initially his voice comes across as somewhat throaty and melodramatic, but not only did I grow used to it, but now I quite like it. It really captures the mystical quality of the Dark Tower series, and now whenever I hear Frank Muller's voice, the first word that comes to my mind is "Gunslinger."
Rating: Summary: Let's Hope Mr. King intends to finish this amazing series Review: This is my personal favorite in the series. While it does divert away from the actual quest for the Dark Tower, it defines the character of the gunslinger. When I first read this, I dreamt for weeks that I was young Roland. What a shame it would be if the Gunslinger series is never finished.
Rating: Summary: Fall in love all over again, for the first time. . . Review: Wow. I was already a Stephan King fan. I was already a fan of the "Dark Tower" Series. Now, I can hardly get the series out of my mind. I finished "The Waste Lands" (third of the Dark Tower Series) about five years ago. I waited, and I waited. I finally read the fourth and most gripping book of the series, "Wizard and Glass", about a month ago. I was consumed. Afterwords, I was compelled to re-read the first three books, then "Wizard and Glass" agian. Anyone who tells you that Stephan King doesn't know how to do romance is sad and ill-read. The heated, rushed and sometimes confused love between Roland and Susan (the lovely girl at the window) is epic. This breath-taking flashback of a novel gives us a badly needed look into Roland's (the main character and last gunslinger) past. Sadly, but as expected, it leaves the reader wanting to know more, more, more about the gunslinger's past, the world he left in pursuit of the Dark Tower, and his future. Anyone familiar with the series (and/or King's writing) will tell you that this book is also wrought with foreshadowing - of events within the book and events still to come. You can more or less see what is coming, but it is (and will be) gut-wrentching to read as events unfolds. While this book is capable of standing on its own as a horror/sci-fi/romance, don't read it unless you are already, or are willing to become, a slave to the Tower.
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