Rating: 
Summary: Jack Sawyer returns
Review: This is a stark change from the dark fantasy of "The Talisman". "Black House" is a little bit of serial killer thriller, horror/slasher, and metophysical psycology thrown into Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series (I think that this will be the next "Cthulhu Mythos"). Now grown up Jack Sawyer is a former L.A.P.D. cop now retired in French Landing, Wisconin, asked to help investigate a series of child murders in the area. Needless to say, the killer is also connected to the Territories, an alternitive world where the Dark Tower lies. The cast of characters far out shine Jack Sawyer; a blind Howard Stern-like disc jockey; a Harvard educated motorcycle gang; and other colorful residents of French Landing. I don't know why Peter Straub signed on for this novel, this is so firmly rooted in King's world, but I can tell his contributions to the story and they are good parts. The Black House of the title is a house that is here and not here, phasing between the worlds. Speedy parker makes a return, and it is a welcome reunion. My only complaint is that this book is huge (over 600 pagers) and it drags a little in the middle, but not too bad.
Rating:
Summary: Black House: Truly Great Read, Contemplative & Visceral
Review: After two decades, Stephen King and Peter Straub have finally caught up with Jack Sawyer, the boy who starred in their dark fantasy novel, "The Talisman." Like Tom Sawyer, whom the character channels (although he's also equal parts Huck Finn), Jack Sawyer has grown up to be a detective, although by the time "Black House" opens, Sawyer is channeling another American icon -- the Wild West gunslinger -- and hung up his badge, retiring to the bucolic setting of French Landing, Wisconsin. That is, of course, until a crime with distinctly magical -- albeit sinister -- elements threatens to reawaken his long-buried memories of an adventure across two worlds when he was 12 years old to save the life of his mother.In some ways, "Black House" is a significant departure from "The Talisman" -- the novel is both more grounded in our world and more of a horror novel than its predecessor -- but the last half, and especially the last third of the novel makes it clear that this is absolutely a fantasy novel, and one tied in to King's "Dark Tower" series. Jack Sawyer and the events of "Black House" overlap with the events of that series -- the mission of Roland the Gunslinger figures prominently in the background -- but does not intersect with them. The battle Jack wages for French Landing, while having ramifications for fans of the "Dark Tower" series, is its own story, which is good news for those not interested in King's other fantasy series. But like "The Talisman," "Black House" is, in large part, about consequences. The evil facing French Landing -- at least, the evil those fighting to save the town are first aware of -- is not a new one, in any sense of the word, and its history is part of what makes it so frightening. Jack spends the first part of the novel, like the reluctant Western heroes his movie star mother used to co-star with, denying his past and his current responsibilities. (The gunslinger references, both as a thematic element and an overt reference to the star of the "Dark Tower" series, come fast and furious as the novel barrels towards its conclusion.) And, indeed, consequences for things that happened in the past, things swept under the rug, triumphs whose victims have not yet had their say, and evils the community never wanted to look at too closely, are what drive the story, all the way up to its dark surprise ending. If it is thematically similar to "The Talisman," the novel is more interesting stylistically: The narration is by a strange hybrid of first and second person, with the authors explicitly moving with the reader through scenes, talking about what "we" see. It's an interesting change from "The Talisman," which had only one use of the first person in the narration. While initially distracting, this choice gives the impression that King and Straub are reading the story to the reader, which echoes action within the novel, wherein Jack has regular sessions reading to a blind friend. It's an idiosyncratic, even somewhat odd choice, but it works. The end of the novel sets the reader up for further adventures of Jack Sawyer. Whether they'll be part of the story begun with "The Talisman" or inserted into the final volumes of the "Dark Tower" series is something that perhaps only King and Straub know. But as harrowing as those final pages may be, you know that those further adventures can't come soon enough. Strongly recommended for fans of "The Talisman," "The Dark Tower" or any dark fantasy works. A truly great read, both contemplative and visceral.
Rating: 
Summary: King an Innocent Bystander? 2.5 STARS, still
Review: The more I waded through the choppy and often pretentious prose, the more it seemed likely that Mr. King was phoning this one in. Present in only sadly insufficient quantities is the dark humor that leaves you (or at least me) chuckling for pages afterward. Also conspicious for its rarity is the flowing narrative that King seems able to effortlessly construct (probably even while watching Sox games and/or conversing with his family). This work shares the heavy hand of recent efforts by Peter Straub (Mr. X, specifically). Can't help but wonder if Straub is going downhill fast or maybe King has actually written all of Straub's (good) books in a brilliant strategy to reduce market saturation and offer a Stephen King alternative. Except now 'Peter Straub' has manifested himself for real in true 'Dark Half' fashion and is now writing books on his own (which will eventually lead to BIG trouble, of course). OK, scratch that, but once you slog through these 600 pages you'll understand where I am coming from. The ONLY thing that could have made this book shine (Dark Tower references were not enough) would have been a compelling confrontation with the Bad Guy. No such luck: it seems that little bit of story-telling was auctioned off to a class of 3rd graders from King's hometown.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow start, but in the end, a good read!
Review: This book pretty much sucked at first because the first 250 pages were boring. After that, however, the book seemed to speed up be on its way. I liked it a lot.
Rating:
Summary: When the book is good its awesome
Review: What can I say about this book, I just finished reading the book, and I have to say, that there are moments in this book that are just fantastic, which made the book a bookt hat I would recommend. However, the thing about this book which forced me to give it only 3 stars is that sometimes they go into way too much description. The first three chapters, I almost had to quit reading, again, which Im now glad I didn't cuz it makes much more sense to me now, but at first I didnt know what was going on, who was telling the story, or anything. Even once the story gets going, there are points where they go on and on describing something, which would be fine in a short little essay about whatever topic they are describing at the moment, but not in a story where pace is important. With that being said, the book is very exciting, suspensful, and the overall greatness of the story overides the effects of the other negatative stuff. I hope they continue this series, and also if you read this, might want to try the Dark Tower series, that is a good one as well and there are many elements of those books in this one!
Rating:
Summary: Paying tribute to Talisman while pushing on toward the Tower
Review: This is the bridge that I so badly wanted it to be between the Talisman and the Dark Tower. The Fisherman is killing children in a small town in Wisconsin. But wouldn't you know it, Jack Sawyer, having all but forgotten every trace of the magical Territories, lives in this very town. And refusing to face his old demons, he neglects to pay attention to the murders until a phone call comes whirling through the night, the caller being a certain blues musician who once recruited a twelve year old Jack Sawyer to save the world as we know it. Because much, MUCH larger things are at stake here - such as a missing boy who may hold the fate of the world in his hands, and the Crimson King who longs to eat cake with the young man when they finally meet. But the Crimson King, and those who work under him - such as the psychotic killer dubbed The Fisherman - also know all about Jack and they are starting to believe it's far time to put an end to the threat he presents. And those old names will ring out: Roland, Wolf(Right here and Now, baby!), Speedy, Elroy, Blain Train, the gunslingers(of whom we learn a bit more). And ole Travelin Jack will make your face light up with joy when - well, I won't spoil it for you - but let's just say he and some of his old and new pals may yet have a part to play in this colossal saga. Yes, indeed, the names ring out and the dots are connected even more, leaving you anxiously craving the next piece to this puzzle. And onward we go, towards the Dark Tower and the Crimson King. This is a must for Talisman and Dark Tower fans.
Rating: 
Summary: Stand alone and serial both.
Review: How is that possible - well the book is good as stand alone and I am sure those who read DT will like it more. I did not read any DT [ I will read all 7 togather] but I understand enough to enjoy this book- from this book only! So you do not have to read any book to read this. This is not part 2 of Talisman. It is just like James Bond movie!- they are not related and you enjoy them as stand alone, but if you see more then you know 'Blofeld' and all. as in Talsiman, you can know who wrote what part of book, both are great authors so the book was good. I do nto know why people write bad about it? May be because they might be expecting Strictly Talisman -2.
Rating:
Summary: if you can get past the first part...
Review: I loved Talisman. I read it many years ago...and then again prior to reading Black House. If you loved Jack Sawyer during and after his first ordeal, you'll feel a special kinship with him during his latest venture. Possibly even enough to help you make it through the extremely awkward point-of-view that almost ruins the story during the first few chapters. I really almost had to put the book down. But I stuck with it and ended up thinking the book was excellent. As with the Talisman, I was so involved in the characters and story that I was genuinely sad to read the final page. All said...definitely worth reading. Especially if you are a Dark Tower fan...always scratching for a few more Dark Tower scraps to fill the void.
Rating:
Summary: Never read the Talisman
Review: I never read the Talisman, but plan to. I thought this book was good. At times a little long, but very interesting. I thought that the ending was a little weird though. Overall enjoyed this book. Usually don't read much from Steven King so I was surprised that I did like the book. I would recommend it to those who enjoy more sci-fi.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book!!!
Review: I hadn't read a King book in way over a decade, but I received this one by King and Straub from my brother for Christmas last year (2002). It sat for 6 months and I finally decided to read it this last summer. It is absolutely a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down. My fiance gave me "The Talisman" for my birthday and I'm currently half way through this book. Both books are excellent, but if I had to pick between the two, I'd say "Black House" was much better. Both are difficult to put down. I'm looking forward to reading another sequal to "Black House" soon.
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