Rating: Summary: The tie in of our fantasy to their world Review: I recently finished the DT4, Wizard and Glass, and I thought it was an awesome book. What struck me most about the tie-in of OZ and King Arthur (Arthur Eld if you weren't paying attention) is that King is attemmpting to show that what may be fantasy/fiction in our world could be reality in another world/dimension. The "thinny" which is so often mentioned is the spot where two worlds/dimensions collide, making these different worlds share certain features between them. I am impressed with the depth of energy King has shown in this book and his ability to still stay focused on a general story line while bringing in new characters and expounding on old storylines. (i.e Susan Delgado, Cuthbert, Alain) This book is amazingly well written and I am looking forward to the next books in this series.
Rating: Summary: Heart-Breaking Romance & Non-Stop Action Review: I've read all of the Dark Tower series to date, and this one is BY FAR my favorite. Although it does little to advance Roland's quest, the story that he tells it great. I didn't want it to end. Some people think the love story detracted from this book, but I whole-heartedly disagree. It adds quite a bit of depth. Obviously, if you haven't read the Dark Tower series, you should start with "The Gunslinger." I highly recomend all of them (they are all great), but "Wizard and Glass" is the best.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Review: Not as good as Mr. Kings first in the series, Gunslinger. But definaly back to his traditioanal old west plot. Non-Stop Reading. Recommended
Rating: Summary: Post Holocaust Sci-Fi Western Romance Review: Wizard and Glass, Episode IV in King's genuinely bizarre Dark Tower series, spends very little time in the series' ongoing narrative. Instead, to its great benefit, this chapter is almost entirely flashback to Gunslinger Roland's tragic past.Though the previous Dark Tower books have suffered from King's limitations in world-building fantasy (he always seems at his best with the most familiar of locales, at his worst and most mannered creating them from scratch) the minute Roland's tale begins, King's narrative magic kicks in and we are deeply involved in a tale of touching teen romance, affecting comaraderie, and thrilling Louis L'Amour style action. That this story has not an original bone in its lengthy body is beside the point -- from these familiar materials King has alchemized a roaring good read... Which is diminished only by the dreadful back-in-the-present coda where all of the previous evocations of The Wizard of Oz become numbingly obvious, and the Dark Tower series returns to its goofily mannered previous course. Oh, well.
Rating: Summary: Tracy Review: This is an outstanding audio book for all us adicts. Frank Muller once again shows that he is unreachable as the finest narrator of all time. I gave this book only 4 stars however because parts of this story were a waste of time. I was not impressed with the whole romance between Roland and Susanne. I understood where it was necessary but King himself said he had trouble capturing the essence of "teenage love" and with that I have to agree with him. It simply came out sounding so tinny and cornballish...is that a word?? Anyway, the story of Cuthburt and Ailen is worth all the rest and I sincerely hope he goes on to complete more history with them in the upcoming books. Bottom line, the story line is wonderful and Muller brings all these characters alive in a way that reading or movie could never match. Even if your not a King fan, but enjoy a well narrated novel, then check out the entire Dark Tower Series.
Rating: Summary: King has lost his edge Review: Sometime around the publicatin of "IT," Stephen King's books started losing their punch. I would buy one of his novels, thinking, "All right! Stephen King rocks! This is gonna be great!" Then, I'd find that the story was shoddily assembled, and the conclusion usually nonexistant. This was especially true with Wizard and Glass, but this one was much worse for me, because I had picked up the first three DARK TOWER books and read them shortly before its release. It seemed to me like THE DARK TOWER series was doing incredible, as long as it was the source material for the other books' tie-ins. Now King has taken THE DARK TOWER and started bending it to fit the other books he's written. As a result, he's compromised the structural integrity of the storyline, weakened the characters, and soiled what was (up until the release of DT4) an incredibly wonderful series of books. And what the hell was the Wizard Of Oz tie-in about? That's like something a fourth-grader might come up with...not somebody who is supposedly "the master of all suspense writers." I have no desire to read anything else King writes in the DT series. It's been ruined for me.
Rating: Summary: Very Good Book Review: I have, and probably always will, love each and every Stephen King novel: There's just soemthing about them. My favorite Stephen King books are all found in the Dark Tower series, and this one, although sub-par for a DT book, is still a very good read. I love all the back-story (info on Cuthbert and Alain, to name some of the things we, as readers, learn about) but it does go on a little too long for my taste: minus 50 to 75 pages would be preferable. The worst thing about this novel is the love story between Roland and Susan. Yes, yes, it adds a little something to the book, but after awhile I wanted more action and less romance. Also, the quest for the Tower is still as large as ever: this book seemed to make no progression for Roland and his friend's journey, although a few interesting tidbits were revealed. All in all, this is a a satisfying read that could have been better with a few changes here and there.
Rating: Summary: Best yet for the series Review: The title pretty much says it all. This is King's best work yet for the Dark Tower series. I have been drooling for the next book.
Rating: Summary: magnificent Storyteller! Review: If you liked the first three books in the Gunslinger series, then you will love this one! It goes into detail about Roland's younger days when he first became a Gunslinger, his first love, and first real heartbreak. I don't want to give the story away by going into too much detail. I will say that Stephen King is, in my opinion, one of the best writers of fiction of the present day.
Rating: Summary: The Dark Tower Series is Awesome Review: I have now read all the books to date and the series is fantastic, each book seems to be better than the one before. DT4 is the story when Roland was young and has elements of fantasy, western, and romance. I suggest everyone read this series!
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