Rating: 
Summary: Sum of its parts ...
Review: If you have made it this far in the series, you will likely have a positive review of this book ... and I do, but not without a few comments ...Overall, as with Wizards and Glass, the overall journey progresses, of course, but slowly. The characters have been pretty well developed by now, so there's not much new there ... we know their qualities, and yes, the parts we are bored of. The things I really liked, though, and the things I am looking forward to in SOS and in the final book, are the return to the fantastic world Mr. King has developed. I have always held him in very high esteem for his ability to create complex societies and to make me feel as though I am actually involved. From Castle Rock to Calla Bryn Sturgis and everywhere in between, I look forward to visiting the worlds he creates. More than enjoying this book, I enjoy the series ... and this is not meant to demean the quality of the individual pieces, but the whole is definitely greater than some of its parts. :) I think it is safe to say that I enjoy the world of the Dark Tower for the fantasy of it. I enjoy it for the "insider" feeling when I recognize characters or points from one of the other novels I have worn down. And finally, I enjoy it as a guilty pleasure - my Western shoot-em-up serial opus from my favorite writer.
Rating:
Summary: just too convenient
Review: Even though SK has been saying for years he will tie a lot of his previous work in to the conclusion of the Dark Tower series. It feels just a little to pat in its execution. Things that held no significance in original novels are now cropping up in the DTS as pivotals points. Roland and his Ka-Tet are still the bomb. Susannah has developed a new skill and Eddie is getting more and more like Roland everyday. Jake finds some time to be real little boy but that is shortlived as he is thrust back into his role as a Gunslinger.
Rating: 
Summary: STRIKE TWO on the DT series
Review: Started out interesting and fast paced but by page 100 it came to virtual halt. Mr. King forgets to "Show, don't tell" Mr. King should reread and follow his own book "On Writing" After I got to page 100 I started skipping paragraphs then eventually whole pages. Tons of painfully repetitious padding. When a paragraph would suffice SK drags it to 2-4 pages! As an example take a look at Tolkien's The Hobbit (289 pages) and his The Lord of the Ring trilogy (432 pages, 352 pages and 464 pages). Another,. more relevant example The Gunslinger (256 pages), The Drawing of the Three (406 pages), The Waste Lands (448 pages). The first three books of the Dark Tower series are great, to the point and have pace. Wizard and Glass (672 pages) and Wolves of the Calla ( 736 pages) are stagnant and bloated. (...) The character of Susannah still talks like a black street [prostitute], degrading and diminishing her as a serious player. Eddie too is shallow and cheap. Even Roland the Gunslinger himself is made ridiculous by his insistence on ritual and pomp regarding the simplest of things. But oh! do they keep fretting about making this and that in time and even saying "time is short let's get
going!" BUT they don't. They take FOREVER to do anything. The speech patterns and manners of the people of Calla Byrn Srurgis were mind numbing (they take forever to spit out a simple sentence) and redundant. The Gunslingers adopting the Calla's speech patterns and mannerisms was unnatural and even more benumbing. But hey, it sure racks up the page count, right Mr. King? Mr. King is now at full count (to use his baseball lingo). One more strike and the series is OUT and over. We, the once prized, Constant Reader lose. Mr. King wins $$ either way so it doesn't matter to him.....which is glaringly obviouse by his lack of quality these past 10+ years. I hope he takes the time with the last book in the DT series. Even if it takes many years. Think compact, distilled, consise.
Rating: 
Summary: ..and the hits just keep on comin'....
Review: The first book I ever read by Stephen King was The Dark Half. I then began working my way through other books of his, mostly his short story collections. At some point or another, probably when I was working in a bookstore in Memphis, TN, someone suggested that I would not be a TRUE King fan unless I read the Dark Tower series. At the time the fourth book (Wizard and Glass) had just been released and I decided to pick up Volume I. I was intimdated. I breezed through The Gunslinger, felt like I'd ridden a roller coaster after The Drawing of the Three, got bogged down (as I'm sure ALOT of people have ) throught The Waste Lands, and savored every minute of Wizard and Glass and it's first ever glimpse into Roland Deschain's past. And then, there was the wait. I know I have no room to complain. Unlike most people I didn't have to suffer the wait between volumes 3 and 4, stuck on that riddling train for, was it 7 years? And then, Wolves of the Calla. I received this book as a birthday present last December and I read it as fast as I dared. I didn't want to spoil the experience so it was in many sittings. Somewhere along the line I began to see what many have known all along, that Roland's world encompasses ALL of Stephen King's stories. One very helpful item for fans of the series, in the harcover edition of DT 5, there is a list of King's novels and the ones that have a direct bearing on the world of the Tower are in bold print. I could list details and situations pertaining to this story, but I have to ask myself "Why?" If you are interested in this book, then you have probably already read the other 4. If that is the case, then you are aware of what an incredible character Roland is, how compelling his adventures with his ka-tet are, and you are fully aware of King's ability to write suspense and create worlds which astonish. DT 5 is no exception. I will say this, and I will stay just shy of revealing the ending of the book, so to those who have not read it, be prepared, to those who HAVE read it, maybe you feel the same way: Stephen King does something in this novel that I am still trying to wrap my head around. The story takes place in the little hamlet of Calla Bryn Sturgis on the outskirts of Thunderclap and is mainly a sort of day-in-the-life of Roland and his ka-tet. So much so that as I neared the end of the book I was beginning to get disappointed. I was expecting further revelation. I started closing in on the last 8th of the book thinking "Ok, Stephen, if you've got the whammy somewhere you better sock it to me soon or else I want a refund!" Ladies and gentleman, I was thoroughly whammed. King, in the last 10 pages or so, takes this epic in a direction that I don't think has perhaps ever been done in the history of popular fiction. I know that's a bold statement, and if there are other examples of this, by all means let me know. If my speculations about what this ending could mean are in any way correct, then King's recent comments about possible retirement make alot of sense. I read in one interview that he commented that after the DT series is complete there really isn't all that much else to say. Whether that's true or not remains to be seen, but, yeah, it could be. As a side note to people who have read this book, the way it ends and the situations it could lead too, to me, is a HUGE gamble. It could be a revolution in storytelling that could astonish readers for generations, or it could blow up in King's face. But the fact that King, who's published umpteen books and probably hasn't seen anything smaller than a C-Note in 20 years, would ATTEMPT something of this magnitude, shows that he is still willing and able to take risks and please his Constant Readers. THAT is why I love this man. All in all, a highly satisfying read and a book worthy of being in the DT cannon.
Rating:
Summary: A strong outing from King
Review: WOLVES OF THE CALLA is my second favorite book in the Dark Tower series. Book III, the WASTELANDS, for its wildly inventive storytelling gusto, is at the top of the heap, in my view. But WOLVES OF THE CALLA, a pretty amazing tour-de-force in its own right, isn't far behind.
The fifth book in King's DARK TOWER series actually works more as a literal continuation of the third book, with the fourth, WIZARD AND GLASS, serving as a long romantic interlude.
WOLVES OF THE CALLA is the book that starts to give you glimpes of light at the end of tunnel. King makes some strong hints in this book about where he'll finally take the series that he's been working on all of his publishing life. It promised to be a mind-bending ride that, if executed just right, might be the most profound thing he's ever written.
Either way, WOLVES OF THE CALLA is a wonderful stop along the way. It finds King very near the top of his game. King writes with an inventive assurance in this novel in a way that makes you glad to be a Stephen King reader. If the last two books of the DARK TOWER series (both due later this year) are written on the same creative cloth as this book, I'm confident it'll be a terrific ending to a terrific series.
Stephen King fans rest assured, this is one of the good ones.
Rating:
Summary: To those critic's with no imagination!
Review: This is in regards to people who write in there opinons which differs from my own, which is to say, I am right and they are wrong! Of course I have read all five of King's Dark Towers series, and could not be more impressed with his imagination, skill as a writer and pure brilliance as America's greating story teller. I cant say that everywhere he as went with these books I would have went, but if I knew where he was going with the story why would I waste time to read it? Why not write my own book where I know the ending before I even start? People say that book 5 didnt help the story!!! Well they must not have really read it, maybe they are the so called speed readers who beleive they can actually absorb a book in a couple of hours, fully understand it, HA! Take your time and enjoy it, live it, become one with it and then you will see the true face of your fathers! If you really didnt like it then dont buy book six and seven for the love of the man Jesus, just go watch a movie and leave the rest of us true readers to enjoy the story! To tell the truth, only a small minded person could say something bad of a any of these wonderful books. Keep this in mind, if you dont like it you will never be satisfied with the ending. I'm sure I will be disapointed in some way shape or form. With a story this long in the making there is no climax that could satisfy me or anyone else. But I will take it as it comes and take it as fact for my Dihn King is the man and what the man says goes! I would like to take this time to thank Steven King for all these years of keeping my mind and imagination active. You are a true kindred sprit my friend and I say thankya big big!!! And to the so called critics...(the wrong ones that is)....I hope your first day in hell lasts a thousand years and each day after even longer!
Rating:
Summary: In responce to another review
Review: I saw that somebody finally mentioned the paralell between King and Tolkien...and if you are as serious a King fan as I am, you will see 90% of his books are pretty much ripped off from LOTR. I am not saying he does not have a great mind and a great way with words..but think about it..IT=Shelob, Sauron=Flagg(Crimson King), Bilbo and Gollum's riddle contest...ka-tet and Blains riddleing conest..both won on something nonsencical...Oh well..still a decent read...not nearly as good as the other 4 books, lets hope 6 and 7 are great and not heading strongly in the direction of the last few pages of this one
Rating:
Summary: Coming (commala) at a rush
Review: Stephen King is aging. He almost died in a horrific accident several years ago. For him (and his grateful readers) this placed into sharp relief his literary ambitions in 'The Dark Tower'series. He began this series when America was suffering hostages in Iran and Jimmy Carter was president. His ambition was huge - to challenge Tolkien in writing a mythical odessy that would transport mere mortals to a special place, while challenging our precepts of faith, religion, hedonism and love. Well, King achieved this all in Tower I-IV. He also cleverly links many of the themes of his hugely expansive writings of the years. So much so, that Tower series seems to provide a literal backbone to his many works. I imagine he lazily flicked back and forth to the Tower when the whim (or imagination)took him. As readers, we equally flicked in and out of Roland and the ka-tet's trials and tribulations. However, his passage through life has reinforced that even he will shuttle off this mortal coil in time. And time, as Roland would reflect, is a capricous ally to all. For the benefit of all, King has worked hard to bring his omnibus to a conclusion (I have pre-ordered the last two books). Having re-read Tower IV before starting on 'The Wolves', I am convinced he has the makings of a masterpice. He just needs to sign up Peter Jackson now for a 2006-2008 filming in New Zealand and all will be done! In the 'Wolves Of Call' King continues to bring together themes that bedevil imagination. He also continues to draw out the developing characters of the ka-tet. Another fast (and thought-provoking) read consistent in quality and thought with the rest. Once again, I finished, sat back and thought, and thought again. Any author that can provoke as King has with this series deserves every accolade. Buy it, read it, look forward to the rest!
Rating: 
Summary: great book; but the writer is aging
Review: King does it again. Beutiful prose; wonderful characters; suspenseful plot and; in the end ...a not-quite-good-but-above average taste in your mouth (well in the mind in this case).What i've noticed again and again is...well let's face it even Kings age..and although he's aging gracefully like a literary equivalent of Sean Connery; it is taking him above 700 pages( in the Turkish version) to create the atmosphere he easily created in 200 odd pages when he was young and "there wasn't enough money for the kids' penicillin" (a favourite metaphor of his check the Runnig man and some others besides). I am content with this; we all age for god's sake and i would gladly kill to see the end of the series i first read when i was 12 ( an overstatement here but let's say i would gladly pay hard earned dough). I just miss the harsh edges of Bachman's prose that's all. As Hamsun discovered hunger has its fangs but that's what makes life- and writing- more interesting. As an afterthought check references to Harry Potter and the serial numbers JKR...:) and well ; doctor doom strikes again (stan lee would be proud of'em)
p.s Ýf King finds a B-type director-as he so often does-and not a Kubrick equivalent to direct the movie adaptation of this (and i'm sure there will be an adaptation; this is too good to miss)i'm determined to haunt him from my grave...Roland and posse are too good to be wasted....
Read this; but start from the beginning to see the rare sight of a bearded English major from Maine determined to create something anew and has lots to prove....after all dreams are like pearls growing in clams....aren't they?
Rating: 
Summary: Great series, lukewarm resumption...*Potential Spoilers*
Review: I delayed reading this novel for several months with the unshakeable notion that this could be the downfall, the weak link, of the majesty of the Dark Tower series. In many respects, this was the case indeed.
I consider myself to be a faithful reader of King's works, although after finished reading each one, I am left with the feeling of disillusionment and a sense of dissatisfaction. With the exception of a few pieces, most notably "Misery," "Dolores Claiborne," and The Dark Tower I-IV, I feel as though the anticipatory phase before reading the novel becomes the most fulfilling aspect of the whole experience. This is essentially the same final response I felt after reading "Wolves of the Calla." Positive features: + One main reason I enjoyed this series in the first place was its immaculate ability to create an essence of "realistic fiction," or the concept of keeping certain ideas, manners, and situations grounded to reality while taking place in very unorthodox and fantastical setting. Reading these books doesn't seem much like delving into a mythical world of dragons and magic as it does seem as if we are glimpsing into the far future of our own world and our eventual destination. And although the majority of "Wolves" keeps true to this trend, I do see something of a deterioration in King's ability to maintain this same atmosphere. + I found the new character depths into which King propelled his readers to be very profound and essential to the continuation of this series. I particularly appreciated that each of the character's limits and emotional ranges were pushed to brand-new heights that allowed readers to witness completely new frontiers and features of their individuality. However, I felt that Jake's dilemma did not have an effective resolution by its end, and I surely hope it will be further developed in the next installment. + The use of several side stories throughout the main plot was very effective in keeping the piece interesting and rich. Diverting the reader's attention to other issues concerning alternate futures and pasts urges us to become more willing and eager to discover and unfold more of the primary mystery, an excellent tactic to maintain the story's flavour. Negative features: - A particular con I found in this novel was the dreadfully anticlimactic conclusion. I found there to be chapters upon chapters of planning and deception and espionage to finally lead up to such a pitiful and arbitrarily brief display of battle that half of the book's content was meaningless. It also left me with the burning question, "What was the worry all about?" - Several unexplainable, and most importantly confusing parts of the novel also continually reappeared and made progress through the novel more difficult than necessary. First of all, the sudden and unexpected introduction of the mysterious "19" concept on page 37 made for an uneven transition from "Wizard and Glass" and the previous absence of this "Mysterious Number." I also felt that the constant uses of secrets and undeterminable details made for a frustrating read in the sense that it forced readers to continually backtrack in the novel and reread past events in order to gain a full comprehension of the current issues. Examples of this include Tian Jafford's whispered secret, Callahan's association with the name of the Calla itself, and the general plans and strategies made by the tet to defeat the Wolves. However, I could see how this style could fit in nicely with the theme of individuals keeping their own personal secrets from others (Susannah's Mia, Roland's arthritis, etc.). - What I also found bewildering was the tet's own reaction to the existence and sudden presence of the gruesome terror, Black Thirteen. The Pere's reaction was quite accurate to the expected response, but I found there to be little more than a bat of an eye at this fact. Unless I was mistaken that this being was the epitome, the bare essence of all sinfully destructive, sadistically horrifying, and malevolently vile facets known to all creation since the beginning of time, condensed into one single orb whose only intention is to become the harbinger of only pure misery and malicious suffering to all life, they should have had a bit more of a shock to be in its possession. That they would willingly and practically recklessly manipulate this entity into performing their own tasks was enough alone to make me wonder if King knew exactly what he was dealing with. - Another minor issue I had with this volume was the poor illustrations used. With the exception of one, titled "You stainless steel bastard," I found they completely lacked any emotion and felt almost void of any importance or relevance with the actual chain of events they attempted to recreate visually.
- As a final point, I was under the impression by the end that King's only intention to create the poor excuse for a cliff-hanger and leave the story half resolved was the need to ensure readers would anticipate the next installment and feel obligated to shell out the fifty dollars (in Canada, at least) to buy the Dark Tower VI, no matter how undeniable the sense is that he may be running out of his original panache and ingenuity. These opinions only encompass my personal response to the outcome of the newest volume of the Dark Tower series, "Wolves of the Calla." They should not completely influence your own position on this particular novel, but I hope that it did open some unfound doors and point of views of your own that have remained shut and lost. I also wish that this review should not bias you to whether or not purchasing this book should benefit or hinder your outlook on King's ability to create a profound, fulfilling tale, for there are many other better examples of him at his finest. I sincerely hope that the proceeding installments in this series do not pursue the same route as "Wolves," but instead seek a more professional and intriguing path.
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