Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic Flashback
Review: Even though this part of the Dark Tower series is basically a flashback to Roland's life prior to his search for the Tower, King has written a magnificent tale with touches of sci-fi and fantasy, creating a world both credible and familiar. The characters come across as fully-formed, and the writing is seamless. The plot inexorably leads to its stunning conclusion, and we return to find our ka-tet continuing on its journey. Another triumph for King; here's hoping he keeps up the quaility storytelling for the final three volumes.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay, Now Let's Get Back to The Dark Tower.
Review: This story did not send the series spiraling in a new direction, good or bad, nor was it meant to. For me, the big questions I had while reading the first three volumes had much more to do with the nature of Roland's world and explanations for all of it's very imaginative details, especially the Dark Tower itself, which I'm sure is King's idea anyway. the question of "who is Roland and what is his story?" is also important, but never seemed primarily so. At least, I never thought the question deserved an entire doorstopping volume from the author. But who am I to say? I can only assume that this story, as King notes, "must" be told in order to move on.Fine, then. I expected an adventure, and I got one. A romantic, western-style adventure that hinted at the rest of Roland's world that we already know about. But I wanted more of that world, as well as Eddie, Susanne, Jake and Oy. I got Cuthbert, Susan, Alain, and the Big Coffin Hunters. It was interesting, but I wanted to get back on the trail of the Dark Tower just the same. At least some of, and maybe all of the questions I had about Roland have been answered. And it was interesting to note the similarites between Rhea's pink glass ball and the blue glass ball from THE TALISMAN. I have yet to read BLACK HOUSE, but there was a blatant cennection made with THE STAND and INSOMNIA as well, with the appearance of Randall Flagg at the end(ie. the "Crimson King"). This presents all new questions, which is good. I'm still hooked on the Dark Tower, and maybe even propelled forward even more, depite this story's flashback purposes. Now, let's get back to the real adventure.
Rating:
Summary: The best so far in the series of the 5 published
Review: Book 4 in King's series is the best so far in my opinion. I have read up to book 5, the Wolves of the Calla (also very good). I dont want to give too much away, which some of the reviews do, but the book is beautifully written, telling of Rolands first and only love (excluding the tower), and his boyhood adventures with Alain and Cuthbert. Some of the book is in the present with his new ka, but much of it is revealing history of Rolands youth. To use the old cliche, King brings the characters alive, and you forget that you are reading a book. Truly a classic
Rating: 
Summary: A Real Page Turner!
Review: I just recently finished this book and I found it to be a real page turner, whether you liked the first 3 books of the series or not! This book goes back to Roland's childhood back when he was 14 years old. He and his posse were sent by their fathers in search of the pink wizard's glass.
This tale was full of action and astounding writing, I expected no less from Stephen King. The descriptions and details of the book were gut wrenching, and made you feel like you were really there alongside Roland the entire time.
If I could explain this book in a few short words, I would say, emotional, phenominal, and well written indeed! Thank you Stephen King for being my favorite author!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best in the Dark Tower Series
Review: I am not sure how Stephen King comes up with all of this, but it is excellent. The thought process and imagination that goes into this book is amazing. I loved the three books prior, but the story just keeps getting better. I am about to start the Wolves of the Calla, and only expect the best. You will not be disappointed if you read this book, infact the Dark Tower just seems to put its claws into you deeper and you too feel like Part of Rolands Ka-tet and need to reach the Dark Tower with them. Erica
Savannah, Ga.
Rating:
Summary: For those who have read many a King book...
Review: This book was a dream for me to read. I hope I can convey why. My favorite book of all time is "The Lord of the Rings" by Tolkien. Behind that are "It" and "The Stand" by our friendly Mr. King. This you have to know to even begin to understand my love for "Wizard and Glass." If you've read all the reviews, you already know almost the entire book is a flashback told by Roland which explains the momentous events which happened immediately after he became a gunslinger, so I won't waste time going into the plot. I will waste time explaining how the Dark Tower series seems to become better with each book (although I can't comment on "Wolves of the Calla" yet). I have just been blown away by an amazing story by Stephen King, speaking through Roland. Reading this book was better than watching most any movie out there. It has restored my faith in the abilities of an author to transport me to another plain of existance altogether. And it has filled me with the desire to read every book King has written again, starting at the beginning with "Carrie." Because I started to realize something at the beginning of this book, even before reading King's afterword at the end. The world of the Dark Tower includes every story King has written. Fans of "It" will appreciate the references to the turtle. And fans of "The Stand" will simply jump in their seats in excitement, realizing that the story of Randall Flagg didn't quite end in that book...or did it? This is why I want to read all those books again. But I won't...yet. Anyway... The other amazing thing King did in this book was a brilliant sense of misdirection in the form of his homages to the book which he says helped inspire this series and maybe even his entire career, "The Lord of the Rings." I was so busy paying attention to all the similarities to Frodo's quest, I missed the mirror images from the story Roland's quest resembles even more, "The Wizard of Oz." Simply amazing storytelling, whether King intended it or not. I now plan to read some stories of King's which contain elements from the Dark Tower story before plunging into "Wolves of the Calla." I'm in it now, hook, line, and sinker. Thank you, Mr. King.
Rating:
Summary: ...Ka....Ka like the wind...
Review: It's been about a month since I finished Wizard and Glass. Sometimes when I'm restless I go back to that page where Susan Delgado faces the final moments of her life. Still, to this day, there is not a time (I have gone back to that page about three times now) when I end up tearless. My God, how beautiful that book was. And it came like the wind. Do you really expect such a story from the King of Horror? Did I expect to be taken away by such a tragic romance? I had no idea what I'd be signing up for when I first picked up The Gunslinger, and it still holds true. I didn't expect to cry my heart out after reading of the death of young Rolad Deschain and his true love Susan Delgado. I'm fighting back the urge right now, just thinking about it. It was ka, ka like the wind. It has made me think of life just a little differently... <bird and bear and hare and fish...>
Rating: 
Summary: Pete
Review: I thought the first two books of the series were great and the third was good, but this was a major disapointment. Almost the whole book is a flashback that has nothing to do with the main dark tower story. And it's a sappy lover story to boot.
Rating:
Summary: Best In the Series (so far)
Review: As much as I love the first three books in the series, Wizard and Glass has something that the rest of them don't. Those looking for an ending to the drawn-out riddle-contest between Blaine and the ka-tet will be satisfied, but it isn't long before Roland and his friends take a rest stop, where Roland tells a story about his past. It isn't one of those things where the flashback takes up 20, maybe 30 pages, either. No, this story lasts 520 pages, and is clearly the main focus of the book. Those hoping to find Roland and his ka-tet making large steps towards reaching the Tower will have to wait for Wolves of the Calla (which I have yet to read). However, this side-story that is the main focus of Wizard and Glass is an amazing piece of fiction. Simply put, it's a beautiful love story. The usualy readers who're used to King's grisly works of horror may be put off by this notion, but I assure you, this isn't your usual love story. It's simply so genuine and moving, I guarantee you will be blown away. Of course, love isn't the only element of Roland's past, but it plays a huge role in the adventure. Alain and Cuthbert, Roland's adolescent friends, are also components of this story. It has a distinct Western feel to it, which is clearly what Stephen King intended, with the usual amount of dark fantasy to make things interesting. I'd say that the story of young Roland is quite Shakespearean in its grandiosity and epic qualities. Even if you're not a fan of the series, and have not read any of the other books, open this book to page 116, and begin reading the story Roland tells. It's incredible, and moved me as much as one of my other favorite books, The Once and Future King (in a similar way).
Rating:
Summary: The Story of Roland Deschain, the Last Gunslinger
Review: "The Waste Lands," Book 3 in the Dark Tower series, left us with a bit of a cliffhanger: Roland Deschain, Eddie Dean, Susannah Dean, Jake Chambers, and Oy the Bumbler were all aboard a sentient (and quite suicidal) super-monorail named Blaine, who was planning on derailing at near 800 mph and taking Roland's ka-tet with him unless they could present unto him a riddle he could not solve. Book 4 picks up right where Book 3 left off and wraps the dire situation up rather quickly to make way for the real essence of "Wizard and Glass": the story of Roland Deschain, a story of young love and tempered friendships, of shady villagers and a deep-running conspiracy, of a wicked witch and her parisitic crystal ball. Chances are if you've been reading the Dark Tower series this far, you have at least some like for Roland, and have wondered what could have made him such a seemingly cold-hearted jaded figure. Rest assured that this novel answers all those questions (and a couple hundred more). The introductions of the oft-mentioned characters Cuthbert Allgood, Alain Johns, and Susan Delgado alone is worth the trip through this hefty tome. The Dark Tower is getting closer and closer, and as it does, true fans are being rewarded more than ever. "Wizard and Glass" is a treat for fans and non-fans of King alike. With the series finale looking to come about in late 2004, now is the perfect time to catch up on everything you've (and that's quite a lot, believe me). You won't regret it.
|
