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Showing posts with label Arthurian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arthurian. Show all posts

Black House Review

Stephen King, Peter Straub, American, Arthurian, Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Murder, Paranormal, Psychic, Serial Killer, Supernatural, Thriller, Witches, Wizards

Black House

Published: 15, September 2001
Genre: American, Arthurian, Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Murder, Paranormal, Psychic, Serial Killer, Supernatural, Thriller, Witches, Wizards
Book 2 of 3: Talisman (The third book has not yet been published.)

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King and Peter Straub collaborated on the horror book Black House, the sequel to The Talisman. This is one of Stephen King's multiple novels that connect up with the Dark Tower series, which also includes Hearts in Atlantis and Insomnia. Black House was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel. The novel is set in Straub's hometown of Wisconsin, rather than King's favorite setting of Maine. The town of French Landing is a fictitious version of Lacrosse County, Wisconsin. Centralia is also named after the adjacent tiny town of Centerville, Wisconsin.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the chapter based on Edgar Allan Poe's poem The Raven.

As far as I know, one more book in this series is in the works, but neither of the two authors has offered a time or date for release. 

I was scared it would be too terrifying or too dull — I have read practically all of Stephen King's works over the years and was concerned that they were all starting to sound the same. 

But, despite certain unpleasant features, it was a really engaging novel, and no, I never get tired of reading Stephen King, and his works do not all seem the same.

I'm sure reading the first book, The Talisman, will help you comprehend this one, but if you haven't, don't worry; you'll still like this one. 

The novel has various references to the previous one, yet the plot stands well on its own. It also makes allusions to places and events from The Talisman's Dark Tower series, which helps to comprehend this one. 

It is not required. But, once again, I recommend reading them all, especially the first book in this series, The Talisman.

Peter Straub and Stephen King, what a fantastic arrangement. They blend flawlessly and provide a narrative line that is both interesting and enthralling no matter how many times I read it. 

I could go on and on about the excellent character development, imagery, and the way the book has its own distinct atmosphere. To be absolutely honest and upfront, I read literature in this category only for the sake of entertainment. 

If the book morphs in my mind's eye from words to images, if I can visualize the characters so well that I literally care about them, and if I am both delighted with the ending and unhappy that it finished, then I am a very happy customer!

"The Talisman," an epic masterpiece saga. The reader can sense the banter and friendliness between King and Straub in the descriptions and character development in these stories because of the way they are written.

Black House is more than merely a continuation of Jack's quest in The Talisman. It's also a look at the evil that can infiltrate a tiny community, as well as the unusual heroes that arise from such devastation. 

This is one of the themes that make Stephen King and Peter Straub such excellent storytellers. Both are masters of character development and their use of tiny, seemingly idyllic communities as the background for the war between good and evil is what gives this narrative credibility.

The cleverness of this novel is that there is no quest this time, nor is it merely about the now-grown-up Jack Sawyer. 

Black House is as much a novel about a tiny community in trouble as it is about the conclusion that reaches out like the limbs of a tree into Stephen King's Dark Tower series. 

Once again, the characters are so well-developed that I felt profound emotions for each of them, as well as for the enigmatic Tower that lurks in the shadows, leaving a scary image in the reader's imagination. 

The conclusion of Black House is both rewarding and devastating, leaving me curious about what happens next.

The narrative takes place around twenty years after the events of The Talisman. Jack Sawyer is a retired LAPD investigator who now lives in the little community of Tamarack, Wisconsin. He has mostly forgotten his childhood escapades.

Stephen King has a continuous story theme that runs across several of his stories like an undercurrent. 

The image of the Dark Tower and Roland the The Gunslinger are notions that he returns to, sometimes explicitly as in the Dark Tower novels, sometimes subtly as in The Black House. 

The finale of this work is based in part on the legend of the Tower, which adds another strand of mystery to the topic while also illuminating others.

Here I am about to mention something that is essentially for those who are going to read this novel as if it were the same as the quest in the previous book, but it is not, and as a result, some readers may not like it, so here goes... 

Stephen King and Peter Straub are back with the Black House, a sequel to their previous work The Talisman. 

You don't have to have read the first novel to appreciate this one. Indeed, it may be better if you haven't read the previous book because it was a normal fantasy adventure and its sheer plainness may lead you to think negatively of the Black House, which would be a shame because this new work is a work of genius.


Final Thoughts

The title is a play on the title of Charles Dickens's work Bleak House. This is done on purpose. The book is stylistically similar to Dickens' work, and even the complicated storyline has Dickensian reverberations. 

The writers make no attempt to conceal their link; the book is full of outright nods to Bleak House, and at one point, one of the characters even spends some time reading that novel aloud to one of the other characters, who is blind. I adore these small details - it's merely a game, but it adds depth and freshness that I adore.

Black House is one of Stephen King and Peter Straub's best stories, and this Audiobook is delivered by Frank Muller, who was without a doubt the best voice in Audiobook before his unfortunate accident a few years ago.

Black House is a sort of sequel to the novel Talisman, and it has many of the same villains. The Crimson King, who appears in Insomnia and the Dark Tower series, is just as terrifying. 

The Black House was a literal "black house," and it was here in the Talisman that Jack fought one of his most courageous fights. 

Because of the relationship with the villain and who he or she is representing, I believe I can call it another branch of the Dark Tower series.


Synopsis

“From the #1 New York Times bestselling authors of The Talisman, “an intelligent…suspenseful page-turner” (The Wall Street Journal) from “two master craftsmen, each at the top of his game” (The Washington Post).

Twenty years ago, a boy named Jack Sawyer traveled to a parallel universe called the Territories to save his mother and her Territories “Twinner” from an agonizing death that would have brought cataclysm to the other world. Now Jack is a retired Los Angeles homicide detective living in the nearly nonexistent hamlet of Tamarack, Wisconsin. He has no recollection of his adventures in the Territories, and was compelled to leave the police force when an odd, happenstance event threatened to awaken those memories.

When a series of gruesome murders occur in western Wisconsin that are reminiscent of those committed several decades ago by a madman named Albert Fish, the killer is dubbed “The Fishman,” and Jack’s buddy, the local chief of police, begs Jack to help the inexperienced force find him. But are these new killings merely the work of a disturbed individual, or has a mysterious and malignant force been unleashed in this quiet town? What causes Jack’s inexplicable waking dreams—if that is what they are—of robins’ eggs and red feathers? It’s almost as if someone is trying to tell him something. As this cryptic message becomes increasingly impossible to ignore, Jack is drawn back to the Territories and to his own hidden past, where he may find the soul-strength to enter a terrifying house at the end of a deserted tract of forest, there to encounter the obscene and ferocious evils sheltered within it.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Crimson King, French Landing, Hearts In Atlantis, Jack Sawyer, King And Peter, King And Straub, Sequel To The Talisman, Serial Killer


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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Desperation (2006) (16+)

Silver Bullet (1985) (R)

The Tommyknockers (1993) (M)

Christine (1983) (R)

The Dead Zone (1983) (R)

Misery (1990) (R)

Carrie (1976) (R)

Firestarter (1984) (R)

Mr. Mercedes Season 01 (2017) (TV-MA)

Thinner (1996) (R)

The Running Man (1987) (R)

The Dark Half (1993) (R)

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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The Wind Through the Keyhole Review

Stephen King, Arthurian, Fantasy, Fiction, Media Tie-In, Mystery, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Thriller, Werewolf, Witches, Wizards

The Wind Through the Keyhole

Published: 21, February 2012
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Arthurian, Fantasy, Fiction, Media Tie-In, Mystery, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Thriller, Werewolf, Witches, Wizards
Book 4.5 of 7: The Dark Tower

Check the summary of this book here:
The Wind Through the Keyhole Summary


The Review:

Stephen King's fantasy book The Wind Through the Keyhole is the eighth novel in The Dark Tower series, however, it falls between volumes four "Wizard and Glass" and five "Wolves of the Calla" in chronological order. The book was first referenced by Stephen King in 2009, following the disputed conclusion of the seventh novel "The Dark Tower" in 2004, and was formally revealed on March 10, 2011, on the author's official website.

To begin with, it was nice to hear Eddie, Susannah, Jake, Oy, and Roland's voices come to life again and enjoy their interactions, even if it was just for a few moments.

If you're like many fans who read the entire series before reading this book, you'll understand what I'm talking about. But if you haven't finished part four yet, I recommend you read this book before going on to the fifth.

It doesn't matter if you read it after you finish the series and then come back to read it, but if this is your first trip through the series; I think it's best to read it as part 4.5.

I strongly advise all readers to read the prior four volumes before moving on to this one, since otherwise, you will have no idea of what is going on or who is who or what is what.

This book picks up after the events of Wizard and Glass, with Roland recounting a tale from his past as a teenage gunslinger in a nearby village from Gilead, dealing with a "Skin-Man" monstrosity frightening and slaying the locals.

But about midway through that story, he switches to a fairy tale about a young kid on a journey to save his mother from his violent stepfather.

Overall, this is a fantastic book. It is reasonable to classify it as book 4.5. The novel includes a tale inside a story, which is a unique and intriguing approach to writing a novel.

The story begins with the five members of the band from Book 4 on their quest for The Dark Tower.

They are stuck in a bunker for three days due to a catastrophic storm known as a 'starkblast.' To keep them entertained, Roland recounts them a story from his adolescent years.

The narrative revolves around one of his first missions as a gunslinger when he was dispatched by train to a faraway place to investigate claims of a homicidal shape shifter, which his father does not think are genuine.

The first third of the book is about Roland's past, the second third is about the narrative he tells the youngster, and the third quarter concludes the historical story.

Both stories are well-written and enjoyable to read. The narrative is intriguing, although not as suspenseful as some of author's other novels because we all know Roland will survive the shape shifter.

We also discover a little more about Roland's mother, including a final letter she sent to him. Roland tells the youngster a story about a terrible tax collector from Gilead.

I greatly doubt Roland's mother, who raised Roland in Gilead, the purported stronghold of virtue on the world, would have ever taught him a story about such a guy.

That was the only portion of the work that appeared out of place because the tale could have been presented without mentioning a wicked Gilead representative.

The rest of Roland the boy's narrative was well-developed, particularly in its exploration of elderly people's marvels.

I have a feeling Roland's childhood story isn't totally compatible with the rest of the books; for example, the Manni people in book 5 weren't familiar to Susannah, Jake, and Eddie, despite the fact that they should have known them based on this description. Even yet, given the high quality of the plot, any inconsistencies are small and easily overlooked.

Young Roland's plot goes swiftly and is both interesting and intriguing. It showcases his abilities, even at such a young age, and shares the same spirit of adventure and unpredictability as the previous Tower stories.

The fairy tale itself is well constructed and brimming with Stephen King’s universe references. Finally, I believe the author has done the series honor by continuing it 5 years after he declared it complete.

Adding to a popular series is a tough and hazardous decision. The book, on the other hand, does not feel like an afterthought; rather, it improves what has already been written and makes the voyage as a whole that much more complete and pleasurable.

There are things that can be learned, magic elements to be discovered, a new culture of "muties" to be discovered, and, of course, the beam.

We read of a little boy, maybe eleven years old, whose father was just murdered by a dragon of some kind. In a cruel environment, he and his mother strive for survival.

Just when they think they've discovered their savior, the author throws a curveball into the mix to throw everything off. The young man's quest to save his mother and himself leads us on a perilous trip packed with magic, danger, and suspense.

This is one of the novels that, like the series in which it is set, maybe considered among Stephen King's best.

I still wish we'd seen more of Roland when he was younger. What are the chances? Perhaps the author will continue the Dark Tower Series with a new installment someday.


Final Thoughts:

Even if you've never read any of Stephen King's earlier works, let alone the Tower series, the book may be read as a stand-alone, according to the preface.

True, but doing so would be foolish because so much of it is based on these individuals and their distinct environment.

As a result, I'd only suggest this to someone who has read the Tower Series before or if you're interested in giving them a try, start at the beginning and read this one in the order it appears in the series. You'll be pleased you did, and I am sure of it.

This novel takes us closer to Roland as a young boy as readers. It also helps us comprehend Roland's finality as he grew older.

After Mejis, Roland had attained manhood not merely by passing Cort's gunslinger exam, but also by seeing Mejis' murder and devastation.

Roland reveals his frigid heart to the world for the first time as the nails are pounded deep into the coffin that signifies maturity.

It's also enjoyable to read, providing insight into some of our favorites (if you're a fan of the series). It will draw you back into Roland Deschain's universe as if you had never left it before.

Given the scope of King's Dark Tower levels, the novel fits nicely into the series.

I have to bring out an important truth once more. It is true that this book may be read as a stand-alone novel, but only if you have read the entire series or have finished the fourth book but have not yet begun the fifth; otherwise, it cannot be termed a stand-alone novel, so please keep that in mind when reading this book.


Synopsis:

“In his New York Times bestselling The Wind Through the Keyhole, Stephen King returns to the spectacular territory of the Dark Tower fantasy saga to tell a story about gunslinger Roland Deschain in his early days.

The Wind Through the Keyhole is a sparkling contribution to the series that can be placed between Dark Tower IV and Dark Tower V. This Russian doll of a novel, a story within a story within a story, visits Roland and his ka-tet as a ferocious, frigid storm halts their progress along the Path of the Beam. Roland tells a tale from his early days as a gunslinger, in the guilt-ridden year following his mother’s death. Sent by his father to investigate evidence of a murderous shape-shifter, Roland takes charge of Bill Streeter, a brave but terrified boy who is the sole surviving witness to the beast’s most recent slaughter. Roland, himself only a teenager, calms the boy by reciting a story from the Book of Eld that his mother used to read to him at bedtime, “The Wind Through the Keyhole.” “A person’s never too old for stories,” he says to Bill. “Man and boy, girl and woman, we live for them.”

And stories like The Wind Through the Keyhole live for us with Stephen King’s fantastical magic that “creates the kind of fully imagined fictional landscapes a reader can inhabit for days at a stretch” (The Washington Post).”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:
Addition To The Dark, Eddie And Susannah, Glass And Wolves, Great Addition, Old Friends, Roland And His Ka-Tet, Within A Story, Wizard and Glass, Wolves of the Calla, Young Roland


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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The Dark Tower Review

Stephen King, Arthurian, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western, Witches, Wizards

The Dark Tower

Published: 21, September 2004
Author: Stephen King
Genres: Arthurian, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western, Witches, Wizards
Book 7 of 7: The Dark Tower

Check the summary of this book here:
The Dark Tower Summary


The Review:

Stephen King's The Dark Tower is a fantasy novel. It is the seventh and final novel in his Dark Tower series. It was released on September 21, 2004, which also happens to be Stephen King's birthday. Beginning where book six Song of Susannah left off, Jake Chambers and Father Callahan confront the demonic infestation within the Dixie Pig, a vampire bar in New York City that serves roast human flesh and has gateways to other realms.

Many readers, even fans, will have a newfound appreciation for Stephen King after reading this series, and I believe he is among the top few greatest literary brains of our time.

Seriously. I'm astounded at the universes he's built for people to lose themselves in. I am a quick reader who can read a lot of books at once, so I never get bored, but I do slow down on some novels because I don't want them to end.

I tried to do the same with this series, but I kept going until I fell asleep or it was already morning on several nights.

What I learned about these novels was that once you start reading, you won't be able to put them down until you've finished the entire series.

The reader is captivated by something in these works. It's the connection with the characters, or perhaps it's because it opens the reader's eyes to a deeper comprehension of Roland, and once you finish one book, you can't wait to start the next.

A word about the movie: there are elements in it that suggest it may have been a sequel to the novels, but the authors didn't reveal this link for whatever reason, leaving most fans and casual readers perplexed as to why it went the way it did.

To put it frankly, the horn that was dropped on Jericho Hill was in his hands in the movie, and I only know this because the studio auctioned off all objects from the set, including a "canteen and horn," and a photo showed Jake holding the canteen with the horn in his hand.

I'm not sure if this knowledge (previous two paragraphs) is relevant, but I know certain individuals that want to know everything about everything, therefore I believe this information is for them.

As the story developed, Stephen King explored and stretched his writing talents throughout the series.

Normally, I think of authors in specific categories, but reading them as Stephen King worked layers into his plot was a real treat.

I was irritated a few times by the choices he took to advance the plot, and I suppose it was because his choices were unique. He merged genres. His references were both obvious and subtle.

Through it all, he wrote in a late-nineteenth-century timeframe. He worked tirelessly on the tale, and it was fascinating to read his almost tired recounting in the afterwords of people hounding him about the storyline book after book.

I was concerned that no conclusion could do this series honor. I even slowed down my reading since I was afraid I would be dissatisfied.

The buildup of the previous six volumes and now this seventh could not be topped off with any conclusion I could think of. But Stephen King is a master and that is what I can say at this point.

This finale took the author more than two decades to write, but it was well worth the wait. If, like Roland, you got this far, simply know that you'll reach the finish understanding that Ka is a turning wheel, and the narrative will suffice.

Some readers may not like the finale, but I thought it was a perfect finish to an incredibly fantastic story. It all depends on what you learned from the series up until the very end and how you felt about it.

I've read the "Dark Tower" series several times but never get tired of it. It makes me desire that "new" versions could be made in order to expose all of the possibilities.

But, however, that would do a grave disservice to this series. Stephen King's narrative abilities continue to mystify me. So much so that I've read every other book he's ever written just to keep getting glimpses of this story threaded throughout.

What an experience! There were tears, laughter, adventure, compassion, love, valor, and wickedness, and, of course, as is customary in Stephen King tales, there were many surprises.

I met up with the ka-tet. It will be difficult to be a part of it no more. What would life be like without the quest for the Dark Tower? I guess I don't have a choice.

I envy you the experience that awaits you if you haven't read them yet. Make the commitment and get right in. You will not be sorry.


Final Thoughts:

Is it worthwhile to read The Dark Tower? Yes, if you enjoy grandiose fantasy. Yes, if you can put up with occasional blunders in writing style and convention. No, if you dislike horror, the paranormal, adventures, and action, and believe such books must be cheap pulp.

Author's efforts to create a multiverse replete with all of the adventures and characters he cast drew me in.

I was already so engrossed that I bought both hardcover and paperback at the same time because I couldn't stop reading, and I used to buy both copies before digital versions became the standard, and I did this with all of my favorite writers.

What he did was incredible, I'll definitely listen to this series again when I finish the eighth book The Wind Through the Keyhole, which is actually a novel that sits between parts four "Wizard and Glass" and five "Wolves of the Calla" and may be considered the series' book 4.5 of 7. If you're on the fence about spending a few dollars on these books, be assured that they are well worth it.

This series is strongly recommended for anybody who wants to get lost in a massive narrative that will stay with you long after you finish the last volume.

It is the narrative of all of us, full of honor, love, good, evil, light, and dark. It's the reason we adore Arthur, Harry, Frodo, Luke, and so on. It's the endless pursuit, the vast cycle of life, the huge wheel of ka.


Synopsis:

“Creating "true narrative magic" (The Washington Post) at every revelatory turn, Stephen King surpasses all expectation in the stunning final volume of his seven-part epic masterwork. Entwining stories and worlds from a vast and complex canvas, here is the conclusion readers have long awaited—breathtakingly imaginative, boldly visionary, and wholly entertaining.

Roland Deschain and his ka-tet have journeyed together and apart, scattered far and wide across multilayered worlds of wheres and whens. The destinies of Roland, Susannah, Jake, Father Callahan, Oy, and Eddie are bound in the Dark Tower itself, which now pulls them ever closer to their own endings and beginnings...and into a maelstrom of emotion, violence, and discovery.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Constant Readers, Crimson King, Deus Ex Machina, Entire Series, Last Book, Lord Of The Rings, Man In Black, New York, Song of Susannah, Tower Series, Wizard and Glass, Wolves of the Calla


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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Song of Susannah Review

Stephen King, Arthurian, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western, Witches, Wizards

Song of Susannah

Published: 8, June 2004
Author: Stephen King
Genres: Arthurian, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western, Witches, Wizards
Book 6 of 7: The Dark Tower

Check the summary of this book here:
Song of Susannah Summary


The Review:

Stephen King's novel Song of Susannah is a fantasy novel. It's the sixth installment in his Dark Tower series. This novel follows up where Wolves of the Calla left off, with the ka-tet enlisting the aid of the Manni to unlock the magical portal inside Doorway Cave. It is set mostly in our world, in New York City and East Stoneham, Maine. The ka-tet is divided apart by the magical door, or possibly ka, and sent to various 'wheres' and 'whens' in order to complete numerous important tasks related to their search for the enigmatic Dark Tower.

In comparison to some of the previous books in Stephen King's Dark Tower series, this sixth installment is a bit short.

This is both a good and bad thing: although I love it and am eager to see how it all ends, this series is getting a little long, and while I hope it continues in even longer and larger novels, it could still be too much for a casual reader.

However, just because it's brief doesn't imply it's devoid of quality. Plot twists abound, and everything is beginning to fall into place at the same moment.

The author's genius must be acknowledged. At one point, and I hope I'm not giving too much away, the characters meet Stephen King and sit in his kitchen, drinking beer and smoking cigarettes.

In general, I'd think a situation like this would be ludicrous, yet he makes it work in this story. Yes, there will be a few chuckles, but for the most part, this is serious business.

I can't think of another writer who could have pulled it off. I know certain writers, such as Clive Cussler, can do it, but few can do it as well as these two, and it was done flawlessly by the maestro himself in this book.

The frosting on the cake, on the other hand, came after "The End." After the book, there's a long part with passages from the author's personal notebook from the time he was working on The Dark Tower series.

It's completely enthralling! What a rare opportunity to gain such a close look at Mr. King's mind and reasoning process. For me, he is a very remarkable individual.

The next chapter of The Gunslinger's journey for the Dark Tower has been beautifully described by the author.

There are hidden and not so hidden connections and linkages between our world and Stephen King's realm within the plot, as is expected and true to tradition.

The series is a must-read Science Fiction Western Fantasy Horror, and Song of Susannah's closing page will have you eagerly anticipating the very next book and final installment for the Gunslingers and Oy!

I've been a Stephen King fan for a long time, and this series is unlike anything else he's written, so it won't disappoint me! If you can get beyond the first book, this is a must-read for all Stephen King fans, and even non-fans will love it.

I was expecting to despise this part of the series from the start. Because of the narrative line I concocted in my head owing to the last book and one of the major characters' pregnancy, but I found it to be unexpectedly good.

This may have happened because I had such low expectations to begin with. Susannah had disillusioned me, as I mentioned a few lines ago.

I was so sick of hearing about the "chap" that I clenched my teeth whenever Mia or anybody else said it. Because it carries her name, I was dreading reading it.

By the end, I'd developed a strong feeling for her. She'd grown into a nuanced, real, delicate, and believable character. This book actually changed my thinking about her and I felt weak with her while she was weak.

I hoped she would win when she was at her best. After all, I didn't want her to leave. In fact, I was hoping she'd knock Mia out.

Even now that she is coming to terms with her developed and integrated elements of her past selves, and being forged in the furnace of harsh experience traveling through Roland's World, there is nothing that is "normal" about Susannah, but the chap is not normal.

The extent to which he deviates from the norm is a topic for discussion in the last installment of the series.

The Dark Tower Series is one of my top ten favorite book series of all time. The books are set in the future, although they may also be placed during the Oregon Trail migration.

The characters are so thoroughly realized that the reader feels as though he or she could run into them while doing daily tasks. I wholeheartedly suggest this series.

The idea of this series really goes across many of the author's other works, and you may be anywhere throughout Stephen King's literary universe.


Final Thoughts:

I truly hoped that the movie adaptation of this series would be as good as the books, but sadly, they destroyed it. I'm not sure why they do it or how the author accepts to the adjustments the film industry will make to the fantastic book.

I believe that occasionally authors give in because they are unsure of their own work, but if any of my works were to be adopted, I would never agree to change even one word because I would know that my work is my baby, and I must present it to the world as it is.

When a book's movie adaptation is ruined, it's essentially a smack in the face to the devoted fans who went to see their favorite characters and unforgettable scenes come to life, not to see a new tale or a new character who didn't appear in the book.

As always, Stephen King's writing is fantastic. This is the third time I've finished this series, and I'm not sure how I feel about the finale, but that's not the point.

It's about saying goodbye to all of these characters, as I and many other readers always feel when a wonderful series comes to an end.

I experienced the same experience with Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson, and a slew of other books that were and still are a part of my life, and in certain cases, the characters begin to seem like family and friends, even if we never speak to them.

Like older or younger cousins who are cool or awkward and live in other states and you can't meet them because they're too far away and it's too difficult to be together, but you can hear about them, see photographs, and even be friends on social media, but you never talk because you're not close enough to be on speaking terms.

Both Wolves of the Calla and this book show us the evolving facts of Susannah, Jake, Eddie, Roland, and even Oy, who, as loyal readers know, is considerably wiser than most would credit him with.

Our band of heroes is finally coming into its own, as the deeper significance of Ka, Ka-Tet, and the search for the tower, as well as the underlying fundamental character of a Gunslinger, is coming to fruition.


Synopsis:

“The penultimate volume in the Dark Tower series, The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah, a #1 New York Times bestseller, is a pivotal installment in the epic saga.

Set in a world of extraordinary circumstances, filled with stunning visual imagery and unforgettable characters, the Dark Tower series is unlike anything you have ever read. Here is the penultimate installment.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Dark Tower, Father Callahan, New York, Roland And Eddie, Salems Lot, Susannah And Mia, Tower Series, Waste Lands, Wizard And Glass, Wolves of the Calla


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

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Wolves of the Calla Review

Stephen King, Arthurian, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western, Witches, Wizards

Wolves of the Calla

Published: 4, November 2003
Author: Stephen King
Genres: Arthurian, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western, Witches, Wizards
Book 5 of 7: The Dark Tower

Check the summary of this book here:
Wolves of the Calla Summary


The Review:

Stephen King's fantasy tale Wolves of the Calla is the fifth installment in his The Dark Tower series. The saga of Roland Deschain, Eddie Dean, Susannah Dean, Jake Chambers, and Oy as their journey toward the Dark Tower continues in this book. Two extracts were released prior to the novel's release: "Calla Bryn Sturgis" was published on Stephen King's official site in 2001, and "The Tale of Gray Dick" was featured in McSweeney's Mammoth Treasury of Thrilling Tales in 2003. Both sections were updated and included in the full edition of the novel published in 2003.

Wolves of the Calla stays true to the series' Western roots by presenting a Mid-World version of The Magnificent Seven. And, for the most part, the author succeeded. This is just another fantastic addition to an already fantastic series.

Stephen King's Dark Tower series combines an epic fantasy adventure with classic Old Westerns, a dash of gothic horror, and a dash of urban fantasy for good measure.

This blend produces a series that is bound to become a legend. After surviving a monstrous mechanical bear and other dangers in Wizard and Glass, Roland the gunslinger from Gilead and his ka-tet stumbled upon the small village of Calla Bryn Sturgis.

This town has a problem that I won't discuss for the sake of new readers and spoilers, but, like the farmers in the classic Western The Magnificent Seven, the locals of this village ask the traveling gunslingers for assistance in fighting off the evil ones, but this isn't your typical Western.

On their mission to defend the rose that is the Dark Tower, Stephen King's protagonists travel back and forth to 1970s New York, fighting evil people along the way and discovering strange connections between his world and ours.

The disgraced Father Callahan of Salem's Lot, Maine, who just happens to be the local priest in the Calla, is also brought into the mix.

Add in Susannah, a rehabilitating schizophrenic ka-tet member who is growing something awful in her tummy, and Andy, a robot who helps the farmers of the Calla by carrying messages and providing horoscopes, and you have the strangest adventure novel in years.

In the midst of it all, the author weaves a tale that is both gripping and familiar. I felt like I was sitting around a campfire listening to him tell the story on a cool autumn night.

Fans of the Westernized version of The Seven Samurai, The Magnificent Seven will recognize the opening scene of this book: a little agricultural community that is plundered on a regular basis, with the locals attempting to figure out what to do about it without destroying their entire town.

But why should Roland take time away from his search for the Dark Tower to assist these people? In answering this, Stephen King brings into play something that hasn't been particularly apparent in the previous books, namely, Roland's deeply embedded sense of morality, which was a part of his original world, which included not just chivalry and nobility, but also a search for an absolute standard of right and wrong.

This theme line goes through nearly all of author's writings, but I believe it comes into sharper clarity in this one and is, therefore, the fundamental lynchpin of the Tower itself.

Jake and Eddie both get a lot of character development in this book, something I felt was lacking in volumes three The Waste Lands and fourth Wizard and Glass,  while Roland himself displays some new but perfectly appropriate features.

Father Callahan from Salem's Lot is introduced as a key character, and his narrative serves as a crucial subplot in this book, but I felt that it was too drawn out and might have benefited from some editing.

Susannah becomes a presage for the following book Song of Susannah, as she appears to have numerous identities once more, and she may be pregnant with the Red King's offspring.

Despite, and frequently because of, the insanity, there's a lot to like here. For the residents of Calla Bryn Sturgis, Stephen King constructs a convincing accent.

The personalities of the gunslingers all deepen in some way. Even though the author is blending together a broad selection of genres and pop culture, most components of the universe feel original. And the showdown, in the end, is truly spectacular.

Wolves of the Calla, like I've come to expect from a Dark Tower novel, is well worth the ride, as frustrating as it might be at times.

With this series, I'm in for the long haul. If you enjoy creative writing and have some spare time and patience, you should begin reading this series if you haven't already.

This novel includes a lot of waiting, plotting, and planning, but because of the addition of Father Callahan as a character, I never grow bored of it. His tale brilliantly fleshes out and contextualizes the realm. Jake has a very intriguing line as well.

For most of the novel, the rest of the Ka-Tet takes a back seat, but they're still there and just as entertaining to read about. However, Jake, Callahan, and the Calla are the main characters in this novel. This book also serves as a type of mixer for the prior volumes, in my opinion.

The Dark Tower's seven volumes should be read as a single continuous novel, as the author intended.

It's best read on vacation in a quiet place where you can let the tale engross you without being interrupted.

It's an engrossing, engaging, and often scary story that makes you reflect on yourself and your role in the cosmos and in time.

But not directly - and subtly, like if traveling through a time vortex, leaving you with a hazy recollection - almost a yearning - for the characters and events you've met throughout the saga.


Final Thoughts:

There's a lot of sadness, comedy, sarcasm, selflessness, and consciousness in this one. Perhaps a touch wordy, but as another stride more toward the Dark Tower, this novel succeeds admirably.

I believe this book will please everyone who has read the previous volumes and been engrossed in Roland's universe.

The fresh emphasis author has brought to this project is also noticeable. In the first four novels, there was a propensity to stray, bringing in topics that seemed to have nothing to do with the overall plot.

There is a tight story thread here, as well as an exact description for the hows, whys, and composition of this fantastical world, which can now be understood as embracing all real and fictitious universes.

He appears to be following in the footsteps of Robert Heinlein's later works, and Heinlein is specifically acknowledged in this work a couple of times, in which Heinlein effectively connected all of his works together in a multi-verse of multiple timelines and author-created worlds.

Even if you aren't a fan of Stephen King because you don't like horror literature, you should give this book and series a chance. Fans of fantasy and science fiction will particularly like it.

If you are offended by violence or vulgarity, be cautious. It's not the worst, but this is mature material.


Synopsis:

“Wolves of the Calla is the thrilling fifth book in Stephen King’s Dark Tower series—a unique bestselling epic fantasy quest inspired many years ago by The Lord of the Rings.

In the extraordinary fifth novel in Stephen King’s remarkable fantasy epic, Roland Deschain and his ka-tet are bearing southeast through the forests of Mid-World. Their path takes them to the outskirts of Calla Bryn Sturgis, a tranquil valley community of farmers and ranchers on Mid-World’s borderlands.

Beyond the town, the rocky ground rises toward the hulking darkness of Thunderclap, the source of a terrible affliction that is slowly stealing the community’s soul. The Wolves of Thunderclap and their unspeakable depredation are coming. To resist them is to risk all, but these are odds the gunslingers are used to, and they can give the Calla-Folken both courage and cunning. Their guns, however, will not be enough.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Bryn Sturgis, Calla Bryn, Character Development, Father Callahan, Harry Potter, New York, Roland And His Ka-Tet, Salems Lot, Tower Series, Wastelands, Wizard and Glass


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

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The Eyes of the Dragon Review

Stephen King, Action, Adventure, Arthurian, Classic, Dragons, Fantasy, Ghost, Literature, Mythical Creatures, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Witches, Wizards

The Eyes of the Dragon

Published: 1984
Author: Stephen King
Genres: Action, Adventure, Arthurian, Classic, Dragons, Fantasy, Ghost, Literature, Mythical Creatures, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Witches, Wizards

Check the summary of this book here:
The Eyes of the Dragon Summary


The Review:

Stephen King's fantasy novel The Eyes of the Dragon was a departure from his standard at the time of release since he was most known for his horror novels. The novel is an epic fantasy set in a quasi-medieval world, with a clearly defined fight between good and evil with magic as a central theme. The Napkins was the initial title for The Eyes of the Dragon, but I think it's a good thing it was altered.

This book is fantastic! It's a novel Stephen King wrote for his daughter when she was little, which is why it occasionally feels like a father reading his children a bedtime story. That is why it is such a lovely, terrific, and wonderful book!

Once again, the author has constructed a universe that begins as a Medevil-era fantasy and evolves into the reader's reality.

His ability to construct personalities and situations through wordplay is so impressive that the reader is transported from one time and place to another in the blink of an eye.

This was a fantastic read for me. As is typical of Stephen King's writings, it is a story of good triumphing against evil.

The fantasy setting, as well as the third-person storytelling narrative, offer this novel a purity and beauty in storytelling that set it apart from the rest of author's work for me.

It is not a simple work; its central characters are complicated and multi-dimensional; but, its core perspective is straightforward: there is Good and Evil, and we will finally identify them for what they are. This contrasts with the destructive moral subjectivity prevalent in today's fantasy fiction.

When you compare The Eyes of the Dragon to most of Stephen King's other works, you'll see that, although retaining some of his hallmarks, it's really rather refreshing.

Several components of this novel were based on works that the author had previously written, yet he still manages to build a totally new universe with distinct characters while staying true to the Protagonist's Path template.

The characters in this novel, from the main characters to the common people, are all incredibly human and realistic. The protagonist and antagonist have extremely different points of view, and unlike in many other stories, they are not aware of each other's thoughts.

When I first started reading, I was worried that the book's basic language and small chapters would make it difficult to get through, especially given its length. Instead, I was unable to put the book down.

While telling a gripping narrative, author slipped in a few brilliant or beautiful words. Anyone who enjoys the Dark Tower books should be interested in learning more about Flagg's past.

This novel may be read and enjoyed without having read The Dark Tower series. It's not really that directly tied to the Dark Tower, but it does feature the Flagg character, and if you haven't read the Dark Tower series, you should definitely try it.

In any case, I had a good time reading this novel. It was a short, simple read with an interesting tale. The story revolves around King Roland, his two sons, and his magician/assistant.

When the time comes for the heir to the throne to become the next king, there is a struggle. It seemed as if I were reading a fairy tale. You will appreciate this book if you are a Stephen King fan.

It's one of my favorite books. Of course, Flagg is still out there, but under a different identity and with the same terrible objectives.

We've all run into him in one way or another, therefore the battle continues to this day. I wish you well once you see his actual character, since evil exists, and the virtuous must not just fight it, but also admit it.

A wonderful, not too kindhearted tale of a young king, a magician, and devoted companions from the King of horror.

However, you can tell who the evil monster is straight away, and he is exceedingly terrible in the Dark Magician tradition.

He also allows his boy-king to be extremely good, almost superhuman. I doubt that readers will be interested.

There is ugliness in the adult world, and young readers will encounter it here. They will also discover tenacity, loyalty, and intellect. What It Means to Be Human is hidden behind it all.

It was enjoyable for me. It's not a particularly profound novel, but it's entertaining and amusing nonetheless, especially knowing that you'll see some of the characters again in author's other writings.

The writing was my favorite aspect of the book. The author understands how to keep my interest by spinning a good yarn, which I always appreciate.

Once again, I must mention another aspect of this story that I like was the absence of the vulgarity that I typically associate with Stephen King's work.

I realize the importance of being truthful in writing. It's just great to know that certain stories may be told truthfully without being crude.


Final Thoughts:

Stephen King writes this book as though he were narrating a story for the first time. This will appeal to fans of the classic fantasy story. It has a relatively clean material, making it ideal for younger readers.

The tale hops back and forth a little, and there's no real mystery as to who the bad guy is or what the story's ending will be, but how it all plays out is a fantastic adventure in and of itself.

A fantastic middle-grade book, not just because of the precise plotting, but also because the language is excellent, the storytelling style is congruent with that of the great British tale spinners, and the story is ripe enough to stimulate the reader's interest in learning more.

The Eyes of the Dragon, written in the style of traditional fairy tales, can retain the attention of both children and adults.

There are ties to The Dark Tower series and The Stand for author’s aficionados, but the novel can stand on its own for any reader who wants to reminisce about their childhood fairy tales packed with dragons, kings, and magicians. If you do that, you will appreciate this book.

Just keep in mind that this was written at the request of Stephen King's own daughter, who requested that he include less terror.

Basically, if you don't like it or don't think it's good enough for you, keep in mind that someday your children may wish to read a book, and if you're searching for a clean book, then buy this one or give it to them if you already own it.

But the issue that concerns me is how are you telling others that this book is worthless if you don't have it?


Synopsis:

“It is just not possible to stop turning the pages” (The Washington Post) of this bestselling classic tale—an epic fantasy as only Stephen King could envision it.

“Once, in a kingdom called Delain, there was a king with two sons….”

Thus begins one of the most unique tales that master storyteller Stephen King has ever written—a sprawling fantasy of dark magic and the struggle for absolute power that utterly transforms the destinies of two brothers born into royalty. Through this enthralling masterpiece of mythical adventure, intrigue, and terror, you will thrill to this unforgettable narrative filled with relentless, wicked enchantment, and the most terrible of secrets….”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Contemporary, Dark Tower, Epic, Evil Magician, Fairy Tales, Fantastic, Ghosts, Great Book, Great Story, Horror, Kindle Version, King Roland, Kingdom Of Delain, Magic, Randall Flagg, Really Enjoyed, Science Fiction, Stories, Sword & Sorcery, Tower Series, Well Written, Years Ago, Young Adult


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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