Wolves of the Calla
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And we're back on track! After the massive flashback segment in "Wizard and Glass" the real story of the series begins to drive forward once more, picking up soon after the conclusion of book four.
This story is a little different from previous instalments. The journey towards the elusive Dark Tower slows as the team, King's own "fellowship", stop to help a town that anticipates a violent and devastating attack from the "wolves", a group of almost-men who may kill or abduct their children. There are many secrets in this book, all of which are revealed satisfactorily, and many of the mysteries surrounding Roland's world are also uncovered - although there are just as many new questions as there are answers.
The writing is, as ever, great; the dialogue particularly brings such clarity to this aspect of King's complex series that you don't feel you're reading fantasy, which, as a writer of the genre myself, can often get bogged down in the narrative. King lightens the novel where it needs light, and darkens the novel when the various truths are revealed. Speaking of light and revelations, we see the protagonist Roland in an entirely new light, adding yet another layer to the full rounded character and his companions. It's wonderful and heart-breaking to see our beloved characters in this way, who by now feel like family.
Do we want Roland to succeed? Always. Do we want him to succeed at the expense of his companions, who are also our friends? There are new aspects of the Dark Tower, its substance and purpose, that almost make us think "maybe they aren't all that important after all ..."
Don't miss it. It's a series back on track after a minor slowdown, and it is so intriguing that you'll still be thinking about it weeks later.
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Suspense of plots yet to come
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As fantasy worlds go, the parallel earth of the "Dark tower" is unique and refreshing.
The book contains some five minutes of wonderfully written action and some fascinating characters. You can glimpse the true genius of the author throughout the book. Sadly Steven King uses over 400 of 611 pages to build suspense of plots yet to come, in the next instalments of the series. Longwinded is a description that leaps to my mind.
Reading the book is like arduously digging for gold, you find minute nuggets on the way that suggests it's worth your time. When you finally strike gold it's a nice brilliant lump, but you are left with the notion that the grind was not worth the effort.
If you are in need of instant gratification this book is not for you.
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OMG!
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Loved it!!!!! I found it hard to believe how brilliantly this was pulled off! Im not a huge Tephen KIng fan but alfter reading this (iv only read this one in the Dard Tower series) i went out and got all the others.
But this one is the best in the series.
Its the most griping book i'v ever read, most good books i read i have to stop reading alfter about 150 pages coz i useally start getting disstracted but this book i read about 500 pages of it (in about three and a half hours) then i HAD to put it down coz i needed to go to have dinner but i started reading it again straught alfter.
This is THE best book in the world along side: BEC by Darren Shan, and Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris.
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The Plot Thickens
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The key theme of this book is very strong so it is easy to keep track of the direction in which you are going. There are some bad guys and they needed to be dealt with and at the end of the day they will be. The side issues though are what makes the book interesting, the further development of the 'you exist because I think your think' theme, the rapid development of Roland's and Jake's characters, the scene setting for the next book and the tying together of loose ends from previous books, all these go towards making TWOC an enjoyable read. However, there are failings, certain characters play pivotal roles but they are not developed beyond the bare minimum necessary to carry the story. In contrast there is a certain amount of wastage going over old ground; TDT books are not intended to be read on there own so repetition from previous books is pointless. Luckily he does not fall into the trap of repeating huge swathes of the previous novels (ala Jean Auel), but there is sufficient to be annoying. All in all, not as good as WaG, but still very good indeed.
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magnificent 4?
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this book is king back to his best, a fast paced story that reeks of the magnificent seven. basically the ka-tet are hired by a village that is being attacked by wolves, which look like Dr. Doom on horseback and throw harry potter sneetches.
a great book that has plenty of action and a few twists. for me the last great book in the series before king starts to play god, literally.
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