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adamc90's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vampiresreadtoo's review against another edition
3.0
i lost interest about halfway through even though the backstory of roland (and the fact that it's a western) was cool in concept. why does stephen king have to make everything so long for no reason?? otherwise the parts that took place in modern day were really good i love the characters and how weird their journey is
blakeaustin's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
After the fast-paced and thrilling The Wastelands, it is just absolutely bizarre how King chose to bring the momentum of the series to a DEAD STOP with this one by dedicating almost the entirety of this book to Roland’s flashback story. It was so jarring and unexpected that it made it extremely difficult to get through the first half of this book.
That being said, Roland’s story is absolutely incredible and heartbreaking and one of the best fantasy stories I’ve read in a long time. A lot of people consider this the best book in the series, and I understand why, but I just have to throw a little criticism at the way it just slams you into a brick wall and totally throws off the flow of the series. Plus, when you DO get back to the main story, you’ve almost completely forgotten what was even going on. I found myself turning to the Dark Tower wiki more than once for refreshers during the end of this book.
I did love this book, but it definitely has some flaws.
After the fast-paced and thrilling The Wastelands, it is just absolutely bizarre how King chose to bring the momentum of the series to a DEAD STOP with this one by dedicating almost the entirety of this book to Roland’s flashback story. It was so jarring and unexpected that it made it extremely difficult to get through the first half of this book.
That being said, Roland’s story is absolutely incredible and heartbreaking and one of the best fantasy stories I’ve read in a long time. A lot of people consider this the best book in the series, and I understand why, but I just have to throw a little criticism at the way it just slams you into a brick wall and totally throws off the flow of the series. Plus, when you DO get back to the main story, you’ve almost completely forgotten what was even going on. I found myself turning to the Dark Tower wiki more than once for refreshers during the end of this book.
I did love this book, but it definitely has some flaws.
trin's review against another edition
2.0
This is the fourth book in the [book: Dark Tower] series, and while it made me wish that [book: Wolves of the Calla] would hurry up and come out in paperback (as it now obligingly has), it was far from my favorite. (That, I believe, would be [book: The Drawing of the Three].) Wizard spent, in my opinion, far too much time on Roland's back story, and on his "true love"—something that, even King admits, is boring to those not in thrall of it. Still, it was a fairly enjoyable read, and the relief I felt when the plot finally turned back to Eddie, Susannah, and Jake (and Oy!), shows how much I care about them, and how much I wanted to see where King would take them next.
I still want to strangle Susan with her stupid braid, though.
I still want to strangle Susan with her stupid braid, though.
scarbaur's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mike_nz's review against another edition
2.0
A 1.5 star read
I hate to say this but boy, I really disliked this book. It is so disjointed that I never felt connected with any of it, other than the first section involving Rolands latest ka-tet. This book has completely halted my Dark Tower momentum - I'm going to take a break from the Tower and plan to continue with book 5 in mid-late January.
Breakdown:
First 140 pages - awesome! Great storytelling around Blaine and his riddles
Pages 140 - 650: BORING. My god, I've never been so bored in a book without DNFing it. I understand Rolands backstory needed to be told but why King felt he needed 600 pages to tell it I do not know. My rating would have been a lot higher if this section had been a nice concise 200 pages or so. It's just so bloated and I didn't feel the Roland / Susan love connection at all. I actually had to buy the audiobook just to help me get through it.
Pages 650-772: Pretty entertaining! Rolands section actually ends with some action / drama - still not enough to save the book though.
Pages 772-839: What? We're back to Rolands current gang and they're visiting the Emerald City? Hmm - not good.
So overall a hugely disappointing read.
I hate to say this but boy, I really disliked this book. It is so disjointed that I never felt connected with any of it, other than the first section involving Rolands latest ka-tet. This book has completely halted my Dark Tower momentum - I'm going to take a break from the Tower and plan to continue with book 5 in mid-late January.
Breakdown:
First 140 pages - awesome! Great storytelling around Blaine and his riddles
Pages 140 - 650: BORING. My god, I've never been so bored in a book without DNFing it. I understand Rolands backstory needed to be told but why King felt he needed 600 pages to tell it I do not know. My rating would have been a lot higher if this section had been a nice concise 200 pages or so. It's just so bloated and I didn't feel the Roland / Susan love connection at all. I actually had to buy the audiobook just to help me get through it.
Pages 650-772: Pretty entertaining! Rolands section actually ends with some action / drama - still not enough to save the book though.
Pages 772-839: What? We're back to Rolands current gang and they're visiting the Emerald City? Hmm - not good.
So overall a hugely disappointing read.
willjacks's review against another edition
2.0
The “Let’s go! I’m sick of her ass” meme comes to mind…
Positives:
- The story was a dark and disturbing western
- Susan and Sheemie had incredible arcs
- All Topeka scenes are thrilling
Negatives:
- It’s soooo loooooooong for no discernible reason
- a 600 page flashback is too much. Just write a prequel!!!!!
- I didn’t know what was happening most of the time
I cared about Susan and Sheemie, but otherwise this book felt like a giant waste of time. I know i’m in the minority with this opinion, since many people rank this as the best Dark Tower novel… but come on. I just want the Ka-Tet I know and love. I could not care less about the kissing moon and people singing careless love.
Positives:
- The story was a dark and disturbing western
- Susan and Sheemie had incredible arcs
- All Topeka scenes are thrilling
Negatives:
- It’s soooo loooooooong for no discernible reason
- a 600 page flashback is too much. Just write a prequel!!!!!
- I didn’t know what was happening most of the time
I cared about Susan and Sheemie, but otherwise this book felt like a giant waste of time. I know i’m in the minority with this opinion, since many people rank this as the best Dark Tower novel… but come on. I just want the Ka-Tet I know and love. I could not care less about the kissing moon and people singing careless love.
carrieneptune's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
dyanna456's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75