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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Hmm, another mid-world small town setting. I preferred this one to Wizard and Glass. it would have gotten 4 stars except that I have a small gripe with the Jake-Benny friendship - I just couldn't feel anything for Benny, he didn't really seem part of the story.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I don't even know what to say. I enjoyed this side quest of Roland's Ka-tet. Some parts were really boring, but it picked up speed as Roland and his Ka-tet started doing what they were supposed to do.
There were two things that I guess were supposed to surprise the readers when they were revealed (Possible SPOILER: one being what the Wolves were, and two being the book Roland saw in the cave), but I somehow had guessed both of them beforehand. I'm not sure if I was supposed to be able to guess them or not, but I was more surprised at how right I had been about them rather than the two phenomena themselves.
Anyways, one thing that didn't go as I'd expected was Susannah's (actually Mia's) story. The book ends in such a cliff hanger that I'm going to start the next book right away.
There were two things that I guess were supposed to surprise the readers when they were revealed (Possible SPOILER: one being what the Wolves were, and two being the book Roland saw in the cave), but I somehow had guessed both of them beforehand. I'm not sure if I was supposed to be able to guess them or not, but I was more surprised at how right I had been about them rather than the two phenomena themselves.
Anyways, one thing that didn't go as I'd expected was Susannah's (actually Mia's) story. The book ends in such a cliff hanger that I'm going to start the next book right away.
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
No
4.0 / 5
The dialect of the people of Calla, and the linguistic depth of this world as a whole, is nothing short of genius. King crafts a language that feels both organic and immersive, adding rich texture to the setting. However, the novel itself suffers from a sense of artificial momentum. The shadow of King’s near-death experience looms over this entry, shaping the narrative in ways that feel unnatural.
One particularly jarring moment occurs when Roland becomes a mouthpiece for King’s own views, delivering a didactic and out-of-character denunciation of religion. The scene comes off as atonal and preachy, disrupting the flow of the story. Additionally, the mystery surrounding Roland’s past—his age, the length of his journey—is abruptly and unceremoniously unraveled during a discussion of passageways to other worlds. For a character so steeped in myth and enigma, this sudden exposition feels misplaced.
While the themes of memory and time’s fluidity are central to The Dark Tower series, Roland’s newfound certainty about his own past feels incongruous. The mystique that has long surrounded him is diminished, and the reveal lacks the weight or buildup it deserves.
Despite these missteps, The Wolves of the Calla still offers moments of brilliance, particularly in its worldbuilding and atmosphere. It’s a compelling read, but one that struggles occasionally under the weight of its own narrative choices.
The dialect of the people of Calla, and the linguistic depth of this world as a whole, is nothing short of genius. King crafts a language that feels both organic and immersive, adding rich texture to the setting. However, the novel itself suffers from a sense of artificial momentum. The shadow of King’s near-death experience looms over this entry, shaping the narrative in ways that feel unnatural.
One particularly jarring moment occurs when Roland becomes a mouthpiece for King’s own views, delivering a didactic and out-of-character denunciation of religion. The scene comes off as atonal and preachy, disrupting the flow of the story. Additionally, the mystery surrounding Roland’s past—his age, the length of his journey—is abruptly and unceremoniously unraveled during a discussion of passageways to other worlds. For a character so steeped in myth and enigma, this sudden exposition feels misplaced.
While the themes of memory and time’s fluidity are central to The Dark Tower series, Roland’s newfound certainty about his own past feels incongruous. The mystique that has long surrounded him is diminished, and the reveal lacks the weight or buildup it deserves.
Despite these missteps, The Wolves of the Calla still offers moments of brilliance, particularly in its worldbuilding and atmosphere. It’s a compelling read, but one that struggles occasionally under the weight of its own narrative choices.
adventurous
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Yes