thorodrim's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
chestershotfries's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jeanbigurra's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
5.0
jose's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
antonism's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 / 5
I'm sorry to admit that I run out of patience with this one. I had read the first book of the series about 10 years ago and I didn't really enjoy or like it much. To be honest I had no intention of continuing with the rest of the series but then a reading-group I'm part of was reading this one and some friends had the best words to say, add to that glowing reviews from most. Ok, I thought, I can give it another try. After all, the consensus from everybody seemed to be that the story picks up in the second book and it's here that it becomes amazing.
Well... not for this reader, I'm afraid not. At the half-way point, there was hardly any story, just fragmented sub-plots for characters that I could not really care about. The atmosphere was thick but it didn't pull me in, not my cup of tea in a way. And King's nonsense-prattling style really did get on my nerves eventually. I have enjoyed many of King's novels but here he just wastes pages after pages of needless info and boring descriptions that add almost nothing to the story.
Also, this was definitely not was I expected and to explain myself and my reasons, here's a strange thing: So many people have this book categorized as fantasy and some as horror & sciene fiction. I'm unable to see where that comes from. The fantasy, horror and SF elements in this one are so light and few that I can't really blame myself for not finding what I expected in this one.
So why 3 stars and not 1? Well, truth be told, there's an interesting mystery and the overall story has its allure. Plus, I don't feel comfortable giving such a low grade to a story that maybe has something going on that I didn't get to experience because I quit earlier. But I didn't really feel like going on and there are so many books waiting so that's it.
Also, I know this is probably not a review, it doesn't look or feel like one. But you know what, Goodreads asked me "What did you think?" and that's exactly what I'm thinking right now! :) Take it as you will.
I'm sorry to admit that I run out of patience with this one. I had read the first book of the series about 10 years ago and I didn't really enjoy or like it much. To be honest I had no intention of continuing with the rest of the series but then a reading-group I'm part of was reading this one and some friends had the best words to say, add to that glowing reviews from most. Ok, I thought, I can give it another try. After all, the consensus from everybody seemed to be that the story picks up in the second book and it's here that it becomes amazing.
Well... not for this reader, I'm afraid not. At the half-way point, there was hardly any story, just fragmented sub-plots for characters that I could not really care about. The atmosphere was thick but it didn't pull me in, not my cup of tea in a way. And King's nonsense-prattling style really did get on my nerves eventually. I have enjoyed many of King's novels but here he just wastes pages after pages of needless info and boring descriptions that add almost nothing to the story.
Also, this was definitely not was I expected and to explain myself and my reasons, here's a strange thing: So many people have this book categorized as fantasy and some as horror & sciene fiction. I'm unable to see where that comes from. The fantasy, horror and SF elements in this one are so light and few that I can't really blame myself for not finding what I expected in this one.
So why 3 stars and not 1? Well, truth be told, there's an interesting mystery and the overall story has its allure. Plus, I don't feel comfortable giving such a low grade to a story that maybe has something going on that I didn't get to experience because I quit earlier. But I didn't really feel like going on and there are so many books waiting so that's it.
Also, I know this is probably not a review, it doesn't look or feel like one. But you know what, Goodreads asked me "What did you think?" and that's exactly what I'm thinking right now! :) Take it as you will.
itsmarkyall's review against another edition
5.0
This is where the story of Roland really picks up. In the prologue King throws a serious, "WTF moment?" into the story. It made for some great conflict in upcoming events. My favorite part of the book has to be "The Prisoner" chapter. King offers up a plate of literary bliss in those pages.
beak's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a great follow-up to The Gunslinger. I really enjoyed following Roland through his bizarre and fascinating journey. From battling 'lobstrosities' to New York City cops, King had me very engaged in this yarn.
This book was fairly straightforward. Unlike other fiction I've been reading lately. It did not pose weighty questions regarding morality or contentment. Instead, it provided an in-depth look at a complex character that is driven by powers we have yet to really understand. I very much look forward to reading the next book in the series.
"Without thought, with the simple resolve that had made him the last of them all, the last to continue marching on and on long after Cuthbert and the others had died or given up, committed suicide or treachery or simply recanted the whole idea of the Tower; with the single-minded and incurious resolve that had driven him across the desert and all the years before the desert in the wake of the man in black, the gunslinger stepped through the doorway." (p. 43)
This book was fairly straightforward. Unlike other fiction I've been reading lately. It did not pose weighty questions regarding morality or contentment. Instead, it provided an in-depth look at a complex character that is driven by powers we have yet to really understand. I very much look forward to reading the next book in the series.
"Without thought, with the simple resolve that had made him the last of them all, the last to continue marching on and on long after Cuthbert and the others had died or given up, committed suicide or treachery or simply recanted the whole idea of the Tower; with the single-minded and incurious resolve that had driven him across the desert and all the years before the desert in the wake of the man in black, the gunslinger stepped through the doorway." (p. 43)
rosareadsblog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scrow1022's review against another edition
3.0
So much potential, but disappointing, mostly because I've appreciated his female characters in the past. Will continue on to Wastelands but giving myself permission to skim.