motzofendworld's review against another edition
2.0
It's Dark Tower related...I'm supposed to love this, and yet I don't. Unlike other books where the writing is poor or the story doesn't quite gel, this book is bad simply because it's too good. You're going to find out a lot of information here...the problem is, it's TOO MUCH information. The amount of info in this book is exhausting, and in my opinion, complete overkill. It includes in-depth looks at all of the books, graphic novels, video games, upcoming film adaptations, characters, geography of the book's setting, etc, etc, etc.
It's well and thoroughly researched, but in the end it just reads too much like a textbook to be really entertaining.
It's well and thoroughly researched, but in the end it just reads too much like a textbook to be really entertaining.
catherine_t's review against another edition
3.0
This book is what is says on the cover: a guide to Stephen King's epic fantasy, The Dark Tower series. In it, you'll find glossaries; lists of people, places, and things found in Mid-World; interviews with King himself and others associated with spin-offs associated with The Dark Tower, such as the Marvel graphic novels and the (at the time of publication) projected film; and essays on aspects of Mid-World and Roland Deschain's journey.
If you haven't read the complete Dark Tower series, I'd advise against reading Vincent's Companion or his previous work on the series, The Road to the Dark Tower; it's clearly meant for those of us who have finished that journey. Having said that, it's an excellent resource, especially if you're re-reading (and pretty much everyone who's read the series once will read it again... and again...) and you want to refresh your memory. The essays are very good; I think I enjoyed those the most. The section on the graphic novels inspired me to use these as a way in for my brother--we both saw the film and enjoyed it immensely, but he's not a reader, and the film only goes so far. (Besides, maybe I'll read them, too.)
If you haven't read the complete Dark Tower series, I'd advise against reading Vincent's Companion or his previous work on the series, The Road to the Dark Tower; it's clearly meant for those of us who have finished that journey. Having said that, it's an excellent resource, especially if you're re-reading (and pretty much everyone who's read the series once will read it again... and again...) and you want to refresh your memory. The essays are very good; I think I enjoyed those the most. The section on the graphic novels inspired me to use these as a way in for my brother--we both saw the film and enjoyed it immensely, but he's not a reader, and the film only goes so far. (Besides, maybe I'll read them, too.)
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