Scan barcode
alreadyemily's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting little addition to the series. I am not yet able to judge how well of a "bridge" it forms between the first and later books in the series, but it was a pleasant break in tone. The story-within-a-story-within-a-story-within-a-story structure was an interesting choice that made snapping back to reality the end of the book a little jarring. Overall enjoyable!
aryaxo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
fire frame stories, especially the story of tim ross
readymadereader's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
fomac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Like having a beer with an old friend
swally2005's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Wonderful example of an embedded story, and also a nice little break and detour on the quest to the Dark Tower. This book is not a necessary read if you're just interested in the main journey of Roland and his ka-tet, but, does offer more glimpses into Roland's past.
Also, this is the first audiobook (if you're following the recommended order of the series) that Frank Muller doesn't narrate (this was actually written after his death). Stephen King, himself, narrates this audiobook; although, after listening to Frank's character interpretations for the first four books, I must say that I do miss his style, and will probably feel the same way with the remaining books and the replacement narrator they got for those installments.
There is definitely a marked difference in the narration after you get through the first part of this book; Stephen King really improves as it progresses, so hang in there for the first couple hours. You can definitely hear when he starts getting more comfortable with narrating, because he really gets into it and starts to do things like alter his voice for certain characters.
Also, this is the first audiobook (if you're following the recommended order of the series) that Frank Muller doesn't narrate (this was actually written after his death). Stephen King, himself, narrates this audiobook; although, after listening to Frank's character interpretations for the first four books, I must say that I do miss his style, and will probably feel the same way with the remaining books and the replacement narrator they got for those installments.
There is definitely a marked difference in the narration after you get through the first part of this book; Stephen King really improves as it progresses, so hang in there for the first couple hours. You can definitely hear when he starts getting more comfortable with narrating, because he really gets into it and starts to do things like alter his voice for certain characters.
jonahandthetale's review against another edition
2.0
Not by any means a bad book, but certainly a disappointment when promised to revisit the Dark Tower characters.
erickibler4's review against another edition
4.0
7-4-20 review: I've upgraded it from three stars to four. The second time around, I really fell for the story of Tim Ross, the embedded story within a story within a story. I want more tales about Tim and his adventures as a Gunslinger.
5-10-12 review: Merely good. It would be wrong to say I expected more, since Stephen King often delivers books that, although they tell a story well, fall short of the suspense and emotional resonance of his best books.
Fans of the Dark Tower series take note: this is not an essential part of the main story. This book picks up in the middle of the saga, after book four. While holed up to wait out a storm, Roland tells his crew a pair of stories, one nested inside the other. One is an adventure from Roland's youth. The other is more of a fairy tale, but one that impacts the lore of the Gunslingers.
If you've never read the Dark Tower books, don't start with this one. Don't even think you need to read it, because you don't. But if you're already a fan of the books, check it out, but with lowered expectations. Have a visit with your old ka-tet: Roland, Eddie, Susannah, and Jack. Sit around the campfire. Have yourself a gunslinger burrito and enjoy some storytelling.
5-10-12 review: Merely good. It would be wrong to say I expected more, since Stephen King often delivers books that, although they tell a story well, fall short of the suspense and emotional resonance of his best books.
Fans of the Dark Tower series take note: this is not an essential part of the main story. This book picks up in the middle of the saga, after book four. While holed up to wait out a storm, Roland tells his crew a pair of stories, one nested inside the other. One is an adventure from Roland's youth. The other is more of a fairy tale, but one that impacts the lore of the Gunslingers.
If you've never read the Dark Tower books, don't start with this one. Don't even think you need to read it, because you don't. But if you're already a fan of the books, check it out, but with lowered expectations. Have a visit with your old ka-tet: Roland, Eddie, Susannah, and Jack. Sit around the campfire. Have yourself a gunslinger burrito and enjoy some storytelling.
serinde4books's review against another edition
3.0
Next up in the BOTM series, Stephen Kings The Wind through the Keyhole. This was a new read for me, since it was published after I read the series the last time. It was refreshing to read something new. It was when I mentioned that in my book club that I realized this book was published after he series had been completed.
This story picks up after Roland and the crew leave the tower in wizard and glass. They encounter this crazy storm called a starkbast, it is a deadly ice storm, but worse. While they wait the storm out, Roland tells another story of his youth, in which he chases a “skin-man.” While on the hunt for the “skin-man” Roland and his companion Jaime find a young survivor Bill Streeter. Bill is scared and Roland tells him a story from his childhood, the story of Tim Stoutheart.
This was a super quick read, which was a very nice change after Wizard and Glass, my book club split the reading up over two weeks half one week half the next. In actuality though, I read this whole thing in two days.
It was fun and light for a tower book, and we got to hear a fun fairy tale for Gilead. Which left me wanting to hear the rest of the Tim Stoutheart tales. king’s writing wasn’t as heavy as in Wizard and Glass, and this is a nice bridge between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of Calla.
See my other reviews on my blog: http://adventuresofabibliophile.blogspot.com/
This story picks up after Roland and the crew leave the tower in wizard and glass. They encounter this crazy storm called a starkbast, it is a deadly ice storm, but worse. While they wait the storm out, Roland tells another story of his youth, in which he chases a “skin-man.” While on the hunt for the “skin-man” Roland and his companion Jaime find a young survivor Bill Streeter. Bill is scared and Roland tells him a story from his childhood, the story of Tim Stoutheart.
This was a super quick read, which was a very nice change after Wizard and Glass, my book club split the reading up over two weeks half one week half the next. In actuality though, I read this whole thing in two days.
It was fun and light for a tower book, and we got to hear a fun fairy tale for Gilead. Which left me wanting to hear the rest of the Tim Stoutheart tales. king’s writing wasn’t as heavy as in Wizard and Glass, and this is a nice bridge between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of Calla.
See my other reviews on my blog: http://adventuresofabibliophile.blogspot.com/