The Dark Tower: Review

Back in December I had finished reading some books I was given for Christmas and was looking for a new book to start (in all my free time).  Danny decided he would choose the next book for me and I knew he was going for Gunslinger. 

What a terrible book. 

It was boring and hard to read.  I really didn't care what happened to Roland, the last gunslinger, or the Man in Black.  But I agreed to read it so I did... somewhat.  I actually skimmed through the book, reading a paragraph here and there.  I really didn't like the book, but I agreed to read it (in exchange for Danny to read Head Hunter, which he gave up on too soon).

About a month later Danny was on my case to read The Drawing of Three.  Not having anything else to read I agreed. 

This week I finished the series (I'm not including the book just released in the series).  I must admit, I really enjoyed it.  I fell in love with the characters, cheered their ka-tet on through each and every battle (and there's a lot of them), my heart broke for each loss (and there's a few of them), and held my breath as the pages neared the end of the final book. 

For those of you who don't know what the Dark Tower is about I'll give you the basics.  It's a (long) story about Roland, the last gunslinger, and his ka-tet's (group) to save the Dark Tower, which is what holds the worlds (yes, more than one) together.  (If the Dark Tower falls the worlds end).  That's the basic premise.  Of course there are many other stories within the main story, but that's when you get to truly know the characters. 

One of the main reasons Danny started the series is because we are Lost fans and Lost was greatly influenced by The Dark Tower.  While reading it I was amazed to see how many TV shows, movies, and books seem to have been inspired by this story. 

I'm not going to lie, there were a few times where the story really dragged and I thought about just giving in but I'm really glad I didn't.  More so since I finished the story.  Now, I am not going to give away anything about the ending but to say I love, and hate, how it came full circle (like the wheel of ka). 

I loved the ending because, as Stephen King says in the afterword, it was the only ending.  It also reminded me a lot of 100 Years of Solitude's ending (and since it's my favourite book of all time that's a good thing).

I hated the ending because of everything the characters go through to try to reach the Dark Tower and to see it end the way it did leaves you to wonder So many things, much like Lost.  I won't tell you what my questions were in case you want to read the series, which I highly recommend. 

It's a series I will read again because I am sure I will see more than I did the first time.  Although I think I'm going to go back and re-read Gunslinger sooner rather than later because I missed so much the first time. 


Have you read the series?  What did you think?