Book Review: Carrie

Lovely readers,

I cannot express to you how excited I am to be back in my reviewing game. It's been a long time, and I believed I lost some passion for books... man was I wrong. I think I simply lost passion for writing about them. But that passion has returned, so I won't dawdle too long on the details of my absence. I am, however, so stoked to write this review. This has been a book I've wanted to read and review for a long time, so here we go: Carrie by Stephen King.

First Impressions:

• This book is hotly popular, mostly because of the movie based on it. I find that I enjoy reading a novel/story without seeing a popular movie adaptation quite a lot (Haven't seen this particular King-based movie). 
• I was pleasantly surprised at how much this book is generalized in reading circles and other blogs. Typically Carrie is known for pig's blood, a girl getting bullied, and telekinesis... but this book, I found, is about much more than these things. More on that later. 
• I very much enjoy King's writing style here; I like how he includes first hand accounts, news reports, and all kinds of POVs in the story. Really makes the book seen multifaceted. Big plus. 
• Overall, my first thought was this was going to be a rollercoaster.... I wasn't disappointed. 

Plot: 

• This book begins right out the gate. It is centered around a young girl named Carrie White. She lives with her mother and attends high school in Maine (King's natural setting). She is raised in a horrifically religious household and is treated extremely harshly and crudely by her mother, as her father is deceased when the story begins. This is obviously a huge piece of contention and plays into Carrie's problems with herself, her classmates, and her home situation. 
• Carrie gets heavily hazed by her classmates. She is an outcast who is deemed ugly and awkward. One of the beginning scenes of the book is her showering in the girl's locker room after a gym class. She gets her first period, at sixteen, but doesn't have any idea what that is. Her mother, as a direct result of her feverish religious beliefs, doesn't allow Carrie to be feminine in any way. Therefore, an entire locker room of girls makes merciless fun of Carrie for her ignorance about her own anatomy. This is when the first inkling of her "abilities" occurs. She is able to bust lightbulbs. Her gym teacher comforts her after her girl classmates shower her with thrown sanitary pads and tampons.... screaming at her to "plug it up." The ringleader of this taunting is a young woman named Chris. Sue is also a pivotal character, as she is the only one who feels true sorrow and remorse for Carrie's troubles. 
• The book continues, shedding more light on just how difficult life is for Carrie. Her mother is extremely brutal with her discipline, making Carrie sit in a closet along to "pray" while staring at the Wrathful God (a painting on the wall of the closet depicting Jesus tossing souls in to hell). 
• I don't want to write too too much about the entire plot. But it is made aware to the reader that the prom is coming up at Carrie's high school. Sue, being extremely popular, decides to ask her boyfriend to go with Carrie to the prom. She does this partially to help Carrie come out of her shell, but it is also clear she is doing a good deed to perhaps relieve the guilt she feels for making fun of Carrie's ignorance about feminine cycles. 
• Sue's boyfriend, Tommy, agrees to ask Carrie to prom. He does this because he loves Sue. Meanwhile, Chris gets seriously reprimanded for bullying Carrie. Chris gets banned from the prom, sparking an angry streak in her that leads her to formulate a master plan to humiliate the poor girl. 
• Carries makes her own prom dress, crushed velvet in red. Soon, however, her mother notices and screams to her daughter how she attempted to kill her many times but "became too weak". Carrie exposes her powers and warns her mother not to try and stop her from attending prom. For a moment, her mother is subdued. 
• Tommy picks Carrie up, and everything seems to be going perfectly. She is slowly being brought into the world... slowly being showed kindness and compassion and acceptance from her fellow classmates. Carrie believes with her heart that they are all doing this for her good, that they are starting to care about her. But in her mind... she knows that this could all be an elaborate prank to hurt her. 
• Sadly... this ends up being the case. Chris schemes a nasty plan... as Carrie and Tommy are being crown prom king and queen, Chris (with the help of her sleazy boyfriend Billy) dump two large vats of pig's blood onto Carrie and Tommy as they accept their crowns. They begin laughing and pointing, publicly ridiculing Carrie. A bucket smashes into Tommy's head, killing him instantly. Carrie, fraught with rage and embarrassment, proceeds to lock all the doors and turn the sprinklers on with her mind. Little does she know, the cables connecting the amps and the sound system are exposed and a massive fire begins, sparking and electrocuting students as they remind trapped. 
• Carrie then goes on a massive spree of hatred and destruction. She sets fire to the school and enters the town, setting fire to buildings, destroying water sources, blowing up gas stations and demolishing churches. She finally makes it to her home. Her mother is waiting with a knife. She stabs Carrie through the shoulder, injuring her badly. But Carrie has the upper hand,  willing her mother's heart to stop beating with her powers. 
• The story ends with Sue clutching onto Carrie as she is bombarded with the girl's thoughts. Screaming how sorry she is to her mother, how they finally got her one last time. Sue seems to be the only one who feels her pain and accepts her tragedy. 

Opinions/Other Thoughts:

• This books makes me extremely sad for many reasons. The helplessness Carrie must feel... being unloved by everyone, even her own mother, is hard to imagine. 
• I believe the fact that her classmates finally tried to be nice to her, and it was working, then such a nasty prank happens... it just breaks my heart. 
• To me, this book is so much less about telekinesis and horror. But rather, this book is about a poor girl who was completely unloved and unwanted, mocked and poked fun at. Then, one small act of kindness helps this poor girl come out of her shell... only to be shot down by ugliness and hatred. This story breathes anti-bullying as much as it breathes science-fiction. 
• My biggest take away from this story was: be kind, be genuine, be compassionate, be understanding... if you see someone in pain caused by others, try and put a stop to it. This book broke my heart. 

Overall, I could not put this book down. I finished the whole thing in one night, one sitting. I cried like a baby, I smiled like an idiot. I highly recommend this book, and I believe it will be a classic for many years to come. Thanks for reading along, I'll see you next time.

As always, knowledge is power, 

Katie. 

Book Review: Misery

Readers,

I'm so excited about this next read, I can barely stand it. For a little update, I decided to call it quits on the Interview with A Vampire series for now. It's not that I didn't enjoy what I have read, but it is a bit dense for my liking at the moment. I've been continuing my Stephen King binge and this review shall be no different! I'm very happy to present Misery by Stephen King!
I don't want to get bogged down in the beginning here, so let's get started!

First Impressions: 

• I have heard so much about this book, that I kind of already had an idea about how I'd like it. (Not the mention all the pop culture references this novel has created) I really couldn't help but include it in my latest book haul. It has such a wicked reputation... I honestly can't wait to delve fully in. 
• I loved how this book starts off. It begins right in the middle of the action, really. Another reason why I love Stephen King is for beginnings like this. I'm not one to enjoy an extremely long exposition, and this book delivers on that for sure. 
• Right out of the gate with the, well, Misery! I can already tell this book is going to be insanely shocking, and maybe even downright horrifying. Movies and TV can only portray King's writing so well... he really is the master of horror. 

Plot:

• This book is centered around a writer named Paul Sheldon. He has finished the last installment of the Misery series, and has finished the first chapter of his next novel. Paul is traveling in Maine when his car crashes and he is presumably left for dead. However, a woman rescues him... but turns out to be his nightmare. 
• The woman's name is Annie Wilkes, and she is nothing short of insane. She lives out in the high mountains of Colorado, far away from much of civilization. Boasting of being Sheldon's "biggest fan" she pulls him from his vehicle and takes him home. Paul wakes up in a room, one in which he'll spend most of his time for the next year, with seriously disfigured legs. We aren't sure what turn the story is going to turn, until Annie finds the newest Misery novel. A novel which brings to an end the popular series, killing off the main character (and Annie's favorite heroine). 
• The newest novel sends Annie into fits of rage, and Paul is injured countless times at her hand. These injuries are a bit too graphic for me to include details (and it would spoil the fun). 
• Paul soon realized that this woman is not going to let him go. After many disturbing injuries, she pushes Paul to burn a manuscript for his next non-Misery novel and return to the popular series. She forces him to begin work on Misery Return (against his will of course). 
• Over this time of helpless creation, Paul becomes addicted to pain medication (Norvill specifically) and begins to play the part of Annie's pet. 
• The bulk of the book is Paul slipping slowly into insanity, barely being kept alive by Annie (perviously a nurse) as he completes a novel for her. But, one day, Annie leaves Paul unattended for several hours. He manages to maneuver the rinky-dink wheel chair Annie confines him to, and begins to snoop around her home. What he finds changes the fear in these pages into pure terror. Annie owns a scrap book. A collection of all the lives she's taken (mostly those who had her as a caregiver) with each photo including an endearing nickname for the dead. 
• At this point, Paul understands exactly who he is dealing with. I don't want to include the bulk of her insanity as I found it really haunting and surprising. I'll leave the horror up to you, lovely reader. 
• As the book draws closer to an end, the town seemingly becomes suspicious of Annie and the missing Paul. Being a top tear creative, Paul is sure is car was found and that he is being looked for. Sure enough a Sheriff stops at the cabin, asking questions and showing Paul's photo around. Annie plays the part well, but can't eliminate all suspicion. Paul, on the other hand, decides that this is his break. He makes himself known to the officer.... much to the horror of the reader. 
• Annie swoops in and murders the young Sheriff (the way is much too horrific to include here) and disposes of the evidence. Paul, at this moment, feels completely hopeless. He is then locked in the basement, left the dead, until Annie returns from hiding the body at her "Laughing Place". What he doesn't know is that she will return and the end is coming soon. 
• Paul soon attacks Annie, just barely knocking her out cold, and collapses with exhaustion as the next round of concerned officers show up (presumably looking for their comrade). They see Paul (in a wheelchair, missing a foot, missing a thumb, severely thin and pale) and immediately rescue him. Paul screams, pointing to the bedroom (his bedroom) where Annie is presumably dead. The officers find her dead in the barn, desperately grasping onto a chainsaw. He has finally rid himself of her. 

Opinion/Other thoughts: 

• I gave much more detail in this review than I am used to giving. This book demanded a deep recounting, and I couldn't deny it that. There is so much more gruesome and haunting parts in this novel, but I wouldn't want to spoil the nitty-gritty. 
• Overall, I loved this book. This is a classic example of real terror; helplessness, fear, disgust, triumph. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good scare. The only thing I will warn against is for people who have weak stomachs. King, as always, made me a bit nauseous with his portrayal of injuries. I was sick to my stomach at some point, in a good way of course. Younger readers should probably steer clear until they have the constitution to handle something this gory. 

Well this is the end of this review. I'm wanting to make these entries longer than before. If you agree, just drop me a comment below or like this review! Hope you all have a truly scary weekend. 

My love, 

K. 

Returning From A Short Break!

Lovely readers,

I can't tell you how happy I am to finally be back. I took a bit of a writing break to work on some other things in my life, but I missed it too much to keep away long. I'm feeling refreshed and excited to start my next few book reviews! I recently order several books in the mail (some continuing my Stephen King mission) and I literally can't wait to start reading/writing!

So, just to give you a little glimpse into what I'm planning, I'm going to give a little list of the books I've ordered. Hopefully it'll be as exciting to you as it is to me! (especially if you read along with me)
So let's get to it!

1. Carrie by Stephen King: This one is clearly a classic, and I have had the pleasure of reading it a long time ago. I wanted to get my hands on my own physical copy and reread it. 
2. 11/22/63 by Stephen King: I can't tell you how many times I've been told to read this book. I love anything to do with history, and this delve into time travel is really exciting to me. 
3. Misery by Stephen King: Again, sort of a classic. This one is a bit lesser known but, it's very prevalent in pop culture. Excited for this one. 
4. Interview With a Vampire by Anne Rice: Super excited to start this series, as I've heard TONS about it for many years. I decided to splurge and buy the entire series, but Interview is the only one to arrive so far. I'm already half way through.... so this one will probably be my next review! 

So excited to finally be back to analysis! I hope you all have a wonderful St. Patty's, and an even better week! 

As always, keep reading, 

K. 

Journey Through The Classics: A Wrinkle in Time

Lovely readers,

I hope you have all had a wonderful week, and an even better weekend! I'm excited to finally be bringing you the first installment of my "classics" collection. The first book I'll be reviewing for this series is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (1963). This book, as some of you may know, is such a wonderful adventure that I couldn't have excluded it if I wanted. So, let's get started!

First Impressions:

• My first impression of the book was it's size. Being an avid reader myself, I wasn't really concerned with taking a long time to finish this story. The book is very short compared to others I've done on this blog, but it was a journey nonetheless. 
• As I started diving in, I noted that the language used in this book is a bit odd to the modern ear. There are phrases and certain words that can kind of throw the reader off, especially if they aren't used to Madeleine L'Engle's style of writing. Be wary of this. 
• Honestly, this book really sucked me in within the first few pages. I'll get to why in a little bit, but just know that this was one of those stories that was hard to put down. 

Plot: 

• A Wrinkle in Time begins in what I assume is The United Kingdom. The book is centered around a family, and a rather large one. The main characters is a young girl named Meg Murry. Meg's family consists of her mother, father, the twins Sandy and Dennys, and her younger brother Charles Wallace (thought to be a child genius; his dialog is extremely interesting for a young boy of only 5). It is introduced to us in the beginning of the novel that Mr. Murry has been missing for some time, off experimenting with new technology (both Meg's parents are scientists). The book picks up with Meg struggling to deal with the questions about her father, and having problems at school. 
• The story takes you for a ride really after this, as there isn't much exposition before the meat of the tale comes to light. Not long after you're given a glimpse into Meg's life, you're introduced to three more important characters: Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Which. This is where Madeleine L'Engle takes the story and runs with it. You discover the real reason behind Mr. Murry's absence and how the three "witches" are going to help bring him back. 
• You are thrown into a universe with so many amazing characters that I am in no way surprised that this book evolved into a series.  I won't say any more about the plot, but if you enjoy mysterious adventures, you'll love this book. 

This book is a short one, and that prevents me from revealing too much. And I was skeptical, considering this is a young adult novel. But I was pleasantly surprised! This book took me on a journey and I can only hope it takes you on one too. 

More soon, and keep reading! 

Love, 

K.

Book Review: Doctor Sleep

Lovely Readers,

Getting into the spirit of being back, I'm happy to present the newest book review I have up my sleeve! Although I finished it a little while ago, and although I took a break from King, this time I'll be reviewing Doctor Sleep by Stephen King (2011). This is the last King review I'll be posting for a while, but that by no means should take away from the awesomeness of this book!
So, without further adieu, I'll get on with it!

First Impressions:

• All the hype about this continuation of The Shining (1977) is accurate. Within the first chapter, I was already taken back to The Overlook Hotel and back into the life of Danny (Dan) and Wendy Torrence. As usual Stephen King is perfectly capable of sending his readers to all kinds of places. 
• The story is written in King's usual 3rd person perspective, but he also includes Dan's (and later Abra's) inner thoughts. This really connects you to the characters, and quickly. That alone was one of the main reasons I lost myself in this book. 
• King changes his usual formula and gives the reader much more information about the antagonist in the beginning. This took me by surprise, and in another story it may have limited the plot, but it completely worked out. I was very impressed. 

Plot: 

• Doctor Sleep begins with a glimpse into the world of The True Knot, a band of supernatural creatures who require the "souls" of people to remain immortal. From the details given in the beginning, you learn that people with the Shining are most important to the Knot. Their short introduction really puts the story in a more suspenseful light, big plus. 
• The bulk of Doctor Sleep is centered around Dan Torrence. He lives with his mother, still seeing the horrors from the Overlook. Dick Hollarann returns and helps a young Dan control these horrific hallucinations. But the family doesn't stay together, Wendy passes and the story continues with Dan growing up. 
• Dan becomes an alcoholic, and finds himself homeless. That's when he stumbled into a well-paying job, an AA sponsor, and finally people who care about what happens to him. About what he does with his life. That's when the messages begin. Miles away, a baby named Abra begins to display supernatural abilities (telekinesis, projecting music and feelings, learning rapidly, etc.) and in some way becomes entangled with Dan. She begins to leave him notes, and visits him in his dreams. 
• Abra knows of The True Knot, as she witnessed a murder committed by their leader Rose. She also knows that the Knot is seeking her out, trying to track her in her mind. Abra alone would feed them for centuries, and soon Dan figures this out as well. Eventually, Abra's parents are brought into the story and it's revealed that Dan's father was unfaithful to Wendy: Abra is his niece, her father his half-brother. 
• Without giving too much away: Abra, Dan, and a few friends face off against The True Knot. With intense luck, Abra and Dan come out unscathed. I honestly can't give too much away here. 

Opinion: 

• This section is going to be pretty short. I love this book. I love the way it's written, the way the characters relate to each other, the plot... everything really. Doctor Sleep really is a fantastic sequel to The Shining. Five stars. 

Overall, what an awesome read! I have a strong nostalgic connection to The Shining (movie and book) and Doctor Sleep definitely brought me right back to that mindset. It was scary and thrilling, interesting and heartbreaking sometimes. Will always recommend! 

Thank you for reading! 

As always, stay creative. 

Love, Katie. 

I'm back, baby!

Hello lovely readers!

I have been away from the computer for so long, it hurts! Long story short, my precious kitties decided to chew through my Mac cord. Unfortunately for me, Amazon also decided to send me the wrong charger (two different times). Now I am finally back in business and back into the world of book reviews! I'm so happy to be back, honestly.

I also wanted to outline a few new things I thought up during my time away! I'm excited to be attempting the entire works of Stephen King, but I thought I'd take a little break from his delicious horror to read a couple of classics!

But first, I'm going to tackle my all time favorite series. That's right... I'm talking about a 7-part review/walkthrough/discussion of one of the all time top best sellers in history: Harry Potter. I can't even explain how excited I am to start this little series. I have been a fan of HP since I was a little kid... and this recent magic with Fantastic Beasts and Cursed Child (not to mention to upcoming Christmas Season) has got me in a mood to do some magical reading!

Anyway,
I hope all your Halloweens go well! Enjoy!
And as always, keep reading.
Katie

Book Review: Salem's Lot

Lovely readers,

Hello again! I hope you all are having a wonderful Monday. I know I am! Also I'm very excited to have changed the layouts of these reviews, it makes everything so much easier. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

This time I'm very happy to present 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King (1975). I'm on a quest to complete the entire works of King and I thought this was a good place to continue. 'Salem's Lot is King's second novel, set again in a quaint town in Maine in the 70's. The story follows a man named Ben Mears who travels back to his boyhood home of Jerusalem's Lot to attempt to finish his next novel, written around an old legend of the haunted Marsten House. This novel draws from the old-era horror stories: witches, darkness, vampires, haunted houses. I will include my breakdown below!

First Impressions:

• I went into this book hoping for a truly scary experience, and I wasn't disappointed. I haven't had a read a book with the lights on since The Shining. 
• My biggest surprise I experienced when starting this book was the talent. I was blown away when I discovered that this is only King's second novel. Again, his language and the way he produces his thoughts onto paper... it has the skill of a life-long writer. This story really swept me away. 
• After the first couple of chapters, I started to notice the little roots of The Dark Tower snaking throughout the pages of 'Salem's Lot. I will always stress how much more you find out after reading The Dark Tower. King knows how to bury the easter eggs. 

Plot: 

• 'Salem's Lot begins with Ben Mears, traveling into Maine. He is going back to his boyhood home to try and gain some inspiration for his newest novel. You find out quite early that his novel is based on the town's local legend: the haunted house on the hill, the Marsten House. The legend surrounding this house is one that the town is built upon. 
• While Ben's storyline continues, he meets Susan (a young women living in Jerusalem's Lot). They begin something of a fling. During this time, many strange things start happening in the town. People are being murdered, children disappearing from their homes, and a strange man comes in from out of town to purchase the Marsten House. This strikes Ben as odd, but as far as the middle of the book, they find no connection between Straker (the mysterious stranger) and the disappearances. 
• It is not until over half way through the book that the reader discovers the origin of Straker and his partner Barlow: they are vampires. 
• More and more people start disappearing, including children and Mears' female friend Susan Norton. Ben teams up with some townspeople and they band together to fight the vampires in the Lot. Among the team is Ben, Jimmy Cody (the town's doctors), Matt (teacher), Father Donald Callahan, and a young boy named Mark Petrie. They begin gathering folk lore about vampires and set out to collect things like wooden stakes, garlic, white roses, and holy water. 
• Eventually, the group thins out thanks to Barlow. Matt dies from natural causes, Jimmy is taken into the cellar of the Marsten House, Susan is infected, Father Callahan is marked and leaves the Lot. Ben and Mark end up being on their own as they travel into the cellar of Eva Miller's boarding house (the same house that Ben rented a room at in the beginning) and find Barlow's coffin below. 
• The ending of the book comes rather swift: Ben and Mark drive a stake through the heart of Barlow while he is resting in the coffin. They discover that the entire town has been taken over by these creatures, and it completely silent during the daylight hours. However, at night, the two are traveling out of the Lot and see huge groups of them... wandering aimlessly around the streets. Ben eventually travels back to the Lot without Mark later on (he leaves him somewhere safe, as he has no parents anymore) and sees that everything has closed. The vampire have taken over the small town permanently. Ben never finishes his book.

Opinon: 

• I now understand why this book is considered a pivotal work on vampires. The detail that went in to describing them and finding the folklore is impressive. 
• This book was a rollercoaster. There were many times I was impressed with the "community" motif. Ben, Jimmy, Mark, Matt, and Don all band together in the face of horror and death. They create a bond that can't be broken by vampires. Not in the Lot. 
• However sad and heart-wrenching 'Salem's Lot is, it is also one of my new favorite horror books. The ending will have the hair on the back of your neck standing up no problem. I suggest enjoying this tale with the lights on. 

Overall, a wonderful edition to King's horror collection. It's so hard for me to believe that this is only his second book, but then again how can I be surprised? King truly is the modern world's greatest horror/science fiction writer. Can't wait to dive into more of his books. 

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this review. 

More to come! 

Stay smart, keep reading, 

Love, 

K. 

Book Review: Insomnia

Lovely readers,

Another book, another review! I'm still very much on a King binge, and couldn't resist buying The Stand, 'Salem's Lot, and Doctor Sleep the other day so expect some new reviews coming up!
Anyway, back to business, Insomnia. I must say that choosing to read this book directly following The Dark Tower was a choice I would recommend. I used a website (Stephen King Connections) to check out all the connections between King's novels. There are a staggering number, and it was really interesting to see how Roland's universe expands into all others. But, I'm rambling, so let's get down to business.

I also wanted to make a couple of changes to the layouts of my reviews from now on. I want to start phasing out the pros and cons list, in favor of something a little more informative. Bear with me please while I start to take this transition to the next level; the next few reviews may be a little jumbled.

First Impressions:

• This book was a pleasant surprise after the ending of TDT. It begins innocently enough with Ralph Roberts saying goodbye to his wife Carolyn. Cancer has taken her. Insomnia picks up shortly after Carolyn dies, centering on Ralph's escalating lack of sleep. The beginning was very interesting and different from the usual King introductions: it seemed completely normal. Takes you off guard. 
• I found this story actually very easy to read (despite it being 787 pages) and not overcomplicated. 

Plot: 

• The plot of this book starts out very strange, and only gets stranger as you read. As I said above, Insomnia begins with a man named Ralph Roberts. He is dealing with heavy insomnia after his wife passed away from cancer. Ralph lives on Harris Avenue in Derry, Maine (a town notorious for having been invented by King, used as a stage for many of his stories) along with a few others. The block is mostly populated by the elderly, and Ralph becomes friends with Bill McGovern (his roommate) and Lois Chasse (a neighbor). 
• As readers of TDT may know, Insomnia draws many parallels between the series. Ed Deepenu, one of the residents on the block, starts to show signs of insanity. He founds a group dedicated to stopping abortion rallies from taking place in Derry. Ralph, despite dealing with heavy bouts of insomnia waking him an hour earlier each night, catches wind of Ed's insanity. Little does he know that he is intertwined with Ed. 
• The book goes on to reveal that Ralph (and eventually Lois) are seeing auras. They can draw from them, kind of steal the energy like some form of vampirism. They encounter beings that control the powers of Purpose and Random. Eventually they are recruited by these beings to change the course of time by saving a boy. 
• Obviously there are insane amounts of detail that I am leaving out here, but I can't spoil all the fun! 
• Ralph and Lois eventually get married and begin to try and live life outside of the auras and the forces working beyond their comprehension. The book ends with Ralph honoring a promise he made long ago, to a pair of doctors. 

Opinion: 

• I can't say anything bad about this book, honestly. There were a few times where I felt my feet were dragging, but other than those I was completely consumed the whole time. 
• King has a way of writing age, if that makes sense. He has a certain air about him when he is writing from the perspective of an older person, Ralph was no exception. It was as if I could literally feel the insomnia, the aching joints, the headaches... seeping into my head as I continued. Very touching stuff. 
• I did find myself not as fond of the ending as I thought. I don't even know what I expected but I felt like there was unfinished business, and that King may have left something out... something for us to find later perhaps? 

Overall, an awesome read. King very rarely disappoints, and this book proved the rule. If you are a fan of The Dark Tower or King books in general, I would highly recommend you pick this one up. 

Thanks, and as always keep reading, 

K. 

Book Review: The Dark Tower VII (Part two)

Lovely readers,

Back again to continue my review on The Dark Tower VII! This series was by far my biggest triumph yet. Sure, Harry Potter was obviously a challenge, but nothing compared to this emotional rollercoaster. Stephen King has rapidly climbed to the top of my favorites list, and I feel a little dumb for not catching on to this series sooner. Anyway, I'm excited to get started! I will include my pros and cons below, but as I did in part one, I'll be including a bit of a responce to the series below my list. As always, thanks for reading!

If you have not started/finished the last book in The Dark Tower series, I highly suggest you click away from this review. There will be spoilers contained below, be warned. 

Pros:

• How can I even begin? The greatest pro I can give this book is that is was the perfect ending to The Dark Tower. I had a lot of anxiety about reaching the end, worried about how King was going to close such an epic tale. Let me just say that I wasn't disappointed in the end, but I did have trouble getting there. 
• Taking a step out of the plot for a bit, I want to talk about the characters themselves. King has always possessed a special talent of connecting readers to his characters, but this series takes the cake as far as that goes. Each person (Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, Oy, Pere Callahan, etc.) is given their own time. They each pull at your heart in one way or another, and become vivid and real. This is prevalent throughout the series, not only the last installment. 
• Another thing, sweepingly, that I've noticed is King's theatrical approach in the publishing of this series/book. There are gorgeous paintings in The Dark Tower VII and the chapters include codas, leading the reader places after the story has ended. This was always a pro for me, it made me feel included and part of the series. 

Cons/other:

• When part one ended, we left off right after the death of Jake and Eddie. It was hard to find any real pros (not style related) in this part, so I'll kind of pick up on the story in this section. After the ka-tet is truly broken (and many other things happen), Roland, Susannah, and Oy continue together on the road to The Dark Tower. They come finally into Empathica and stumble upon a cabin in the snowy mountains. I can't include too much detail here, as it would truly spoil the story, but here they meet Dandelo. There are ensuing problems, but the three come out alive. This particular part gave me a lot of anxiety, as it was clear the story was coming to a close. 
• Things become alright. The trio gather supplies, and stumble upon a young man named Patrick. He will later be known as The Artist, but we will get there. Patrick has a beautiful gift for drawing and, as they get within 200 miles of TDT, they discover how important this gift is. Patrick draws a door, scrawled with the title The Artist. Sadly, it opens on New York in Keystone World. And Susannah decides to leave Roland and Oy behind, hoping to be reunited with Eddie and Jake. This broke my heart, personally. 
• Despite losing The Lady of the Shadows, the new trio travel on. But, there is always the feeling, that in the shadows, Mordred (in search of his White Daddy) is waiting to pounce. And eventually he does, killing Oy tragically, but meeting his death anyway. In the darkness, Roland hears the cry of the Crimson King at the death of his son, and Roland cries for Oy. 
• It is here that the story gets very close. Roland and Patrick reach the field of roses in which The Dark Tower rests. It is getting difficult for me to say, as I don't want to spoil the story, but Roland makes it through the door to the Dark Tower. 

This story ends in a way that only it could. Roland makes it to the top of the Dark Tower (with help from The Artist's amazing ability... and eraser), but what he finds shook me. He climbs the tall stair case, past floors resembling his life, and reaches the door to the top balcony. Roland pushes the door open only to find a vast desert... the same desert he traveled across so long ago. The desert that he met the wayward son and his bird, Z. The same desert he crossed to Tull, where he bedded a woman, where he passed through the oracle's grasp. He has returned. 

(Ka is a wheel, say thankya)

The book closes on the phrase: The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. 

This series touched my life far greater than I expected. I was completely ensnared, obsessed, consumed with this tale. I have even begun reading every other King book that's even remotely related to The Dark Tower. I can't stress how highly I recommend reading this series, and I can't express how happy I am to have been able to review it myself. It was a blast, a very rewarding journey. 

As always, thank you for reading and sticking through this with me. 

Keep reading, stay awesome, 

K. 

Book Review: The Dark Tower VII (Part one)

Lovely readers,

I am so happy to say that as of today I have finished The Dark Tower series. Excuse me for getting emotional, but I honestly can't believe it's finally over... or partially over. I want to stress this: If you have not started/finished the last book in The Dark Tower series, I highly suggest you click away from this review. There will be spoilers contained below, be warned. 

I am still trying to peice together exactly what I want to say about this amazing book, so I've decided to split this review into two parts. The first part will end before the journey begins its end. The second will pick up after the final ka-tet is broken. Along with the normal lists, I'm going to include a different kind of ending to this review. You'll see! My pros and cons are included below, and thank you again for reading.

Pros:

• How can I even begin to list my pros for this book? I find it best to just keep it simple. This book was the perfect ending to The Dark Tower series (I can't include much because part two is yet to be started). I'll just say that through all the ups and down of this journey, the last book really was the icing on top. 
• This book really tested the loyalty of the reader. There were many times throughout The Dark Tower VII that things happen to the characters we've come to love. It proves to me that a truly good story needs no happy ending, only a meaningful one. 
• Broad generalizations aside, the epic journey contained in just the last book is inconceivable. Not only do our gunslingers successfully form the Tet Corporation (for protecting the rose), but they also meet another gifted person along the way (quite a few actually), they reunite with Sheemie from Mejis, and discover the truth about the Dark Tower, Mordred, and The Crimson King. It's a fantastic journey, heartbreak aside. 

Cons: 

• As with many wonderful journeys (LOTR and Harry Potter are the first two to come to mind), there are many deaths along the way to victory. During the first half of The Dark Tower VII, Father Callahan dies at the hand of the lowmen at the Dixie Pig. The ka-tet remains strong until after Thunderclap is taken... where, blowing many readers out of the water, Eddie is shot fatally. This truly when the ka-tet breaks, as Susannah stays behind to care for Eddie while Roland and Jake (and Oy) return to Keystone World (the "real" world, where time moves correctly). The three are returning to protect Stephen King from a fatal car accident. To the horror of readers everywhere, Roland is able to save King's life... but Jake dies in the process. It just kills me to think of how broken Roland must have felt to have lost his son again. 
• I'm sorry to say that this a con, but I couldn't handle how close the deaths were together. There didn't seem to be any real space between Eddie and Jake's deaths. That caused a hard emotional time for me (I get very involved in the story, bite me). 

Now for the rest. I loved this book. It brought me to tears several times and still makes me sad to think about... but also curious. That's the beauty of Stephen King's writing abilities... no matter how dark the story, he is always able to grab ahold and cling on to readers. That's just a beautiful thing to me. This series is not for someone who get overly involved/emotional about the story... a lot of terrible things happen. But a lot of good things do too, a lot of universes and ideas. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes to be taken for a ride. But I'll include more in part two of this review. 

As always, and with love, 

Keep reading, 

K. 

Book Review: Wind Through the Keyhole (Dark Tower)

Lovely readers,

I wasn't going to include Wind Through the Keyhole (2012) in my DT series, but I honestly couldn't stop thinking about it this past week so I decided to go ahead and write it.
Incase you're unaware, this particular book is kind of like a random tangent in the Dark Tower world. It is a fantasy tale, a bedtime story if you will. Actually set between two books, Wind Through the Keyhole is like looking through a keyhole into Roland's culture. So, as always, I'll include and pros/cons list below. Thanks for reading!

Pros:

• I very much enjoyed taking a break from the main DT story line to read this book. I'd equate it to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and other branches of the Harry Potter universe: Wind Through the Keyhole gives us a glimpse into Roland's life, showing what he heard for fairytales when he was young. That's probably my favorite aspect of this book, it brings you closer to the protagonist. 
• The actual story behind contained in this book is actually really interesting. It always reminded me of the Sword and the Sorceress series because of it very fantasy-based plot. Dragons, never ending forests... these make this story very fun. And, like all good bedtime stories, there is a central theme (moral) however it isn't incredibly clear what that is. It's in a way left to the reader. 
• Obviously I have to include how well Wind Through the Keyhole showcases Stephen King's story abilities. Not only did he make a beautifully haunting story, he also dropped a bit of fantasy into a science-fiction story. This took a lot of talent and worked out perfectly. (That's what I enjoy most about the DT universe: past and present are one. The gunslinger was born before time but ends up running with a boy from the 80's, a former drug addict, and a woman from the 60's. It just blows my mind how much all the world bleed together.) 

Cons: 

• Something to preface this con: when I began this book, it was because I still didn't have the next chronological DT book. This was kind of a break/detour in the plot. That being said, the inner speed reader in me what a little bored with Wind Through the Keyhole. Despite being wonderfully written, this book wasn't canonical at all. It didn't have anything to do with the present, with the time you should read it. It just kind of gave us a good chunk of fairy tale (which is fine) but I did get a little antsy, thinking the book would bridge the gap a little. 
• All other things aside, the tale told in this book can be a little morbid. Basically the story revolves around a young man who loses his father. His father's job was to go into the woods surrounding the area and chop down trees. However the woods, according to legend, are haunted by a dragon. Well the boy's father dies and the story just progresses from there (no spoilers, don't worry). But it can be a bit sad what happens to the boy. You'll have to see for yourself. 

This review was particularly short and for that I'm sorry. Wind Through the Keyhole wasn't a necessary part of the DT story for me, just a bit of a break from the seriousness of the ka-tet's travels. And in that regard it soared and did very well. However the book was out of the storyline and didn't really change the overall story at all. But it was enjoyable. So, that's the tradeoff and I believe it was worth it. Thanks for reading! 

As always, with love and knowledge, 

Katie 

My Top 10 Summer Reads: If You Haven't, You Really Should!

Lovely readers,

This week I wanted to do something a little bit different than my normal book reviews. I've been going through and selling a good amount of my library and I noticed that I've read a lot of books that have really touched my life. Soooo I thought I'd jump online and share some with you guys! I always love good book suggestions so I hope you enjoy these! Thanks!

1. The Gunslinger by Stephen King (1982)

Okay okay I know. I'm already in the process of finishing my Dark Tower reviews so it was already on my mind. But let me tell you. This book changed my life and brought me on an amazing journey that just may be my favorite of all my literary expeditions. Stephen King of course is an incredible artist, but this series just has a way of haunting you after you take a break from it. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good story or anyone that wants some awesome adventure. You can check out my review on The Gunslinger here! 

2. 1,000 Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (2007) 

Khaled Hosseini is really such a fantastic author. Even though his most popular book, The Kiter Runner, is more well-known 1,000 Splendid Suns is a beautiful work of art. Hosseini's stories are always striking, gritty, and they pull at the heart strings. This book is no different: the stories of two young women are melded together in the Middle East, their lives are filled with hardship and sadness but they find some solace in each other. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone, but I will say that it can truly disturb someone of a Western mindset (I know I was disturbed at points), so there's that. 

3. The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker (2006) 

This book is just beautiful. It honestly made me very emotional at some points and I continued thinking about for months after I finished it. The story this book contains is one of love, loss, and details. But most prominently, it is full of discovery and mystery. I don't want to say much about the plot (don't want to give it away and that's how I went into it, totally blind) but I will say that people of all ages will enjoy this story. From young adult to experienced readers, this is definitely one to put on your list. 

4. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (1906) 

It might just be the high school student in me, but I loved this classic. I love a gritty tale that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. I also love a story that is controversial in a lot of ways and among a lot of people. But I digress, this will still always be a classic to me however strange and morbid the storyline is. If you haven't read it, I'd say you should at least once in your life. 

5. The Shining by Stephen King (1977) 

I hate to put another Stephen King book on this list, but everyone will encounter him sometime in their life. Everyone knows this book/movie in particular. This is the dark and freaky tale of a family, a strange presence, and the Overlook Hotel. Most people already know the plot of the movie... but in most cases with readers, knowing the plot means little to nothing. To me, this book is one of those occasions. No matter how aware of the storyline you are with The Shining, it never grows old. I find that the book gave me twice as many chills as the movie. Let's just say I'd recommend reading this with the lights on. 

6. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (1988) 

This book is another beautiful work of art. Paulo Coelho has a way with words that take the reader on a journey. Not only does The Alchemist have beautiful language, the plot is what really makes you stick around after the first few chapters. This book isn't very long and doesn't really require a large vocabulary to complete, but I think that adds to the enchantment. It's so simple and yet so moving. I highly recommend. 

7. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald (1925) 

Oh look, another classic! Forgive me but I am such a huge fan of classic literature that it's a little nuts. Anyway, Gatsby is one of the most poignant and saddening books of all time. Fitzgerald was a wonderful writer but never thought he was good enough, and did not publish many books because of it. The Great Gatsby became such a smash hit, but it wasn't until after Fitzgerald had died. However, this is one of those books that everyone should read once in their life. Given, the language can be a bit dense (being from the 20's) but that shouldn't discourage you at all. This story is rich and descriptive, heartbreaking and exciting. Very much a good read. 

8. Prey by Michael Crichton (2002) 

If you like slightly unsettling sci-fi fiction (but real enough that it could totally happen) then you will enjoy this book. Michael Crichton has always been a good author, but this book (for me) takes the cake. The story follows two scientists, Jack and Julia, who are working on top secret AI technology. Well it turns out that they are trying to create nanobots, but not just nanobots like from other movies/books, these are nanoparticles. The scientists succeed (working out in the middle of the desert) and create a cloud of nanoparticles. The downside is this cloud can sustain itself. It kills for entertainment and it thinks for itself. This book was especially eerie because this scenario is totally likely. Science is progressing more and more everyday and soon we will learn more about AI technology (kind of in the same vein of how we learned VR tech) and who knows how far we will go. Very intelligent and exciting read. 

9. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (2003)

Okay my last two suggestions for this summer are going to be horror/thriller. I dunno what it is about summer but I always prefer a story I can sit down and read for a couple of hours without losing interest. This is one of those books. As a side note: I was pleasantly surprised at the accuracy the movie took on from the book. I mean, Leonardo DiCaprio is good in anything but getting the gritty story is great as well. Anyway, for those of you who haven't heard of Shutter Island, you are in for a treat. This psychological thriller is focused on Marshall Teddy Daniels. The Marshall is setting out on a case when the story begins; he is sailing in on the ferry with his partner, Chuck Aule. The case in centered around an asylum, Ashecliff Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Investigating a missing patient case, Teddy and Chuck begin to uncover strange practices at Ashecliff. And strange things being happening to Teddy. It was revealed in the beginning that Teddy had come to Ashecliff for another reason: years ago, a fire in the apartment building Teddy lived, a tragedy look Teddy's wife's life. Rachael Daniels was dead and the man who lit the fire resided at Ashecliff. This book is striking and unsettling in such a good way. I won't say anymore, but you should check it out if you like horror! 

10. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill (1983)

The last book on my list is somewhat controversial. A lot of people didn't like the book after the movie (with Daniel Radcliffe, no complain whatsoever) and immediately put it down because of its style. That's all well and good for some, but I very much enjoyed the style of the book. The Woman in Black takes place in the mid 1800's in England. It follows the young man and solicitor Arthur Kipps and his terrifying experience while tending to Mrs. Alice Drablow's funeral. However her home, Eel Marsh House, is anything but inviting and soon after moving himself in strange things begin happening in the house. Restless memories and evil spirits are all over this story, and I particularly love the authentic 19th century England was like. Very good read, very creepy and definitely worth it. 

I hope you enjoy some, if not all, of these books! Some of my favorites are listed here and are able to be read all year long. I very much enjoy substantial writing. Books that mean something, that pull at your heart and you mind, are the very best. I'm glad I got the opportunity to share these with you! Thanks for reading, and I love you all! 

Fondly, 

Katie 

Special Book Review: Harry Potter (Introduction)

Lovely readers,

I am so overwhelmed with excitement to share my newest project with you. Since I was nine, I've been reading and re-reading the Harry Potter series. I've probably read it 15-20 times over and it still remains my all time favorite series. Harry Potter helped me through a lot in my life and I've always participated in anything to help me connect with other fans. I think writing a comprehensive walk-through of the series would be a nice step in that direction. This story means so much to me and it seems fitting that I break this up into multiple sections to give each peice its time to shine.
I'll try to publish as often as I can (I am currently working on The Dark Tower VII) and not to nerd out and go overboard... that's very easy to do with this series.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to starting this journey with you! I hope you'll be on the look out for new postings, and as always, thanks for reading.

K

The Dark Tower VII: First Impressions

**Spoilers Below! 

Lovely readers,

I am so excited to say that I have started the last book in The Dark Tower series! And, as this book is extremely long, I wanted to write a quick first impression (as I've just completed chapter one) and some of the things I'm expecting this book to reveal. Enjoy!

As for my first impressions of the book, it started out with a bang and I love it. The Dark Tower VII is a definite contrast to the first book in the series, The Gunslinger, simple because it starts off in the middle of the action and picks up also exactly where Song of Susannah left off. This is one of the first things I typically look for in a series: if the book before set the stage for the one after.
As for what I'm expecting... I'm expecting a collage of sadness, triumph, suspense, and a tearful goodbye to the series. In the words of King in the dust cover flap, "All good things must come to an end, constant reader." And I think he'll do us well by that. I don't expect anything less of an epic ending and a deep longing for more.
The only real hope I have for the ending is that King wraps up everything. Who will give their life? Will the ka-tet reach The Dark Tower? What will be in the top room? Will Roland finally defeat Walter and the Crimson King? Will he fulfill the journey that has killed all that he loved? We'll find out! Stay tuned for my next review: The Dark Tower VII!

With love and knowledge,
K

Book Review: Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower VI)

** Warning: This is a review series for The Dark Tower and contains spoilers about the series. Please do not continue if you do not want the plot/surprises undone for you. Can't say I didn't warn you, thanks! ** 


Lovely readers,

Despite being thoroughly behind on my reviews, today I'm very excited to be writing about Song of Susannah, the next book in The Dark Tower series! This book took me for the go-around, and there were a few points that fear got the better of me, but overall it was definitely another Stephen King adventure. Enjoy!

Pros:

• I don't think that this series would hold up without it's sixth book. That's how much I believe the readers learns after finishing Song of Susannah. Not only do you get the backstory of Mia and all that includes her, you also get information about the Dark Tower and the ka-tet. Major plot holes are filled in regard to how Susannah got pregnant, and how the low men come into play. This book just glues Wolves of the Calla and The Dark Tower VII together in a way that keeps giving the reader insight. That's my biggest pro. 
• Personally, I thought the way King used the characters in this book was genius. Typically Jake, Roland, Susannah, Eddie, and Oy are always together. Song of Susannah takes that and shakes it around: Roland and Eddie end up on their own as do Jake and Father Callahan. Susannah becomes somewhat of a damsel in distress and struggles with her own problem: her chap and Mia. It really proves that each member of the ka-tet can hold their own without their dinh. 
• I'm a horror kind of person, so I very much enjoyed the birth of the chap. King is usually known for his horror and plot twists, and the beginning of this book held up perfectly to that. I won't say too much about the chap, but I will say he gave me an extensive case of the creeps. 

Cons: 

• There was one part of this book that brought about quite a few tears, and I wasn't all that happy about the timing. Father Callahan and Jake, at the end of Song of Susannah, are prepared to die to rescue Susannah. They end up on their own in New York, in search of the Dixie Pig (the place Sayre tells Mia to come to have her chap) and find it relatively well. However, King leaves you on a cliff hanger into The Dark Tower VII and when you finally reach the next book, you're in for a sad moment. The spacing out of the death of a major character always makes the reader anxious. King achieved that anxiousness in this book with perfection. 
• Regarding the "lay out" of the book, I had my issues with the choppiness of the story. With all of the ka-tet separated from each other, some disconnect is likely and I think King handled it pretty well... with the story he wanted that is. 
• I won't say this is entirely a negative thing, but Song of Susannah had a dark cloud hanging over it. I'm not sure if it was for effect (the group is indeed getting closer to the tower with each page) or if the events themselves were just naturally morbid, but there was an uneasy feeling throughout the book... as if something big and terrible is coming, and fast. 

Overall this was the most important book so far, but not my favorite. King really amped up his creepiness in this one and I did love that. I honestly can't wait until the Dark Tower VII review is ready! Thanks again for reading! 

With love and knowledge, 

K 

Book Review: The Green Mile

Lovely readers,


I decided to take a little break from The Dark Tower (I haven't gotten my hands on the rest of it yet), and start reading some other books that have been on my list. I recently finished The Green Mile (Stephen King, 1996, Crime/Dark Fiction) and just had to write a review of it. Most people are familiar with the story of the The Green Mile, as it was made into a very popular movie starring Tom Hanks (1999). I personally loved this movie and was pleasantly surprised at the accuracy it held with the book. Anyway, I'll include my pros and cons below. Enjoy!

Pros:

• As always with Stephen King, this novel contains an amazing story that really touches you. There was a lot of emotion brought up for me reading this book, and I think King wanted it that way. 
• Obviously I've have to include the fact that The Green Mile and the movie it was based on are perfectly similar. The movie honestly captured just as much awe and emotion as the book did. I was not disappointed in the least. 
• Luckily I don't have to worry about giving anything away (most people have seen or heard about this novel), my biggest pro besides the storyline was the way that Percy went out. There was no better punishment but insanity fit for a man like that, in my opinion. I count what happened to him a triumph. 

Cons:

• This book isn't suitable for young readers. King has a tendency to be a bit more descriptive than some may necessarily want. There are examples of that in this book, for sure. 
• There is a bitter taste at the end of this novel. John Coffey is not acquitted or anything like that. He is, as planned, handed over to the electric chair. This book does a good job of reminding you that good doesn't always triumph over evil, and that sometimes you don't have control. It's not really a con, but to some people it may not sit well. 
• In my personal opinion, I thought the ending to the book was a bit anticlimactic. Maybe that was just me, but I felt myself reaching for more. 

Well, I definitely enjoyed this novel. I probably enjoyed it more than I ever did the movie (no matter how much I love Tom Hanks). I would highly recommend reading it even if you have seen the movie. It will give you greater detail and emotion than watching it on a screen ever could. 

Keep reading! 

Katie 

Book Review: Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower V)

** Warning: This is a review series for The Dark Tower and contains spoilers about the series. Please do not continue if you do not want the plot/surprises undone for you. Can't say I didn't warn you, thanks! **

It's been a little while since I last posted a review, simply because I haven't been able to get my hands on the last two books in The Dark Tower series (Songs of Susannah and The Dark Tower). But I did finish reading the fifth installment, Wolves of the Calla (2003, Western/Fantasy/Science Fiction). I must say that Stephen King has outdone himself with this book. I'll go ahead and tell you that my overall impression of the book was very positive. It may be my favorite one yet. However, for those of you who haven't yet dove into this 714-page monster, I'll place my pros and cons list below. 

Pros: 

• The sheer amount of creativity that went into this book is amazing. King paints a perfect picture of this time, of this place. As Roland and his ka-tet travel along the path to the Dark Tower, they stumble upon people from a different era... I won't go into too much detail, despite my spoiler alert above. I do enjoy letting the reader experience everything. But I will say, you will get lost in the storyline of this book. It sucks you in. 
• Those of you who haven't read Salem's Lot (Stephen King, 1975) or The Stand (1995) will not be able to fully appreciate this pro, but it may inspire you to dig a bit deeper. King brings so many of his other books in on The Dark Tower. Little whispers here and there throughout the series, but Wolves of the Calla was by far the biggest. Actively throughout the book you hear stories from Father Callahan, (the zombie slaying, former priest, former alcoholic) wise man of this particular Calla. He was the center of Salem's Lot. King has a way of weaving each story into another, and creating holes in the universes that makes up his tales to allow other in. It's truly remarkable.
• Honestly this book has some of the most badass fight scenes. Susannah and the women of the Calla happen to hold the record. I won't say much... but the Wolves aren't good, and they get what they deserve. 

Cons: 

• Again, this book was long. The only qualm I have with the length is that it took me forever to finish it. Short con. 
• I was a bit disappointed at how much the group veered off the path of the Beam in this book. The last installment, Wizard and Glass, did this a lot as well. However I can't complain too much, there were very valuable things in the Calla Bryn Sturgis. Father Callahan is now a member of the ka-tet. But for those of you enjoy a clear storyline, a dependable storyline, well... maybe even reading Stephen King isn't right for you. That man makes a living out of taking readers off their guards. 
• This will be the last time I mention this con in my reviews for this series: **This series is not for young adults/teenagers. It contains some graphic detail and can be quite disturbing. Be careful pursuing this series if you have a weak stomach.**

Overall I'm hungry to finish this series. There are, after all, only two books left. Stephen King has been and will always be one of my favorite writers. He just has a magic on the page, a sure way into your hearts and into your heads. If this book doesn't prove that to you, you're out of luck. 

As always, continue reading, 

Katie

Quick Thank You!

Readers,

I just wanted to thank anyone who has read my blog. Honestly, I really don't expect it to become anything that many people would check; it began as a way for my to catalog books I have read, but it slowly evolved into wanting to share the ideas in books with everyone. I wanted to start discussions on the wonderful literature that exists in the world, it is such a beautiful thing to me. My favorite thing.

So thank you for taking part in my world. Thank you for taking one moment to peer into someone else's mind and maybe see things a bit different than before. And, once again, thank you for reading and cultivating knowledge.

As always, with love,

K.

Book Review: Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower IV)

Hello readers~

** Warning: This is a review series for The Dark Tower and contains spoilers about the series. Please do not continue if you do not want the plot/surprises undone for you. Can't say I didn't warn you, thanks! ** 

Continuing the journey into the world of The Dark Tower! Completed Wizard and Glass by Stephen King (1997, Western/Horror Fiction) is very quickly rising to the top of my favorite series' list. Before I start rambling and give away any good parts, I'll go ahead with my pros and cons.

Im going to go ahead and add my personal opinion of the book: I had mixed feelings favoring the positive. This book hit a lot of things for me, and missed some things. More details below.

Pros:

• This book was a whirlwind of backstory. During the first four, Roland only hints at his long lost love Susan. He meets memories of her several times throughout The Dark Tower. Wizard and Glass gives us the entire story of their love; how they meet, how their love ends, Roland's entire purpose for being in Mejis. This book has it all, and if you're a fan of character development you'll very much enjoy the narrative in this book. 
• Along those same lines, you are introduced to more characters in Roland's life and how they were (before the world moved on, of course); from Cuthbert to Alain, Susan and a magic glass ball that can do incredible things. All of these tie into the story where it picks up. 
• I have to say this book had pretty much everything: love, revenge, suspense, humor, horror. It was a rollercoaster but one minute I was laughing, the next crying. Intense. 

Cons: 

• I mentioned this as a pro, but it can be flipped around. Wizard and Glass does not further the story of Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and Oy along with Roland (until the end that is). This strictly details a piece of Roland's backstory. In fact, the story begins around 30 pages of the book and continues until almost 30 pages are left. If you love character development, you'll love it. If not (I prefer it to a point. Too much character development can be a bad thing), it can get tough to finish. This is just my personal opinion. 
• I don't know if it's just me, but I felt a twinge of regret at the ending of Roland's tale. I didn't exactly like Susan but I don't think she deserved the fate the got. The only reason I include this if because I know some enjoy endings wrapping up, and this could be a downfall. 
• After Roland tells his tale, there is a funny little bit at the end of Wizard and Glass. Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and Oy find what is supposedly a strange rip off of The City of Oz. They also happen upon "The Wizard of Oz" and what was left of the Tick Tock Man after The Waste Lands. The ending is strange, and can throw people off. 

Overall, this was one of the weirder books in The Dark Tower series. I'm not saying by any means that I didn't enjoy it. I have loved every new installment of this series. I highly, and will always highly, recommend this series to anyone who loves science-fiction, Stephen King, and an amazing story. 

As always, keep reading. 

Katie 

Book Review - The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower III)

Lovely readers,

** Warning: This is a review series for The Dark Tower and contains spoilers about the series. Please do not continue if you do not want the plot/surprises undone for you. Can't say I didn't warn you, thanks! ** 

I'm slowly but surely moving along in my quest to finish The Dark Tower. Just this morning I completed The Waste Lands (1991, Fantasy/Western/Horror Fiction) by Stephen King, the next installment of the life of Roland, Eddie, Susannah, and Jake. Honestly, I've found myself getting more and more attached to this series each time I pick up the book. King naturally has a way of drawing you in, but this series in particular... it's so vivid and heart-wrenching. It's hard to ignore, hard to put down. (It helps that most printed versions of this series have gorgeous artwork included)
But anyway, I'll go ahead and begin with my pros and cons list!

Pros:

• Naturally this book is an incredible continuation of The Dark Tower series. The story lines doesn't get stale, and it constantly amazed me. Sometimes books like this can drag on but King does an awesome job of keeping the reader engaged. 
• This can be classified as a pro and a con, but this book (like the other three works in this series) mixes genres so well. I was a bit surprised after The Gunslinger honestly. The Drawing of the Three totally took me out of the comfort zone, as did The Waste Lands. The way that King blends fantasy, western, horror, and science fiction genres is very impressive. 
• My next pro is character development. Any true King fans know that he does an excellent job of attaching his readers to the characters. This book is no except. The Waste Lands makes the strings attached from your heart to the character 100 time stronger. You really feel their emotions, and understand their fears. 

Cons: 

• Like I've said throughout my books reviews of this series, The Dark Tower is not young adult, nor is it anything children should be reading. King lets horror seep into a lot of his works, especially this one. The Dark Tower can be truly disturbing. (I don't think children could really decipher what was being said anyway... nod to the High Speech) 
• The Waste Lands gives a truly horrific look at what the world could look like in a thousand years. In the same vein as Brave New World, King gives The Dark Tower a light dusting of apocalyptic fury. It's a startling look at where the world is headed. (Not to say that this puts a damper on this series at all for me, I'm still head over heels for it. But it does in a way limit the reading base. People with weak stomachs should be careful.) 
• I'm just throwing this con in here because I could see where it could discourage people from starting this book. The Waste Lands is not a short work. I very much enjoyed the length simply because it helps carry you through the story. However it does get confusing a little at moments. 

Overall, I can't wait to keep going with The Dark Tower. I've just recently obtained The Wizard Glass, so I'm jumping right in to the next book. Of course I'll be uploading a review of the next one once I've conquered it. 

And as always, 

Keep reading and with love. 

Katie