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