The Dark Tower by Stephen King | Answering The Most Commonly Asked Questions From Beginners

Mike discusses the most common questions readers looking to make the journey through Stephen King's The Dark Tower ask.
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0:00 Introduction
0:38 Background Info
1:36 Can I Start With The Dark Tower?
3:25 What Do I Need To Read Before I Start?
8:59 Can I Skip Book 1?
10:27 What Is Ka & High Speech?
13:57 Is It Worth It?
17:10 Final Thoughts
#MikesBookReviews #DarkTower #StephenKing

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hey, Gunslingers! It was brought to my attention that I had no idea that Robin Furth was a lady. She never had a picture in the graphic novels or the Concordance, so I cry your pardon on that mistake. I didn’t know!

[@bafmd]

I say thankee for the honest acknowledgement of your mistake. However. From the back cover of the Concordance: "Robin Furth was born and raised in Philadelphia and attended the University of Pennsylvania. While enrolled in the Ph.D. program...she was introduced to Stephen King...Her work with King...She divides her time between..." And it refers to her as her/she plenty in the Concordance's Foreword. Long days and pleasant nights Sai Mike. Commala come come, your video I've now begun.

[@jayejaye1543]

Dude, “the Gunslinger” is my favorite one! It reveals a lot about Roland’s upbringing and training. I love the part where Roland fights his teacher with the falcon Roland trained! There’s Demons, genocide, mutants, an intense mine cart ride, betrayal and a showdown with a psychopathic wizard! There is even giant killer lobsters! What’s not to love?

[@michaelvigil3436]

I think you are mixing a couple of the books up, I don’t think the lobstrosities appear until The Drawing of the Three.

[@himbourbanist]

this is correct, the lobstrosities are the second book, however Roland does make it to the beach at the very end of the Gunslinger so they're easy to conflate. Drawing of Three picks right up where Gunslinger left off @@michaelvigil3436

[@trickvondoom2354]

​@@michaelvigil3436 I'm glad you cleared that up! I just finished the first book and when I read this comment I was worried that I had somehow completely slipped an entire part

[@michaelvigil3436]

@@trickvondoom2354 Tbf it’s an honest mistake since it’s like the very first thing to happen in the next book. Spoiler alert lol

[@trickvondoom2354]

@@michaelvigil3436 that makes sense, considering the way the first book ended on the beach. I can't wait to start part 2, went to the bookstore today and they had 3,4, and 5 but not 2 😩

[@CircesBooked]

I'm starting book 7 now, and I've learned that King is always going to take this story somehwere I wasn't expecting. And even if its not the direction I thought it was going to go, its always fun seeing what is actually delivered. I'm really enjoying this series.

[@mikesbookreviews]

So glad you’re liking it!

[@jimmyallen8210]

The short(ish) stories “Low Men in Yellow Coats” and “Hearts in Atlantis” really grounded the Breakers. Understanding their POV and why they “choose” to break (how they cope) made them feel like real people making real choices with severe consequences.

[@mikesbookreviews]

100 percent.

[@Dylan13Collins]

I just finished my Dark Tower journey and it was incredible! I took the deluxe edition approach! I read 27 books (which includes the 8 dark tower books). It was my favorite reading journey I've taken so far.

[@its_finn96]

I’m following Jimmy Mango’s 23 (i think) book reading order for the “Expanded” Dark Tower Journey…which additional books did you add? I’ve read a few King Books but all of them more separated from the DT. Started my journey fresh and being a completionist, I want to make sure I touch every base!

[@alynam82]

I absolutely can't believe people are out there saying that it's okay to skip Last Gunslinger... I mean, it's a little stiff as far as writing style goes, but it's still a good read. And it certainly introduces you to the world and characters, as you've explained.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I don't get it at all.

[@danijelb.3384]

Hell no, they’re just wrong

[@roldofold8356]

I started reading the dark tower books only knowing they were steven king books and the last gunslinger was good enough to make me want to know the rest of the story.

[@Dylan13Collins]

To me, not only should you read it, but you should consider it a 9 book series and read it after book 7 as well. Reading the gunslinger first and last makes such an incredible impact on the story!

[@mmurphy3608]

I don’t get that either. I loved The Gunslinger. Sets up the story and pulls you in.

[@aidbektasagic7116]

Great video Mike! I love your vids and sk vids especially. Keep up the good work. Just starting the last book in the series.

[@pillarmusic1641]

Great Video Mike, love this kind of content

[@Roondawg_Valhalla]

Very helpful video Mike, thank you. I’ll be picking up the stand soon!

[@masondenithorne1664]

Nothing better then making my coffee and getting the discord notification that mike posted

[@mikesbookreviews]

Always happy to help on a Monday morning.

[@TheRandomStudents]

The Dark Tower series was my first introduction into Stephen King. The method in which he portrayed the idea of epic fantasy was incredibly captivating and I felt that it really establishes what to expect from the style of Stephen King.

[@moonbot7613]

I’ve just decided to read all King books in publication order. I’ve read zero King books so should be a fun ride even though a long one.

[@jer2dabear]

Hope it's going well!!

[@jeffhaubrich6121]

I remember the wait for The Drawing of the Three. I had first experienced The gunslinger on Audio. I bought a set of cassettes which Sai king read. That book blew my mind after I listened to Kings afterword. I knew we were in for a treat and the series was something special.

[@divad44]

Love the haircut Mike! Looks good on you! Great video, I’ve read about half his books and I think once I finish my current read im going to begin my quest to the tower

[@mikesbookreviews]

Gracias! One less thing to worry about in the mornings.

[@mandalor5012]

Thanks a lot for this video, as someone who wants to start the series, it's just perfect.

[@ssspaceman86]

I like the music and your new haircut! Great video, I loved the first book! I have to continue with the series!

[@egamache]

Great video! Thanks for all the info and thoughts on which books you should read first. I have read all of them except Insomnia, so I will give that a go between 5 & 6. Thanks again for covering so much King!

[@atom0191]

Thanks for the video, Mike!

[@mikesbookreviews]

You bet!

[@Enzophanis1892]

The Dark Tower is such a great and unique series. The Waste Lands and Wizard and Glass are both in my top 10 books I’ve read, but Song of Susannah is one of my least favourite books I’ve read. This range of personal enjoyment actually makes it more interesting to me

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ugh, Song of Susannah.

[@nikkivenable3700]

I hear this over and over. I can’t find a soul who likes SoS. Tbh, I haven’t read this series because I’m afraid that book will ruin it for me, along with the ending. Can I skip SoS? I’m guessing that’s a no. I’ve read nearly everything by King but haven’t done the DT. The commitment is a enormous. Help😂.

[@Porcupine19]

Here is a soul that loves Song of Susannah. I don't understand how anyone who calls themselves a Tower fan could dislike it!

[@akashdefonseka]

Thanks a lot for the video Mike. I was hoping for an FAQ sometime about the Dark Tower and it literally happened 💪

[@Natsirt39]

As someone who read the series for the first time a couple years ago, I loved the ending and the entire journey. I went in to book 6 expecting to be disappointed and I loved it! So I agree with Mike, it's different for everyone!

[@michaelvigil3436]

I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t like when King made himself a character in the series. It’s not like it doesn’t work or it ruins the story but… I didn’t like it at all lol. I think he got hit by that van and decided to rush out the rest of the story instead of letting it unfold more organically like he used to.

[@jeroenadmiraal8714]

This is great, Mike! I wanted to read Salem's Lot and The Stand anyway for my first King books, so I will just read those first.

[@danielfreitas8196]

Thank you for this video !

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope it helped!

[@sallyhamilton7202]

I loved the ending. It made me feel like things were complete. It was brilliant. It made me feel very happy.

[@dqan7372]

Very helpful / interesting!

[@zacharybryant9881]

Just found your channel yesterday when I decided to finally read The Dark Tower. Seeing this video today makes it seem meant to be.

[@MayAlejaK]

Thanks for this videos, I read the first book and liked it but was very confused. I'll check the other books you mentioned before continuing with the saga.

[@davestone3961]

The Dark Tower series was my first experience with Sai King. It's been fun seeing connections as I later read The Stand, Salem's Lot, The Shining, and It. I didn't mind the spoiler in Salem's Lot. King really is a master weaver of stories and characters.

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

That intro was dope!!! Been loving my journey down the beam

[@Emmybee444]

I read this series once a year it's my favorite.

[@TRDPro1995]

Oh shoot… needed this on my Monday morning!

[@jyoung188]

I just finished the dark tower series and I hadn’t read much King before. I found it fascinating looking up each charter on the wiki as I encountered them and seeing where they came from making a reading list as I went. I’m glad I didn’t see this reading list before, but that’s just me.

[@HereIsWisdom1318]

You re-ignited my passion to reading Stephen King. I bought 13 of his books today (April 1, 2024). Thanks.

[@Slayereyez]

I had read a few King books before I started but I didn't read the majority of his bibliography until after I read the dark tower. My experience was great picking up on things after reading TDT. Also I really enjoy re reads of DT because you pick up something new almost every time.

[@davidphillips9726]

Book 6 is brilliant as well. I love that it breaks from the typical style, and the end is killer

[@mirzunayedali1724]

Time for my daily dose of this! Last video i see before reading to sleep always.

[@matthewpennington2804]

If your not hooked after reading the lines "The man in black fled across the desert and the Gunslinger followed" then you have forgotten the face of your Father

[@scottbrown5235]

As a multiple time reader of the Dark Tower series and many SK books, it is just criminal how much Insomnia is underrated. First time reading was bliss, second time was just mind-blowing. Yes, it drags, but it is worth the effort (twice or more).

[@slickfu]

I just read Insomnia recently. It was SO good.

[@christophergray7982]

The whole series were the first King novels i read, which got me into his other books and now I own almost every book. Great channel sir.

[@johnbutcher9888]

Thanks for this Mike! Just wrapped up Wizard & Glass and Through the Keyhole last month. Was getting ready to start up Wolves of the Calla until you mentioned Salems Lot gets spoiled a few videos ago, so need to grab that prior. Looking forward to how this ride ends!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@sandy23stories40]

Great video, I only read Salem lot for sure it is my goal to read the dark tower

[@Ken-lc1kg]

I agree completely. I just happened to read the stand before reading the dark tower series. And I remember being glad I read the stand first

[@michaelvigil3436]

I read eyes of the dragon first and I was telling my friend that he should read it because Flagg is one of the characters in it and it shows more to him then the dark tower series does and he hit me with “he’s in The Stand too, I thought you read it already” and I regretted not reading The Stand first. (For context he recommended The Stand years before we read the dark tower series lol)

[@connersutton1458]

Dark tower box set has been sitting on my shelf for three years unread. It’s just daunting. The buzzed head looks great!

[@DeeZeePeezee]

I started my King journey with The Dead Zone and maybe End of Watch. Then I picked up The Dark Tower and was hooked on the book series. Now that I've been through the Ka of 19's journey a few times, I'm really enjoying going back to his books that are relevant and tied in and making those connections. It's cool having a bit of outside context to things that happen in these other stories and discovering the tie ins having already been through the Dark Tower series.

[@angelaholmes8888]

For me I had already been reading Stephen king books before I started the dark tower series including the books that are connected to the series

[@John-uo5tm]

I recently read the gwendy's button box trilogy and that is what got me interested in the dark tower. I had no idea that there would be any link to the dark tower in that series. If i had looked closer to the cover of gwendy's final task, then maybe i would have noticed the dark tower looming in the background.

[@IowaJay]

Great timing - I just started reading "The Gunslinger" last night, and am enjoying it so far. I am reading the original version - should I also read King's revised version at some point for a better understanding of the whole series?

[@mikesbookreviews]

It was 25 year between my reading of the original and the revised. Not sure I could competently tell you the differences.

[@dominicaudy8479]

The revised version corrects all the continuity issues with the later books and adjust a few things that King changed later on. There’s not much point reading the original except out of literary curiosity.

[@IowaJay]

Thanks. I'll probably just save the revised version for a possible future reread. As to why I'm reading the original, that's the copy I've had on my shelf for over 20 years but never got around to reading until I started hearing all about it on booktube.

[@dominicaudy8479]

@@IowaJay After a fashion it works to have two versions. Some people read one Gunslinger at the start and read the other version after finishing DT 7.

[@michaelkramer6814]

I'm getting interested in reading the Dark Tower. It's been a while since I have read the Gunslinger. I may have to read it again. I'm just amazed at the whole multiverse idea and how every Stephen King book is connected to another book, and how everything connects to the Dark Tower.

[@Emmybee444]

I highly recommend reading the other books in the series.

[@himbourbanist]

I started with The Dark Tower and I'm really glad. It felt like a solid "truck" for his extended and interconnected storylines, since so many of them are woven in, it was satisfying to read his other books and recognize elements that were drawn into The Dark Tower.

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

I swing back and forth constantly between "yes, I want to read Stephen King" to "no, I am not interested at all" that I have whiplash, hahaha

[@mikesbookreviews]

YES YOU DO

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

@@mikesbookreviews every time I watch your King videos you change my mind to YES! Haha

[@SS-rr7by]

I'm so glad you mentioned reading Hearts in Atlantis! it's one of my absolute favourite King stories. I watched the film as a kid and loved it, then read the book multiple times in High School. Reading the DT my breath hitched and I felt such an emotional payoff when a certain character shows up in the final DT novel. One of my top 5 favourite Stephen King moments...

[@mikesbookreviews]

Lots of great moments like that for Constant Readers.

[@nikkivenable3700]

I just finished Hearts in Atlantis and I fell in love! I haven’t read the DT but I’ve read everything else by King. I can’t make the jump to actually read DT. Ugh.

[@jimave]

I agree with all of your recommendations as a long time reader of SK and of the DT.

[@gavvo-7640]

So glad you did this video Mike. I am on my 3rd journey to the tower and lovin' it even more. Book 1 The Gunslinger completely sets up the entire saga so 1st time readers should DEFINITELY start with book 1. The ending I liked and took nothing away from the entire journey when I finally reached The Tower. Such a brilliant and important series that too many King fans are missing out on!

[@steventhayer2736]

I LOVED the Dark Tower series, I read all 8 (7 and 1/2 if you want to call it that) plus 4 non-series tie-ins, and with all 12 books on my personal journey, it took me about a year and a half to read it. From around February 2019 to October 2020. And right around the time I completed it I discovered your channel!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think it's safe to say you enjoyed it?

[@steventhayer2736]

@@mikesbookreviews Oh yeah! I knew people had mixed feelings on the ending before I actually started it, but I didn't mind it, I would've loved more information on how the Tower came to be and more on the Crimson King but besides that I really enjoyed it

[@n0stalgiag4mes]

Can't wait to get there in my king read through!

[@darkmagic616]

"Start with something smaller" lol I started with IT then The Stand then The Dark Tower. I did the exact opposite :)

[@clydebillingsworth8574]

Best intro yet. I'm on song of Susannah for the first time and I'm finding this one a bit tedious. I do think I prefer the first 3 books. To me that long gap didn't help the story. Still good... But not quite as wild.

[@mikesbookreviews]

SoS is always going to be a struggle for me. I'm kind of dreading that re-read.

[@ducky36F]

I read and enjoyed The Gunslinger a little while back but then was surprised by the shift in direction at the start of The Drawing of the Three and put it down. Been meaning to pick it back up again at some point.

[@snowglass3969]

I have to say, that I had read very few Stephen King novels, before I got into the Dark Tower series. And for me, as I went on to explore his other work, I actually found it exciting to see the connections seeded in his other works, rather than the other way around, reading his other works and then seeing bits and pieces worked into the Dark Tower stories. I suppose, because they are the series with which I am most familiar, I feel as though the DT series is the spoke around which the rest of the wheel spins.

[@Cowboys09WM]

Thankee sai

[@Cowboys09WM]

I was going through the comments and saw that I had already commented 8 months ago. Ka is a wheel

[@carl7382]

I read eyes of the dragon and Salem's lot before the dark tower series. As I read the dark tower series things began to connect.

[@adamborst]

I didn't read any King until Dark Tower. I was looking for a new series and stumbled into it. I thought it was so different and so cool, book 6 I remember being weird, but I digress. I did feel like I missed out on some things as I realized afterward that there was a connected universe. This summer I want to try and tackle either The Stand or Insomnia. They are beefy, but I imagine worth it.

[@liammccallion4963]

i just finished wizard and glass 3/4 weeks ago and im getting ready to start wolves of the calla in a few weeks. ive read a few other King novels but didnt particularly like his writing until i discovered the dark tower.

[@georgenelawson9917]

I love these Stephen king video's. Love the movies. Love the stories and how it all connects. Not much of a reader kol. I loved the first book took a while on second book been reading bits of the other books love the ending lol. I like reading bot as !such as I wss youngerbbutn his writing style I guess it is lol. Love the story love the themes love how it connects to everything lol. Love everything about this series. Best works in literature but it just takes time to read and kind of hard love hearing about it and explaining it all the eastern eggs lots of cool stuff lol

[@grvhppr]

I’ve got Salem’s Lot down but still need to do The Stand and Insomnia xD. Just gotta enjoy the ride and not concentrate on how long it’ll take to get there. Thanks for the video!

[@musicdude1111]

Where should I read “wind through the keyhole” after book 4 or at end of series

[@ggalindo1526]

You can read it as book 4.5, but it isn't necessary. For continuity's sake, it takes place after book 4, but it isn't necessarily vital to the story. It didn't come out until five years after book seven, so I read it out of order. It was actually nice after finishing the series and still wanting more. It's a good revisit to the world of the dark tower.

[@paulcain548]

The Dark Tower was the first long fantasy series I read but to be fair I was already a Constant Reader. Loved the journey and (surprisingly to many) I loved the ending to the story. Song Of Susannah had me thinking “Oh no. Where is this going?!!!” However the final book brought me back. Certainly his magnum opus 👍🏻

[@teksnotdead902]

Good vid. Didn't even know about the reference novel. I may pick that up before I do a reread. Definitely don't skip book 1 tho. It is a great introduction to the main character, important side character, antagonist, and a few plot points that will come back around later. But unless you absolutely hate book 1, give book 2 a shot as well before giving up because book 2 is really where the train gets rolling.

[@buckfozos5554]

Say thankya Mike, and may you have twice the number. Almost through Song of Susannah, the 17th of a 19-book Dark Tower journey. Just read the chapter called 'The Writer' which I anticipated with great curiosity (and enjoyed it a lot). Can't believe I'm almost to Book 7. The only real stumbling block on the way there was Black House...but I'll be watching for your take of course.

[@kaylaqueen6640]

I’m currently reading The Stand, and got up to the first appearance of that character. Previously, I had only gotten up through Wizard and Glass and the add-on, because grad school happened. I’m back to reading a lot, so I’m working through re-reads of the first four books (I’m done the first two so far). I knew I had to read ‘Salem’s Lot before Wolves of Calla, so I did that in January. I’m really excited to dive into the last three books, but I am going to do Insomnia after Wolves of Calla so I can get that experience. I did love the books, including the Gunslinger, on my first read-through of the first books. Actually, the Gunslinger was my first Stephen King book. It’s so different from his other stuff, but I love that about him - he doesn’t fit into a genre box.

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is definitely Ka.

[@Johanna_reads]

I think SFF-lingo can be very hit-or-miss for certain audiences, and I think King did a masterful job with the introduction of "ka" and "katet." I love when you feel like you almost need the term to explain the term. It kind of reminds me of "grok" from Stranger in a Strange Land. Great video!

[@teksnotdead902]

I agree and I definitely think this is where being familiar with King has an advantage coming in. Not because he uses ka or ka-tet in many other works but because King tends to have peculiar and distince language (mostly northeastern US I assume) in many of his books so reading his novels and not being from Maine, some are already used to bridging those language gaps.

[@darkthorpocomicknight7891]

I think he's using Hindu mythology. Odd to us but normal if you study mythology

[@Johanna_reads]

​@@darkthorpocomicknight7891Interesting. Would you please share specifics?

[@michaelvigil3436]

@@Johanna_readsIm not sure what that person was talking about exactly but I’ve personally wondered about whether “ka” is just a mid world form of “karma” because the ideas seem very similar even in name. Ka is a wheel, karma says what goes around comes around etc.

[@Johanna_reads]

@@michaelvigil3436 yes, that absolutely makes sense! Thanks!

[@edane2228]

Everyone seems to criticize the Gunslinger. It was my favorite book of the series and I could not stop after I finished that one.

[@kellywalker9827]

I was taken from the start, that first book lit out like a sprint.

[@triciahon8043]

I remember when i heard about Mr King's accident.. my 1st reaction was "he didn't finish Dark Tower yet!" I read as it was published. I remember nothing that turned me off in book 6 so i'm curious now to know what that is for you lol. Ending was spot on imo!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I won't lie. Within about 5 minutes of hearing about it (because the internet rumor was that he had died on the way to the hospital) my thought was never getting to see the end of Dark Tower.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

This is an extremely helpful video, Mike! Why didn't you make it two years ago, when I was starting Dark Tower? Just kidding, of course. Now that I'm pretty far along the Path of the Beam, I'm excited to get to the Dark Tower, and I thank you for your encouragement along the way.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Do you have a plan for when you’re going to finish? We are doing one per month (Wolves of the Calla in May) through the end.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@mikesbookreviews Sounds perfect for me! Consider me part of your ka-tet. I’ll read Wolves of the Calla in May.

[@brandonwolf4073]

Just finished Gunslinger. i've never read stephen king other than desperation and misery. Should i switch it up and read The Stand next or should i read Drawing of the Three?

[@stardustcherry2158]

Dark Towar is the first book of Stephen King I read and my favorite one of his works. I do love the first four and the last book, since they are more focused on Roland's world and less on our world.

[@akellerhouse83]

I decided to reread Dark Tower this year and now I'm on Wizard and Glass. I wish I had read Salem's Lot before starting but I did read The Stand and I'm glad I did. I'm going to read Wind thru the Keyhole and maybe Salems Lot in the middle somewhere. And maybe Insomnia afterwards. I've already read Hearts in Atlantis but i wouldn't mind rereading it... people who think they can skip Gunslinger are definitely wrong.

[@codranine6054]

I like the audio quality of your videos

[@slickfu]

great answers to the FAQ's, couldn't have said it better myself. Dark Tower was my first King read and I have since went back and read the titles mentioned and enjoyed the connections that way even if Salem's Lott was a bit spoiled. As per the first book, I read the series based on a recommendation from my father and after completing the first book I called him up and said "what did I just read?" He said, "Take it at face value and read the next one" So I did and never looked back. On re-reading "the gunslinger" it was even more enjoyable. I made it back to Wizard and Glass on the second read before detouring to pick up The Stand, 'Salem's Lot, and Insomnia. I hit a detour with the first 2 Dune books then fell down the Brandon Sanderson rabbit hole. (Elantris and now Way of Kings) I now see that Ka dictates I'll at minimum catch fully up on the Stormlight Archives before moving on to anything else, but hope to finish the re-read of The Dark Tower series before I exit the path and enter the clearing. Long days and pleasant nights Sai Mike.

[@manadon23]

Thankee Sai. Thankee Big big

[@thegenericgeek]

Just started book 3. Enjoying it so far

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you love it!

[@gavvo-7640]

The Waste Lands is probably my fave!! It's such a rollercoaster of a story! Enjoy pal!

[@reading.with.rachel]

Sorry if I'm misunderstanding. But Kah sounds a lot like "The Wheel Weaves as the Wheel wills" kind of thing in Wheel of Time. Is that similar? Trying to decide whether to read this. I'm not the biggest fan of horror how much is horror in the Dark Tower (I know it's main category is Fantasy)?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Somewhat. But...Not exactly. In WoT it almost felt like The Force in that it explains away everything unusual that our heroes are always able to get out of. Whereas this is something that is a guiding hand but not pre-determined.

[@darkthorpocomicknight7891]

@@mikesbookreviews King started DT technically in ... 1969 Jordan didn't come out with WOT until the early 1990s right? .... not to accuse RJ but if anything HE took the concept from King. Yes VERY similar ideas/themes

[@darkthorpocomicknight7891]

DT mixes horror - and sci-fi - but its chaotic. Hard to explain until you read it. Plenty of ALL of these genres and more in it.

[@jesserichards5582]

On my first read through the series, currently on The Waste Lands, anyways my question is, would it be better for me to read Wind Through The Keyhole last or after Wizards & Glass?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've still yet to read WTTK so I cannot say.

[@staceyb.5878]

I totally started with the dark tower series and don't regret it all. I would not have loved him as much had I started anywhere else.

[@FoxUnitNell]

The series reminded me of an adult never ending story since both have kids stealing a book that ends up being a basis for a situation in a novel's world that draws people from the real world into it. So the setting and plot are pretty similar and equally out landish.

[@asfaloth12]

I remember reading the Gunslinger many years ago, and enjoying it. Yes, despite the weirdness (that may be part of why I liked it so much). I can’t imagine skipping it! It was quickly followed by books 2 and 3, but I never finished the series. Life just got in the way. I hope to return to it someday and complete the series. I also hope to read The Stand (I’ve listened to parts of the audiobook on drives with my husband and have watched the miniseries from the 90s, and enjoyed both). Definitely time for a Salem’s Lot re-read, and I need to give Insomnia a try (thanks for the heads up on those!) Great video, and thanks for sharing 😀

[@chidoyo]

Its been i while since i went to the tower with the gunslinger (made a mistake by reading the poem that ruined the ending to me) it is 100% worth the ride. Long days and pleasant nights for everyone here.

[@michaelvigil3436]

May I ask what about the poem ruined the ending for you? Just genuinely curious

[@BelminHxC]

Hell yeah dark tower content 😎😎

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is Ka.

[@ohmslaw6856]

Complete reading order: The Stand The Eyes of the Dragon The Last Gunslinger The Drawing of Three The Wasteland Salem's Lot Everything Eventual Hearts of Antlantis Insomnia Wizard and Glass Wind Through the Keyhole Wolves of Calla Song of Susannah The Tailsman Blackhouse The Dark Tower

[@gabethegeek593]

The last gunslinger Is a better title than the real one

[@candices.6509]

I read Salems Lot before embarking on The Dark Tower, not even knowing the connection. I LOVED Salems Lot and my mind was blown when I arrived at the overlap.

[@ggalindo1526]

Loved Salem's Lot (even the movie). Imagine my surprise when a certain character shows up in TDT series talking about the events of Salem's Lot!

[@markb3534]

I have read The Stand, Eyes of the Dragon and pretty sure I read Insomnia ages ago... haven't read Salem's Lot. May try to get Insomnia and SL before VII

[@Ulmo90]

I'm really interested in reading Dark Tower, I'll try to read some more King before that however

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

I gobbled every King book growing up, but The Dark Tower was an enigma to me. So I avoided it for years. It was Low Men in Yellow Coats that finally made me consider take up the journey of the Dark Tower. But I still waited until after book 7. I wish I could recapture the feelings I had when I first read the series. That being said, I’m starting the journey again next year for the _th time. I’ve lost count. And I can’t freaking wait!!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ka is a wheel, my friend.

[@jasonworlock5113]

It the end the Dark Tower series is all about Ka, which is a circle. I did start with the Dark Tower series and am working my way through 'The Stand'.

[@jimave]

I’ve listened to the entire dark tower series three times and it gets better each time I listened to them. I like it better than wheel of time, Malazan, and game of thrones. I liked the ending and some of the things you didn’t like about book 6. It’s interesting to read gunslinger right after finishing the series because it makes more sense. Ka = God.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Interesting to hear your perspective. This series was actually my introduction to Stephen King. I branched out after this. Funny story: my mother was angry at me for taking a Stephen King novel with me to the doctor when I was in high school. She was friends with the receptionist, and clearly worried about being judged. At the time, King had only written one or two Dark Tower novels, so I know I was reading outside the series. But I don't remember what I was reading. But I also know that I turned her onto Stephen King a few years later by suggesting Cujo. We haven't talked about that ugly confrontation over that doctor's appointment, but she has become a lot more open minded since then.

[@johnb2422]

Interesting was Stephen King considered like smut?

[@WaskiSquirrel]

@@johnb2422 I think so. Her comment was, "I don't mind you reading that, but what do you think she thought seeing you read that?"

[@joshuafowler883]

I'm so confused as to why anyone would skip The Gunslinger. Because they were originally short stories it does have a bit of disjointedness but the revised & expanded edition cleans that up. I always see people complain about the ending and my answer is, "He literally warns you to stop reading before the CODA. I think the end is brilliant and he liters clues along the way that hint at it. When I have time, I wanna re-read it.

[@kr5088]

I have just finished reading The Gunslinger, I don’t understand what CODA is and I am worried I may have continued to read when I should’ve stopped. Complete beginner here, forgive me for my ignorance?

[@joshuafowler883]

@@kr5088 nah, that's at the end of the last book, so, you're fine 👍🏻

[@jamesj9744]

The Dark Tower on Audible has taken the place of Netflix and other TV this summer and fall. I listen and walk and walk. Love it! Dada chum?

[@janenseling4295]

Ka is a wheel, and everything, especially reading The Dark Tower, serves the Beam. Say thank-ya, sai Mike.

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

🤠🤠

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yee Haw.