Stephen King Fans discussion

Setting this one up a bit early as it's almost February (and I don't want to forget - again)

Wolves of the Calla

That’s ok. Some people might have already started it.

I'm actually waiting to finish Salem's Lot so I get the full backstory on (view spoiler)[ Father Callahan (hide spoiler)] this time.

First things first, since this question often comes up. :) Copy this code here if you want to use spoiler tags but aren’t sure how to do it: <spoiler> Text here </spoiler>

Marcus wrote: "I'm actually waiting to finish Salem's Lot so I get the full backstory on [spoilers removed] this time."

It took me a while to warm up to (view spoiler)[Callahan. I like him a little more each time I read SL, and I was more fond of him from the get go in WotC. You could see the world he’d done to conquer his demons and find some way of regaining his faith. And he was a lot more fun this time around, too (hide spoiler)].

Overall, though, this was where the series kind of went off the rails for me. The first four books seemed a little more consistent in tone and plot, but there was something about the books that came after the hiatus that felt different. I’m not sure if it was the writing style or the way (view spoiler)[technology became more prevalent, or the way the character count exploded (hide spoiler)] or something else entirely, but the earlier books are definitely my favorite. What about y’all? Do you see a difference or have a preference?

I am only 100 pages in but so far I’ve been impressed, especially considering most willing to review seem to have a similar critique as you.. I’m digging the calla characters, growing tension, and of course Roland’s continued leadership. We will see..

I remember enjoying this one. I liked the mystery of what was going on etc.

I haven’t rotten to my re-read yet....

I'm looking forward to reading it again, but in my first read, I was kinda like Summer...I thought this book was so very different from the others in the series. It was like a pulp fiction story rather than an epic fantasy Western.

Started today. The Argument baffled me a bit. Marten is John Farson? How is that possible?

Man, I forgot that Todash and Toren and Mia and Sombra and all that stuff started so early in this book. For some reason, I thought that was all Song of Susannah stuff.

Marcus wrote: "Started today. The Argument baffled me a bit. Marten is John Farson? How is that possible?"

Yeah, that’s a confusing misstep. Walter/Flagg/Marten are the same person, but Farson is a different person. That’s made clear in the comics, so either this was an error or Uncle Steve was confusing Marten working with Farson for Marten being Farson.

To those who read the series as it came out.. did King ever give an indication that the series would go 7? I ask because I’m 50 pages from the end of WotC and I’m wondering if every book had a potential to be the last, instead of considering the next plot line .. and how that would influence the anxiety toward the end of these, especially the last 2..?!

I don’t remember if there was any indication of how many books. I do remember it was a loooooong wait for Wolvs of the Calla and having to-read the other books first.

Chris wrote: "To those who read the series as it came out.. did King ever give an indication that the series would go 7? I ask because I’m 50 pages from the end of WotC and I’m wondering if every book had a pote..."

In the argument of WotC, he says there will be two more books and describes them a bit.

There it is, I guess I lost sight of that during the read.. you might say I forgot the face of my ..

Well, haven’t re-read this yet and the last time was 2012....I don’t always read the forwards either. If I did, I don’t remember mention of two books remaining but before WotC I don’t recall a number being mentioned either. LOL

Spit it out grand pere!

Chris wrote: "...and how that would influence the anxiety toward the end of these, especially the last 2..?! ..."

I’ll echo Marcus: I don’t think we knew how many books there were going to be until WotC came out. What I remember most about the wait was King mentioning that people would often write to him wanting to know how the story ended. (Maybe that was in one of the forwards in the later books? Or On Writing?) I remember he talked about a woman who was dying who wanted to know what happened to Roland before she died. It broke my heart a little that he didn’t know, so he couldn’t tell her. I can’t imagine getting letters like that. And I’m glad he finally finished the series because being left hanging at book four was tough.

My chap is HONGRY!

About 2/3 of the way through now. They should have called the middle section of the book "Old People Telling Stories." I think Roland's finger twirling gesture was a reflection of King's own realization that the story was being stretched. Nonetheless, it's all well written.

Why hadn't Sombra built the Turtle Bay Condominiums by Eddie's when?

Well, just about finished. I realized I only remembered about 3% of the book, but the one thing I did remember, I was dreading, and it just happened. Ugh.

I’m reading physical book in hand different seasons I’m about done with it on page 400 I love it and I am listening to gunslinger right now on my iPhone first time listening to dark tower series I hope it’s really good

I've just started this morning.

Lindy I am 36% in the gunslinger and I’m reading with friends if u want to join us let me know it would be fun and we are talking about it on Saturday

I just finished the Wind through the Keyhole, and will start the Wolves of the Calla in a couple of weeks, I have to finish the Shining first.

I know I'm half a month ahead, but I started Song of Susannah this morning...

I’m starting second book to dark tower series next I need help with picking a book from my audible too

I got bag of bones Christine trailsman black house which one next?

And eye of the dragon too

Try the Bachman books. For Novella's to include Rage the Long walk Road works and the Running Man.

I don’t have that mrbook 😪 any others?

The Girl who Loves Tom Gordon, Misery, Dolores Claiborne, Tommy Knockers Dream Catcher,

Mrbook I only have Christine or eye of the dragon or trailsman or black house or bag of bones

OK I guess it should be Christine the Talisman

oops meant then Talisman lol

Ok ty mrbook

No problem Ms Monique

Still around page 150 I think (where the ka-tet is first meeting with the people of the Calla), hoping to catch up by the end of the month by other obligations have kept me away. Ordering books 6 & 7 from Amazon next week.

s/n - I'm also reading S.K.'s On Writing in bits and pieces this month, great read !

I’m behind again and haven’t started this yet...

That's OK Nancy, I haven't started it yet either. I went with the Wind through the Keyhole first. I am going to start this on Monday, and I also started another book the other day I have to put in yet.

I enjoyed it. Again it ended before I wanted to.

I'm so far behind I can't even see straight. I'm devoting my audiobook time to trying to learn Spanish for my upcoming trip to Mexico. I'm working constantly to finish my new novel, and somehow in there I'm trying to get through Strange Weather... wanted to be part of that conversation because I like it and have a lot to say.

I love Roland and jake Susannah in waste land they did a good job 👍 in it and I think the next book got my worried it’s going to be bad idk y tho but sorry it took me a week to finish this book 😲 about to start book 4 wizard and glass now wish me luck lol 😂

Wizards and glass if a fantastic book, you will learn more about Rolands past in this one and you will love it I promise LOL.

Mrbook I am loving everything about it expected Blaine’s I can’t stand he’s ass sorry for the bad words guys. I got a free audible I need a king book to listen too any ideas guys ?

Monique wrote: "Mrbook I am loving everything about it expected Blaine’s I can’t stand he’s ass sorry for the bad words guys. I got a free audible I need a king book to listen too any ideas guys ?"

11/22/63, Duma Key, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Christine, On Writing, Bag of Bones - Those are just my favorite King audiobooks. As for W & G - whether or not you like Blane, it's not about him. The story really starts in Part 2... Susan.

Is there going to be a Song of Susannah thread?

Nick wrote: "Monique wrote: "Mrbook I am loving everything about it expected Blaine’s I can’t stand he’s ass sorry for the bad words guys. I got a free audible I need a king book to listen too any ideas guys ?"..."

Yes you are right, it's not about Blaine, but he is a pain and poor old Susan Delgado, and Roland for that matter.

I’m on page 367 right now and I love it now bc it’s not talking about Blaine no more is that wrong of me lol

No Monique, blaine is a pain just ask Jake.

Mrbook lol