Coming Soon: Week of April 23

Did you ever read Stephan King's Dark Tower series? I read the first four when I was I was in high school, then later read the last three when they came out in 2003 and 2004. I loved the older ones that he had written in the 70s, Roland the gunslinger was a fascinating character, the more I read the books the more I wanted to know his past. Then came Jake, the kid from our world, who becomes a companion to Roland. As the books unfold Roland acquires new companions on his journey from different points in time, together they become his ka-tet.

Now Stephen King as written a new book for the series. This book can also act as a stand alone from the series. Roland and the rest of the group, Jake, Susanna, Eddie and Oy (As I remember is some kind of cross between a dog and a raccoon, but very smart) are travelling to the Outer Baronies when they get caught in a storm and must take shelter. While taking refuge Roland decides to tell his ka-tet two stories. In these stories readers finally get to find out more about Roland's past.

In his early years as a gunslinger Roland is sent by his father to investigate a shape shifter who is plaguing the population of Debano. There is one survivor of the beasts latest attack and Roland prepares the boy for the next day's trials by telling him a story. Roland starts by telling Bill Streeter "a person is never to old for stories." He is right, Because the tale that he tells, The legend of Tim Stoutheart, is a timeless story for all ages.

For those who love the epic story that is the Dark Tower series, this is a great addition that will finally tell us more about the mysterious gunslinger. For those who haven't read them, this book might convince you to go back and read what King describes as his magnum opus.