User Profile

I have conflicting feelings about WIZARD AND GLASS. On the one hand, my favorite parts of The Dark Tower series so far have been those most "fantasy western". The Gunslinger (book one) I preferred to the following two for that very reason (though Lud had its moments). And WIZARD AND GLASS here was 95% "fantasy western".

On the other hand, I don't see how this side-step into Roland's past does much to further our journey to the Dark Tower. It's like George R.R. Martin's taking pages to describe Westeros delicacies or the rows of banners and pennants we'll never see again, except here King as written an entire book of such supplementary material. It's like feasting on after-dinner mints when we're hungry for steak.

That said, I enjoyed the book. I'd gladly read more about young Roland or thriving Gilead or the Blue Coffin Hunters after Roland, Jake, Eddie and Susana finish their story.

The second book was a such a disappointment after the first that I wasn't sure what to expect from book three. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it so much. More of the Gunslinger's world and less of New York; that's what I needed.

Abaddon's Gate slowed to a crawl after the halfway point, to a degree that I asked myself if it was the book's fault or mine that I was losing interest. But then things came back online and the book was engrossing again. Unfortunately I never felt as attached to the new POV characters as I did with those in Caliban's War. I'm hoping to see Bobbie and Avasarala again, but won't be too sad to never hear from this book's additions again.

Overall, I feel this was a great next step in the series. Recommended!

I liked the titular character, but the story unfolding around her felt a bit forced at times. Rough and tumble characters that didn't pull the gun they certainly carried on our hero as she bossed them around with hers... it felt a bit like a video game, where enemies line up to attack one at a time instead of all at once. The book was still fun, but it left me wanting.