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!
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.
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?
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
@@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 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 😩
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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
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😂.
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
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.
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).
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!
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.
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.
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.
Holy cow you haven’t read Black House yet Mike? I recommend reading it immediately. One of kings best books (and I didn’t like The Talisman much) and is almost as essential to the Dark Tower as Insomnia. My extended Dark Tower reading order: -The Gunslinger DT1 -The Drawing of the Three DT2 -The Talisman -The Stand -Eyes of the Dragon -The Wastelands DT3 -Wizard and Glass DT4 -Salem’s Lot -The Mist (short story) -IT -Insomnia -Bag of Bones (optional) -Desperation (optional) -The Regulators (optional) -Everything’s Eventual (short story only) -The Little Sisters of Eluria (short story) -Hearts in Atlantis -Black House -The Wind Through the Keyhole DT4.5 -Wolves of the Calla DT5 -Song of Susannah DT6 -The Dark Tower DT7
I started reading King with the Dark Tower series. While you miss the connections to other books, it works in reverse when you read his other work. It's really not an issue.
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!
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.
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
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)
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!
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.
@@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.
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.
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.
Great video Mike. I just finished DT 7 yesterday. It does recap most of Insomnia so its a definite must read before 7. I think the first 4 books are brilliant. Book 5 is really good until the very end that sets the ground for the meta nonsense. Book 6 outside of the meta moment(which I hate in this and book 7) is fine and book 7 is my all time least favorite Stephen King book. Its not even the ending(although I think that's lame too.) Its the decisions he made with the antagonists. RF, Mordred and Crimson King all had very unsatisfying endings to me...especially what he did to RF...ugh. Its also inexplicably the longest book and almost nothing interesting happens lol. I will be very interested to hear what you think on your reread.
The unanswered mystery of the details of the world - - pretty much right off the bat, the odd specificity of a shared, but different Beatles song/melody, the immediate environment seeming as if it could be parked right here on earth, but without any real indication of exactly where the current events of the book could fall on earth's timeline, whether in a near or far future, but PROBABLY not the past because of the what seem to be slight differences between how we'd otherwise perceive "what did happen/how things unfolded on earth historically" and again, but how could that damn Beatles song "be THERE" lol, etc... - - that sense of familiarity complete with a palpable itch of "I know the reasons pertaining to its familiarity, but more importantly, I NEED TO KNOW the whos, whats,, whens, other wheres, and, even more importantly, HOWS pertaining to what's different, and what made it that way... That simple yet most potent world building IMMEDIATELY kept me reading.
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.
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!
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.
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...
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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!
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.
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 👍🏻
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Dark Tower series is the first thing I read by Stephen King. After that it was hard to read his other books. The other books felt different. The Dark Tower is my favorite book series.
Guys, listen to Mike, do as he recommends if you are a King fan and you want to get not only into The Dark Tower but also if you want to check the books that are connected to it: READ INSOMNIA BEFORE GETTING INTO BOOK 7, because I didn't (I had only read Salem's Lot and The Stand beforehand) and that book, INSOMNIA, is literally butchered in the final entry of the Tower; and I was looking forward to it once I had finished the series. As for those who suggest skipping The Gunslinger.... I mean, really? Why would you? It's less than 300 pages and it is split into 5 parts, what more do you need? Would you start building a house by buying the furniture?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mild spoilers up to DT 6: I don't understand the hate for DT6. Yes, there are some incredibly "meta" decisions that for some people can kill immersion, but those type of decisions have already been established as acceptable prior in the series (King being mentioned, entire King books being tangible objects within the story, Star Wars, Harry Potter, etc). This book almost harkens back to DT 2 for me; the party is split, and each of the members story feels like a vignette part of a larger novel, culminating at the end. I'm not going to say DT 6 is the best one by a long shot, but I think the hate is underserved: if you aren't down for wild, laws-of-the-universe defying events, then why read King in the first place?
On a side note, I know you like metal, so have you ever heard of Demons and Wizards? Their second album is called Touched by the Crimson King and features songs about The Gunslinger, Baine ( song is called Terror Train) and The Crimson King. They are a power metal band and have an Iron Maiden and Judas Priest feel.
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.
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?
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.
If you've paid attention reading the series, King had been hinting at the end since book 2 or 3. I thought it was the only way he could've ended that story.
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!
I think I’m going to read them in this order because a lot of people have recommended it: The Stand The Gunslinger The Drawing Of The Three The Waste Lands Wizard And Glass Insomnia Wolves Of The Calla Song Of Susannah Hearts In Atlantis Everything’s Eventual (short story) The Dark Tower The Wind Through The Keyhole The Little Sisters Of Eluria The Talisman Black House The Eyes Of The Dragon Rose Madder Desperation The Regulators The Breathing Method I’m not sure which versions of The Stand and The Gunslinger I should read though. Also, should I read The Wind Through The Keyhole between books 4 and 5, or after book 7?
Make sure you read ‘Salem’s Lot before Wolves of Calla. I don’t see it on your list. I am currently reading The Stand (the uncut version) just because I’m doing it for a challenge, and the higher the page count, the more points I’ll get. I’ve heard the original is a much tighter story, so I was going to read that instead, but the page count is much less. I read the later version of the Gunslinger, and it was great. I have been trying to find the original for years (just for fun), but I haven’t been lucky enough to find it. I read the Wind Through the Keyhole between books 4 and 5, and I think it works there. It’s something like Wizard and Glass with the storytelling (not in the present), so I think you could go either way.
First I've seen Regulators or Breathing Method in there. As for WTTK, I actually haven't read it. So I can't say for sure, but I have talked to other Tower Junkies and they say a first timer should read it at the end.
@@kaylaqueen6640 I read ‘Salem’s Lot a couple of months ago. I’ll probably read the original edition of The Stand (if I like it I’ll read the uncut edition after I finish reading all of these books) and I’ll read the revised edition of The Gunslinger. Thanks for the response.
@@mikesbookreviews I don’t know how significant The Regulators’ connection to the Dark Tower is, but I don’t mind anyway because it’s one of the SK books I’m most looking forward to reading. I will read WTTK after book 7. Thanks for responding.
@@mikesbookreviews Regulators was a "book" intended for publication much earlier. King basically saved it. It only features the Tower in a minor way but does add some interesting details. Breathing Method I NEVER heard though and I am a DT expert. Great video. I will post a response on my fantasy channel. You don't need my signal boost A great list but no IT? POOR TURTLE lol
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!!!
I remember not liking Insomnia simply because it wasn’t horror. It was more like extrapolated Greek mythology. But I do remember the elevator. Was that a “this universe” version of the tower? Do you think King was inspired by Moorcock’s “Eternal Champion”?
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!
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.
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?
I think you are mixing a couple of the books up, I don’t think the lobstrosities appear until The Drawing of the Three.
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
@@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
@@trickvondoom2354 Tbf it’s an honest mistake since it’s like the very first thing to happen in the next book. Spoiler alert lol
@@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 😩
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.
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!
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.
Yeah, I don't get it at all.
Hell no, they’re just wrong
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.
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!
I don’t get that either. I loved The Gunslinger. Sets up the story and pulls you in.
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.
Hope it's going well!!
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.
So glad you’re liking it!
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
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
Ugh, Song of Susannah.
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😂.
Here is a soul that loves Song of Susannah. I don't understand how anyone who calls themselves a Tower fan could dislike it!
You re-ignited my passion to reading Stephen King.
I bought 13 of his books today (April 1, 2024).
Thanks.
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
The last gunslinger Is a better title than the real one
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.
100 percent.
Nothing better then making my coffee and getting the discord notification that mike posted
Always happy to help on a Monday morning.
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).
I just read Insomnia recently. It was SO good.
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!
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.
"Start with something smaller" lol I started with IT then The Stand then The Dark Tower. I did the exact opposite :)
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.
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.
SoS is always going to be a struggle for me. I'm kind of dreading that re-read.
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
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.
Holy cow you haven’t read Black House yet Mike? I recommend reading it immediately. One of kings best books (and I didn’t like The Talisman much) and is almost as essential to the Dark Tower as Insomnia.
My extended Dark Tower reading order:
-The Gunslinger DT1
-The Drawing of the Three DT2
-The Talisman
-The Stand
-Eyes of the Dragon
-The Wastelands DT3
-Wizard and Glass DT4
-Salem’s Lot
-The Mist (short story)
-IT
-Insomnia
-Bag of Bones (optional)
-Desperation (optional)
-The Regulators (optional)
-Everything’s Eventual (short story only)
-The Little Sisters of Eluria (short story)
-Hearts in Atlantis
-Black House
-The Wind Through the Keyhole DT4.5
-Wolves of the Calla DT5
-Song of Susannah DT6
-The Dark Tower DT7
I started reading King with the Dark Tower series. While you miss the connections to other books, it works in reverse when you read his other work. It's really not an issue.
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!
Hope you enjoy it!
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.
Book 6 is brilliant as well. I love that it breaks from the typical style, and the end is killer
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
Gracias! One less thing to worry about in the mornings.
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
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)
Just started book 3. Enjoying it so far
Hope you love it!
The Waste Lands is probably my fave!! It's such a rollercoaster of a story! Enjoy pal!
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!
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.
I think he's using Hindu mythology. Odd to us but normal if you study mythology
@@darkthorpocomicknight7891Interesting. Would you please share specifics?
@@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.
@@michaelvigil3436 yes, that absolutely makes sense! Thanks!
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.
I highly recommend reading the other books in the series.
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.
I read this series once a year it's my favorite.
Great video Mike. I just finished DT 7 yesterday. It does recap most of Insomnia so its a definite must read before 7. I think the first 4 books are brilliant. Book 5 is really good until the very end that sets the ground for the meta nonsense. Book 6 outside of the meta moment(which I hate in this and book 7) is fine and book 7 is my all time least favorite Stephen King book. Its not even the ending(although I think that's lame too.) Its the decisions he made with the antagonists. RF, Mordred and Crimson King all had very unsatisfying endings to me...especially what he did to RF...ugh. Its also inexplicably the longest book and almost nothing interesting happens lol. I will be very interested to hear what you think on your reread.
Everyone seems to criticize the Gunslinger. It was my favorite book of the series and I could not stop after I finished that one.
I was taken from the start, that first book lit out like a sprint.
The unanswered mystery of the details of the world -
- pretty much right off the bat, the odd specificity of a shared, but different Beatles song/melody, the immediate environment seeming as if it could be parked right here on earth, but without any real indication of exactly where the current events of the book could fall on earth's timeline, whether in a near or far future, but PROBABLY not the past because of the what seem to be slight differences between how we'd otherwise perceive "what did happen/how things unfolded on earth historically" and again, but how could that damn Beatles song "be THERE" lol, etc... -
- that sense of familiarity complete with a palpable itch of "I know the reasons pertaining to its familiarity, but more importantly, I NEED TO KNOW the whos, whats,, whens, other wheres, and, even more importantly, HOWS pertaining to what's different, and what made it that way...
That simple yet most potent world building IMMEDIATELY kept me reading.
I am pumped for the Liveship Traders.
Neat.
Just ordered Salem’s Lot. First king book for me
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.
Book 1 is a weird read. I tell people all the time. I've liked it more and more with every read, but, I remember being lost reading it the first time.
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!
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.
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...
Lots of great moments like that for Constant Readers.
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.
I’m 50% done with IT and I’m obsessed!
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.
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.
@@mikesbookreviews Sounds perfect for me! Consider me part of your ka-tet. I’ll read Wolves of the Calla in May.
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.
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!
I think it's safe to say you enjoyed it?
@@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
I like the music and your new haircut! Great video, I loved the first book! I have to continue with the series!
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?
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.
Interesting was Stephen King considered like smut?
@@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?"
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!
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.
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 👍🏻
While I've read all 7 DT books I constantly go back and listen to them on audio. I just finished books 5 6 and 7...again. Ka is a wheel.
Dark tower box set has been sitting on my shelf for three years unread. It’s just daunting.
The buzzed head looks great!
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.
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.
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!
Just found your channel yesterday when I decided to finally read The Dark Tower. Seeing this video today makes it seem meant to be.
I'm really interested in reading Dark Tower, I'll try to read some more King before that however
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'.
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.
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.
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.
The Dark Tower series is the first thing I read by Stephen King. After that it was hard to read his other books. The other books felt different.
The Dark Tower is my favorite book series.
Guys, listen to Mike, do as he recommends if you are a King fan and you want to get not only into The Dark Tower but also if you want to check the books that are connected to it:
READ INSOMNIA BEFORE GETTING INTO BOOK 7, because I didn't (I had only read Salem's Lot and The Stand beforehand) and that book, INSOMNIA, is literally butchered in the final entry of the Tower; and I was looking forward to it once I had finished the series.
As for those who suggest skipping The Gunslinger.... I mean, really? Why would you? It's less than 300 pages and it is split into 5 parts, what more do you need? Would you start building a house by buying the furniture?
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.
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.
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.
Great video Mike! I love your vids and sk vids especially. Keep up the good work. Just starting the last book in the series.
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.
Mild spoilers up to DT 6: I don't understand the hate for DT6. Yes, there are some incredibly "meta" decisions that for some people can kill immersion, but those type of decisions have already been established as acceptable prior in the series (King being mentioned, entire King books being tangible objects within the story, Star Wars, Harry Potter, etc). This book almost harkens back to DT 2 for me; the party is split, and each of the members story feels like a vignette part of a larger novel, culminating at the end. I'm not going to say DT 6 is the best one by a long shot, but I think the hate is underserved: if you aren't down for wild, laws-of-the-universe defying events, then why read King in the first place?
Time for my daily dose of this! Last video i see before reading to sleep always.
On a side note, I know you like metal, so have you ever heard of Demons and Wizards?
Their second album is called Touched by the Crimson King and features songs about The Gunslinger, Baine ( song is called Terror Train) and The Crimson King. They are a power metal band and have an Iron Maiden and Judas Priest feel.
I have!
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.
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?
@@kr5088 nah, that's at the end of the last book, so, you're fine 👍🏻
I just finished book #2 , i came to the serie knowing absolutely nothing, book 2 blew my mind
Because of reasons I'd suggest reading The Little Sisters of Eluria after Wizards and Glass.
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.
If you've paid attention reading the series, King had been hinting at the end since book 2 or 3. I thought it was the only way he could've ended that story.
I loved the ending. It made me feel like things were complete. It was brilliant. It made me feel very happy.
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.
Ka is a wheel, and everything, especially reading The Dark Tower, serves the Beam. Say thank-ya, sai Mike.
Very helpful video Mike, thank you. I’ll be picking up the stand soon!
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!
That intro was dope!!! Been loving my journey down the beam
I agree with all of your recommendations as a long time reader of SK and of the DT.
I think I’m going to read them in this order because a lot of people have recommended it:
The Stand
The Gunslinger
The Drawing Of The Three
The Waste Lands
Wizard And Glass
Insomnia
Wolves Of The Calla
Song Of Susannah
Hearts In Atlantis
Everything’s Eventual (short story)
The Dark Tower
The Wind Through The Keyhole
The Little Sisters Of Eluria
The Talisman
Black House
The Eyes Of The Dragon
Rose Madder
Desperation
The Regulators
The Breathing Method
I’m not sure which versions of The Stand and The Gunslinger I should read though. Also, should I read The Wind Through The Keyhole between books 4 and 5, or after book 7?
Make sure you read ‘Salem’s Lot before Wolves of Calla. I don’t see it on your list. I am currently reading The Stand (the uncut version) just because I’m doing it for a challenge, and the higher the page count, the more points I’ll get. I’ve heard the original is a much tighter story, so I was going to read that instead, but the page count is much less. I read the later version of the Gunslinger, and it was great. I have been trying to find the original for years (just for fun), but I haven’t been lucky enough to find it. I read the Wind Through the Keyhole between books 4 and 5, and I think it works there. It’s something like Wizard and Glass with the storytelling (not in the present), so I think you could go either way.
First I've seen Regulators or Breathing Method in there. As for WTTK, I actually haven't read it. So I can't say for sure, but I have talked to other Tower Junkies and they say a first timer should read it at the end.
@@kaylaqueen6640 I read ‘Salem’s Lot a couple of months ago. I’ll probably read the original edition of The Stand (if I like it I’ll read the uncut edition after I finish reading all of these books) and I’ll read the revised edition of The Gunslinger. Thanks for the response.
@@mikesbookreviews I don’t know how significant The Regulators’ connection to the Dark Tower is, but I don’t mind anyway because it’s one of the SK books I’m most looking forward to reading. I will read WTTK after book 7. Thanks for responding.
@@mikesbookreviews Regulators was a "book" intended for publication much earlier. King basically saved it. It only features the Tower in a minor way but does add some interesting details. Breathing Method I NEVER heard though and I am a DT expert. Great video. I will post a response on my fantasy channel. You don't need my signal boost
A great list but no IT? POOR TURTLE lol
I would definitely include The talisman, black house, and It
Great Video Mike, love this kind of content
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.
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.
Can't wait to get there in my king read through!
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.
Oh shoot… needed this on my Monday morning!
I love Dark Tower talk.
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.
May I ask what about the poem ruined the ending for you? Just genuinely curious
Thanks a lot for this video, as someone who wants to start the series, it's just perfect.
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!
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.
I like the audio quality of your videos
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!!!
Ka is a wheel, my friend.
My first King books were the Dark Tower series. There are times when u dont get the references but its not that big a deal.
I remember not liking Insomnia simply because it wasn’t horror. It was more like extrapolated Greek mythology. But I do remember the elevator. Was that a “this universe” version of the tower?
Do you think King was inspired by Moorcock’s “Eternal Champion”?
im just starting book one im not much of a reader but i really like the connected universe idea i just hope its not too much for me
Best one word answer to Ka- Fate
Correct.