Despite being one of the most prolific authors in modern history, sometimes averaging three books a year, there has been nothing that has meant as much to Stephen King as his work on "The Dark Tower" series. To general audiences, it's hard to see why given how deep it dives into complex fantasy, mixing genres and styles with a lexicon all its own. The central figure is a gunslinger named Roland, but his partners come from different "when's" and the journey features diversions to different "where's." Considering that the first book started as a compilation of short stories, it would be difficult to get new audiences on board without some forward. Still, what it presents is one of the ultimate visions of King as an author: passionate about everything in literature and pop culture, and yes... this does include himself.
So to get to the end of the saga isn't easy, in part because of a notorious car crash that plays heavily into the book's plot. There weren't any guarantees that King would be alive to make this novel possibly. By that measure, this is the ultimate miracle in fantasy literature. However, the love that this novel will get is based on how much King's best and worst literary tendencies annoy you. Following a muddled book in "The Song of Susannah," "The Dark Tower" starts with the feeling like the world is going to end, and it only builds to the harrowing conclusion. However, where the other novels took years and decades to appear, there's a rushed sense, even at a thousand pages, that comes with a finale. Much like everything else, endings aren't one of King's strong suits. Still, the road there is just as exciting as it is befuddling.
