I just finished book 4 of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King entitled Wizard and Glass. The following is spoiler free. The series is about a gunslinger named Roland and his quest to reach the Dark Tower. He is accompanied by several companions on his journey, all drawn from "our world" to Roland’s. His world has similarities with our own, like an oil drilling station with the words "Exxon" on them. Basically it’s a parallel universe with a different timeline, because things have turned out quite different in Roland’s world. If you want to know more than that, you have to start the series.

This book is almost entirely a flashback, and could probably be read independent from the rest of the series. Aside from a deeper understanding of Roland and his world, most of the characters are new and from a time in Roland’s life that we know little about. Also different is the love story that dominates much of the book, which is really fantastic.

We hit up the library today and picked up book 5, Wolves of the Calla. Should you read this series? I would say my interest is growing with each book, and why that is I’m not sure. I think it’s partly that King has become a better writer as the series goes on, and I’m also growing more accustomed to his style of writing. If you like fantasy that isn’t overboard, and you’re looking for a big commitment, I would check this series out. After you read A Game of Thrones though.