I just finished WoC a few hours ago. (marathon since Christmas, reread them all). I think this is how I would rank them as well. Athough you can't forget

6. The little sisters of Eluria.

I never read this one when it came out because my mind wasn't in sync with the DT series(been so long since I was in that world). I waited until I was going to re-read them to tackle it. So I read it just before WoC a few weeks ago. Bad. I haven't read 6 or 7 yet, but this short story/novella is bad. Very bad.

FYI- LSoE has some connections to Black House (the Talisman sequel) if you've read that.

Never did. I want to reread Talisman first.

Haven't read LSoE, I guess I'll get to it after I finish the Stand (only 760 or so pages ), but I'm in no hurry.

Oh, yea, I finished WotC a while ago, and that ranking still holds. I really liked it, and SoS can't get her soon enough. Thankfully I have plenty of books lined up.

IMO, SK kind of wussed out Roland after the Gunslinger...

I'm kind of wondering in the long term if he'll sell 'em all down the river to get to the Tower....

Just a bump 'cause it's only a week away. I haven't yet decided if I want to buy the book or go for the audiobook and save it for a summer roadtrip. I'm not as happy with George Guidall as I was with Frank Muller.

MUST. GET. NEW. DARK. TOWER. BOOK.

Just finished SoS, and I think he really pulled it off very well. Loved the book... finished it in two days, couldn't put it down. But... now I have to wait for the next one! Argh!


-Sky

Just preordered mine through Amazon. I cannot wait until next week!

Just picked mine up at Sam's Club. $17.97. Not bad.

Mine should be arriving in the mail anyday.

Just noticed on the page that lists everything King has written, all the books that are Dark Tower related are in bold print, distinguishing them from the rest. Nice.

edit to add:

If there are any of you like me that like to know how many pages are in a book before you read... DO NOT LOOK in this book. There is a HUGE spoiler in ultra bold text and probably 18 pt. size font on the last page.

You have been warned.

Wow ... a very odd, almost surreal read. It's gonna take me a while to gather my thoughts on this one.

the new one's already out?! i haven't even read wolves of the calla yet. i better get crackin'.

I read the entire thing in one sitting. I curled up on the couch and read it.

Holy shit. Amazing read. Simply Amazing.

Just finished it today also--what a great book! While I wish I could read the final book right now, I have waited years between some of the other installments, so I think I can make it a couple more months. This is especially true because this time I know that the final book is already done!

In an epilogue to one of the early DT books, SK wrote that he didn't know if he would live long enough to finish this tale; but now, despite a very close call with a murderous van a few years back, he has indeed completed his service to the Beam. Finality is certain. Say thankee sai!

Final thoughts: I liked it a lot. There was nice resonance with the rest of the series, and the Stephen King stuff worked remarkably well. I was afraid of that part coming off too cute. The only thing I didn't really enjoy was the King-style "smack you over the head" foreshadowing...



... it seemed a bit forced, though I appreciate then tension.

Yes, I hate that. King is my favorite writer, but that crap has got to stop. It was even more blatant in vol. 4 when he says

Other than that, I loved the hell out of this book. I just wish it could have been longer.

I'm listening to the audiobook - let's just say that things become much easier to buy into after a few drinks.

I've always loved the way King foreshadows. I didn't read your spoilers, but I dig they way he does it.
For example, he might tell you on the first page of a book that the MC never makes it to the end. Yet you fall in love with the character anyway and are still disappointed when it happens. I think it is his way of saying that they way it ends isn't as important as the journey it takes to get there.

Probably not a good idea to read the spoilers ... I don't mind the occurance of the foreshadowing ... just the placement. Too often it feels just tacked on the the end of a chapter.

Am I the only one that thinks that will be the Crimson King?




Now, apart from Roland, my favorite character is Odetta. That woman has got the meanest mouth. But, she speaks true.

Songs was a great book, but, just too damn short. looking forward the last one. September can't come fast enough!

I believe the final book isn't due until November.

I preorder it from B&N, and they had a Sept. release data listed.

My apology. You're absolutely right. The release date for the final installment is actually September 21 according to Stephen King's official site.