There's a lot still to be explained about what goes on in this novel (it doesn't hinder the story any, though), and I wouldn't be surprised if, after a few more novels from the pile and indulging in another of Kay's, I came back for the second in the Dark Tower series. I like having my questions answered!
And now...
The Quirky Thing that Makes Me Squee
The crow that says "Screw you and the horse you rode on." For some reason I thought this was hilarious. I still do. Plus I'm usually irritated by talking animals, but this crow? I love this crow.
What I Learned From King
We've all heard of the importance of first lines. This novel is filled with brilliant first-lines hook. Twice, I've glanced at the line before closing the novel, only to bite my lips at what I'd read, check the time, and decide I should go on a little more. Here, I'll throw in two examples.
Novel's first line:
The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.
Chapter start:
The boy found the oracle, and it almost destroyed him.
These are just two, and I found them flipping around randomly. The novel is ripe with them, and though I have not read anything else by Stephen King, I'd be surprised if this wasn't true for his other novels.
First lines hook your readers and draw them in. Make them count, and you'll have someone up at 4 am because he can't put your book down.
