Review: The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower #2) by Stephen King

Synopsis (via Goodreads):

Roland of Gilead has mysteriously stepped through a doorway in time that takes him to 1980s America, where he joins forces with the defiant Eddie Dean and courageous Odetta Holmes. A savage struggle has begun in which underworld evil and otherworldly enemies conspire to bring an end to Roland's desperate search for the Dark Tower. Masterfully weaving dark fantasy and icy realism, The Drawing of the Three compulsively propels readers toward the next chapter. Set in a world of extraordinary circumstances, filled with stunning visual imagery and unforgettable characters, The Dark Tower series is unlike anything you've ever read. Here is Stephen King's most visionary piece of storytelling, a magical mix of fantasy and horror that may well be his crowning achievement.

My Thoughts: I've read the entire Dark Tower series and it always comes back to the first three books for me.  I loved them the first time I read them and I love them to this day.  Where the first book forces you into a  fantastically realized universe where the world has moved on, this book expands Roland's quest epically and makes it so much more than simply the last gunslinger chasing a man in black across a dusty land.

Roland comes to realize some hard truths about himself.  Maybe they're things he's always known and maybe not, but he sees the obsession in himself clearly.  He sees what he's willing to sacrifice in order to reach his goal.  And it's tragic and sad.

Physically, he falters badly in this book. His spirit is more than willing, but his body has been pushed past its endurance point and can't keep up. These physical issues also force him to confront new limitations in himself.  A gunslinger who can't handle his guns is no gunslinger at all.

Eddie's and Odetta's journey is no less harrowing.  Eddie must learn to deal with his addiction and Odetta has many ugly truths she has to learn about herself.  Are they strong enough to join Roland on his quest and keep the worlds from falling apart?  Not without Roland's guidance.

I really enjoy this series.  Like, ridiculous amounts.  Read it from the beginning and see why it's considered to be Stephen King's most ambitious work.

FYI, I have no idea what to label this series as- fantasy?  epic quests?  OMG!You need to read this series?  *face palm*

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