The Gunslinger by Stephen King

Reviewed by Angela

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In the first book of this series, Stephen King introduces readers to one of his most enigmatic heroes, Roland of Gilead, the Last Gunslinger. He is a haunting figure, a loner on a spellbinding journey into good and evil. In his desolate world, which frighteningly mirrors our own, Roland pursues the Man in Black, encounters an alluring woman named Alice, and begins a friendship with the Kid From Earth named Jake. Both grippingly realistic and eerily dreamlike, The Gunslinger leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

I first read The Gunslinger in high school while on my initial Stephen King kick. I had already read many of his earlier horror stories and this was different. Roland's world is unique: part fantasy, part western, part post-apocalypse. The world-building is just incredible and so intriguing that it makes you want to pick up the next book right away. It wasn’t until my second or third time reading the beginning of the Dark Tower series, and after having consumed many other King novels, that I saw how connected his stories were. This series is an absolute must-read for any Stephen King fan. 

Rating: 4/5 stars

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