I have to admit that this is my first time reading Stephen King. I've always stayed away from his books because horror just doesn't appeal to me, too many have been made into movies, and he just seems to crank out one after another.

But a friend who swears that King is an excellent writer convinced me to give him a try. I chose this series because I heard it was King with a SF/fantasy twist.

And...I really got into it! I almost couldn't put it down until I was done. In my opinion, excellent dialogue and some of the best action I've read. He made it seem effortless, the story just flowed. I have a new found respect for King's writing ability for sure.

So, anybody else read this book? Or this series? I'm planning on looking for the next book in the series, I really want to see how he continues the story. Is it worthwhile?

And, if you're a King fan, did you like this book? I've heard a lot of King fans didn't really like this book as it was too different from his other books.

I came at it the other way around...sort of. I read a Stephen King book when I was a young teenager and enjoyed it. Picked up the Gunslinger (this was in 93 or 94, I'd guess) and got lost.

Gave up on King at that point, and only recently came back to his books, and I love every one so far, to varying degrees. (The Stand and It are masterpieces of fiction.)

Decided to give the Dark Tower series another go, and I see why I got bored with the first one, but I suppose I've matured as a reader, and it held me this time.

The Dark Tower story is not my favorite work by King, but I liked it and would say if you enjoyed The Gunslinger there's a good chance you'll like the rest. Best thing to do is to read on and decide for yourself if you want to keep going. I am a long time King reader and am somewhat biased in his favor perhaps.

It would be difficult to describe the "world" it's set in without perhaps giving a low grade spoiler. Once you finish The Drawing of the Three you should have a pretty good handle on it.

I think I will try to finish this series in the near future, sounds like I will like it...

After further reflection, what I really liked about this first book was the dialogue and the action. What I am struggling with the most in my writing right now is snappy dialouge and action, and King made this look too easy. I think he kind of skimped on the world building details and all the extra info that I am used to in the books I read, so I would normally not be attracted to this sort of book. but he gave just enough hints about the world its set in, that I am hopeful it will be fleshed out in the next books.

JFLewis: thanks for the tip on Salems lot....I will try to read first, just depends on if I can get to it...got such a long list of books I want to read already!

As for reading 'Salem's Lot, it isn't really necessary. It adds to the story, but so does It, the Stand, and a host of other novels. I'd say Hearts in Atlantis is much more influential or Black House and the Talisman. In my opinion, the Dark Tower series is really a hypertext.