Wizard and Glass - Stephen King

RATING: THREE STARS

Although Wizard and Glass is the forth installment of Stephen King's Dark Tower series, it's actually more a back-story to Roland Deschain's life than a continuation of the overall tale. While Roland is sat around a campfire in a strange 'weak spot' between universes, he tells his companions of his first adventure as an anointed gunslinger and of Susan - the first and last love of his long, lonely life.

It's a story of honour and hardship, where Roland and his childhood friends Alain and Cuthbert desperately try to prove that they're true gunslingers in a world that is falling apart and sliding into decadence. But they're still little more than children and soon realise that they're out of their depth as they're caught in the schemes of men who are turning their backs on the Affiliation to side with John Farson - the so called Good Man and leader of the rebels that are bringing what remains of civilisation to its knees . . .

The Good
One of the best things about Wizard and Glass is being able to see Roland as a young teenager. He's not yet the cold and brutal killer he becomes in later life and is still full of youthful wonders and uncertainty. It's also interesting to read about how he's desperate to prove himself in the eyes of his friends and his father, which underlies many of his choices and actions.

I also especially enjoyed reading about Cuthbert and Alain, who've both been mentioned in previous books as Roland's oldest friends. Both boys feature prominently in the book and King has managed to write in a comfortable friendship where each knows and trusts in the abilities of the others. This really adds to their camaraderie and the concept that they've been training as gunslingers together for their whole lives.

Roland's back story is also pretty good overall, being exciting at the end and showing that he's already capable of killing and commiting the terrible acts he will come to do in later life. King also explains how he came to find out about the Dark Tower and why he's been seeking it with the single-mindedness of a madman ever since.

The Bad
Unfortunately, Wizard and Glass is a very slow book and is filled with a lot of waffle that doesn't really need to be in there. There are pages and pages filled with people talking and walking around and nothing much actually happens until the very end of the book. This is a shame really because it drags the story out and means that it's quite boring in places. It's definitely the least interesting of the Dark Tower books, despite the glimpse it gives into Roland's mysterious past.

My Thoughts
Overall though, Wizard and Glass is a good book. I enjoyed reading it (for the most part) and am glad that we've learnt a bit more about Roland's past - as well as finding out why he's seeking the Dark Tower! I'm definitely looking forward to the story progressing again in Wolves of the Calla and am hoping that it'll be back up to scratch and be a bit more exciting!

The Night of the Swarm - Robert V. S. Redick

RATING: FIVE STARS

Rather sadly, The Night of the Swarm is the last instalment of Robert V. S. Redick's Chathrand Voyage Quartet – one of my favourite series' ever! It continues the epic adventure of Lady Thasha Isiq, Pazel Pathkendle and the rest of their brave companions as they continue their quest to cast the Nilstone out of Alifros once and for all.

Their adventure is now more dangerous than ever before as they were unable to prevent the evil sorcerer Arunis from unleashing the Swarm – a sentient cloud from the Land of the Dad that feeds off violence and murder. The Swarm draws its power from the Nilstone and they must race across Alifros to cast it back into the River of Shadows before the cloud engulfs their world entirely, leaving it as nothing more than a barren and desolate wasteland.

But there are those that seek to use the power of the Nilstone for their own ends and they are now pursued by Macadra, Arunis' dark sister and ruler of the Ravens – the terrible magical covenant that is the true power behind Bali Adro. Even as Arqual, Mzithrin and Gurishal begin their terrible three way war and the soaring death toll begins to attract the Swarm, Macadra is scouring the wildernesses of Bali Adro for Thasha and the Nilstone . . .

The Good

Once again, Redick has written the book with a flair of his unrivalled imagination and it is filled with action and heartbreak; set against a stunning backdrop of inventive locales that are beautiful to visualise. His prose is superb, once again carrying his enthusiasm for his story and he continues to write with that strangely modernised style that I have enjoyed in his earlier books. His language really drew me into the story and helped to make his setting of great naval ships in a colonial era very believable (as did his research into naval jargon and technologies, which is stunningly detailed).

As ever, Redick’s characterisation is superb. As well as continuing to develop his main characters from earlier books, he also begins to explore his antagonists. As the book progresses, it becomes increasingly obvious that the entire world really is in danger of being destroyed and it's interesting to read how old enemies begin to set aside their past grudges and stand together to resist the Swarm and the darkness that chases them as best as they as able! 

The Bad

I only have one fault with The Night of the Swarm, which is the series being over! The first book in the series, The Red Wold Conspiracy, was Redick's debut novel and, unfortunately, I don't think he has anything else published as of yet . . . Come on Redick!

My Thoughts

The Night of the Swarm is a truly remarkable book that ends a fantastic series in a satisfying and epic manner. All of the loose ends of the story were tied up well and, I have to say, that this was one of the most creative and interesting stories that I've read in a long time. I strongly urge you to read this series and recommend it to your friends and families as it's surprisingly unknown, despite being a true gem of the fantasy genre!