For me, The Gunslinger is the best, even though I'd probably skip past it to The Drawing of the Three if I were to re-read the series. I wouldn't exactly say the other books were worse than The Gunslinger, but I just loved the sort of hallucinogenic mystery of the first book and that is something that cannot be re-experienced, unlike the other books.
I thoroughly enjoyed this entire journey. I read all of Dark Tower series and a few others some years ago, but not all of the list you went through (I would argue not all of them were necessary, but very enjoyable, regardless). Also, some of the perspectives you focused on, I completely missed or glanced over without a second thought. So you compelled me to read the series again (well, listen to it, nowadays it's more convenient just press play to and from work). Yeah, just an all-around enjoyable experience.
Thanks mate. I really appreciate that and it's so cool that you got to relive the journey. I'm sure I'll read through it again but maybe I'll take it at a slower pace next time haha!
Same! I have such a hard time choosing between WL and WottC. Also, the longer I am away from the series (its been about 3 years), the longer I think about Song of Susanna... it was my second to last when I read it. But I think about it constantly! It keeps moving up lol.
Thanks for a great episode and an even better Dark Tower series! I love your "Battle of the Books" bracket approach. For the next battle have Herbert's Dune Series vs. Asimov's Foundation series. You've made me a loyal subscriber. Cheers.
Oooooh nice! I haven't read either of these series yet. I'm currently watching Foundation with my wife (the tv show adaptation) and we're enjoying it but yeah I should pick up the books. Thanks so much for your kind words.
The Dark Tower is my favorite series of all time, and that’s saying a bit. The beautiful mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and thriller go great together, and the references and the tie-ins with other books just conjoin into one beautiful, well, tower.
I've read the dark tower series twice over the last few years, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching your reviews and seeing someone experiencing King's magnum opus for the first time. Well done. May I suggest reviewing the Enders game books at some future point? It's been a great journey, please keep the videos coming my friend.
Enders game! This has been on my radar for a long time. You just reminded me. There's so much to read out there. I'm also considering The Expanse and the Gap Cycle series.
Dope video! I think you could also do a book battle with all of the gothic horror books you read. That’d be fun to see :) So my ranking is this. 1. Drawing of The Three 2. The Dark Tower 3. Wizard and Glass 4. Wolves of the Calla 5. Song of Susannah 6. The Waste Lands 7. The Gunslinger 8. The Wind Through The Keyhole. Really fun video idea and I am stoked to see the next video with all of the best King novels :D
Thankyou so much for your Dark Tower series. And as a subscriber I want to give something back to you. As a fantasy fan it can be overwhelming deciding where to go next. So let me me make a suggestion. The Faithful and The Fallen by John Gwynne. 4 books, large tomes ( but you won’t believe it once you start as the time FLIES!!!) brilliant world building, unforgettable characters…..The tears, blood and imagery are next level. Please, please, please give it a go. It will be the best journey you could make. And yes…. Get your tissues ready. The characters are completely unforgettable and unique. Happy reading buddy 👍🏻
Thanks Paul. I appreciate the recommendations mate. I'll be sure to add them to my massive TBR list. I'm glad you liked the video series and happy reading to you too mate.
Loved this video and the "Battle of the Books" set-up! My favorite is The Wastelands where I feel Roland's Ka-Tet really come together properly for the first time. The re-introduction of Jake was a very moving, powerful moment. I also loved the introduction to Blaine the Pain. I had no problem with the cliffhanger at the end as I had book 4 ready and waiting. 😀 I can understand how some fans would be angry and frustrated with that non-ending. I actually loved every book, including The Wind Through The Keyhole, so would have a hard time ranking them, which I plan to do this year.
I’m actively reading this series and just finished Wind Through the Keyhole, so far The Wastelands is my favorite 🎉 three books to go and I’m planning on taking my time with it!
Great ranking, although I have to say I had fun with WInd Through the Keyhole. For me my T3 would look like this: 1. The Drawing of the Three 2. Wolves of the Calla 3. The Tower Btw, I don't know if you noticed, but I wrote a very detailed comment on your last review and would like to hear your opinion. Otherwise let it be said: Happy reading 🙂
Hey! I'm sorry I didn't get back to you on your comment on my last video yet. I need a better system to make sure I get back to people sooner. It's getting harder to manage recently but I'll be sure to reply. I'm glad you liked Wind Through the Keyhole. That's solid top 3.
Haha, whats everyone else talking about? Wizard and Glass was great! I always have trouble making lists like these. Its really hard to be specific. I like the whole series. A lot. 😊
Oh man, Drawing of the Three?? I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!! I thought Wolves of the Calla would clinch it! I think The Drawing of the Three is my favourite! I love it when Roland experiences New York (the land of abundance!😂). I feel like Drawing of the Three is the true start to the journey! Amazing video, I’m looking forward to more paperback punch ups!
Gotta agree with you. The Drawing of the Three is clearly the best of the lot. Having started the series almost around the time as same as you, having even referred to the Jimmy Mango video for the reading order, I was more than delighted to have a companion on the road to the Dark Tower. I enjoyed your views on the books, echoing my thoughts. But, having completed the series, it feels weird to admit that I feel rather underwhelmed. Having always heard recommendations of the series and thoroughly enjoying some of Stephen King's works years prior (It, Shining, Carrie), I was a little scared of starting a series that has such a stupendous amount of build up from the very first line. "The man in black fled across the deser, and the gunslinger followed". The line gripped me by the collar and pulled me in (Almost like the scene in the second Harry Potter movie with Tom Riddle's diary). In the beginning, the series had a wildness to it, a reckless sense of freedom, an uncanny feeling of uncertainty and surprise that I was more than thrilled to have been enjoying with each turning page. But as the story began to progress, the magic of that wonderment gradually disappeared (Like the Red King's body, the essence of it remained though, like the eyes). Having built up characters, even antagonists, I feel they deserve more of a pay off than the protagonist. Afterall, a story is as strong as its villain. I wouldn't say I hated the ending, for, that was the only way SK could have concluded the series, but it felt more forced than being led by the muse. It was almost like SK was bending the beams for his purpose and not the other way around. It Wasn't Natural. Unlike in the initial trilogy, where we witnessed a writer's wild ideas reign free in the wastelands of our consciousness. SK needed to end the story. But the story need not have that ending. But then, there are other worlds than these. Long days and pleasant nights.
Yeah, I like what you said there "A story is as strong as its villain." I think it was lacking in that area. I'm still going over the ending over and over again in my head. Thanks for taking the journey with me mate.
I am currently reading what would be the equivalent for writer Brian Keene his series called The Labyrinth ! Book 3 came out just recently and I finished it and it is just as exciting completely gruesome horror!! Highly recommend! And it's his culmination of his characters through all of his books coming together. He's a huge King fan as well he's friends with him but it's amazing check it out! Book one is called The Seven and they also are available on audible and they're really amazingly read!
best for me > drawing of the three, the wastelands, wizard and glass, wolves of calla, dark tower, song of susanah, gunslinger, wind through the keyhole < worst for me but pretty much all except the last can move around by one or two places
Here's my best to worst list 1) Wizard & Glass 2) Drawing of The Three 3) The Wastelands 4) The Dark Tower 5) The Gunslinger 6) Songs of Susannah 7) Wolves of The Calla 8) Wind Through The Keyhole
@@PaperbackJourneys The Wolves of The Calla was so long winded for me. Father Callahan's story saved the book for me. They are all great books though!! If you haven't read The Dead Zone yet I highly recommend that one. It's Stephen's best book in my opinion! ^_^
You’ll be pleased to know, fine sir, that isn’t results were exactly the same as yours. Great analysis of the series and rating of the individual books!
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams, a collection of short stories, Afterlife. a story contained therein. That story makes no allusions to towers, however, I believe it explains The Dark Tower. SPOILER: Roland will ALWAYS choose the left door. Does this mean he follows the left hand path?
I loved loved the first three books. Wizard and glass was good but not great, but I really don’t like love stories. The wastelands was my favorite. That book just seemed to capture the greatest part of the momentum of the story. The rest of the books could not capture the beginning. It’s too bad, I think if he had finished the series much earlier in his career it would’ve been better. Maybe after he got old he lost some ability to get into his imagination. Don’t get me wrong, I still liked the series but the last few books were a let down. I was hoping for a good ending to the top of the tower and I thought the way he did it was meh. All because he didn’t pick up a horn? Kinda cowardly not to make a better attempt to finish an epic story! Hopefully some one else out there can finish it. Also his later stories have a lot of plot holes that annoy me. He can’t tie it all in like GRR Martin can. I’m reading Fairy Tale by King now. The overall idea of the story I like but he def can’t write dialogue for sh@t. I still love the dark tower series, the first three books were amazing. I just wish he finished these stories when he was younger because I think they would’ve been better. And make a damn attempt at a real ending!
For me, The Gunslinger is the best, even though I'd probably skip past it to The Drawing of the Three if I were to re-read the series.
I wouldn't exactly say the other books were worse than The Gunslinger, but I just loved the sort of hallucinogenic mystery of the first book and that is something that cannot be re-experienced, unlike the other books.
I thoroughly enjoyed this entire journey. I read all of Dark Tower series and a few others some years ago, but not all of the list you went through (I would argue not all of them were necessary, but very enjoyable, regardless). Also, some of the perspectives you focused on, I completely missed or glanced over without a second thought. So you compelled me to read the series again (well, listen to it, nowadays it's more convenient just press play to and from work). Yeah, just an all-around enjoyable experience.
Thanks mate. I really appreciate that and it's so cool that you got to relive the journey. I'm sure I'll read through it again but maybe I'll take it at a slower pace next time haha!
Waaaaa the randomizer put my two favorites against each othed in Round 1. No fair!
HAHA blame Ka.
@@PaperbackJourneys kaka. Funny thing though. Every reread, DotT and WL trade my #1 and #3 spots, while WotC always holds #2.
Same! I have such a hard time choosing between WL and WottC.
Also, the longer I am away from the series (its been about 3 years), the longer I think about Song of Susanna... it was my second to last when I read it. But I think about it constantly! It keeps moving up lol.
Thanks for a great episode and an even better Dark Tower series! I love your "Battle of the Books" bracket approach. For the next battle have Herbert's Dune Series vs. Asimov's Foundation series. You've made me a loyal subscriber. Cheers.
Oooooh nice! I haven't read either of these series yet. I'm currently watching Foundation with my wife (the tv show adaptation) and we're enjoying it but yeah I should pick up the books. Thanks so much for your kind words.
Yes the drawing of the three introduction of Eddie is insanely great! Good list!
One of my favourite moments in the whole series for sure. I had a great time meeting Eddie Dean.
The Dark Tower is my favorite series of all time, and that’s saying a bit. The beautiful mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and thriller go great together, and the references and the tie-ins with other books just conjoin into one beautiful, well, tower.
The Dark Tower was just fantastic. That's a big statement that it's your favourite series OF ALL TIME!!?? Amazing.
@@PaperbackJourneys to be fair, my list of books to read is a pretty long one, so that opinion may change
But for now, yes, it’s my favorite
I've read the dark tower series twice over the last few years, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching your reviews and seeing someone experiencing King's magnum opus for the first time. Well done. May I suggest reviewing the Enders game books at some future point? It's been a great journey, please keep the videos coming my friend.
Enders game! This has been on my radar for a long time. You just reminded me. There's so much to read out there. I'm also considering The Expanse and the Gap Cycle series.
Dope video! I think you could also do a book battle with all of the gothic horror books you read. That’d be fun to see :)
So my ranking is this.
1. Drawing of The Three
2. The Dark Tower
3. Wizard and Glass
4. Wolves of the Calla
5. Song of Susannah
6. The Waste Lands
7. The Gunslinger
8. The Wind Through The Keyhole.
Really fun video idea and I am stoked to see the next video with all of the best King novels :D
On another note, seeing how much you enjoyed Callahan's revelation in V, what did you make of Eddie's reference to the Shining movie in DotT?
Thankyou so much for your Dark Tower series. And as a subscriber I want to give something back to you. As a fantasy fan it can be overwhelming deciding where to go next. So let me me make a suggestion. The Faithful and The Fallen by John Gwynne. 4 books, large tomes ( but you won’t believe it once you start as the time FLIES!!!) brilliant world building, unforgettable characters…..The tears, blood and imagery are next level. Please, please, please give it a go. It will be the best journey you could make. And yes…. Get your tissues ready. The characters are completely unforgettable and unique. Happy reading buddy 👍🏻
Thanks Paul. I appreciate the recommendations mate. I'll be sure to add them to my massive TBR list. I'm glad you liked the video series and happy reading to you too mate.
Loved this video and the "Battle of the Books" set-up! My favorite is The Wastelands where I feel Roland's Ka-Tet really come together properly for the first time. The re-introduction of Jake was a very moving, powerful moment. I also loved the introduction to Blaine the Pain. I had no problem with the cliffhanger at the end as I had book 4 ready and waiting. 😀 I can understand how some fans would be angry and frustrated with that non-ending. I actually loved every book, including The Wind Through The Keyhole, so would have a hard time ranking them, which I plan to do this year.
Oh that's great. Let me know when you to the comparison video mate. It's hard to separate them really, and I'm with you. The Wastelands was awesome.
Thanks, I'm definitely planning on doing more Stephen King content this year, including a Dark Tower ranking.@@PaperbackJourneys
I’m actively reading this series and just finished Wind Through the Keyhole, so far The Wastelands is my favorite 🎉 three books to go and I’m planning on taking my time with it!
Great ranking, although I have to say I had fun with WInd Through the Keyhole.
For me my T3 would look like this:
1. The Drawing of the Three
2. Wolves of the Calla
3. The Tower
Btw, I don't know if you noticed, but I wrote a very detailed comment on your last review and would like to hear your opinion.
Otherwise let it be said:
Happy reading 🙂
Hey! I'm sorry I didn't get back to you on your comment on my last video yet. I need a better system to make sure I get back to people sooner. It's getting harder to manage recently but I'll be sure to reply.
I'm glad you liked Wind Through the Keyhole.
That's solid top 3.
One of my favorite things about the series, every reread i have a new favorite. I hated wizard and glass as a kid. I grew up and loved it.
That's great! Is Wizard and Glass your favourite now?
Haha, whats everyone else talking about? Wizard and Glass was great! I always have trouble making lists like these. Its really hard to be specific. I like the whole series. A lot. 😊
Yeah it's difficult for me to to separate them sometimes and even now I got back and forth on which one is the best.
The Gunslinger is basically what The Hobbit is for the Lord of the rings trilogy. You have to read it before you start the rest of the series!
That's a great comparison!
Great vid. Wolves of the Calla was always the high water mark for me, but not mad at it losing to the Drawing of the Three.
Oh man, Drawing of the Three?? I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!! I thought Wolves of the Calla would clinch it! I think The Drawing of the Three is my favourite! I love it when Roland experiences New York (the land of abundance!😂).
I feel like Drawing of the Three is the true start to the journey!
Amazing video, I’m looking forward to more paperback punch ups!
Great minds think alike my brother! Yeah when Roland gets his first taste of Tooter Fish Sandwich and Pepsi "SUCH SWEETNESS"
Gotta agree with you. The Drawing of the Three is clearly the best of the lot.
Having started the series almost around the time as same as you, having even referred to the Jimmy Mango video for the reading order, I was more than delighted to have a companion on the road to the Dark Tower.
I enjoyed your views on the books, echoing my thoughts.
But, having completed the series, it feels weird to admit that I feel rather underwhelmed. Having always heard recommendations of the series and thoroughly enjoying some of Stephen King's works years prior (It, Shining, Carrie), I was a little scared of starting a series that has such a stupendous amount of build up from the very first line.
"The man in black fled across the deser, and the gunslinger followed".
The line gripped me by the collar and pulled me in (Almost like the scene in the second Harry Potter movie with Tom Riddle's diary).
In the beginning, the series had a wildness to it, a reckless sense of freedom, an uncanny feeling of uncertainty and surprise that I was more than thrilled to have been enjoying with each turning page. But as the story began to progress, the magic of that wonderment gradually disappeared (Like the Red King's body, the essence of it remained though, like the eyes). Having built up characters, even antagonists, I feel they deserve more of a pay off than the protagonist. Afterall, a story is as strong as its villain.
I wouldn't say I hated the ending, for, that was the only way SK could have concluded the series, but it felt more forced than being led by the muse. It was almost like SK was bending the beams for his purpose and not the other way around. It Wasn't Natural.
Unlike in the initial trilogy, where we witnessed a writer's wild ideas reign free in the wastelands of our consciousness.
SK needed to end the story. But the story need not have that ending.
But then, there are other worlds than these.
Long days and pleasant nights.
Yeah, I like what you said there "A story is as strong as its villain." I think it was lacking in that area. I'm still going over the ending over and over again in my head. Thanks for taking the journey with me mate.
Nice the drawing of the three is also my favorite
Awesome! Great minds think alike ay? lol
Wizard and Glass is my favorite but Drawing of the three is my second, great video!
I'm so glad that you liked it. Thanks for your comment. Yeah Wizard and Glass is awesome.
I am currently reading what would be the equivalent for writer Brian Keene his series called The Labyrinth ! Book 3 came out just recently and I finished it and it is just as exciting completely gruesome horror!! Highly recommend! And it's his culmination of his characters through all of his books coming together. He's a huge King fan as well he's friends with him but it's amazing check it out! Book one is called The Seven and they also are available on audible and they're really amazingly read!
Thanks so much for the recommendation mate. I really appreciate it. The Seven. I'll add that to the wish list on Audible I think.
I read the Gunslinger last year and I'm making efforts to continue through the Dark Tower this year!
So I'm watching this on mute hehe
will come back and see everything when i'm done obv
best for me > drawing of the three, the wastelands, wizard and glass, wolves of calla, dark tower, song of susanah, gunslinger, wind through the keyhole < worst for me
but pretty much all except the last can move around by one or two places
Our lists are very similar man! Love it.
Thank you for choosing the best one.
Eyyyy! We agreed on the best one!
Here's my best to worst list
1) Wizard & Glass
2) Drawing of The Three
3) The Wastelands
4) The Dark Tower
5) The Gunslinger
6) Songs of Susannah
7) Wolves of The Calla
8) Wind Through The Keyhole
Great order. It's similar to mind with the exception of (most notably) Wolves of the Calla.
@@PaperbackJourneys The Wolves of The Calla was so long winded for me. Father Callahan's story saved the book for me. They are all great books though!! If you haven't read The Dead Zone yet I highly recommend that one. It's Stephen's best book in my opinion! ^_^
You’ll be pleased to know, fine sir, that isn’t results were exactly the same as yours. Great analysis of the series and rating of the individual books!
We had the exact same results? Kindred spirits mate!!
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams, a collection of short stories, Afterlife. a story contained therein. That story makes no allusions to towers, however, I believe it explains The Dark Tower.
SPOILER: Roland will ALWAYS choose the left door. Does this mean he follows the left hand path?
I need to read more of King's short stories. I really enjoyed Everything's Eventual.
I loved loved the first three books. Wizard and glass was good but not great, but I really don’t like love stories. The wastelands was my favorite. That book just seemed to capture the greatest part of the momentum of the story. The rest of the books could not capture the beginning. It’s too bad, I think if he had finished the series much earlier in his career it would’ve been better. Maybe after he got old he lost some ability to get into his imagination. Don’t get me wrong, I still liked the series but the last few books were a let down. I was hoping for a good ending to the top of the tower and I thought the way he did it was meh. All because he didn’t pick up a horn? Kinda cowardly not to make a better attempt to finish an epic story! Hopefully some one else out there can finish it. Also his later stories have a lot of plot holes that annoy me. He can’t tie it all in like GRR Martin can. I’m reading Fairy Tale by King now. The overall idea of the story I like but he def can’t write dialogue for sh@t.
I still love the dark tower series, the first three books were amazing. I just wish he finished these stories when he was younger because I think they would’ve been better. And make a damn attempt at a real ending!
I think dont rank books in a series a series counts at one
Wow you count a whole series as one complete single unit? That's cool. So you didn't prefer one book to the others?