Roland, Bert and Alain are safely back home in Gilead after their "adventures" in Hambry and points east. Well, they're back, anyways....Safe is another matter. Roland has returned with the crystal ball/Palantir-thingie refered to as "Maerlyn's Grapefruit," stolen from the evil clutches of Rhea of the Coos, a servant of "Good Man" John Farson. Farson will be wanting it back, and in the meantime Roland's obsession with it is none too healthy. Bert and Alain are faring somewhat better, but all is still not well. It seems that the other Gunslingers-in-training resent what they see as Bert and Alain riding Roland's shirttails and earning their guns without passing the trials. Then there's Aileen, Cort's niece, who more fancies life as a Gunslinger than as a proper lady. A bad thing? Maybe doesn't seem so to you or me, but its an idea that will upset the way of things in Gilead if given any standing at all. And all the while, the forces of John Farson and his master The Crimson King grow closer and infiltrate the walls and homes of Gilead....sometimes wearing the faces of those our heroes trust most.....If you recall, I was disappointed with the last volume. That had everything to do with the awkward position the first volume (actually drawn straight from King's works) left them in. With this book the creative team can really take off and do their own thing, and they manage it brilliantly. Peter David's writing captures King's style well, and the narration evokes the world King created brilliantly. However, the real star of the book--the series, so far as I'm concerned--is the art. Jae Lee's use of heavy blacks in his line art contrasts beautifully with the brilliant colors of Richard Isanove. I am tempted to call the book and its artwork beautiful, but I cringe at applying that adjective to something so grim and that I know is headed for a bad end..... I really enjoyed this story. Each chapter in this series increases my enjoyment. Some of the story we all ready know if you have read the Dark Tower series which is a lot of fun to read. It is a joy to see these scenes in comic form, and nice to see what exactly lead up to these events. In this story Roland is further consumed by Maerlyn's ball, and his father is on the trail of Farson. This all takes place before the banquet for Roland and the rest of his Ka-Tet for their coming of age. There is not much I can say that wont give something away so I think I'll leave that to you to find out on your own. I enjoy this series and I'm so glad my library carries these. For any fan of the Dark Tower series, I would recommend this. It fills in a lot of gaps in Roland's early years and it helps me prolong the enjoyment of the Dark Tower.
Do You like book La Torre Nera: Tradimento (2009)?
Thought it was going to deal with Aileen a lot more. Still pretty good.
—sobia
Did not enjoy it. I have a hard time following the story line.
—fobsta
This series is standing up to its legend issue after issue.
—Kate
