Wizard and Nook

This is almost going to be a shameless advertisement, but I'm drooling here.  I WANT one of these.  I present to you, the Barnes and Nobles "Nook" E-Book Reader.  The price tag is $260.  I can't afford it now, but that is not bad, not bad at all.  Why is that pricetag not bad?  I'll tell you why.  This thing uses the same eInk technology as the Amazon Kindle and all other self-respecting e-books out now, and it comes with a color touch screen located at the bottom that can function for typing or browsing through color covers of books on sale.  Also, the thing doubles as an MP3 player, which I believe the Kindle can do as well, but still, that's a nice bonus.  I've been trying to get back in the habit of reading more and as such my interest for e-books has been sparked, any e-book, but I really do like the style of this thing.  Since I'm not gonna have the money for this thing anytime soon, I'll be watching this product like a hawk and I've got high hopes.  Maybe I shouldn't jinx it.  Good news is that when I /do/ have enough money for this thing, the price will probably be even lower.


Book review:


The Dark Tower I-III
The Gunslinger, The Drawing of Three, The Wastelands

by Stephen King

In the kingdom of Gilead, the law is upheld by the Gunslingers.  Trained from childhood in how to fight, how to kill, and taught to protect the weak and uphold the laws of the land, these gunslingers resemble the cowboy heroes of our western movies.  Armed with carefully crafted revolvers and their own deadly skill, in the world of the Dark Tower, a world that is moving on, these men are the law.

And that is "Ka"

I've been reading the Dark Tower series, I'm currently on the fourth book, "Wizard and Glass" but I thought I do a mid-term review if you will.  I'll give my final review later, much later, when I finish seventh and last book of the series.

I would like to note that this is the first book I've ever read from renowned horror novelist Stephen King.  I'm not a huge fan of horror, it's not that I don't like the genre, it's just not the one I pick up first.  This series is not horror, but a fantasy novel.  A dark fantasy, but still not a horror novel.


Voice     - Works of fiction aren't just about what you write, but how you write them.  Mr. King has a well developed piece of literature here, but the writing style is really nothing unique.  The chapter organization in Drawing of Three was unique, but it wasn't until the third book that I began to see a unique writing pattern develop.  However, the third book did pick it up.  Adding more poems and more importantly using a poem as a running theme and referencing it.  Otherwise the actual voice of the author is simple, easy to understand, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Voice gets Half-Cred: 0.5


Imagery - Painting pictures with words is the name of the game.  Mr. King knows what he's doing with descriptions.  Desolate wastes, deserted towns, montrous creatures, elaborate gunfights, and so much more.  The world Mr. King creates in the Dark Tower will draw you in and keep you wanting more.  Mixtures of modern, western, post-apocalyptic, and ancient themes create a sometimes awkward, but always intriguing landscape that always changes right when you think you finally get it.

The Imagery in this novel gets Full-Cred: 1.0


Story     - It may seem redundant to list story as factor in a novel review, but some books aren't about the story and are more focus on describing something or creating a certain feeling.  This book, however, is not.  Mr. King presents us with a clear and ever-present goal, The Dark Tower.  Roland of Gilead has been searching for the Dark Tower for ages and he continues to do so in our fateful tale of Khef, Ka, and Ka-Tet. 
The story seems to take us on a roller coaster through a horrific wonderland of terrible pasts and even more terrible futures.  Though I'd like to say the story is what keeps me going in the book, I'm afraid that's not exactly true.  While wanting to know what happens next is on my mind, I often find that I have no idea, no guess as to what will happen next, and that doesn't give me much pull.  Instead, learning the secrets of Gilead and Mid-World (Tolkien anyone?) are what really drives me on.

Story gets an almost there: 0.7


Respect - Two words, Stephen King.  That is only respect factor I'm giving here.  I think most people in America could tell you who Stephen King is.  However, I highly doubt most people know about The Dark Tower.  More than I expected though.  My friend who developing a time machine to take him back to the 80's and my mother's nerdy fiancee both have some or all of the books and they aren't even big Stephen King fans or anything.

Dark Tower, you need a little respect, 0.5

Overall:  I am into this series and I can't get out.  Stephen King has my attention and he's been doing a good job of keeping it.  He recently used the underhanded tactic of a cliff-hanger ending to draw me on to the fourth book, but overall I'm still interested.  My final remarks will come when I'm through.

For now, Dark Tower gets 2.7 delicious popkins out of 4.

I meant to post this yesterday, but I'm really busy this week.  I've got a MIPS program due on Thursday, the weekly CAPA on Weds, an English paper I'll be starting shortly after I post this, advisement and an internship opportunity that I have to submit the application for by Thurs.  I'll be ready for the weekend this time.  I'll have to think of something fun to do.  Get my vertically challenged friend (I'm so mean) to hit the bar with me and pick up chicks.


And then...

"I know you're from the future.  I sent you back in time."

Lee explained because she saw the look of surprise in my face, not complete surprise, just unexpected interest.

"I have to admit, I'm surprised.  I thought you didn't know that you sent me back in time."

"Yea I... Wait, what?  Why would I not know that I sent you back in time?"

"Because, I thought your future self sent me back in time."

"Did she?  Hmm...."

Lee became lost in thought.  Her long green hair much shinier and better combed than her sister Ash's short-cut tossled look.  It blew gracefully in the wind of the Kattox seas.  I interrupted her wandering mind.

"I won't know how to cure your father.  I'm not a doctor Jim, I'm a pirate."

"What?"

"I-uh-I mean I'm just a simple merchant, I don't know anything about biology."

"Yes but maybe you've heard of it.  My father has Askreeves Syndrome Intergalactic Format."

"Oh yea, there was a big panic about ASIF.  It acted like the common cold, but in rare cases it was lethal."

"My father is one of those cases."

"They found something for it, but I don't know what it was."

"Please!  Anything..."

I strained my brain for options.  Her face was so sad, I think she was tearing up even.  I was her last option, there was nothing else.  She had literally had to time travel to save her dying father.  But maybe...

"Listen, I did hear that it was an alchemist on Reeva who first discovered the cure.  That's all I know, but I have a distinct set of skills that are best suited for finding things that are hard to find.  I'll go with you and your sister to Reeva and we'll look for the cure.  Together."

"No you won't, I won't allow it."

Uh, oh.  It was daddy, and he was in protect his baby mode.  Lee looked completely horrified.  It was embarrasment first, but that turned into fear at the recognition that it might be her own father that stops her from saving him.  They began arguing about who's safety was important and how she had to do something and how she was old enough to make her own decisions and how even if he wouldn't allow it she would still do it.  Eventually he gave in, he agreed to let me take his two daughters on a dangerous mission to an alien planet and even gave Lee access to his money and spaceships.  I like this guy.

"I'm coming too."

Sayoko stood in the most defiant pose she could get with her frilly mini-skirt and tube-top.  Lee decided she'd take this one.

"You shouldn't put your life on the line.  It's not your father at risk."

"I don't care, I'm coming.  You can't stop me, and neither can you."

This was directed at me.  I shrugged, it didn't matter to me whether she came or not.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't already destined to be.

You will help her rise
You will help her fall

"Fine Sayoko, come with us.  But don't start crying when it gets tough."

Sayoko responded with a you-know-me-better-than-that glare.

Me and three girls on an adventure through time and space.  I could get used to this.

Until next time fellow pirates.