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The Seven Rings: The Lost Bride Trilogy, Book 3
Nora Roberts
4.7
Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass
by Stephen King
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About this book
Roland Deschain and his ka-tet—Eddie, Susannah, and Jake—barely survive a harrowing confrontation with a sentient, suicidal monorail, only to find themselves stranded in a desolate, post-apocalyptic version of Kansas. As the group navigates a world ravaged by a lethal virus, the relentless journey toward the Dark Tower pauses. Seeking refuge from the tension of their mission, Roland finally breaks his silence, unveiling the long-buried secrets of his youth.
The narrative shifts to the seaside town of Hambry, where a teenage Roland, alongside his loyal companions Alain and Cuthbert, encounters a world teetering on the brink of war. Amidst the political machinations of the treacherous John Farson and the seductive, dangerous influence of a mystical seeing sphere, Roland experiences a transformative, ill-fated romance with a girl named Susan Delgado. This poignant love story serves as the crucible for the man Roland is destined to become.
As the past and present collide, the Gunslinger must confront the ghosts of his first heartbreak and the dark forces that ignited the fall of Mid-World. It is a sweeping tale of loyalty, sacrifice, and the haunting power of memory that defines the heart of the Gunslinger’s epic quest.
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What readers are saying
JennyBest books ever written
"This is the best series I've ever read, I love all of the DT books so much. It is such an epic story that spans across so many different genres. The characters are amazingly well written, and you can't help falling in love with all of them. In this fourth book the tet has just gotten off from Blain the pain, and find themselves in a Topeka destroyed by Captain's Trip. That is another thing I really enjoy with these books, how Stephen King manages to tie so many of his books into this universe. Awesome books. Everybody should read them. ["
December 2, 2025 Verified Purchase
Jacob CzopekVery good entry in the series - slow at times
"I enjoyed this book, another great title in this historic series. Worth the read if you’ve gotten this far in Roland’s quest to reach the Dark Tower. Only draw back is the pacing. It felt like my feet was dragging for a portion of the book, but overall I enjoyed the read. ["
July 20, 2025 Verified Purchase
Scott S ForbesA terrific tale by the American master of terrific tales.
"This replaced a copy I'd worn out. A King fan, I read the Dark Tower series for most of my adult life - Wizard and Glass is my favorite, almost entirely a flashback to the series' hero's youth and coming of age. It stands on its own as a great self-contained story, and I'd recommend it to anyone. I've re-read this book more than any other by far! ["
April 8, 2026 Verified Purchase
Tim VillaMy Favorite Tower Book Thus Far
"Ever since I watched The Stand miniseries, my favorite adaptation of any of King's works, I've had the voice and look of Jamey Sheridan in my head whenever I read or think of Randall Flagg. I think that will always be the case until the day that I die. That's not necessary for this, I just felt like sharing. When I first got Wizard And Glass in 1998 or 99 I was very excited to read the fourth chapter in this story. Waste Lands had ended on a really annoying cliffhanger so long before, and in preparation for the fourth book I reread the previous three (along with The Stand and if memory serves Eyes Of The Dragon). I was ready and couldn't be happier to move forward with Roland, Eddie, Jake, Oy, and Susannah. And then I read those first hundred plus pages, and then I stopped. Spoiler, this is now my favorite of the series to date, but all those years ago when I first started to read it, it wasn't what I wanted. I wanted to move ever onward towards The Tower, not take an unnecessary detour backwards to see beginnings. I did not care what started Roland's quest, and I certainly did not care about his first, only, and lost love Susan. As such, I laid the book down and walked away. Clearly I was dumb. Had I made it another 20-50 pages or so I would have come to the showdown in the bar and I think I would have read to the end. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe I was too young to appreciate this tale for what it is. I don't know, but here I am in 2013 and I loved it. Easily, thus far in the series, this is my favorite part of the Dark Tower series. I fell in love with young Roland, Cuthbert, Alain, Sheemie, and Susan (And Rusher too a bit), and grew to hate Rhea, The Coffin Hunters, Rimer, Mayor Thorin, Avery, and especially Cordelia. When there was the interlude featuring Eddie, Jake, and Susannah again I angrily yelled at Eddie to shut up so I could learn the fate of Mejis and the past. And when the ending of that tale came I was saddened at who we lost and who we would likely never see again. And yet, for some reason, I hold out some sort of hope that one of those lost is maybe not gone from this tale. I hope Ka is kind in this regard. Reading them as they came along, book by solitary book up to Wizard And Glass, I wanted the main tale to move faster, needing to get to the end of the search for The Tower. Reading now, at 41, with the goal in my mind of finishing all 8 books (next up is the newly released 4.5 before I move on to The Wolves Of Calla) I can enjoy this side trip into the past to learn more about Roland and how he started on this journey. I know the journey has already come to an end for so many before me, and I can relax and read the tale as Stephen King meant for me to. I've made it through the first four books in the first four months of 2013, I have no doubt that I will not finish this magnum opus finally, almost thirty years after I started it, by the end of this year. Bird and bear and hare and fish.... QUICK EDIT: I love The Wizard Of Oz bits and I don't know why so many seemed to hate it. It just feels right for this whole book. ["
April 29, 2013 Verified Purchase
