The Dark Tower is the final volume in Stephen King’s 34 years in the writing septet with which it shares its title. Not only does the book complete the 3000-plus page quest, but also weaves together much of King’s fiction from his entire career. It is, as King notes in his afterword, as much the summation of his own journey as it is of the last gunslinger, Roland Deschain. The story continues directly from the end of Song of Susannah, but this time is much more of an epic fantasy than a surreal metafiction (a word King tells us he hates, but is stuck with). Roland finally reaches The Dark Tower, but getting there is a wonder in itself, a bleak and often tragic tale with King pulling no punches as the small band of warriors find their destinies. There is more action and excitement, suspense and adventure than in the two proceeding volumes--from desperate chases to battles with a giant spider--while the tone is often melancholy with the remorseless of fate. King works within the patterns of the great fantasy epics, from the Arthurian legends to The Lord of the Rings and his writing is as beautiful as it is unsparingly graphic. The final 100 pages are simply breathtaking in their perfect dark beauty. Doubtless the meaning of it all will be debated for decades to come, with some loving the ending, others feeling let down. But the result is an immensely bold piece of work which avoids the clichés of stock heroic fantasy while completely fulfilling the series’ atavistic promise. One thing is certain, the final pages will make many readers head straight back to the first volume, The Gunslinger to make the journey all over again.--Gary Dalkin