Song of Susannah by Stephen King, No Author Listed

Song of Susannah (Dark Tower, #6)

by Stephen King and No Author Listed

The sixth volume in The Dark Tower series - the most anticipated series of publications in Stephen King's legendary career - The Dark Tower VI; Song Of Susannah is a pivotal instalment in the epic saga. It provides the key to the quest that defines Roland's life. In the next part of their journey to the tower, Roland and his band of followers face adversity from every side: Susannah Dean has been taken over by a demon-mother and uses the power of Black Thirteen to get from the Mid-World New York City. But who is the is the father of her child? And what role will the Crimson King play? Roland sends Jake to break Susannah's date with destiny, while he himself uses 'the persistence of magic' to get to Maine in the Summer of 1977. It is a terrible world: for one thing it is real and bullets are flying. For another, it is inhabited by the author of a novel called 'Salem's Lot. Song Of Susannah is driven by revelation and by suspense. It continues the Dark Tower seamlessly from Wolves Of The Calla and the dramatic climax will leave readers desperate to read the quest's conclusion.

Reviewed by Amber (The Literary Phoenix) on

4 of 5 stars

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As the sixth installment of the Dark Tower series, the reader starts to feel like they're climbing a mountain and they're almost at the top. Almost, but not quite. Fortunately, the pace picks up a lot in Song of Susannah and we get to see the story from Susannah and Pere Callahan's POV, a nice change of perspective.

Sadly, at the end of Song of Susannah, we aren't really any further along than we were in the previous book. At the end, Susannah is in labor, they're no closer to the Dark Tower, black thirteen is still a problem. A lot of things have just been on pause, and we have to wait until book seven for anything to get resolved.

It really bugs me that Stephen King is a character in his own book, though. You know, I understand why he's doing it. The explanation is fantastic, but it's just so egocentric. I get that he's quite famous and an incredibly prolific writer, and he's probably one of the few people who can afford to do something like this... but I'm not crazy about it.

All that said, though, it's a decent book. The pace is a nice change. Susannah and Mia's relationship is interesting to watch unfold. I didn't like this one the first time I read it, but it has grown on me.

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