The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King

Last year, I read The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King and absolutely loved it. When I posted my review, it was recommended that I try his Dark Tower series. Therefore I took my first step into King's sci-fi western series with The Gunslinger. Set in a universe parallel to our own, Roland, the gunslinger, seeks answers and meaning from the man in black. Roland endlessly purses said man through desert, mountains, thirst, and hunger; his quest for the man in black serving as his primary source of fuel. Roland continues his journey throughout the entire book, meeting a variety of characters along the way. The thing is that you, as well as Roland, can never be to certain as to weather the character is real, or a trap planted by the man in black. A little light is shed on Roland's background through stories and flashbacks. A fine start to the series indeed.

You can definitely tell that King was a bit younger when he wrote this story. It's a bit rougher around the edges and he leaves several things unexplained, though I anticipate that I will understand more as I read through the series. I guess I would say that it felt like skimming the surface of a large body of water or touching the tip of an iceberg. Despite the lack of details, I hungrily read through this book in little time at all. I look forward to reading more of the series and seeking out answers of my own, just like Roland in his journey.

The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman spins a wonderful tale told in three segments. Each segment is told in a different time period. Though the story is told in different time periods through the eyes of different women, there are several common threads that weave these women together, though unknowingly at times. Pay close attention. Something that seems minuscule through the eyes of one character, may be the key to another character's story. I almost wish I hadn't read this book so rapidly, as I may have been able to pick up on things better at a slower pace. I know that I am not giving out much information, but it's Alice Hoffman. Either you like her writing or you don't. I found this to be a fabulous read and essential to my Hoffman collection. I might go as far as to say it is my favorite Hoffman book to date. I devoured this book in three days, while working 12 hour shifts. If you are looking for a story of love, loss, and life, with a touch of the supernatural, then this is definitely a book you don't want to miss.

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson is the narrative tale of a nameless man who is burned in a car accident. The only form of motivation he has left in life is to plot his suicide upon his release from the hospital. One day bleeds into the next until it so happens that our narrator wakes to find a woman standing over him. She claims to have been his lover in medieval Germany and tells him that he has already been burned in a previous life. Though he is in utter disbelief, claiming this women to be a psychiatric patient, our narrator can't help but be intrigued by this woman and her stories. Thoughts of suicide retreat into the darkest corners of his mind as he discovers a new purpose in life. He anxiously awaits and anticipates more visits and craves to hear her stories of the past. This woman, Marianne, is not just a great storyteller, but an artist as well. She carves gargoyles out of stone that are well known and sold at a great price. However, Marianne claims to only have twenty-seven sculptures left until her life reaches its end.

A beautify told tale. Davidson certainly did his research and it shows. It took him seven years to complete this story. I hope it doesn't take another seven more. It started very slowly with this book. Taking only a few sips...20 minutes here, 30 minutes here. Once I reached the half-way mark, I was taking large gulps, reading for as long as I could. It was a difficult book to set down. It was almost unbearable to see this story end. Water for Elephants was my top book for last year, and this will undoubtedly be my top choice for this year. I highly recommend it.

City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau

Disaster has struck. In order to save the human race, an underground city is built and a select few are sent to live in the City of Ember for approximately 200 years. The hope is that whatever threatens all of mankind will subside by then and people will once again be able to live on earth instead of under it. The secret way out is stored in a box to be honored and passed down generation by generation. However, the box becomes forgotten, and mankind grows to know only of the underground city that has 12 hours of daylight per street lamps only. This wouldn't be a problem except the generator that powers the city is breaking down, leaving the entire city in periods of darkness. Supplies are running out and people are on edge. While some people hope for rescue that will never come, 12-year-old Lina Mayfleet and Doon Horrow journey forward in search of hope and in search of light. A delightful read for anyone looking for a quick escape from reality.

Next up is The Gargoyle by by Andrew Davidson.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

From the master storyteller, Neil Gaiman, comes a magical story of love, friendship, and survival. Nobody Owens, otherwise know as Bod, is the lone survivor of a family massacre. He is taken in by a dead couple at the local graveyard, as well as a guardian that is neither living nor dead. Concurrently, Bod is raised in the graveyard, between the two worlds of the living and the dead. There are many obstacles to overcome, for growing up in graveyard can prove difficult at times. However, through the eyes of the dead, Bod comes to discover how truly wonderful it is to be alive. If you are a true Gaiman fan, The Graveyard Book is not to be missed!

Next up is Wicked by Gregory Macguire.