The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower

Published: 2004

The Dark Tower (2004) concludes King's epic series as Roland Deschain and his ka-tet make their final push toward the Tower while confronting devastating losses along the way. The novel resolves multiple storylines: Susannah's demonic pregnancy results in Mordred Deschain, a were-spider shapeshifter who is both Roland's son and his greatest enemy. The gunslingers battle the Crimson King's forces, including the deranged writer Patrick Dandville and the technicians of Algul Siento who are systematically destroying the beams that support the Tower. King further develops the meta-fictional aspects introduced in previous volumes, suggesting all stories across all realities emanate from the Tower itself. After the deaths of Eddie and Jake, Roland and Susannah continue their quest with new allies, ultimately reaching the Tower—though not all complete the journey. The novel's controversial epilogue reveals Roland's quest as cyclical, suggesting he has reached the Tower countless times before, always to be sent back to begin again with subtle differences, raising profound questions about destiny, free will, and narrative itself. Published the same year as Song of Susannah, the final volume received mixed critical reception. Many praised King's ambition and the emotional impact of the ka-tet's fate, while others criticized the meta-fictional elements and the cyclical ending. King included an unusual author's note suggesting readers might prefer to stop before the epilogue, content with knowing Roland reached his goal. For Constant Readers who had followed the series since its 1982 beginning, the conclusion proved divisive—some found it thematically perfect, others unsatisfying after such a lengthy journey. Beyond concluding Roland's quest, the novel serves as a meditation on storytelling itself, with King suggesting that the journey matters more than the destination. The book's exploration of addiction through Roland's obsessive quest reflects King's own struggles, while its cyclical structure raises questions about whether redemption and change are truly possible.

Themes

• Obsession
• Redemption
• Sacrifice
• Cycles
• Meta-fiction

Adaptations

Collector Notes

Concludes the Dark Tower series with a controversial cyclical ending. King included an unusual author's note suggesting readers might prefer to stop before the epilogue.