Stephen Kinghas teased a new book inThe Dark Toweruniverse, which raises the question of what the new installment could focus on. The firstDark Towerbook,The Gunslinger, was published in 1982 and introduced the story of Roland Deschain. More than two decades later, King ended the series with the publication ofThe Dark Towerin 2004, which culminates Roland’s journey. He later wrote an additional novel,The Wind Through the Keyhole, which was published in 2012 and takes place between the fourth and fifth books.
King has now teased anewDark Towerbookas he shared that he is"back in Mid-World…and the Territories"and that while he is unsure of what this venture will amount to,“it’s good to be back.“In addition to the eight novels and “The Little Sisters of Eluria” novella inThe Dark Towerseries, the books also connect to many of King’s other works, includingSalem’s Lot,The Stand,The Talisman,Black House, andThe Eyes of the Dragon. GivenThe Dark Tower’s vast scope, there are many possibilities for what the new book’s story could be.
Could The Dark Tower Continue After The 2004 Ending?
This Wouldn’t Be The First Time It’s Happened
SinceThe Dark Towerconcludes with Roland beginning yet another quest to the titular destination, the new book could take place after the 2004 novel’s ending.It could show what happens to Roland on his next journey to the Dark Tower, this time with the Horn of Eld in his possession, or another future version of the quest given the loop that he is stuck in. This could potentially answer whether this time will actually be different for Roland, or if he will be forever stuck in the same cycle.
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However,these answers could potentially undermineThe Dark Tower’s powerful conclusion, which isStephen King’s best ending. A sequel of Roland’s new journey was also already attempted in the 2017Dark Towermovie adaptation, starring Idris Elba as Roland, and it did not do well, as the movie was poorly received. While King would do a better job with this kind of narrative than the movie did, it is unlikely that he would simply tell a different version of the story he already spent decades telling and bringing to a satisfying ending.
Where Else Could Another Dark Tower Book Fit In The Timeline?
The Wind Through The Keyhole Offered A Compelling Approach
WithThe Wind Through the Keyholeset betweenWizard and GlassandWolves of the Calla, the nextDark Towerbookcould take place between some of the existing installments as well.The Waste Landsbegins five weeks afterThe Drawing of the Threeends. A new book could fill in the gaps of those five weeks as Roland and his newfound allies, Eddie and Susannah Dean, continue their journey through Mid-World. The main focus could be on Roland, Eddie, and Susannah growing closer during this time and before Jake Chambers joins their ka-tet.
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Similar toThe Wind Through the Keyhole, it could be a story within a story, with the majority of the book being a tale from his past that Roland tells Eddie and Susannah. Most of the other books leave little room for an in-between story. This includesThe Drawing of the Threebeginning only hours afterThe Gunslinger,Wizard and Glassstarting with the Blaine the Mono cliffhanger fromThe Waste Lands, andThe Dark Towerbeginning whereSong of Susannahends.
More of the gunslingers' history or the history of Mid-World could also be explored, even before Roland was born, perhaps going back to the time of Arthur Eld.
There is more narrative room in the timeline prior toThe Gunslinger.Wizard and Glass,The Wind Through the Keyhole, and “Little Sisters of Eluria” have all explored Roland’s past, butthe new book could provide further exploration, perhaps with further insight into the fall of the gunslingers and Gilead. There is aFall of Gileadgraphic novel, but it is not written by King. More of the gunslingers' history or the history of Mid-World could also be explored, even before Roland was born, perhaps going back to the time of Arthur Eld.
What Else Could Stephen King’s Dark Tower Book Tease Be About?
It May Not Focus On Roland And His Ka-Tet
Since there are many other books related toThe Dark Tower,the new story could have nothing to do with Roland and his ka-tet and instead just be connected toThe Dark Tower’s multiverse. This is a more likely scenario given King’s mention of the Territories in his tease, with the Territories being a parallel dimension that is important inThe TalismanandBlack House.Stephen King’s return to the Territoriescould result in a thirdTalismanbook, and it would not be the first time he has written a sequel decades later.
Stephen King published the sequelDoctor Sleepin 2013, 36 years afterThe Shiningwas published.
The next book could focus on one or both ofStephen King’s best villainsfromThe Dark Towerseries, the Crimson King and Randall Flagg.The Crimson King already connects toBlack Houseand Flagg is a villain who is just as effective an antagonist inThe Dark Toweras he is inThe StandandThe Eyes of the Dragon, and would undoubtedly be adapted well in a new story, regardless of the setting. No matter what the focus ends up being, for now, it is simply exciting thatStephen Kingis returning toThe Dark Towermultiverse.
The Dark Tower
The Dark Toweris a multimedia franchise based on Stephen King’s epic series of eight novels. The story follows Roland Deschain, the last of the Gunslingers, as he embarks on a quest to reach the Dark Tower, a mystical structure that stands at the center of all worlds and realities. The series blends elements of dark fantasy, horror, science fiction, and Western genres. Over the years, the franchise has expanded beyond the original books to include a film, comic books, and upcoming TV adaptations, making it one of King’s most ambitious and interconnected works.
