The Dark Tower Reading Order Guide
By Stephen King · 8 books
How to read Stephen King's Dark Tower series. Covers all 8 novels plus connected Stephen King books that enhance the experience.
About The Dark Tower
The Dark Tower is Stephen King's magnum opus — an 8-book epic that blends fantasy, horror, science fiction, and Western genres. It follows Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger, on his quest to reach the Dark Tower, a nexus point of all realities. What makes this series unique is that it connects to dozens of King's other novels, making his entire body of work part of one interconnected multiverse.
Core reading order
Read the main Dark Tower series in publication order. Do not skip The Wind Through the Keyhole — it was published later but fits between books 4 and 5.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Gunslinger Read the revised 2003 edition if possible. | 1982 |
| 2 | The Drawing of the Three Where the series truly begins for most fans. | 1987 |
| 3 | The Waste Lands | 1991 |
| 4 | Wizard and Glass A long flashback — Roland's origin story. | 1997 |
| 5 | The Wind Through the Keyhole Published last but set between books 4 and 5. | 2012 |
| 6 | Wolves of the Calla | 2003 |
| 7 | Song of Susannah | 2004 |
| 8 | The Dark Tower The conclusion. King warns you before the final chapter. | 2004 |
Connected King novels that enhance the experience
Many of King's other novels tie into The Dark Tower. The most important connections are: The Stand (referenced heavily in books 3-4), Salem's Lot (a character appears in books 5-7), It (thematic connections throughout), The Eyes of the Dragon (direct plot connections), Insomnia (ties directly into book 7), and Hearts in Atlantis (introduces a key character). You don't need any of these to enjoy The Dark Tower, but reading The Stand and Salem's Lot before book 5 adds significant depth.
Should I start with The Gunslinger?
The Gunslinger is a polarizing entry point — it's short, cryptic, and very different in tone from the rest of the series. Many readers bounce off it. If you struggle, push through to The Drawing of the Three, which is where King finds the series' voice. Alternatively, some fans recommend starting with The Drawing of the Three and going back to The Gunslinger later, though this isn't the orthodox approach.