斯蒂芬·金，當代驚悚小說之王，通俗小說大師。一九四七年齣生於美國緬因州的波特蘭，後在緬因州州立大學學習英國文學，畢業後因工資菲薄而走上寫作之路。二十世紀七十年代中期，斯蒂芬·金聲名漸起，被《紐約時報》譽為“現代驚悚小說大師”。自二十世紀八十年代以來，在曆年的美國暢銷書排行榜中，其作品總是名列榜首，居高不下。金的很多作品都成為好萊塢製片商的搶手貨。有超過七十部電影和電視節目取材自他的作品，包括《閃靈》（The Shining）、《綠裏》（The Green Mile）、《肖申剋的救贖》（Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption）等等。他在三十二歲時成為全世界作傢中首屈一指的億萬富翁·斯蒂芬·金還是第一位在互聯網上發錶作品並提供收費下載的作傢。二○○三年，他獲得瞭美國國傢圖書奬的終身成就奬。

Set in a world of extraordinary circumstances, filled with stunning visual imagery and unforgettable characters, the DARK TOWER series is unlike anything you have ever read.Here is the fifth installment, "one of the strongest entries yet in what will surely be a master storyteller's magnum opus" ("Locus").Roland Deschain and his "ka-tet" are bearing southeast through the forests of Mid-World on their quest for the Dark Tower. Their path takes them to the outskirts of Calla Bryn Sturgis. But beyond the tranquil farm town, the ground rises to the hulking darkness of Thunderclap, the source of a terrible affliction that is stealing the town's soul. The wolves of Thunderclap and their unspeakable depredation are coming. To resist them is to risk all, but these are odds the gunslingers are used to. Their guns, however, will not be enough....