The Talisman Trilogy

Cory’s perspective

The Talisman feels like fantasy with the edges darkened. Jack Sawyer is only twelve when he sets out on a journey that takes him between our world and the Territories, and that alone gives the story a different feel from most fantasy I’ve read.

I’d recommend it to someone who wants to step outside the regular fantasy realm and head in a different direction. You still get another world, strange creatures, friendship, danger, and a journey, but it doesn’t feel like the same fantasy story you’ve already read ten times.

Reading order

• 1. The Talisman — Stephen King & Peter Straub · Reviewed
• 2. Black House — Stephen King & Peter Straub · Reviewed
• 3. Other Worlds Than These — Stephen King & Peter Straub · Reviewed

The books have different strengths. The Talisman’s darker fantasy adventure and Black House’s heavier story both worked for me. Other Worlds Than These was worth reading for the Dark Tower connections, although some stretches were slow and I saw the ending coming. Follow the individual reviews below for the full discussion.