Even though this book was co-written, it feels very much like a king book in tone. I'm glad I read it in my king journey. Only for the kingverse connections. It made the Gunslinger make a little more sense... right here and now. 

The story centers around a kid and his magical trek across America. While slightly childish, it was extremely adult in subject matter. I personally found that dichotomy unenjoyable and uncomfortable.

One caveat that might explain my dislike of this book is that I'm not a fan of fairytales. Not all readers have that type of hang-up, so they might find more to like in this story. In my experience, fairytales have hollow characters, and the events can feel too convenient. As if the story was dumb down it be easily understood. The Talisman had these issues, in my opinion. The protagonist is a shell who realizes exactly what he needs to when he needs to. There's no surprise or drama in the adventure. All events are predestined to occur. Regardless of the reasons behind these stylistic choices, I can't enjoy it. It's just not my vibe. 

This isn't a book I would recommend to anyone.