Gunslinger Roland Deschain has seen the death of his lover Susan Delgado. And the Big Coffin Hunters who burned her at the stake are now in pursuit of Roland and his ka-tet Cuthbert and Alain.

As Roland's spirit floats through todash space it is irresistibly drawn to End-World and the court of the Crimson King himself! There the young gunslinger comes face-to-face with the very embodiment of evil in its own domain. And for the last of the line of Eld there may be no way out. Meanwhile, on Mid-World, Alain and Cuthbert desperately struggle to protect Roland's unconscious form, and themselves, against a pack of ravening wolves.