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The Eyes of the Dragon

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'The Eyes of the Dragon' by Stephen King is a fantasy novel that tells the story of the Kingdom of Delain, where King Roland is murdered and his son Peter is framed for the crime. The evil magician Flagg manipulates events to ensure the wrong prince, Thomas, is crowned, becoming his puppet. The plot follows the determined Prince Peter as he plans a daring escape from his imprisonment, with elements of fairy tale and fantasy mixed with a dark twist. The book is characterized by memorable characters, fast-paced action, and a simplistic yet entertaining storyline, suitable for both young readers and adults.

The writing style of 'The Eyes of the Dragon' is described as different from typical Stephen King novels, focusing more on a youth fantasy genre with a mix of fairy tale and fantasy elements. The book is praised for its engaging plot, amazing characters, and the ability to keep readers excited from beginning to end, showcasing King's talent in storytelling and character development, with a touch of nostalgia for those who have read it at a young age.

Characters:

The characters include a mix of archetypes such as the noble hero, the jealous sibling, and the scheming villain, with supporting characters who embody loyalty and support.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is akin to a fairy tale, featuring an engaging narrative voice that speaks directly to the reader, combined with simple, vivid descriptions aimed at a younger audience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features fantasy themes centering on good versus evil, focusing on the dynamics between two brothers and their scheming magician advisor, culminating in a tale of wrongful imprisonment and eventual rescue.

Setting:

The setting takes place in the fictional medieval kingdom of Delain, filled with castles, magic, and elements reminiscent of classic fairy tales, while also connecting to King’s broader literary universe.

Pacing:

The pacing is steady with short chapters that keep the reader engaged, although some have noted moments of slow buildup leading to the climax.
Once, in a kingdom called Delain, there was a King with two sons. Delain was a very old kingdom and it had had hundreds of Kings, perhaps even thousands; when time goes on long enough, not even histor...

Notes:

The Eyes of the Dragon was written by Stephen King for his daughter, who wanted a book she could read without horror themes.
The story is set in the fictional kingdom of Delain and follows the themes of good versus evil, betrayal, and wrongful imprisonment.
The book features a character named Randall Flagg, who is a recurring villain in King's universe.
It is considered a departure from King's usual horror genre, being more of a fantasy fairy tale.
The narration style is unique as it often speaks directly to the reader, resembling a storyteller sharing a tale.
The book has been described as suitable for younger readers due to its more mild content compared to King's other works.
King includes humorous and slightly gross elements, such as references to bodily functions, throughout the narrative.
Despite its fantasy elements, the story includes darker themes such as murder and manipulation.
The title refers to the eyes of a dragon, which are featured in the story but not central to the plot.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes themes of murder, imprisonment, and some adult humor that may not be suitable for very young readers.

From The Publisher:

"It is just not possible to stop turning the pages" (The Washington Post) of this bestselling classic tale-an epic fantasy as only Stephen King could envision it.

"Once, in a kingdom called Delain, there was a king with two sons…."

Thus begins one of the most unique tales that master storyteller Stephen King has ever written-a sprawling fantasy of dark magic and the struggle for absolute power that utterly transforms the destinies of two brothers born into royalty. Through this enthralling masterpiece of mythical adventure, intrigue, and terror, you will thrill to this unforgettable narrative filled with relentless, wicked enchantment, and the most terrible of secrets….

Ratings (61)

Incredible (13)
Loved It (20)
Liked It (20)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (2)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (122):

Read It (61)
Want To Read (32)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (26)

About the Author:

Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, Sleeping Beauties (cowritten with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges trilogy: End of Watch, Finders Keepers, and Mr. Mercedes (an Edgar Award winner for Best Novel and a television series streaming on Peacock). His novel 11/22/63 was named a top ten book of 2011 by The New York Times Book Review and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller. His epic works The Dark Tower, It, Pet Sematary, and Doctor Sleep are the basis for major motion pictures, with It now the highest-grossing horror film of all time. He is the recipient of the 2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine, with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.

 
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