While it could be argued by many that the writings of Stephen King do not make for "literature", much less "classic literature", I feel I must respectfully disagree. Perhaps it is because I grew up stealing King's novels from my father's bookshelf, but I've always found that he had the ability to tap into my darkest fears and lay them out for me to see.
Though he is best known as the "King of Horror", Stephen King took a detour in 1987 to write The Eyes of the Dragon, a tale for his 13-year-old daughter Naomi who was not particularly fond of horror stories. This novel contains all of the classic examples of fantasy writing and is told in a bedtime-story kind of way.
The plot centers around the kingdom of Delain, King Roland, his two princely sons Peter and Thomas, and the evil sorcerer Flagg. Flagg lusts for control of Delain and will stop at nothing to get it, but knows that he cannot ever rule directly. He poisons King Roland, killing him, and blames it on Roland's eldest son. Peter is what we would today call an all-American boy: he is handsome, charming, respectful, intelligent, athletic, and a wonderful hunter.
After Peter is imprisoned in the Needle (a Washington Monument-like tower), Flagg makes sure that Thomas, Peter's younger brother, succeeds his father's throne. Though Thomas is a good-hearted boy, he is also painfully gullible and slow. He appoints Flagg as his chief advisor and Flagg is finally able to rule Delain indirectly, because Thomas will listen to anything Flagg tells him.
While Flagg destroys Delain through Thomas, Peter spends years devising a way to escape the Needle, clear his name, avenge his father's murder, and save the kingdom once and for all.
For other reviews on this wonderful story, please visit the following:
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Amazon Editorial Reviews
Amazon Customer Reviews
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Murder, Magic, and Mystery...Oh My!
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4 comments:
So, I've never actually read any of Stephen King's books, but this one sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out sometime, once the semester gets over!
I think you'd really like it. It's an easy intro to SK, especially if you don't usually have a taste for horror.
If you want to keep reading his stuff after this, I'd suggest trying "The Talisman". It's more of a fantasy novel, too. If you're cool with more of the scary stuff, my first SK novel was "Cujo". :o)
You haven't updated this in a year.
I think you should start!
Actually, it's been almost two years now!
Creating a review blog was one of the assignments we were given in one of my very last English classes, so I stopped writing here after I graduated.
Maybe I will pick it up again one of these days. :o)
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