The Eyes of the Dragon (by Stephen King)

allfictionfantasy
Written By Natalie

The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King was our May pick for the Constant Reader in-person book club. When it was selected, I’ll admit I wasn’t particularly excited. I first read the book back in 2020 and found it only “just okay.” Fantasy has never been my favorite genre, so I knew this one would be an uphill battle for me personally.

Set in the kingdom of Delain, the story unfolds around the royal family’s upheaval following the king’s sudden death. Court intrigue, betrayal, and the shadowy presence of the powerful magician Randall Flagg drive the narrative. Written in an accessible, almost fairy-tale style, the novel explores themes of loyalty, courage, and the thin line between good and evil. It’s lighter on horror than most of King’s work, offering instead a classic-feeling atmospheric adventure that will especially appeal to fans of his Dark Tower series.

I reread the book for club with an open mind, hoping my perspective might have shifted with time. Unfortunately, it hadn’t. While I can appreciate that it’s a well-crafted, decent story with strong characters and an engaging premise, fantasy simply isn’t my cup of tea. This one remains a “just okay” read for me.

That said, I completely understand why it received so many votes—several club members are big Dark Tower enthusiasts, and this book has clear ties to that world. Since most of the group (who are generally younger than me) will be reading it for the first time, I’m genuinely hopeful they’ll enjoy it far more than I did. I’m looking forward to hearing their fresh perspectives at our discussion.

Feel free to explore my reviews of other Stephen King books below.

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Natalie
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