The Eyes of the Dragon

Title: The Eyes of the Dragon

Author: Stephen King

Published in: 1987

Date read: 17th October 2006

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Historical fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Eyes of the Dragon" by Stephen King, published in 1987, is a fantasy novel that stands out in his bibliography due to its departure from his usual horror genre. Written as a fairy tale for his daughter, it tells a classic good versus evil story within a medieval kingdom.

The story is set in the peaceful, prosperous kingdom of Delain, ruled by the benevolent King Roland. He has two sons: the older, noble, and beloved Prince Peter, and the younger, awkward, and overlooked Prince Thomas.

The true antagonist of the tale is Randall Flagg, King Roland's sinister and ancient magician (a recurring villain in King's wider multiverse, notably The Dark Tower). Flagg despises the just and honourable Peter and seeks to place the weak-willed, easily manipulated Thomas on the throne, so he can rule Delain through him.

Flagg orchestrates a cunning plot: he poisons King Roland and then frames Peter for the murder. Despite Peter's pleas of innocence, Flagg's elaborate deception, combined with the prejudices of the court and Thomas's unwitting complicity, leads to Peter's conviction and imprisonment in the Needle, the kingdom's tallest tower.

With Peter imprisoned, Thomas becomes King, but he is a puppet ruler, constantly advised and controlled by Flagg. Delain, under Flagg's insidious influence, begins to suffer, becoming a darker, more fearful place.

However, Peter, even in his confinement, never gives up hope. Using a small, forgotten toy and a secret passage, he slowly and meticulously begins to work towards his escape, driven by his innocence and a quiet determination. He receives help from unexpected allies, including Ben, a stable boy, and Naomi, a maid, who begin to suspect Flagg's true evil.

The "eyes of the dragon" refers to a trophy mounted in Roland's study, which is capable of observing events. It also metaphorically alludes to the truth that lies beneath the surface, waiting to be seen.

The novel is a tale of injustice, perseverance, and the struggle against tyranny. It's narrated in a direct, storytelling voice, reminiscent of classic fairy tales, but with King's signature depth of character and subtle layering of suspense. The climax sees Peter's daring escape and his desperate attempt to expose Flagg's treachery and reclaim his rightful place, leading to a confrontation that will determine the fate of Delain.

Comments:
I will only admit this once...this is the only book that I have ever read twice. I read it when much younger then completely forgot that I had read it. I then started to read it years later when going through my "King" phase and very soon realised that I recognised it. Needless to say, I enjoyed it so much that I had to finish it again and enjoyed it even more.

Books that we've read by Stephen King (68):
Carrie (1974), 'Salem's Lot (1975), The Shining (The Shining, #1) (1977), The Stand (1978), Night Shift (1978), The Dead Zone (1979), Firestarter (1980), Cujo (1981), The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, #1) (1982), Different Seasons (1982), Christine (1983), Cycle of the Werewolf (1983), Pet Sematary (1983), The Talisman (The Talisman, #1) (1984), Skeleton Crew (1985), It (1986), The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower, #2) (1987), The Eyes of the Dragon (1987), The Tommyknockers (1987), Misery (1987), The Dark Half (1989), Four Past Midnight (1990), The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, #3) (1991), Needful Things (1991), Dolores Claiborne (1992), Gerald's Game (1992), Nightmares and Dreamscapes (1993), Insomnia (1994), Rose Madder (1995), The Green Mile (1996), Desperation (1996), Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower, #4) (1997), Bag of Bones (1998), The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999), Hearts in Atlantis (1999), On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (2000), Black House (The Talisman, #2) (2001), Dreamcatcher (2001), Everything's Eventual (2002), From a Buick 8 (2002), Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower, #5) (2003), Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower, #6) (2004), The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, #7) (2004), The Colorado Kid (2005), Cell (2006), Lisey's Story (2006), Duma Key (2008), Just After Sunset (2008), Under the Dome (2009), 11/22/63 (2011), Full Dark, No Stars (2011), The Wind Through the Keyhole (The Dark Tower, #4.5) (2012), Dr. Sleep (The Shining, #2) (2013), Joyland (2013), Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #1) (2014), Revival (2014), The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015), Finders Keepers (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #2) (2015), End of Watch (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #3) (2016), Elevation (2018), The Outsider (2018), The Institute (2019), If It Bleeds (2020), Billy Summers (2021), Later (2021), Fairy Tale (2022), Holly (2023), You Like It Darker (2024)