I had been putting off reading Gwendy’s Button Box Trilogy for a little bit, but finally decided to dive in and I can’t believe I waited. Stephen King and Richard Chizmar deliver a truly unforgettable series that is thought-provoking, thrilling, and emotional.
“I had a story I couldn’t finish, and [Chizmar] showed me the way home with style and panache,” King said in a statement. We are likely all the better for King not being able to complete the first book as Chizmar joined the project and now we have a fantastic completed tale.
Gwendy’s Button Box
The first book in the Gwendy trilogy, Gwendy’s Button Box, is a novella that was started by Stephen King and completed by Richard Chizmar. Though it’s a quick read, it really packs a punch.
Twelve-year-old Gwendy Peterson’s life is forever changed when she is given a mysterious wooden box by a stranger for safekeeping. It offers enticing treats and vintage coins, but he warns her that if she presses any of the box’s beautifully colored buttons, death and destruction will follow.
My favorite part of Gwendy’s Button Box lies in the relatable and likable protagonist, Gwendy. She makes her way through the typical trials of adolescence while having to deal with the responsibility of the mysterious button box. Gwendy’s character development is well-executed, making her growth throughout the short tale both compelling and believable.
The pacing of Gwendy’s Button Box is wonderful, delivering a full and satisfying story within the size of a novella. Despite being a quick read, it feels truly complete. While sequels exist, the story stands strong on its own, offering an amazing experience without the need for continuation–although we will take it. Fantastically co-written by two bestselling authors, the collaboration flows seamlessly, making Gwendy’s Button Box a testament to their combined storytelling expertise.
Gwendy’s Button Box is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook, narrated by Maggie Siff, is available at Libro.fm!
Gwendy’s Magic Feather
While Gwendy’s Button Box was so good on its own, it’s refreshing to see bestselling author and co-writer of the first novella Richard Chizmar take the lead with the sequel, Gwendy’s Magic Feather. Set many years after the first installment, the story revisits the mysterious button box and Gwendy, offering a new perspective solely from the mind of Chizmar.
Gwendy’s a successful novelist with a promising future in politics. But when the button box suddenly reappears in her life, she must decide if she is willing to risk everything for its temptations.
The return of Gwendy in my life was truly exciting. While it’’s fascinating to see her story evolve—as a Congresswoman in her late 30s, as well as a bestselling author and even a documentarian—Gwendy’s Magic Feather didn’t quite capture the same magic for me as Gwendy’s Button Box. That said, it was still an entertaining and uniquely written tale with a touch of Chizmar’s style.
I enjoyed the leap into the future and seeing Gwendy face the challenge of dealing with the button box once again. However, in the end the second installment lacked the excitement of the original. I will say, it was a treat to see Chizmar explore the Castle Rock community, a space we’re so used to seeing only Stephen King write.
Gwendy’s Magic Feather is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook, narrated by Maggie Siff, is available at Libro.fm!
Gwendy’s Final Task
It’s funny to read a third book in a trilogy where the initial book was unable to be finished by the original author, Stephen King. Now, King is once again joined by Richard Chizmar to complete the Gwendy saga with Gwendy’s Final Task. In this third book the story is taken to new heights–no literally to outer space.
In the thrilling conclusion, evil forces seek to possess the button box and it is up to Senator Gwendy Peterson to keep it from them at all costs. But where can one hide something so destructive from such powerful entities?
This third book was fantastic, rivaling the first book. With each installment, the stakes got higher and higher, building to this epic conclusion. Packed with thrilling action, chilling moments, and heartfelt emotion, this final book deliver just what we needed. King and Chizmar take Gwendy and her button box on an unexpected, yet perfectly fitting, journey as they try to save humanity.
What King and Chizmar achieve with this final installment is a testament to their exceptional writing and their ability to collaborate. The duo deliver a perfectly concluded trilogy, wrapping up the story with a perfect little bow. What began as an enjoyable short tale with Gwendy’s Button Box evolved into a truly unforgettable series from two great authors.
Gwendy’s Final Task is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook, narrated by Marin Ireland, is available at Libro.fm!
