This books seems a lot different than most of the other books that King has written. At least, it does if this is one you just picked up and read without reading many of this other books. I love how King is able to tie this book in the Talisman, the Dark Tower series, and the Stand. This is one of the things about King that is so appealing to me, how he is able to get into your soul and scare you by referencing your own memories of other books and characters that you have read.
I really liked this book, even though it took me a long time to read it. (That was due more to outside forces than the book itself) This story takes place in Delain (which is within the In World of the DT Series) and is about a King, Roland, who has two sons - Peter and Thomas. Peter is the older, more favored son, while Thomas is second fiddle. A child who tries hard to be loved and always seems to fail. It is a given that when Roland dies eventually, Peter will be king. However, there is also the court advisor/magician Flagg (hmm, catching on to this yet) who has plans of his own. He killed the queen and plots to gain power so he can control the kingdom and drive it to ruin. Peter is too smart and brave for Flagg to mess with, but Thomas is afraid of Flagg, therefore easily controlled.
Flagg sets about framing Peter for the kings death so that Thomas can gain power, which allows Flagg to have power. The eyes of the dragon are Flaggs undoing as it is through the eyes of a dragon mounted on the kings wall, that the frame and crime is unknowingly witnessed. Pivotal to this as well is the queens old dollhouse, napkins, a tower called the Needle, and the loyalty of friends.
I would recommend this book to most anyone who is interested in King's work, but not into scary books. My only regret is that it took me so long to read it.
Next on to Misery - one of my all time favorites!
