Gwendy's Button Box: (The Button Box Series) (Gwendy's Button Box Trilogy)

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When authors are able to work well together, the fruits of their labour are usually beneficial for the reader. Such is the case here, with Stephen King and Richard Chizmar. Both have established themselves before and bring this renewed connection to craft a strong story for all to enjoy. A great narrative pushes things forward, never sure where things will go, and the characters are usually quite unique. King and Chizmar keep the reader guessing with twists in the narrative, such that there is little time to rest and ponder, as something is always happening. Short chapters serve as teasers, while longer ones develop the storyline effectively. While there was a great deal of jumping around to provide context for Gwendy Peterson’s life, it is done properly and proves easy for the reader to follow throughout. It is sad to see the series end, but I wonder if this is the last we have seen of the King-Chizmar team! In the aforementioned audiobook conversation, King winks at the comparison between Gwendy’s button box and his typewriter/computer. What is his keyboard if not a magical box with buttons that can make anything happen? How cool is that idea?! En algún momento querrás algo, el dueño de la caja siempre quiere algo. Es normal. El anhelo de saber y de hacer cosas es lo que define a la raza humana. I look forward to continuing the series in the new year-as the third in the trilogy, Gwendy’s Final Task, is publishing in May 31, 2022.

I will say, here and now, that if Chizmar's name ever gets associated with King's on another retirement fund writing project, I will happily and joyfully pass, knowing I saved my eyes a bunch of rolling, and saved my money by passing on yet another polished turd. Gwendy’s Button Box was a very entertaining novella. Young Gwendy was a really believable, interesting character, and the story was an exploration of the weight of power and responsibility, reminiscent of an old Twilight Zone or Outer Limits plot. Gwendy’s Magic Feather, written without Stephen King, was a disappointment. Middle-aged Gwendy had some middle-aged worries, but the story was much too slow and seemed to simply spend too much time setting up the third book in the trilogy. So I went into Gwendy’s Final Task nervously but cautiously optimistic that the combination of Stephen King’s return and the build up from the middle book would pay off here in the finale. This was such an emotional read for me and to be honest, that’s pretty rare for me. That’s why it felt like a powerhouse of a read because it tugs on your heart while keeping you on your toes as to what will go down with this final task for Gwendy. She’s my favorite character in this entire trilogy because she’s so relatable it makes you want to root for her in everything she does. I connected with her character so much since she always does what’s right and well, that’s something I try to do as well in life. At the top of the stairs, Gwendy catches her breath and listens to the shouts of the kids on the playground. From a bit farther away comes the chink of an aluminum bat hitting a baseball as the Senior League kids practice for the Labor Day charity game.In a conversation between co-writers Stephen King and Richard Chizmar at the end of the audiobook, King explains that he wrote the beginning of the story but couldn’t end it. WHY he couldn’t end it he never shares, but he says he dusted off the languishing manuscript and turned it over to his buddy Chizmar to wrap it up. The resulting story feels seamless, which isn’t a surprise since Chizmar’s writing style is clearly heavily influenced by his (and Constant Readers’) Uncle Stevie.

The ending was breathtaking and just left me in awe. That epilogue? Perfection. Again, it’s very rare for me to feel this way after a horror novel and I cherished every single moment of it. I genuinely closed my Kindle Paperwhite when done and just let it all soak in. All these words came into my mind when done. Unbelievable. Fascinating. Meaningful. Impactful. Magnificent. Wonderful. Unforgettable. I know this trilogy has been hit-or-miss for some readers, but I’ve had a blast in this particular world and it was great seeing the Dark Tower come into play, different worlds discussed and shared and ultimately how poignant and soul crushing the ending was. Did I cry? Yes. Not only is the story dripping with emotions but with the state of the world we live in, it was invigorating as well as devastating to see someone go that far above and beyond for the greater good. I read Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar two summers ago. I rated it 5 stars and had this to say, Pero en general todo es bastante superficial . No se termina de meter en el lodo en ningún aspecto .Me parece que carece de un aspecto fundamental en las historias Fáusticas, el dilema moral. Dilema Que se le plantea al protagonista y que te atañe como lector. Aquí por la propia historia o la estructura narrativa queda en el aire, en una mera insinuación. An odd stranger giving a mysterious box to a 12-year-old girl. I mean, if that's not setting off alarms in your head, what would?!I enjoyed all the thrilling suspense as this was more of a fantasy thriller with a bit of creepy horror thrown in. Don’t worry, I won’t spoil anything for you but this was another magical ride involving Gwendy’s Button Box. I also loved and smiled at all the Stephen King references to other novels such as “Cujo” and even “Shawshank Redemption” which added a nice touch involving my all-time favorite author. This isn't some big ole horror story. It's just a story of Gwendy and how she comes across the button box that she owns for a good portion of her life. There are secrets about the box. I thought they were pretty awesome. In some ways I could see how the box would be a terrifying thing to have in your possession for a few different reasons that I won't say. One day, Olive kills herself by jumping off the Suicide Stairs. Gwendy knows she wasn't there for Olive as much as she should've been, and she tries to make up for it in some small way by using the box to destroy the Suicide Stairs. Eventually, she meets a boy named Harry, and they begin dating, but Gwendy suspects that the box is jealous of Harry. Her suspicions are confirmed one night when Frankie comes over to proposition Gwendy and finds the box. To distract him, "Gwendy does the only thing she can think of" and exposes her breasts to Frankie. When Harry sees the situation, he and Frankie get into a fight, and Frankie hits Harry on the head with the box. Harry dies from his injuries. I’ve got a theory about you, Miss Gwendy Peterson. Formed, as all the best theories are, by close observation. Want to hear it?”

Besides King, I’m also a huge fan of Chizmar having read several of his novels as his writing is also superb. It’s great to see these two together in writing a book like this as I genuinely loved it. This was a match made in horror heaven as these two combined truly wrote one hell of an entry to this trilogy that was a blast to read and even see in a few instances. First, let me thank the publisher Cemetery Dance Publications, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’d also like to thank J.D. Barker for suggesting I review this book. All opinions are my own. I'd also like to apologize to all for my late review....which got lost in my pile. Possibly the worst thing I've ever read with Stephen King's name attached to it. I cannot conceive of how he could be proud or happy to see his name on the cover of this steaming pile of shit. I remember reading the collaborative novella a few years ago and being highly impressed. I have loved Stephen King’s work for as long as I can remember, particularly for the tangential writing with a purpose. When I learned that this sequel had been published and that Richard Chizmar did so alone, I was eager to see if he could keep up the same quality. He did so, while spinning some of the central characters and facts to work effectively decades in the future. Gwendy Peterson is now a successful woman who has impacted the larger community without losing her small-town sense. Now married to a man she loves very much, she also also a strong connection to her parents while fighting for her constituents in Washington as well. Her return for the holidays and trying to handle the reemergence of the Button Box propelled the story forward effectively and allowed the reader to see a little more about her character as she matured into a successful woman. Other characters help shape the story, some returning but many new to the mix. The banter worked well and kept the narrative clipping along. The story flowed and even with a late entry of the titular magic feather, things came together nicely. There was a mix of mystery and personal growth embedded in the plot, which flowed so well. Short chapters pushed the story along and Chizmar used an odd King-esque style that drops hints throughout, forcing the reader to be highly attentive to get everything from the story. I can hope for another instalment of these series, though I am not sure how Chizmar might do so. Then again, I love a good surprise!Gwendy knows she the safekeeper of the button box. What she doesn't know, is why Mr Farris made her so. He told her she was different. Eight buttons on top of this beautiful, mahogany box. A button for each continent, plus one. A hidden pull on its side revealed a magic chocolate, in the shape of a cute little bunny that day Gwendy met Mr Farris above the suicide stairs. A pristine, Morgan silver dollar from the other end. Good things begin to happen for Gwendy in those first days that lead into the years that follow. What's not to love about this box?

powerful gifts are life-changing, for better or worse, you’ll never be the same after receive them…Chizmar (in collaboration with Johnathon Schaech) has also written screenplays and teleplays for United Artists, Sony Screen Gems, Lions Gate, Showtime, NBC, and many other companies. He has adapted the works of many bestselling authors including Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Bentley Little. Once the box is in Gwendy's possession, she encounters evil forces that seem determined to keep her from achieving her goal. First, her husband, Ryan, is killed in a freak hit and run accident when Gwendy is campaigning for the Senate. Soon afterward, Gwendy begins suffering the debilitating symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's. During her trip into space, Gwendy is informed that her house caught fire. She believes the people who want to save the box and use it to harm others intentionally set the fire when they discovered the box was not there. A sequel titled Gwendy's Magic Feather, penned solely by Chizmar, was released in November 2019. [4] [5] In November 2020, Chizmar announced that he and King were writing a third installment in the series titled Gwendy's Final Task, this time as a full-length novel. [6] [7] It was published in 2022. The measurable weight of this novella seems to be in the hands of Chizmar more than King. Although a delightful, fast read, the volts of horror do not necessarily reside here as they usually do in a King novel. I think those of us who have gnawed on many a King book notice the difference. A bit more of the things that go bump in the night would have been welcomed. This is more a cerebral read of "what would happen if......"