The Eyes of the Dragon (1987) by Stephen King is a departure from the author’s signature horror, offering instead a richly woven dark fantasy set in the medieval kingdom of Delain. Written initially for his daughter, the novel blends fairy-tale storytelling with King’s flair for psychological depth, following the unjust imprisonment of Prince Peter—framed for his father’s murder by the malevolent court magician, Flagg (a recurring King villain from The Stand and The Dark Tower).
The story unfolds with Grimms’-like prose, chronicling Peter’s quiet resilience in his tower cell, his brother Thomas’s guilt-ridden reign, and the courage of a handful of allies who unravel Flagg’s conspiracy. Themes of innocence, tyranny, and cunning vs. brute strength resonate through King’s meticulous worldbuilding, from poisoned wine to a hidden dollhouse clue.
Though often overshadowed by King’s macabre works, Eyes is a testament to his narrative versatility, with echoes of Tolkien and Le Guin. Its standalone charm later connects to King’s wider mythos, especially Flagg’s dark wizardry
