A few years ago, NPR asked Stephen King about his worst fear. He said it was dementia, and in this book King paints a picture of his boogieman with sure and terrifying strokes. My follow-up turned out to be about another box which dispenses chocolates-Gwendy’s Button Box (#1 in what has now become a trilogy) which is a story started by Stephen King and finished by his friend, author Richard Chizmar. My Audible even had an interview with both, when the story concluded. 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. 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’m a huge fan of books that have graphic illustrations either to start each chapter or sprinkled throughout to add another layer of immersion to the reading experience. I loved the graphic illustrations in “Gwendy's Button Box” as they were perfect and even creepy at times to truly set the tone of all the horror, mystery, and madness that awaited. Don’t worry, I would never spoil anything for you but my goodness, I was blown away by this novel. This was a unique way to end this trilogy as it’s a story within a story on top of finally understanding what this whole button box is all about. If you are a fellow Constant Reader, you will LOVE what is revealed from King’s Universe in this one. I’ll leave it at that but let’s just say you will be delighted with what awaits. Especially if you enjoy clowns. I just fell in love with the story. I fell in love with Gwendy's character. And I hated one ole jerk in the book. I hated him really bad. Karma dude, karma. 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.

There is also a short story at the end of the first book called, "The Music Room." This is a tiny short story by Stephen King. Just a little tad bit of horror to add to your day. I was not sure if I would finish the Gwendy trilogy. I really liked the first book but did not care much for the second one. If it was not for the fact that this book was available on Overdrive when I was looking for something to listen to, I am not sure I would have given it a shot. You might even think of yourself as fat, because girls and women in this country of ours have strange ideas about how they look. The media…do you know what I mean by the media?”

Gwendy's Magic Feather” by Richard Chizmar and Stephen King (Foreword) is the second book in Gwendy’s Button Box Trilogy as I was genuinely excited to continue the story after reading the first one. Needless to say, it was great to continue the story after the awesome events of the first entry to continue on with Gwendy, now as an adult. 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! 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?! Gwendy's Button Box is a juicy little novella presented by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar. These streets within are lined with possibilities at the touch of a button. The button, of course, obeys the command of the touch of the finger. Which color, how often, and what outcome are all at the pressure of a fingertip. And Gwendy now knows the weight of that simple box. The epilogue also got me. The setting, the final note and the last gift. King and Chizmar decided to really make readers blubber and struggle to read through watery eyes.Every good story, even a short one, has conflict--maybe something dangerous or threatening so that our protagonist can work through it and grow, make choices, handle the conflict. In this story, we get to ask ourselves, what would you do?" powerful gifts are life-changing, for better or worse, you’ll never be the same after receive them… Totally unecessary! Again, after a demonstration of the button box's power, which twisted the user's intention to take human lives, A little novella of the legendary Stephen King. An entertaining read, enjoyable, short, finishable in a few days, if not one. Good enough to spend the time, but not exactly recommendable. First encounter with King. I've watched countless of his movies (Cujo, It, Mist, Misery, Shining, others), but first time on book. And why did I never venture before with the master of horror? Who knows. But the first of many, I hope.