Review: GWENDY'S BUTTON BOX by Stephen King & Richard Chizmar

Publisher Cemetery Dance Publications 
Length 175 pages
Format hardcover
Published 2017
Series standalone
My Copy borrowed from the library 

My Review

12yr old Gwendy is an average girl, slightly plump but working it off over school break by running up and down a case of suicide stairs - aptly named after someone jumped from the stairs to their death, when she's approached by a mysterious yet seemingly harmless stranger who offers her a button box.

Dressed in black  this stranger convinces Gwnedy that the box with buttons on it will forever change her life - and she believes him, albeit reluctantly. After getting a treat out of the box and later a rare and valuable coin, Gwendy becomes infatuated by the box, not only for it's never ending supply of rare coins and sweets but because of the power it gives her. Each button represents a continent, all she's to do is press down on any one and the people of that continent will suffer in some way, shape or form - it's a lot of responsibility that on face value reads completely ridiculous but King makes it so damn easy to fall into his story and believe that this box, now owned by a pre-teen in Castle Rock can really change the world.

From there the story goes through a time lapse showcasing the highlights of Gwendy's life through to her graduation along with the Box's influence on her actions. At under 200 pages, Gwendy's Button Box is a 1 sitting read that is completely absorbing; Gwendy is a lovable character who leaves an impression while the bit players also add a little something here and there to Gwendy's life with the box.

As a long time Stephen King reader, his style is prominent here. It reads like a full-length novel, only more concise. 

My rating: 4/5 stars, a must read for Stephen King fans and those in need of a quick form of escapism from the daily grind.