It is impossible to describe the genius formula of this book. Think of old style fairy tales meet quirky characters like those in Alice in Wonderland, add a good dosage of quality horror, dressed with amazing details of nature which come to life in their own worlds, make a dog as asserting as an important characters and scatter here and there sensitive observations and moving details which liaise it all. Cannot be confused with anything else.

From start to finish this is a breathtaking story. If you only read one book this year, read Fairy Tale.

…I took a King break for a bit. Due to reading just on my phone for a few years now, it was cheaper and, well, I just needed to widen my literary horizon. After reading just a few sentences I felt like I’m home. The story might not be the best executed and the overuse of big words was a bit much (English is my second language and I learned a lot of new words that I can’t even pronounce) and in recent years most of the stories just seem a bit rushed, like it’s a strong start but then it’s like he lost his idea but the style and the tone throughout every single story to me is like a camp fire…it’s warming and mesmerising.

Don’t bother.

Just to put this into context, I am a huge Stephen King fan. I love his well rounded and believable characters as well as his direct style of writing and his ability to weave fantastic tales.

The essence of this book is a relationship between a teenager and a dog, both within the fairy tale and the modern day. I have always liked the way King manages to accurately depict a teenage boy but one of my biggest gripes about this novel is that Charlie, the teenage protagonist, doesn’t fully work this time around. The constant references to the TCM movie channel doesn’t really reflect the majority of the youth of today and there is barely any mention of social media. But maybe this is a deliberate move by King to accurately characterise the life of a teenage carer and the effect his mother’s death and father’s subsequent alcoholism had on his overall development.

I also agree with other reviewers that the middle section of this book really dragged. Some have complained the novel is too long and the middle should have been more thoroughly edited. My opinion is that actually this could have been extended to a series of novels in the Fairy Tale land and so, although the happy ending was unusual for King, it did seem to signify the end of the tale.

Other reviewers have also advised that readers new to King should not start with Fairy Tale. I also agree with this because he has a certain writing style that fits his horror novels well, but at times seems out of place in a fantasy novel. So my recommendations to new readers of King is to start with the early classics such as Salem’s Lot, Carrie, The Stand and Christine. After that, I would then suggest readers change direction and read The Talisman which King co-wrote with Peter Straub. This is a fantasy horror which I have re-read many times over the years and one which always draws me back in. It is a beautifully crafted story which surpasses Fairy Tale on many levels.

So, in summary, this isn’t King’s best, but it’s certainly not his worst (hello Tommyknockers). It’s definitely worth a read, but sadly didn’t grip me enough to read in one go.

Captivating read from start to finish. Stephen King at his finest!

This is a typical King story

Epic journey that keeps you gripped but the ending is just so swift and dissatisfying

Could have been so much more

Not normally a fairytale kind of person but this book had me itching to keep going long after I should be asleep.. fascinatingly brilliant

A book that pulls you right in and holds you right through. A proper unforgettable Fairy Tale

I love this book, I read it in 3 Days