Gwendy's Final Task

Gwendy's Button Box Trilogy, Book 3

By: Stephen King, Richard Chizmar

Narrated by: Marin Ireland

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

The final book in the New York Times bestselling Gwendy’s Button Box trilogy from Stephen King and Richard Chizmar.

When Gwendy Peterson was twelve, a mysterious stranger named Richard Farris gave her a mysterious box for safekeeping. It offered treats and vintage coins, but it was dangerous. Pushing any of its eight colored buttons promised death and destruction. Years later, the button box reentered Gwendy’s life. A successful novelist and a rising political star, she was once again forced to deal with the temptation the box represented. Now, malignant forces seek to possess the button box, and it is up to Senator Gwendy Peterson to keep it from them at all costs. But where can one hide something from such powerful entities?

In Gwendy’s Final Task, master storytellers Stephen King and Richard Chizmar take us on a journey from Castle Rock to another famous cursed Maine city to the MF-1 space station, where Gwendy must execute a secret mission to save the world. And, maybe, all worlds. 

©2022 Stephen King and Richard Chizmar. All rights reserved. Previously published in 2022 by Cemetery Dance Publications. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Marin Ireland’s nimble narration enriches this final book in King and Chizmar’s Button Box Trilogy. Since she was a 12-year-old girl living in Castle Rock, Maine, Gwendy Peterson has been the on-and-off guardian of the button box, a mysterious and sinister box with the power to grant marvelous wishes and destroy entire worlds. Ireland sensitively communicates Gwendy’s dismay when, at 64 years old, she finds that the button box has been returned to her once again. This time, instead of serving as its guardian, she must overcome formidable obstacles in order to destroy the box and keep it from evildoers. Ireland’s characterizations take this audio to the next level, imbuing each character with personality and depth. Listeners will be captivated by this intriguing end to a popular series." (AudioFile Magazine)

We get it!

Stephen King is a democrat. He hates Donald Trump. We get it. It’s over. He’s not president anymore. Move on. My god, I loved the first two books in the series. This one is king just anger writing at Trump. Waste of a credit, and sadly waste of a great writers time. I love King. I think his last 15 years or so have been especially tremendous. This is not it though. If you’re a liberal who thinks everything that has ever happened in the world is trumps fault, you’ll love this though. I imagine that’s a relatively small base.

Wow, my favorite writer…

I loved the first novella, the second was a downer. This final installment was down right awful. If you can get past the Trump digs from two obvious left wingers, the story is really only a set up for getting rid of the button box and to tie it in to the DT, heavy-handed I might add. I enjoyed only a few parts. I won’t read anything else by Chizmar, and have a new outlook on King. Cell and Buick 8, which are King’s worst books are far superior than what I just listened to. Also, the narration was horrible; constant up and down on the volume. Sad.

The Final Frontier

Today, extraordinary authors Stephen King and Richard Chizmar have released Gwendy’s Final Task, the last book in the New York Times best-selling Gwendy’s Button Box trilogy!

What started with Gwendy’s Button Box is a superb story about a girl who receives a mysterious box from one of Stephen King’s most intriguing, although infamous characters, ends now with a final adventure.

For those who don’t remember, the box offers the owner the power to destroy the world right at their fingertips… I dove in immediately after receiving my pre-order, and after listening late into the night, I can say without a doubt that I love it!

The writing is sharp, the action moves fast and the narration by Marin Ireland is excellent, as always. Although the previous two audiobooks were narrated by a different actor, Maggie Siff, I think that Tony Award-Winning actress Marin Ireland handles everything perfectly. She reads smoothly, she acts expertly and she brings to life each character with subtle changes in her voice and cadence.

Gwendy’s Final Task concludes the adventures of one of the most remarkable and unforgettable characters in the history of fiction. I will definitely miss her. It’s really good to be back with Gwendy, to revisit Castle Rock and some other really interesting places.

I highly recommend that you give a listen to all three audiobooks if you want to appreciate the entire story arc. This series is fantastic!

Constant readers of these two literary titans will be delighted and endlessly entertained by this latest adventure featuring some familiar faces and places.
I hope that you found this review interesting and will consider leaving a helpful vote below. Thank you! Take care, stay safe, and don't forget, always listen with your heart.

Good lord

Can the please stop with all the Trump in these books please I get these books for enjoyment not a political commentary from the Democrats.

TDS much?

What happened to SK? He is so obsessed with Trump in his last several books that I am seriously concerned about his mental health. I can over look that part of this book, and I will definitely finish it but I don’t love all of the political references. SK, get back to telling horror stories quick! Sincerely, life long fan.

Not his best work

I'm not impressed. I love SK and I've read almost everything he's ever put out, but these days his last few books are way too political.
If you've ever read The Shining, or Gerald's Game, or The Stand, or The Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption, etc...

Honestly- Don't waste your money or your time on this one.
I hate when my heroes let me down.

Enjoyed but didn't care for the narrator

Nothing wrong with the story. The narrator was alright but I hate when they switch narrators in series.

Wait to get at the library

I liked the first 2 in the series but this one never seems to go anywhere. I'm waiting for the meat of the story to grab my attention and it's over. Disappointed from beginning to end. Firmly holding last place in creativity and most disappointing ending of all King stories. Jumped on the COVID bandwagon, threw in references to his best work (Dark Tower) and called it a day.

So disappointing

I don't think I could be more disappointed with a book that had low men and yellow coats and multiple dark tower references! I just don't even know where to start with this review, just straight disappointing.

Meh

It was something to listen to but disappointing. The plot was poorly considered, the ending was absolutely awful. The first book is by far the best of the series. It felt like this was phoned in - something I could write myself - which is not a choice compliment lol