Stephen King, a prolific writer since the release of his debut novel Carrie in 1974, continues to be active into the 2020s with numerous new titles. His extensive body of work includes nearly 70 novels, along with short story collections and novellas, making his “Stephen King 2020s books” worth examining to see which recent releases stand out. Although none from this decade quite reach the heights of classics like The Stand or The Shining, these newer books maintain enough of King’s signature style to offer some engaging reads.
Challenges in ‘Holly’ (2023): When Politics and Repetition Drag a Story Down
Holly, published in 2023, marks an attempt to explore contemporary issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, yet it struggles under the weight of excessive political commentary. King’s tendency to weave current events into his narratives is evident, reminiscent of his use of politics in earlier works such as The Dead Zone, but here it becomes overwhelming. The frequent references to COVID-19 and the U.S. response feel relentless and detract from the story’s momentum, echoing the frustration seen in his previous portrayal of cell phone culture in Cell.
The novel centers on Holly Gibney, a recurring character who, despite her loyal fanbase, is divisive among readers. This iteration arguably marks her weakest outing, as she unravels a mystery involving disappearances that ultimately fails to balance tension and interest. The narrative becomes bogged down with repetitive details about villainous ailments, Holly’s personal anxieties, and her grief over a lost relative, dragging the story past 400 pages without meaningful payoff. These elements make Holly feel tedious and sluggish, highlighting a decline in precision and quality.
Mixed Feelings Surround ‘Gwendy’s Final Task’ (2022) in a Divided Trilogy
Gwendy’s Final Task is a collaborative effort between Stephen King and Richard Chizmar, complicating its place within King’s solo works but still part of his 2020s output. This book concludes a trilogy beginning with Gwendy’s Button Box, which was well-received for its Castle Rock setting, while the second entry, Gwendy’s Magic Feather, authored solely by Chizmar, suffered a colder reception. The final volume aims to expand its scope but ends up feeling unwieldy and convoluted.
The story’s sudden shift into science fiction territory is jarring and risks spoiling surprises just by existing, making it a challenge to appraise without spoiling readers. Serious repetition also plagues the narrative, particularly repeated mentions of Gwendy’s various health complications. However, fans of King’s broader universe might find intrigue in its ties to the multiverse, especially its connections to the mysterious Dark Tower series. These aspects offer some merit and may enhance the experience for loyal readers, though the overall execution remains uneven.
Improvement but Imperfections Define ‘Never Flinch’ (2025)
Returning to Holly Gibney, Never Flinch fares somewhat better than Holly, mainly by sticking closer to crime and thriller elements without veering too deeply into horror. Similar to The Outsider, which shifted from crime into horror, Never Flinch aims to juggle two separate storylines involving crime and activism, but this approach leaves the plot feeling disjointed and underdeveloped.
The narrative follows Holly as she protects an activist stalked by a mystery figure, while simultaneously investigating a string of murders tied to injustice. Unfortunately, these threads never intersect in a fully satisfying way, giving the book an anticlimactic finish. The result is a readable but ultimately forgettable story that fails to build towards a compelling conclusion, echoing the familiar sensation fans might expect by now from some of King’s newer works.
‘Later’ (2021): A Surprising Blend of Crime and Supernatural Elements
Later offers an unexpected twist on Stephen King’s usual formula by merging crime fiction with supernatural abilities. The protagonist has the rare capacity to communicate with ghosts, which drives the plot and injects a fresh energy into the mystery. This premise might sound gimmicky, but it proves effective and engaging, delivering a brisk, entertaining read.
The book stands out for including a genuine plot twist, a device King rarely employs with the finesse of classic mystery writers like Agatha Christie. This element elevates Later beyond typical King fare, giving readers a neat surprise that enhances interest throughout. While not a masterpiece, it is widely regarded as an underrated gem among his 2020s works, rated solidly between a B and B+ in terms of quality.
‘Fairy Tale’ (2022): Nostalgia and Classic King Themes Resurface
Among the fresh releases this decade, Fairy Tale is often considered the closest to capturing the essence of classic Stephen King storytelling. Its narrative about a young boy transported to a strange, magical world and tasked with saving someone near death draws obvious parallels to earlier works like The Talisman and the Dark Tower series, especially Wizard and Glass. Fans of these earlier stories will find echoes of familiar themes, including numerous references to The Wizard of Oz.
While revisiting familiar territory can be seen as repetitive—King has reused motifs before, as with the rapid weight loss themes in Thinner and Elevation—Fairy Tale offers enough unique elements to feel compelling. The storytelling style is reminiscent of King’s early works, with a charm that suggests the narrative was crafted more intuitively as it progressed. This lends the book a bittersweet, nostalgic tone that resonates strongly with longtime fans who appreciate King’s old-school approach.
Highlight of the Decade: ‘Billy Summers’ (2021)
Billy Summers stands out as the best of Stephen King’s books in the 2020s so far, earning acclaim for its balanced and engaging storytelling. This thriller follows an assassin meticulously planning and executing a hit, only to face unexpected complications that profoundly affect his life. The plot maintains a steady pace and keeps readers invested throughout.
In addition to its gripping exterior, the novel explores the power of storytelling, especially through the protagonist’s reflections on his troubled past and his use of writing as a coping mechanism. Unlike some King works where introspection can hinder momentum, here it complements the thriller elements without detracting from the tension. The result is a fluid, absorbing experience that works well both in print and audiobook formats, making Billy Summers a clear frontrunner among King’s recent efforts.
As Stephen King continues to publish new books throughout the decade, the 2020s ranking remains in flux, but for now, Billy Summers clearly leads, while titles like Fairy Tale and Later follow closely behind. Meanwhile, experiments like Holly and Gwendy’s Final Task expose some frustrating weaknesses that remind readers even veteran authors aren’t exempt from missteps. With King’s enduring presence and planned future releases, the evolution of his work in this decade will remain a topic of keen interest to fans and critics alike.
