While the central plotline of Fairy Tale involves an epic battle between good and evil for control of Empis, a quieter battle takes place within Charlie. Charlie tries hard to be a good person, but he sometimes finds himself hurting others nonetheless. As he comes of age in Empis, he realizes that good and evil aren’t binary states of being, but characteristics that coexist inside everyone. No person is essentially good or evil. An individual’s morality is continually evolving, determined by the actions they choose each day.

In Fairy Tale, King explores the idea that everyone has a “dark well” of evil inside of them. Goodness is achieved not by eradicating this well, but by controlling it. Throughout the narrative, many characters make bad choices. Some characters learn from their mistakes and choose to act with increased empathy and kindness, while others lean into cruelty and descend into monstrosity.

Charlie Reade is, at first glance, a classic, good-guy protagonist. He is kind-hearted, forgiving, and selflessly dedicates himself to the people and animals he loves. Charlie is an easy character for readers to root for, but as the narrative continues he reveals a checkered past.