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Six quirky but resilient youngsters fall into the path of a vast and fearsome supernatural malevolence that has invaded our existence from the outer limits of darkness. They have no choice but to wage a lifelong battle confronting it, enduring terror upon terror in the struggle.

A Resonant Premise with a New Approach

This describes the premise, in essence, of Stephen King’s iconic book It (arguably his finest; no arguments). It is also the plot of King’s son Joe Hill’s recent massive horror novel, in which a band of six invoke the ancient, deeply sinister dragon King Sorrow from the Long Dark to aid them in overcoming some baddies. Needless to say, their arcane ceremony has unintended consequences.

Embracing a Family Lineage

Joseph Hillström King began his writing journey going to great lengths to distance himself from his renowned parent, publishing under the pen name he maintains to this day and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he exhibits a strong similarity to his parent). Yet with this recent release, he embraces it. Several quotes that consciously reflect some of King’s most famous (“The man in black fled across the desert …”); a incident that brings to mind a recurring theme in King’s works (a battle of wits). In this whopper of a novel, Joe Hill takes pleasure in his heritage, and the audience revels alongside.

Introducing the Protagonists

Returning to the group: five of them are pupils at the made-up the esteemed institution in this northeastern locale. First is Arthur, academic and brilliant, cracking ancient puzzles in his spare time; the character Colin, wealthy, sharp, and known for crushing obstacles in his path; twins Donna and Donovan; the beautiful Allie. Then we have Gwen, who isn’t their classmate, but assumes a vital role of their group as they toy, somewhat credulous, half not, in arcane arts.

The Critical Summoning

Our hero becomes, for reasons we don’t need to go into, obliged to take prized manuscripts from his beloved college library by a bunch of local criminals. This tears at his bookish heart, particularly as he’s forced to acquire the institution’s prized and chilling publication: the journal of adept Enoch Crane (executed “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the book’s jacket is made from his skin). Our Scooby gang examine the log, learn they can invoke what the author references as a armoured devil” to help Arthur out with his coercion issue – and spend the rest of the novel reaping the consequences. King Sorrow will certainly eliminate those troublesome local drug dealers, but they must select a different victim annually or fall prey to the beast. As our protagonist states: “You sow dragon’s teeth, all you get is further monstrosities.”

Narrative Dexterity and Creative Range

Moving through four decades, Hill also moves with seamless grace between genres: as the companions strive to manage the predicament they find themselves in by, variously, picking people who are obviously evil to sacrifice, or searching for methods to destroy the entity themselves, we transition from page-turner to grim fantasy, black-ops torture to affectionate subplot to horror. A standout transition was to a quest story, deep in the caves beneath this UK region, a part sprinkled with the fantasy maestro that was wonderfully frightening.

An Expansive Canvas of Dread and Courage

The novel features trolls – the classic variety and internet antagonists, genuinely frightening and perfectly brought to life. The story includes mystic weapons and betrayals, pulse-pounding sequences of valor and instances of terrible wickedness, both mortal and supernatural. It’s a tour de force: a chilling book that is primarily a paean to the imagination, and to devotion and companionship. “We longed for a tale to embrace and {now we’ve got one|presently we possess it|currently we hold it,” says the wealthy student as the companions assemble around a surface, getting ready to invoke their serpent into being with the strength of their collective will.

As Hill puts it in his opening statement: “Hic sunt dracones”. Ensure you experience it.