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A group of six oddball but brave children fall into the way of a immense and fearsome supernatural evil that has invaded our existence from the outer limits of oblivion. They have no choice but to spend their lifetimes battling it, enduring one nightmare after another in the process.

A Resonant Premise with a Fresh Spin

This is the plot, in essence, of the master of horror’s novel It (a standout in his career; no debate). It similarly frames of King’s son Joe Hill’s latest massive horror novel, in which six friends call forth the ancient, infinitely malicious serpent King Sorrow from the Long Dark to aid them in overcoming some villains. Needless to say, their supernatural ritual backfires.

Acknowledging a Authorial Legacy

Joseph Hillström King launched his profession striving diligently to avoid any connection from his renowned parent, adopting the nom de plume he continues to employ and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he bears a striking resemblance to his father). But in this latest novel, he embraces it. Certain passages that consciously reflect some of King’s most famous (the famous Dark Tower introduction); a moment that recalls a signature King element (a game of puzzles). Throughout this massive book, the author rejoices in his heritage, and readers share in the joy.

Introducing the Protagonists

Back to those friends: the majority are students at the imagined Rackham College in the New England state. First is Arthur, bookish and gifted, cracking historical enigmas in his spare time; another key figure, wealthy, clever, and prone to trampling anyone who stands in his way; Donna and Donovan; the attractive the lovely Allie. Then we have Gwen, who isn’t their classmate, but assumes a vital role of their band as they toy, partly convinced, partly skeptical, in the occult.

The Pivotal Summoning

The protagonist finds himself, for reasons we don’t need to go into, compelled to pilfer rare books from his treasured institution’s archives by a group of neighborhood thugs. This devastates his scholarly soul, particularly as he’s forced to acquire the library’s most valuable and unsettling work: the logbook of occultist Enoch Crane (executed “for dealing with infernal entities in 1703”; the binding is made from his skin). The intrepid group examine the log, learn they can invoke what Crane describes as a “proud worm to help Arthur out with his blackmail problem – and occupy the subsequent narrative enduring the repercussions. King Sorrow will certainly eliminate those annoying regional antagonists, but they’ll have to choose a new sacrifice each year or succumb to the dragon’s wrath. As our protagonist states: “You sow dragon’s teeth, all you get is more dragons.”

Stylistic Fluidity and Imaginative Scope

Moving through four decades, the author shifts with seamless grace through various literary forms: as the allies strive to manage the circumstances they find themselves in by, variously, choosing undeniably wicked targets to sacrifice, or hunting down ways to slay the beast themselves, we go from suspense to dark fantasy, clandestine torment to romance to horror. My favorite genre switch was to a quest story, deep in the caves below Cornwall, a part tinged by the Lord of the Rings author that was magnificently horrifying.

A Rich Canvas of Fear and Optimism

We encounter trolls – the classic variety and digital trolls, truly terrifying and expertly realized. The story includes mystic weapons and deceptions, pulse-pounding sequences of courage and instances of dreadful evil, both mortal and extraterrestrial. It’s a tour de force: a chilling book that is primarily a tribute to the human inventiveness, and to love and friendship. “We needed a story to believe and {now we’ve got one|presently we possess it|currently we hold it,” says this character as the friends gather at the table, making preparations to call forth their dragon into existence with the force of their minds.

According to Joe Hill in his introductory quote: “Hic sunt dracones”. Don’t miss them.