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Six unlikely but doughty kids fall into the way of a colossal and fearsome paranormal darkness that has invaded our realm from the deepest abyss of oblivion. They must devote their lives fighting it, enduring one nightmare after another in the struggle.

A Resonant Plot with a Distinctive Twist

This is the plot, in essence, of the master of horror’s novel It (arguably his finest; undeniable). It similarly frames of King’s son Joseph Hillstrom King’s new chilling tome, in which a band of six invoke the ancient, deeply sinister dragon King Sorrow from the Abyssal Void to help them defeat some villains. As one might expect, their supernatural ritual goes awry.

Embracing a Authorial Lineage

Joseph Hillström King launched his profession striving diligently to avoid any connection from his well-known dad, adopting the nom de plume he maintains to this day and avoiding meeting his agent (he exhibits a uncanny likeness to his father). But in this latest novel, he fully acknowledges it. Certain passages that deliberately echo some of King’s most famous (“The man in black fled across the desert …”); a incident that recalls a signature King element (a battle of wits). In this epic story, Hill is delighting in his heritage, and we delight along with him.

Meet the Protagonists

Focusing on the companions: most are pupils at the fictional the esteemed institution in Maine. First is Arthur, studious and gifted, deciphering Old English riddles in his spare time; the character Colin, wealthy, astute, and known for crushing obstacles in his path; the twin siblings; the beautiful Allie herself. And there’s Gwen, who doesn’t study with them, but becomes a key part of their group as they experiment, partly convinced, somewhat doubtful, in the occult.

The Fateful Ritual

Arthur is, for reasons we don’t need to go into, forced into stealing valuable volumes from his beloved college library by a bunch of local criminals. This wounds his academic spirit, notably because he’s forced to acquire the institution’s prized and unsettling work: the diary of occultist Enoch Crane (condemned “for dealing with infernal entities in 1703”; the cover is crafted from his flesh). These young investigators peruse the diary, discover they could summon what the occultist details as a “proud worm to help Arthur out with his extortion dilemma – and occupy the subsequent narrative reaping the consequences. This ancient entity will undoubtedly remove those problematic neighborhood criminals, but they’ll have to choose a fresh offering annually or become his victim themselves. As our protagonist states: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is more dragons.”

Stylistic Fluidity and Creative Breadth

Moving through four decades, Joe Hill transitions with natural fluency through various literary forms: as the companions strive to manage the circumstances they find themselves in by, in different ways, choosing undeniably wicked targets to offer up, or searching for methods to destroy the entity themselves, we move between page-turner to grim fantasy, clandestine torment to romance to horror. A standout transition was to a heroic journey, far beneath the surface beneath this UK region, a section sprinkled with the Lord of the Rings author that was magnificently horrifying.

A Rich Mosaic of Horror and Optimism

We encounter trolls – the classic variety and internet antagonists, truly terrifying and perfectly brought to life. The story includes mystic weapons and treacheries, pulse-pounding sequences of courage and ones of appalling malevolence, both human and otherworldly. It’s a tour de force: a chilling book that is above all a tribute to the human inventiveness, and to love and friendship. “We required a narrative to trust and {now we’ve got one|presently we possess it|currently we hold it,” says this character as the companions sit around the table, getting ready to invoke their beast to life with the force of their minds.

According to Joe Hill in his introductory quote: “Here be dragons”. Ensure you experience it.