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Six unlikely but doughty kids encounter the path of a colossal and terrible supernatural evil that has entered our existence from the deepest abyss of oblivion. They must devote their lives fighting it, experiencing one nightmare after another in the struggle.

A Familiar Plot with a Distinctive Spin

This is the plot, in essence, of Stephen King’s iconic book It (his best; no arguments). It is also the plot of the celebrated author’s heir Joseph Hillstrom King’s new massive horror novel, in which a band of six invoke the primordial, infinitely malicious serpent King Sorrow from the Long Dark to assist them in vanquishing some villains. Unsurprisingly, their supernatural ritual backfires.

Celebrating a Family Lineage

Joseph Hillström King started his career making great efforts to remain separate from his renowned parent, publishing under the pen name he continues to employ and avoiding meeting his agent (he possesses a striking resemblance to his father). However, in his newest work, he fully acknowledges it. Several quotes that deliberately echo some of King’s most famous (that classic opening line); a scene that evokes a King plot point (a battle of wits). In this epic story, the author rejoices in his family connection, and readers share in the joy.

Meet the Protagonists

Returning to the group: most are students at the imagined this academic setting in Maine. There’s Arthur, bookish and brilliant, deciphering Old English riddles in his free moments; Colin, rich, sharp, and prone to trampling those who oppose him; twins Donna and Donovan; the stunning Allie. Additionally, Gwen appears, who doesn’t study with them, but assumes a vital role of their circle as they experiment, somewhat credulous, half not, in arcane arts.

The Fateful Ritual

The protagonist finds himself, as a result of external pressures, forced into stealing valuable volumes from his cherished academic collection by a set of regional villains. This tears at his bookish heart, notably because he’s compelled to seize the institution’s prized and chilling title: the diary of occultist Enoch Crane (executed “for trafficking with the devyll in 1703”; the book’s jacket is made from his skin). The intrepid group examine the log, realize they are able to call forth what the occultist details as a “proud worm to assist Arthur with his coercion issue – and devote the remaining story enduring the repercussions. The dragon will indeed rid them of those problematic neighborhood criminals, but they must select a new sacrifice annually or fall prey to the beast. As Arthur later puts it: “You sow dragon’s teeth, all you get is more dragons.”

Stylistic Dexterity and Inventive Scope

Covering a generation, the author shifts with natural fluency across narrative styles: as the friends endeavor to address the circumstances they find themselves in by, in different ways, selecting clearly malevolent individuals to offer up, or seeking means to destroy the entity themselves, we transition from suspense to dark fantasy, clandestine torment to love story to fright. A standout transition was to a adventure narrative, within the subterranean depths beneath this UK region, a part infused with JRR Tolkien that was gloriously terrifying.

An Expansive Mosaic of Horror and Optimism

The novel features trolls – the classic variety and digital trolls, genuinely frightening and superbly depicted. There are magical swords and betrayals, heart-stopping scenes of bravery and scenes of appalling malevolence, both earthly and extraterrestrial. This is a remarkable achievement: a horror novel that is primarily a tribute to the imagination, and to affection and camaraderie. “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, making preparations to call forth their dragon into existence with the power of their thoughts.

According to Joe Hill in his epigraph: “This is dragon territory”. Do not overlook this.