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Six quirky but brave youngsters encounter the way of a vast and terrible paranormal darkness that has infiltrated our world from the farthest reaches of oblivion. They have no choice but to spend their lifetimes fighting it, enduring horror after horror in the ordeal.

A Resonant Premise with a Distinctive Approach

This describes the premise, broadly speaking, of Stephen King’s seminal work It (arguably his finest; undeniable). It is also the plot of King’s son Joseph Hillstrom King’s recent chilling tome, in which six friends invoke the primordial, deeply sinister dragon King Sorrow from the Long Dark to assist them in vanquishing some baddies. Unsurprisingly, their otherworldly invocation has unintended consequences.

Acknowledging a Literary Lineage

Joseph Hillström King started his career making great efforts to distance himself from his well-known dad, using the pseudonym he maintains to this day and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he exhibits a uncanny likeness to his dad). However, in his newest work, he fully acknowledges it. Several quotes that intentionally mirror some of his father’s iconic (that classic opening line); a incident that recalls a signature King element (a riddling contest). In this epic story, Joe Hill takes pleasure in his lineage, and we delight along with him.

Introducing the Central Figures

Focusing on the companions: the majority are scholars at the fictional this academic setting in this northeastern locale. First is Arthur, academic and brilliant, deciphering ancient puzzles in his leisure hours; Colin, rich, sharp, and inclined to bulldoze anyone who stands in his way; twins Donna and Donovan; the attractive the lovely Allie. Then we have Gwen, who remains outside their academic circle, but becomes a key part of their band as they dabble, partly convinced, half not, in supernatural practices.

The Fateful Summoning

Our hero becomes, 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 forced to acquire the institution’s prized and chilling title: the journal of adept Enoch Crane (condemned “for trafficking with the devyll in 1703”; the book’s jacket is fashioned from his hide). Our Scooby gang examine the log, discover they could summon what the author references as a armoured devil” to help Arthur out with his blackmail problem – and devote the remaining story enduring the repercussions. King Sorrow will indeed rid them of those troublesome local drug dealers, but they’ll have to choose a new sacrifice each year or become his victim themselves. In the character’s own words: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is more dragons.”

Stylistic Versatility and Inventive Breadth

Covering a generation, Joe Hill transitions with seamless grace across narrative styles: as the allies endeavor to address the predicament they find themselves in by, variously, picking people who are obviously evil to offer up, or seeking means to destroy the entity themselves, we transition from thriller to dark fantasy, clandestine torment to romance to terror. My favorite genre switch was to a heroic journey, deep in the caves under the English county, a segment tinged by the Lord of the Rings author that was magnificently horrifying.

A Rich Mosaic of Dread and Courage

There are trolls – the classic variety and internet antagonists, genuinely frightening and expertly realized. The story includes mystic weapons and treacheries, breath-taking moments of bravery and instances of terrible wickedness, both human and otherworldly. It stands as a masterpiece: a chilling book that is primarily a paean to the creative spirit, 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 Colin as the friends sit around the table, making preparations to call forth their dragon into existence with the strength of their collective will.

As Hill puts it in his opening statement: “Hic sunt dracones”. Don’t miss them.