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Six quirky but resilient youngsters encounter the way of a colossal and terrible paranormal malevolence that has infiltrated our world from the outer limits of shadow. They have no choice but to devote their lives confronting it, facing horror after horror in the struggle.

An Echoing Premise with a Distinctive Spin

This is the plot, in essence, of Stephen King’s iconic book It (his best; no debate). It similarly frames of King’s son Joseph Hillstrom King’s recent massive horror novel, in which a band of six summon the age-old, deeply sinister serpent King Sorrow from the Long Dark to assist them in vanquishing some baddies. Unsurprisingly, their arcane ceremony backfires.

Embracing a Literary Lineage

Joe Hill began his writing journey striving diligently to distance himself from his well-known dad, adopting the nom de plume he maintains to this day and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he bears a striking resemblance to his dad). Yet with this recent release, he fully acknowledges it. Several quotes that consciously reflect some of King’s most famous (the famous Dark Tower introduction); a scene that recalls a signature King element (a battle of wits). Throughout this massive book, Joe Hill takes pleasure in his heritage, and readers share in the joy.

Introducing the Central Figures

Returning to the group: the majority are students at the made-up Rackham College in the New England state. First is Arthur, bookish and brilliant, solving historical enigmas in his leisure hours; another key figure, rich, clever, and prone to trampling obstacles in his path; Donna and Donovan; the beautiful Allie. Additionally, Gwen appears, who doesn’t study with them, but emerges as crucial of their group as they dabble, partly convinced, half not, in the occult.

The Fateful Ritual

Arthur is, as a result of external pressures, forced into stealing valuable volumes from his beloved college library by a bunch of local criminals. This wounds his academic spirit, particularly as he’s compelled to seize the library’s most valuable and chilling publication: the diary of occultist the historical figure (put to death “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the book’s jacket is crafted from his flesh). The intrepid group examine the log, learn they can invoke what the author references as a armored demon” to aid our hero with his blackmail problem – and occupy the subsequent narrative enduring the repercussions. The dragon will indeed rid them of those troublesome local drug dealers, but they are required to pick a fresh offering every twelve months or become his victim themselves. As Arthur later puts it: “You plant seeds of destruction, all you get is more dragons.”

Narrative Fluidity and Creative Scope

Covering a generation, Joe Hill transitions with natural fluency across narrative styles: as the companions endeavor to address the circumstances they find themselves in by, in different ways, choosing undeniably wicked targets to offer up, or seeking means to destroy the entity themselves, we transition from thriller to grim fantasy, clandestine torment to love story to fright. My favorite genre switch was to a heroic journey, deep in the caves below Cornwall, a section infused with JRR Tolkien that was magnificently horrifying.

A Rich Tapestry of Dread and Hope

We encounter trolls – bridge-dwelling ones and internet antagonists, genuinely frightening and superbly depicted. There are magical swords and betrayals, breath-taking moments of valor and ones of appalling malevolence, both earthly and supernatural. It’s a tour de force: a frightening tale that is chiefly a ode to the creative spirit, 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 friends assemble around a surface, getting ready to invoke their beast into existence with the power of their thoughts.

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