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Six quirky but brave youngsters fall into the trail of a vast and terrible paranormal darkness that has entered our realm from the outer limits of darkness. They are compelled to wage a lifelong battle fighting it, experiencing terror upon terror in the ordeal.

A Familiar Plot with a Fresh Spin

This is the plot, broadly speaking, of Stephen King’s iconic book It (arguably his finest; no debate). It similarly frames of Stephen King’s offspring Joseph Hillstrom King’s new chilling tome, in which a close-knit group summon the age-old, utterly malevolent beast King Sorrow from the Long Dark to aid them in overcoming some baddies. Unsurprisingly, their otherworldly invocation backfires.

Embracing a Family Heritage

The author started his career going to great lengths to avoid any connection from his famous father, 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 parent). However, in his newest work, he fully acknowledges it. Certain passages that deliberately echo some of his father’s iconic (that classic opening line); a incident that brings to mind a recurring theme in King’s works (a game of puzzles). In this whopper of a novel, Hill is delighting in his heritage, and readers share in the joy.

Introducing the Central Figures

Returning to the group: most are scholars at the fictional the esteemed institution in the New England state. There’s Arthur, academic and brilliant, deciphering historical enigmas in his spare time; Colin, affluent, astute, and known for crushing anyone who stands in his way; twins Donna and Donovan; the attractive the lovely Allie. Additionally, Gwen appears, who remains outside their academic circle, but emerges as crucial of their band as they experiment, partly convinced, somewhat doubtful, in the occult.

The Critical Summoning

Arthur is, due to circumstances beyond his control, forced into stealing rare books from his treasured institution’s archives by a set of regional villains. This devastates his scholarly soul, particularly as he’s forced to acquire the institution’s prized and chilling publication: the journal of practitioner Enoch Crane (executed “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the binding is crafted from his flesh). These young investigators read the journal, learn they can invoke what the author references as a “proud worm to assist Arthur with his blackmail problem – and spend the rest of the novel reaping the consequences. This ancient entity will indeed rid them of those troublesome local drug dealers, but they’ll have to choose a new sacrifice every twelve months or fall prey to the beast. In the character’s own words: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is more dragons.”

Genre Versatility and Inventive Range

Covering a generation, Joe Hill transitions with seamless grace across narrative styles: as the friends attempt to deal with the situation they find themselves in by, through diverse methods, picking people who are obviously evil to sacrifice, or seeking means to kill the dragon themselves, we go from suspense to shadowy tale, clandestine torment to affectionate subplot to horror. My favorite genre switch was to a quest story, far beneath the surface below Cornwall, a segment infused with the Lord of the Rings author that was gloriously terrifying.

A Detailed Canvas of Dread and Hope

There are trolls – the classic variety and digital trolls, truly terrifying and perfectly brought to life. There are magical swords and betrayals, breath-taking moments of bravery and ones of dreadful evil, both human and otherworldly. It’s a tour de force: a horror novel that is primarily a tribute to the human inventiveness, and to devotion and companionship. “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 companions assemble around a surface, making preparations to call forth their dragon into existence with the strength of their collective will.

According to Joe Hill in his opening statement: “Here be dragons”. Do not overlook this.