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Six quirky but doughty kids fall into the way of a vast and terrible paranormal malevolence that has entered our realm from the farthest reaches of oblivion. They are compelled to wage a lifelong battle fighting it, experiencing horror after horror in the ordeal.

A Resonant Storyline with a Distinctive Approach

This is the plot, in essence, of the master of horror’s seminal work It (arguably his finest; undeniable). It parallels of the celebrated author’s heir Joe Hill’s latest chilling tome, in which a close-knit group summon the primordial, deeply sinister dragon the Sorrowful Monarch from the Long Dark to assist them in vanquishing some villains. As one might expect, their supernatural ritual goes awry.

Embracing a Literary Lineage

Joe Hill began his writing journey making great efforts to remain separate from his well-known dad, publishing under the pen name he maintains to this day and steering clear of encounters with his agent (he exhibits a striking resemblance to his dad). However, in his newest work, he embraces it. Several quotes that consciously reflect some of his father’s iconic (“The man in black fled across the desert …”); a moment that evokes a signature King element (a riddling contest). In this whopper of a novel, Joe Hill takes pleasure in his heritage, and we delight along with him.

The Cast of the Main Characters

Focusing on the companions: five of them are students at the made-up Rackham College in the New England state. We have Arthur, studious and intelligent, deciphering ancient puzzles in his spare time; another key figure, wealthy, astute, and known for crushing obstacles in his path; twins Donna and Donovan; the beautiful Allie. Additionally, Gwen appears, who remains outside their academic circle, but emerges as crucial of their circle as they toy, half believing, somewhat doubtful, in arcane arts.

The Pivotal Ceremony

The protagonist finds himself, for reasons we don’t need to go into, obliged to take prized manuscripts from his treasured institution’s archives by a bunch of local criminals. This devastates his scholarly soul, notably because he’s made to take the library’s most valuable and chilling title: the logbook of occultist Enoch Crane (executed “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the book’s jacket is fashioned from his hide). Our Scooby gang peruse the diary, realize they are able to call forth what the author references as a cunning serpent to assist Arthur with his blackmail problem – and devote the remaining story reaping the consequences. King Sorrow will certainly eliminate those problematic neighborhood criminals, but they are required to pick a new sacrifice annually or succumb to the dragon’s wrath. As our protagonist states: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is more dragons.”

Stylistic Versatility and Creative Range

Covering a generation, Joe Hill transitions with seamless grace between genres: as the friends attempt to deal with the predicament they find themselves in by, through diverse methods, selecting clearly malevolent individuals to sacrifice, or seeking means to kill the dragon themselves, we move between suspense to grim fantasy, clandestine torment to romance to horror. A standout transition was to a adventure narrative, deep in the caves below Cornwall, a part infused with the Lord of the Rings author that was wonderfully frightening.

A Rich Tapestry of Horror and Hope

We encounter trolls – the classic variety and internet antagonists, genuinely frightening and perfectly brought to life. The story includes mystic weapons and treacheries, breath-taking moments of courage and ones of terrible wickedness, both earthly and extraterrestrial. It’s a tour de force: a horror novel that is chiefly a tribute to the creative spirit, 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 friends sit around the table, making preparations to call forth their serpent into being with the power of their thoughts.

In the author’s own words in his introductory quote: “This is dragon territory”. Do not overlook this.