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Six quirky but doughty kids fall into the path of a colossal and terrible supernatural evil that has invaded our realm from the farthest reaches of shadow. They have no choice but to wage a lifelong battle confronting it, facing horror after horror in the process.

An Echoing Storyline with a Fresh Spin

This is the plot, broadly speaking, of the master of horror’s novel It (arguably his finest; no arguments). It is also the plot of King’s son Joseph Hillstrom King’s new massive horror novel, in which a band of six summon the age-old, infinitely malicious serpent the Sorrowful Monarch from the Long Dark to help them defeat some baddies. Unsurprisingly, their supernatural ritual backfires.

Acknowledging a Literary Lineage

Joe Hill began his writing journey striving diligently to remain separate from his renowned parent, adopting the nom de plume he maintains to this day and steering clear of encounters with his agent (he possesses a strong similarity to his parent). However, in his newest work, he embraces it. Several quotes 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 battle of wits). Throughout this massive book, Hill is delighting in his heritage, and we delight along with him.

Meet the Main Characters

Returning to the group: most are pupils at the imagined Rackham College in the New England state. There’s Arthur, academic and gifted, cracking Old English riddles in his spare time; another key figure, rich, sharp, and inclined to bulldoze anyone who stands in his way; twins Donna and Donovan; the stunning the lovely Allie. Then we have Gwen, who doesn’t study with them, but becomes a key part of their circle as they toy, partly convinced, somewhat doubtful, in the occult.

The Pivotal Ceremony

Our hero becomes, due to circumstances beyond his control, obliged to take valuable volumes from his treasured institution’s archives by a bunch of local criminals. This tears at his bookish heart, notably because he’s forced to acquire the institution’s prized and unsettling title: the journal of practitioner this enigmatic character (condemned “for dealing with infernal entities in 1703”; the book’s jacket is fashioned from his hide). Our Scooby gang read the journal, realize they are able to call forth what the occultist details as a cunning serpent to aid our hero with his extortion dilemma – and occupy the subsequent narrative facing the fallout. This ancient entity will undoubtedly remove those troublesome local drug dealers, but they are required to pick a fresh offering each year or fall prey to the beast. In the character’s own words: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is further monstrosities.”

Stylistic Versatility and Inventive Breadth

Covering a generation, Joe Hill transitions with effortless ease through various literary forms: as the friends strive to manage the situation they find themselves in by, in different ways, picking people who are obviously evil to immolate, or searching for methods to destroy the entity themselves, we go from thriller to shadowy tale, clandestine torment to romance to terror. My favorite genre switch was to a quest story, deep in the caves under the English county, a section infused with JRR Tolkien that was wonderfully frightening.

A Detailed Canvas of Horror and Courage

We encounter trolls – bridge-dwelling ones and online ones, genuinely frightening and perfectly brought to life. There are magical swords and treacheries, heart-stopping scenes of bravery and instances of dreadful evil, both mortal and supernatural. It’s a tour de force: a chilling book that is primarily a tribute 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 companions sit around the table, making preparations to call forth their dragon into existence with the power of their thoughts.

In the author’s own words in his introductory quote: “Hic sunt dracones”. Do not overlook this.