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Six oddball but doughty youngsters encounter the way of a immense and terrible supernatural darkness that has entered our existence from the outer limits of shadow. They must devote their lives confronting it, enduring one nightmare after another in the process.

An Echoing Storyline with a Distinctive Spin

This is the plot, broadly speaking, of the master of horror’s novel It (a standout in his career; undeniable). It is also the plot of the celebrated author’s heir Joe Hill’s latest massive horror novel, in which a close-knit group call forth the primordial, utterly malevolent serpent the Dragon King from the Long Dark to aid them in overcoming some baddies. Needless to say, their arcane ceremony goes awry.

Celebrating a Literary Legacy

Joseph Hillström King started his career going to great lengths to avoid any connection 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 fully acknowledges it. Several quotes that intentionally mirror some of his father’s iconic (“The man in black fled across the desert …”); a scene that evokes a King plot point (a game of puzzles). Throughout this massive book, the author rejoices in his family connection, and readers share in the joy.

The Cast of the Central Figures

Returning to the group: the majority are students at the imagined Rackham College in this northeastern locale. First is Arthur, academic and intelligent, solving historical enigmas in his spare time; another key figure, affluent, astute, and prone to trampling those who oppose him; the twin siblings; the stunning Allie. And there’s Gwen, who isn’t their classmate, but emerges as crucial of their circle as they experiment, half believing, partly skeptical, in arcane arts.

The Critical Ceremony

Our hero becomes, as a result of external pressures, forced into stealing rare books from his beloved college library by a set of regional villains. This tears at his bookish heart, notably because he’s forced to acquire the library’s most valuable and unsettling work: the logbook of practitioner the historical figure (put to death “for dealing with infernal entities in 1703”; the book’s jacket is made from his skin). These young investigators peruse the diary, learn they can invoke what the occultist details as a clever snake to assist Arthur with his extortion dilemma – and spend the rest of the novel enduring the repercussions. King Sorrow will indeed rid them of those troublesome local drug dealers, but they’ll have to choose a fresh offering annually or fall prey to the beast. In the character’s own words: “You sow dragon’s teeth, all you get is more dragons.”

Stylistic Fluidity and Imaginative Scope

Spanning forty years, Hill also moves with seamless grace through various literary forms: as the companions endeavor to address the situation they find themselves in by, variously, choosing undeniably wicked targets to sacrifice, or hunting down ways to slay the beast themselves, we go from thriller to dark fantasy, clandestine torment to romance to fright. One particularly memorable shift was to a adventure narrative, far beneath the surface beneath this UK region, a part infused with JRR Tolkien that was wonderfully frightening.

An Expansive Canvas of Dread and Optimism

We encounter trolls – the classic variety and digital trolls, genuinely frightening and perfectly brought to life. We see enchanted blades and deceptions, heart-stopping scenes of courage and scenes of dreadful evil, both human and otherworldly. This is a remarkable achievement: a chilling book that is primarily a ode to the imagination, and to love and friendship. “We longed for a tale to embrace 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 beast to life with the force of their minds.

In the author’s own words in his epigraph: “Hic sunt dracones”. Ensure you experience it.