🔗 Share this article

Six unlikely but doughty children fall into the path of a colossal and dreadful supernatural evil that has entered our world from the outer limits of darkness. They have no choice but to devote their lives fighting it, enduring terror upon terror in the struggle.

A Familiar Storyline with a Distinctive Twist

This is the plot, in essence, of the master of horror’s iconic book It (arguably his finest; no arguments). It similarly frames of the celebrated author’s heir Joe Hill’s latest massive horror novel, in which six friends call forth the age-old, deeply sinister dragon King Sorrow from the Abyssal Void to aid them in overcoming some baddies. Needless to say, their arcane ceremony backfires.

Acknowledging a Literary Lineage

Joe Hill began his writing journey going to great lengths to distance himself from his famous father, using the pseudonym he maintains to this day and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he exhibits a striking resemblance to his dad). However, in his newest work, he embraces it. Certain passages that intentionally mirror some of King’s most famous (the famous Dark Tower introduction); a scene that evokes a King plot point (a game of puzzles). In this epic story, the author rejoices in his heritage, and we delight along with him.

The Cast of the Main Characters

Returning to the group: most are scholars at the imagined Rackham College in Maine. First is Arthur, bookish and intelligent, solving ancient puzzles in his leisure hours; the character Colin, affluent, sharp, and prone to trampling anyone who stands in his way; the twin siblings; the attractive the lovely Allie. And there’s Gwen, who remains outside their academic circle, but becomes a key part of their band as they experiment, half believing, partly skeptical, in the occult.

The Critical Ritual

The protagonist finds himself, for reasons we don’t need to go into, compelled to pilfer valuable volumes from his cherished academic collection by a group of neighborhood thugs. This tears at his bookish heart, notably because he’s forced to acquire the library’s most valuable and chilling title: the diary of practitioner Enoch Crane (put to death “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the binding is made from his skin). These young investigators examine the log, learn they can invoke what the author references as a cunning serpent to help Arthur out with his blackmail problem – and occupy the subsequent narrative enduring the repercussions. This ancient entity will certainly eliminate those troublesome local drug dealers, but they must select a fresh offering each year or fall prey to the beast. As our protagonist states: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is further monstrosities.”

Stylistic Dexterity and Inventive Breadth

Spanning forty years, Joe Hill transitions with seamless grace across narrative styles: as the companions strive to manage the predicament they find themselves in by, variously, choosing undeniably wicked targets to sacrifice, or hunting down ways to destroy the entity themselves, we go from thriller to grim fantasy, black-ops torture to romance to terror. My favorite genre switch was to a heroic journey, far beneath the surface under the English county, a section tinged by the Lord of the Rings author that was gloriously terrifying.

A Rich Canvas of Dread and Courage

There are trolls – the classic variety and online ones, truly terrifying and perfectly brought to life. There are magical swords and betrayals, breath-taking moments of bravery and scenes of appalling malevolence, both human and otherworldly. It stands as a masterpiece: a horror novel that is chiefly a paean to the imagination, 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 the wealthy student as the allies assemble around a surface, preparing to summon their serpent into existence with the strength of their collective will.

In the author’s own words in his opening statement: “Here be dragons”. Do not overlook this.