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Six quirky but brave youngsters encounter the way of a vast and fearsome supernatural darkness that has invaded our world from the outer limits of shadow. They have no choice but to wage a lifelong battle battling it, facing terror upon terror in the process.

An Echoing Plot with a Fresh Twist

This is the plot, in essence, of the master of horror’s iconic book It (arguably his finest; undeniable). It parallels of King’s son Joseph Hillstrom King’s new chilling tome, in which a close-knit group invoke the primordial, infinitely malicious serpent the Dragon King from the Endless Night to assist them in vanquishing some antagonists. As one might expect, their arcane ceremony has unintended consequences.

Celebrating a Family Lineage

Joseph Hillström King launched his profession making great efforts 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 bears a striking resemblance to his dad). Yet with this recent release, he embraces it. There are lines that deliberately echo some of King’s most famous (that classic opening line); a scene that brings to mind a King plot point (a riddling contest). Throughout this massive book, the author rejoices in his family connection, and the audience revels alongside.

Meet the Protagonists

Focusing on the companions: the majority are scholars at the made-up this academic setting in the New England state. First is Arthur, studious and gifted, deciphering ancient puzzles in his spare time; Colin, affluent, sharp, and inclined to bulldoze anyone who stands in his way; the twin siblings; the stunning Allie herself. Then we have Gwen, who doesn’t study with them, but becomes a key part of their group as they toy, half believing, partly skeptical, in arcane arts.

The Pivotal Summoning

Our hero becomes, due to circumstances beyond his control, forced into stealing rare books from his beloved college library by a bunch of local criminals. This devastates his scholarly soul, notably because he’s forced to acquire the institution’s prized and unsettling title: the journal of practitioner Enoch Crane (executed “for dealing with infernal entities in 1703”; the cover is made from his skin). Our Scooby gang read the journal, realize they are able to call forth what the occultist details as a armored demon” to assist Arthur with his blackmail problem – and occupy the subsequent narrative facing the fallout. King Sorrow will indeed rid them of 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 sow dragon’s teeth, all you get is further monstrosities.”

Narrative Fluidity and Creative Range

Moving through four decades, Hill also moves with natural fluency between genres: as the companions attempt to deal with the situation they find themselves in by, through diverse methods, choosing undeniably wicked targets to offer up, or hunting down ways to kill the dragon themselves, we go from thriller to shadowy tale, black-ops torture to affectionate subplot to horror. My favorite genre switch was to a adventure narrative, within the subterranean depths beneath this UK region, a section tinged by the fantasy maestro that was gloriously terrifying.

An Expansive Tapestry of Horror and Optimism

There are trolls – the classic variety and internet antagonists, truly terrifying and expertly realized. We see enchanted blades and betrayals, pulse-pounding sequences of courage and instances of appalling malevolence, both mortal and otherworldly. This is a remarkable achievement: a chilling book that is primarily a tribute to the human inventiveness, 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 companions assemble around a surface, preparing to summon their serpent into being with the force of their minds.

According to Joe Hill in his introductory quote: “Hic sunt dracones”. Do not overlook this.