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A group of six oddball but brave kids confront the path of a vast and dreadful otherworldly evil that has invaded our world from the outer limits of shadow. They have no choice but to spend their lifetimes fighting it, enduring terror upon terror in the struggle.

A Resonant Plot with a Distinctive Spin

This outlines the narrative, in essence, of the master of horror’s seminal work It (arguably his finest; no arguments). It parallels of King’s son Joe Hill’s recent massive horror novel, in which a close-knit group summon the primordial, infinitely malicious beast the Sorrowful Monarch from the Endless Night to aid them in overcoming some antagonists. Needless to say, their arcane ceremony backfires.

Acknowledging a Authorial Legacy

Joseph Hillström King started his career 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 possesses a striking resemblance to his father). But in this latest novel, he fully acknowledges it. Certain passages that consciously reflect some of his father’s iconic (that classic opening line); a incident that recalls a recurring theme in King’s works (a game of puzzles). In this epic story, the author rejoices in his family connection, and we delight along with him.

Introducing the Main Characters

Back to those friends: the majority are scholars at the fictional Rackham College in Maine. There’s Arthur, studious and gifted, solving historical enigmas in his spare time; Colin, wealthy, sharp, and prone to trampling anyone who stands in his way; twins Donna and Donovan; the attractive Allie herself. Then we have Gwen, who isn’t their classmate, but becomes a key part of their group as they experiment, half believing, somewhat doubtful, in supernatural practices.

The Pivotal Summoning

Arthur is, as a result of external pressures, compelled to pilfer prized manuscripts from his beloved college library by a group of neighborhood thugs. This wounds his academic spirit, particularly as he’s made to take the institution’s prized and chilling work: the diary of adept this enigmatic character (executed “for dealing with infernal entities in 1703”; the binding is made from his skin). Our Scooby gang peruse the diary, discover they could summon what Crane describes as a cunning serpent to aid our hero with his blackmail problem – and spend the rest of the novel enduring the repercussions. King Sorrow will certainly eliminate those problematic neighborhood criminals, but they must select a fresh offering annually or become his victim themselves. In the character’s own words: “You plant seeds of destruction, all you get is further monstrosities.”

Genre Dexterity and Creative Scope

Covering a generation, the author shifts with seamless grace between genres: as the allies attempt to deal with the circumstances they find themselves in by, variously, selecting clearly malevolent individuals to sacrifice, or hunting down ways to slay the beast themselves, we move between page-turner to dark fantasy, black-ops torture to affectionate subplot to fright. My favorite genre switch was to a heroic journey, deep in the caves under the English county, a segment tinged by JRR Tolkien that was magnificently horrifying.

A Detailed Mosaic of Horror and Courage

The novel features trolls – the classic variety and digital trolls, truly terrifying and perfectly brought to life. The story includes mystic weapons and betrayals, heart-stopping scenes of courage and scenes of appalling malevolence, both earthly and otherworldly. This is a remarkable achievement: a frightening tale that is above all a ode to the human inventiveness, and to affection and camaraderie. “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 companions gather at the table, getting ready to invoke their dragon into being with the power of their thoughts.

As Hill puts it in his introductory quote: “This is dragon territory”. Don’t miss them.