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A group of six unlikely but brave youngsters encounter the way of a immense and dreadful supernatural evil that has infiltrated our world from the deepest abyss of oblivion. They must devote their lives fighting it, experiencing horror after horror in the process.

A Familiar Storyline with a New Twist

This describes the premise, roughly, of Stephen King’s iconic book It (his best; no debate). It is also the plot of Stephen King’s offspring Joe Hill’s new horror doorstopper, in which a band of six invoke the primordial, utterly malevolent dragon the Dragon King from the Abyssal Void to help them defeat some antagonists. Needless to say, their supernatural ritual goes awry.

Embracing a Authorial Lineage

Joe Hill started his career striving diligently to remain separate from his famous father, adopting the nom de plume he still uses today and steering clear of encounters with his agent (he exhibits a strong similarity to his dad). However, in his newest work, he fully acknowledges it. There are lines that consciously reflect some of the senior author’s well-known (the famous Dark Tower introduction); a scene that brings to mind a recurring theme in King’s works (a game of puzzles). Throughout this massive book, the author rejoices in his heritage, and we delight along with him.

Introducing the Protagonists

Back to those friends: five of them are scholars at the made-up the esteemed institution in the New England state. We have Arthur, academic and brilliant, cracking historical enigmas in his leisure hours; the character Colin, rich, sharp, and known for crushing those who oppose him; the twin siblings; the beautiful Allie. Then we have Gwen, who isn’t their classmate, but emerges as crucial of their group as they toy, half believing, half not, in arcane arts.

The Critical Summoning

Arthur is, for reasons we don’t need to go into, obliged to take valuable volumes from his cherished academic collection by a bunch of local criminals. This wounds his academic spirit, especially when he’s made to take the collection’s foremost and disturbing publication: the diary of practitioner this enigmatic character (condemned “for trafficking with the devyll in 1703”; the book’s jacket is crafted from his flesh). Our Scooby gang peruse the diary, learn they can invoke what Crane describes as a “proud worm to help Arthur out with his coercion issue – and spend the rest of the novel facing the fallout. King Sorrow will certainly eliminate those troublesome local drug dealers, but they are required to pick a new sacrifice annually or fall prey to the beast. As our protagonist states: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is additional horrors.”

Narrative Dexterity and Creative Scope

Spanning forty years, Hill also moves with seamless grace between genres: as the allies endeavor to address the predicament they find themselves in by, in different ways, picking people who are obviously evil to offer up, or hunting down ways to slay the beast themselves, we go from suspense to dark fantasy, clandestine torment to romance to terror. A standout transition was to a adventure narrative, deep in the caves under the English county, a section infused with the fantasy maestro that was gloriously terrifying.

A Rich Canvas of Fear and Hope

We encounter trolls – bridge-dwelling ones and digital trolls, truly terrifying and perfectly brought to life. There are magical swords and betrayals, breath-taking moments of courage and instances of appalling malevolence, both earthly and supernatural. It stands as a masterpiece: a chilling book that is primarily a tribute to the creative spirit, and to affection and camaraderie. “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 allies gather at the table, preparing to summon their serpent into being with the power of their thoughts.

According to Joe Hill in his opening statement: “Here be dragons”. Don’t miss them.