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Six unlikely but doughty children fall into the way of a immense and terrible paranormal malevolence that has infiltrated our realm from the outer limits of shadow. They have no choice but to wage a lifelong battle confronting it, experiencing horror after horror in the struggle.

An Echoing Storyline with a New Approach

This describes the premise, broadly speaking, of Stephen King’s seminal work It (his best; undeniable). It parallels of the celebrated author’s heir Joseph Hillstrom King’s recent chilling tome, in which six friends invoke the ancient, deeply sinister serpent King Sorrow from the Long Dark to assist them in vanquishing some baddies. Needless to say, their otherworldly invocation backfires.

Embracing a Literary Lineage

Joe Hill began his writing journey making great efforts to remain separate 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 striking resemblance to his dad). However, in his newest work, he fully acknowledges it. Several quotes that deliberately echo some of the senior author’s well-known (that classic opening line); a moment that brings to mind a recurring theme in King’s works (a riddling contest). Throughout this massive book, the author rejoices in his lineage, and the audience revels alongside.

Meet the Central Figures

Focusing on the companions: five of them are pupils at the imagined Rackham College in this northeastern locale. We have Arthur, academic and intelligent, deciphering ancient puzzles in his spare time; the character Colin, wealthy, sharp, and known for crushing those who oppose him; twins Donna and Donovan; the beautiful Allie. Additionally, Gwen appears, who doesn’t study with them, but emerges as crucial of their group as they dabble, somewhat credulous, somewhat doubtful, in supernatural practices.

The Pivotal Ceremony

Our hero becomes, due to circumstances beyond his control, compelled to pilfer prized manuscripts from his beloved college library by a bunch of local criminals. This wounds his academic spirit, especially when he’s forced to acquire the collection’s foremost and chilling title: the journal of occultist this enigmatic character (put to death “for trafficking with the devyll in 1703”; the binding is made from his skin). These young investigators read the journal, realize they are able to call forth what Crane describes as a “arrogant beast to assist Arthur with his extortion dilemma – and spend the rest of the novel facing the fallout. King Sorrow will undoubtedly remove those troublesome local drug dealers, but they are required to pick a new sacrifice each year or become his victim themselves. In the character’s own words: “You plant seeds of destruction, all you get is further monstrosities.”

Stylistic Versatility and Creative Breadth

Covering a generation, the author shifts with effortless ease through various literary forms: as the companions endeavor to address the predicament they find themselves in by, in different ways, picking people who are obviously evil to sacrifice, or seeking means to slay the beast themselves, we move between page-turner to dark fantasy, covert operations to romance to horror. One particularly memorable shift was to a adventure narrative, deep in the caves below Cornwall, a section sprinkled with the fantasy maestro that was magnificently horrifying.

An Expansive Canvas of Fear and Hope

We encounter trolls – the classic variety and online ones, truly terrifying and expertly realized. There are magical swords and treacheries, heart-stopping scenes of bravery and scenes of terrible wickedness, both mortal and extraterrestrial. It stands as a masterpiece: a frightening tale that is above all a tribute to the human inventiveness, and to affection and camaraderie. “We required a narrative to trust and {now we’ve got one|presently we possess it|currently we hold it,” says Colin as the allies gather at the table, making preparations to call forth their beast into being with the force of their minds.

As Hill puts it in his introductory quote: “Hic sunt dracones”. Don’t miss them.