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A group of six quirky but brave children confront the trail of a immense and dreadful supernatural evil that has infiltrated our realm from the outer limits of oblivion. They have no choice but to spend their lifetimes confronting it, facing horror after horror in the process.

A Familiar Storyline with a New Approach

This outlines the narrative, roughly, of the master of horror’s iconic book It (arguably his finest; no arguments). It is also the plot of King’s son Joseph Hillstrom King’s new chilling tome, in which six friends call forth the ancient, deeply sinister serpent the Dragon King from the Endless Night to aid them in overcoming some antagonists. As one might expect, their supernatural ritual goes awry.

Acknowledging a Literary Lineage

Joe Hill began his writing journey striving diligently to avoid any connection from his well-known dad, publishing under the pen name he maintains to this day and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he possesses a striking resemblance to his father). However, in his newest work, he leans into it. Certain passages that deliberately echo some of King’s most famous (that classic opening line); a moment that recalls a King plot point (a riddling contest). Throughout this massive book, the author rejoices in his heritage, and readers share in the joy.

Meet the Main Characters

Returning to the group: the majority are pupils at the imagined the esteemed institution in the New England state. First is Arthur, academic and intelligent, cracking ancient puzzles in his spare time; another key figure, rich, sharp, and prone to trampling obstacles in his path; the twin siblings; the beautiful Allie. And there’s Gwen, who isn’t their classmate, but becomes a key part of their circle as they toy, partly convinced, somewhat doubtful, in supernatural practices.

The Fateful Ritual

Our hero becomes, for reasons we don’t need to go into, forced into stealing prized manuscripts from his beloved college library by a set of regional villains. This devastates his scholarly soul, especially when he’s made to take the institution’s prized and chilling work: the diary of occultist this enigmatic character (executed “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the binding is fashioned from his hide). Our Scooby gang read the journal, learn they can invoke what Crane describes as a “arrogant beast to assist Arthur with his extortion dilemma – and devote the remaining story facing the fallout. King Sorrow will certainly eliminate those annoying regional antagonists, but they must select a different victim annually or succumb to the dragon’s wrath. As our protagonist states: “You plant seeds of destruction, all you get is more dragons.”

Stylistic Dexterity and Imaginative Scope

Spanning forty years, Joe Hill transitions with seamless grace across narrative styles: as the allies endeavor to address the circumstances they find themselves in by, in different ways, picking people who are obviously evil to immolate, or seeking means to destroy the entity themselves, we transition from suspense to grim fantasy, clandestine torment to affectionate subplot to fright. One particularly memorable shift was to a quest story, deep in the caves below Cornwall, a segment infused with JRR Tolkien that was wonderfully frightening.

An Expansive Canvas of Dread and Optimism

There are trolls – the classic variety and digital trolls, properly scary and perfectly brought to life. There are magical swords and treacheries, heart-stopping scenes of courage and instances of terrible wickedness, both earthly and otherworldly. It stands as a masterpiece: a frightening tale that is primarily a paean to the creative spirit, 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 Colin as the friends sit around the table, making preparations to call forth their dragon into existence with the force of their minds.

According to Joe Hill in his opening statement: “Hic sunt dracones”. Ensure you experience it.