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A group of six unlikely but doughty kids encounter the trail of a colossal and terrible otherworldly evil that has infiltrated our existence from the deepest abyss of oblivion. They are compelled to spend their lifetimes battling it, experiencing terror upon terror in the ordeal.

A Familiar Storyline with a Distinctive Twist

This outlines the narrative, broadly speaking, of Stephen King’s novel It (his best; no debate). It similarly frames of King’s son Joseph Hillstrom King’s latest chilling tome, in which a band of six summon the age-old, deeply sinister dragon the Sorrowful Monarch from the Endless Night to help them defeat some antagonists. As one might expect, their supernatural ritual has unintended consequences.

Celebrating a Literary Heritage

Joseph Hillström King began his writing journey going to great lengths to remain separate from his renowned parent, publishing under the pen name he continues to employ and avoiding meeting his agent (he possesses a striking resemblance to his dad). However, in his newest work, he leans into it. There are lines that consciously reflect some of his father’s iconic (that classic opening line); a scene that recalls a recurring theme in King’s works (a battle of wits). In this whopper of a novel, Hill is delighting in his heritage, and readers share in the joy.

The Cast of the Main Characters

Back to those friends: five of them are pupils at the imagined the esteemed institution in this northeastern locale. There’s Arthur, academic and brilliant, deciphering historical enigmas in his spare time; Colin, wealthy, sharp, and known for crushing those who oppose him; Donna and Donovan; the attractive Allie. And there’s Gwen, who isn’t their classmate, but assumes a vital role of their band as they experiment, partly convinced, partly skeptical, in supernatural practices.

The Fateful Ritual

Arthur is, for reasons we don’t need to go into, compelled to pilfer prized manuscripts from his beloved college library by a bunch of local criminals. This wounds his academic spirit, particularly as he’s forced to acquire the institution’s prized and unsettling work: the diary of adept the historical figure (condemned “for trafficking with the devyll in 1703”; the book’s jacket is fashioned from his hide). These young investigators peruse the diary, learn they can invoke what the occultist details as a armored demon” to assist Arthur with his extortion dilemma – and occupy the subsequent narrative enduring the repercussions. King Sorrow will undoubtedly remove those problematic neighborhood criminals, but they must select a different victim annually or become his victim themselves. As our protagonist states: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is more dragons.”

Narrative Versatility and Imaginative Scope

Covering a generation, Hill also moves with natural fluency through various literary forms: as the allies attempt to deal with the situation they find themselves in by, variously, selecting clearly malevolent individuals to immolate, or seeking means to destroy the entity themselves, we go from page-turner to dark fantasy, covert operations to affectionate subplot to fright. My favorite genre switch was to a quest story, within the subterranean depths below Cornwall, a part infused with the fantasy maestro that was wonderfully frightening.

A Rich Mosaic of Fear and Optimism

There are trolls – bridge-dwelling ones and internet antagonists, truly terrifying and superbly depicted. There are magical swords and treacheries, pulse-pounding sequences of valor and ones of terrible wickedness, both mortal and supernatural. This is a remarkable achievement: a chilling book that is above all a ode to the creative spirit, 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 the wealthy student as the companions gather at the table, making preparations to call forth their dragon into being with the power of their thoughts.

According to Joe Hill in his introductory quote: “This is dragon territory”. Do not overlook this.