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Six oddball but doughty children encounter the trail of a vast and fearsome paranormal evil that has entered our existence from the farthest reaches of darkness. They must wage a lifelong battle battling it, facing terror upon terror in the struggle.

A Resonant Storyline with a New Spin

This is the plot, in essence, of the master of horror’s iconic book It (arguably his finest; no arguments). It similarly frames of Stephen King’s offspring Joseph Hillstrom King’s latest massive horror novel, in which a close-knit group call forth the age-old, infinitely malicious beast King Sorrow from the Abyssal Void to aid them in overcoming some baddies. As one might expect, their supernatural ritual has unintended consequences.

Acknowledging a Family Legacy

Joseph Hillström King started his career making great efforts to remain separate from his renowned parent, adopting the nom de plume he continues to employ and avoiding meeting his agent (he bears a striking resemblance to his dad). Yet with this recent release, he fully acknowledges it. Several quotes that intentionally mirror some of his father’s iconic (that classic opening line); a scene that brings to mind a recurring theme in King’s works (a game of puzzles). In this whopper of a novel, the author rejoices in his family connection, and readers share in the joy.

Meet the Central Figures

Back to those friends: five of them are scholars at the imagined Rackham College in the New England state. We have Arthur, studious and intelligent, deciphering Old English riddles in his free moments; the character Colin, wealthy, astute, and prone to trampling those who oppose him; twins Donna and Donovan; the stunning the lovely Allie. And there’s Gwen, who remains outside their academic circle, but becomes a key part of their circle as they dabble, half believing, somewhat doubtful, in supernatural practices.

The Fateful Ritual

Arthur is, due to circumstances beyond his control, obliged to take rare books from his beloved college library by a set of regional villains. This wounds his academic spirit, notably because he’s made to take the institution’s prized and chilling publication: the logbook of practitioner the historical figure (condemned “for trafficking with the devyll in 1703”; the binding is fashioned from his hide). These young investigators examine the log, learn they can invoke what the author references as a “arrogant beast to aid our hero with his extortion dilemma – and spend the rest of the novel reaping the consequences. King Sorrow will undoubtedly remove those annoying regional antagonists, but they must select a fresh offering annually or become his victim themselves. In the character’s own words: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is further monstrosities.”

Stylistic Versatility and Inventive Range

Moving through four decades, the author shifts with seamless grace through various literary forms: as the friends strive to manage the circumstances they find themselves in by, through diverse methods, choosing undeniably wicked targets to immolate, or hunting down ways to kill the dragon themselves, we move between page-turner to shadowy tale, covert operations to romance to fright. A standout transition was to a quest story, far beneath the surface below Cornwall, a part infused with JRR Tolkien that was wonderfully frightening.

A Detailed Tapestry of Fear and Hope

We encounter trolls – bridge-dwelling ones and internet antagonists, properly scary and perfectly brought to life. The story includes mystic weapons and treacheries, breath-taking moments of bravery and ones of dreadful evil, both human and extraterrestrial. It’s a tour de force: a horror novel that is primarily a paean 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 this character as the friends assemble around a surface, making preparations to call forth their dragon to life with the force of their minds.

In the author’s own words in his opening statement: “Here be dragons”. Ensure you experience it.