A group of six quirky but doughty children fall into the way of a vast and terrible supernatural darkness that has infiltrated our world from the deepest abyss of oblivion. They must wage a lifelong battle fighting it, enduring horror after horror in the ordeal.
An Echoing Plot with a Distinctive Twist
This describes the premise, roughly, of Stephen King’s iconic book It (his best; no debate). It similarly frames of the celebrated author’s heir Joseph Hillstrom King’s latest massive horror novel, in which a close-knit group invoke the primordial, infinitely malicious dragon King Sorrow from the Abyssal Void to aid them in overcoming some baddies. Unsurprisingly, their otherworldly invocation backfires.
Embracing a Family Heritage
Joseph Hillström King launched his profession striving diligently to avoid any connection from his renowned parent, adopting the nom de plume he still uses today and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he possesses a striking resemblance to his dad). However, in his newest work, he leans into it. Several quotes that intentionally mirror some of his father’s iconic (“The man in black fled across the desert …”); a scene that brings to mind a recurring theme in King’s works (a game of puzzles). In this epic story, the author rejoices in his heritage, and the audience revels alongside.
Introducing the Protagonists
Focusing on the companions: five of them are scholars at the imagined the esteemed institution in this northeastern locale. We have Arthur, studious and gifted, deciphering historical enigmas in his spare time; the character Colin, rich, sharp, and prone to trampling those who oppose him; Donna and Donovan; the attractive Allie herself. And there’s Gwen, who isn’t their classmate, but becomes a key part of their group as they experiment, partly convinced, somewhat doubtful, in the occult.
The Pivotal Summoning
Arthur is, as a result of external pressures, compelled to pilfer valuable volumes from his beloved college library by a bunch of local criminals. This wounds his academic spirit, particularly as he’s forced to acquire the library’s most valuable and chilling publication: the diary of practitioner the historical figure (put to death “for dealing with infernal entities in 1703”; the book’s jacket is made from his skin). These young investigators examine the log, discover they could summon what the author references as a armored demon” to aid our hero with his coercion issue – and spend the rest of the novel facing the fallout. The dragon will certainly eliminate those annoying regional antagonists, but they are required to pick a different victim annually or become his victim themselves. As our protagonist states: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is further monstrosities.”
Genre Versatility and Imaginative Scope
Moving through four decades, Hill also moves with natural fluency between genres: as the companions strive to manage the circumstances they find themselves in by, through diverse methods, choosing undeniably wicked targets to immolate, or searching for methods to kill the dragon themselves, we transition from thriller to grim fantasy, covert operations to romance to fright. My favorite genre switch was to a heroic journey, within the subterranean depths under the English county, a section infused with JRR Tolkien that was magnificently horrifying.
A Detailed Canvas of Fear and Optimism
There are trolls – the classic variety and online ones, truly terrifying and perfectly brought to life. There are magical swords and betrayals, breath-taking moments of bravery and instances of appalling malevolence, both mortal and extraterrestrial. It’s a tour de force: a chilling book that is chiefly a tribute to the human inventiveness, and to love and friendship. “We needed a story to believe and {now we’ve got one|presently we possess it|currently we hold it,” says the wealthy student as the friends assemble around a surface, making preparations to call forth their beast to life with the force of their minds.
In the author’s own words in his introductory quote: “Hic sunt dracones”. Don’t miss them.
