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A group of six unlikely but brave kids encounter the trail of a vast and terrible supernatural evil that has entered our realm from the farthest reaches of shadow. They have no choice but to devote their lives confronting it, enduring horror after horror in the struggle.

A Resonant Premise with a Distinctive Twist

This is the plot, broadly speaking, of Stephen King’s novel It (arguably his finest; no debate). It parallels of the celebrated author’s heir Joe Hill’s new massive horror novel, in which a close-knit group call forth the age-old, infinitely malicious serpent the Sorrowful Monarch from the Endless Night to aid them in overcoming some villains. As one might expect, their supernatural ritual backfires.

Celebrating a Family Lineage

Joseph Hillström King began his writing journey going to great lengths to remain separate from his well-known dad, publishing under the pen name he still uses today and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he bears a striking resemblance to his parent). Yet with this recent release, he fully acknowledges it. There are lines that intentionally mirror some of his father’s iconic (that classic opening line); a scene that evokes a King plot point (a riddling contest). In this whopper of a novel, Hill is delighting in his lineage, and the audience revels alongside.

Meet the Main Characters

Back to those friends: the majority are students at the fictional Rackham College in Maine. There’s Arthur, academic and intelligent, deciphering ancient puzzles in his spare time; another key figure, rich, clever, and known for crushing those who oppose him; Donna and Donovan; the stunning Allie herself. Then we have Gwen, who doesn’t study with them, but becomes a key part of their group as they toy, somewhat credulous, partly skeptical, in arcane arts.

The Fateful Ceremony

Arthur is, as a result of external pressures, forced into stealing valuable volumes from his treasured institution’s archives by a set of regional villains. This tears at his bookish heart, particularly as he’s forced to acquire the collection’s foremost and chilling title: the logbook of occultist this enigmatic character (put to death “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the binding is made from his skin). The intrepid group examine the log, learn they can invoke what the occultist details as a cunning serpent to assist Arthur with his extortion dilemma – and spend the rest of the novel facing the fallout. The dragon will indeed rid them of those troublesome local drug dealers, but they must select a fresh offering every twelve months or become his victim themselves. In the character’s own words: “You sow dragon’s teeth, all you get is further monstrosities.”

Stylistic Versatility and Creative Range

Moving through four decades, Joe Hill transitions with effortless ease between genres: as the allies strive to manage the situation they find themselves in by, through diverse methods, selecting clearly malevolent individuals to offer up, or seeking means to slay the beast themselves, we move between page-turner to grim fantasy, clandestine torment to affectionate subplot to terror. One particularly memorable shift was to a adventure narrative, far beneath the surface below Cornwall, a part tinged by the Lord of the Rings author that was gloriously terrifying.

A Detailed Canvas of Horror and Optimism

We encounter trolls – the classic variety and internet antagonists, truly terrifying and perfectly brought to life. There are magical swords and treacheries, breath-taking moments of valor and scenes of appalling malevolence, both human and extraterrestrial. This is a remarkable achievement: a horror novel that is above all a tribute 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 assemble around a surface, making preparations to call forth their beast into being with the power of their thoughts.

In the author’s own words in his introductory quote: “Hic sunt dracones”. Don’t miss them.