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Six quirky but brave kids encounter the way of a vast and fearsome paranormal darkness that has invaded our existence from the outer limits of shadow. They are compelled to wage a lifelong battle fighting it, facing horror after horror in the struggle.

An Echoing Storyline with a New Twist

This outlines the narrative, broadly speaking, of Stephen King’s iconic book It (arguably his finest; no debate). It parallels of King’s son Joe Hill’s latest massive horror novel, in which a close-knit group summon the primordial, deeply sinister beast King Sorrow from the Endless Night to assist them in vanquishing some antagonists. As one might expect, their otherworldly invocation backfires.

Embracing a Authorial Heritage

The author began his writing journey striving diligently to distance himself from his famous father, adopting the nom de plume he maintains to this day and avoiding meeting his agent (he possesses a uncanny likeness to his dad). Yet with this recent release, he fully acknowledges it. There are lines that intentionally mirror some of King’s most famous (the famous Dark Tower introduction); a moment that evokes a recurring theme in King’s works (a game of puzzles). Throughout this massive book, Hill is delighting in his family connection, and the audience revels alongside.

Introducing the Protagonists

Focusing on the companions: five of them are students at the imagined the esteemed institution in this northeastern locale. We have Arthur, academic and intelligent, solving historical enigmas in his spare time; Colin, wealthy, clever, and inclined to bulldoze anyone who stands in his way; Donna and Donovan; the attractive Allie. Additionally, Gwen appears, who doesn’t study with them, but becomes a key part of their circle as they experiment, partly convinced, half not, in arcane arts.

The Critical Summoning

Our hero becomes, for reasons we don’t need to go into, forced into stealing valuable volumes from his treasured institution’s archives by a group of neighborhood thugs. This wounds his academic spirit, notably because he’s compelled to seize the library’s most valuable and unsettling publication: the journal of adept the historical figure (executed “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the cover is fashioned from his hide). These young investigators read the journal, realize they are able to call forth what the occultist details as a clever snake to assist Arthur with his extortion dilemma – and occupy the subsequent narrative enduring the repercussions. This ancient entity will undoubtedly remove those troublesome local drug dealers, but they’ll have to choose a new sacrifice each year or become his victim themselves. As our protagonist states: “You plant seeds of destruction, all you get is more dragons.”

Narrative Fluidity and Inventive Scope

Spanning forty years, Joe Hill transitions with effortless ease across narrative styles: as the allies strive to manage the circumstances they find themselves in by, variously, choosing undeniably wicked targets to offer up, or seeking means to kill the dragon themselves, we go from suspense to dark fantasy, clandestine torment to affectionate subplot to fright. A standout transition was to a heroic journey, far beneath the surface below Cornwall, a segment tinged by the fantasy maestro that was gloriously terrifying.

A Detailed Mosaic of Horror and Hope

The novel features trolls – those living under bridges and digital trolls, genuinely frightening and superbly depicted. There are magical swords and treacheries, heart-stopping scenes of valor and scenes of terrible wickedness, both earthly and otherworldly. It’s a tour de force: a chilling book that is above all 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 gather at the table, preparing to summon their dragon into being with the strength of their collective will.

In the author’s own words in his introductory quote: “This is dragon territory”. Ensure you experience it.