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A group of six unlikely but brave children fall into the trail of a vast and dreadful paranormal evil that has invaded our world from the farthest reaches of oblivion. They are compelled to wage a lifelong battle confronting it, enduring one nightmare after another in the process.

An Echoing Storyline with a Fresh Spin

This describes the premise, in essence, of the master of horror’s novel It (a standout in his career; undeniable). It is also the plot of King’s son Joseph Hillstrom King’s new chilling tome, in which a close-knit group invoke the primordial, infinitely malicious beast the Sorrowful Monarch from the Endless Night to assist them in vanquishing some baddies. As one might expect, their arcane ceremony goes awry.

Embracing a Family Lineage

Joe Hill launched his profession making great efforts to distance himself from his famous father, adopting the nom de plume he still uses today and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he possesses a striking resemblance to his parent). Yet with this recent release, he fully acknowledges it. Several quotes that consciously reflect some of his father’s iconic (the famous Dark Tower introduction); a scene that brings to mind a King plot point (a battle of wits). In this whopper of a novel, the author rejoices in his family connection, and we delight along with him.

The Cast of the Protagonists

Back to those friends: five of them are pupils at the made-up Rackham College in the New England state. First is Arthur, studious and intelligent, cracking Old English riddles in his spare time; another key figure, affluent, clever, and prone to trampling obstacles in his path; the twin siblings; the stunning the lovely Allie. Then we have Gwen, who doesn’t study with them, but assumes a vital role of their band as they dabble, somewhat credulous, somewhat doubtful, in arcane arts.

The Critical Summoning

Arthur is, as a result of external pressures, forced into stealing prized manuscripts from his cherished academic collection by a group of neighborhood thugs. This devastates his scholarly soul, especially when he’s compelled to seize the library’s most valuable and disturbing title: the journal of occultist the historical figure (put to death “for dealing with infernal entities in 1703”; the binding 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 coercion issue – and spend the rest of the novel reaping the consequences. The dragon will certainly eliminate those troublesome local drug dealers, but they must select a different victim annually or fall prey to the beast. As our protagonist states: “You sow dragon’s teeth, all you get is further monstrosities.”

Stylistic Dexterity and Inventive Range

Spanning forty years, Hill also moves with effortless ease through various literary forms: as the friends strive to manage the predicament they find themselves in by, through diverse methods, choosing undeniably wicked targets to sacrifice, or searching for methods to destroy the entity themselves, we move between page-turner to shadowy tale, black-ops torture to affectionate subplot to terror. My favorite genre switch was to a quest story, far beneath the surface below Cornwall, a part tinged by the Lord of the Rings author that was magnificently horrifying.

A Detailed Tapestry of Fear and Optimism

There are trolls – those living under bridges and internet antagonists, truly terrifying and perfectly brought to life. The story includes mystic weapons and deceptions, pulse-pounding sequences of courage and scenes of appalling malevolence, both human and extraterrestrial. This is a remarkable achievement: a horror novel that is primarily a paean to the imagination, and to love and friendship. “We longed for a tale to embrace and {now we’ve got one|presently we possess it|currently we hold it,” says this character as the allies assemble around a surface, making preparations to call forth their beast into existence with the power of their thoughts.

According to Joe Hill in his introductory quote: “Here be dragons”. Do not overlook this.