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Six unlikely but brave youngsters encounter the way of a vast and dreadful paranormal evil that has infiltrated our existence from the deepest abyss of shadow. They are compelled to devote their lives battling it, facing one nightmare after another in the struggle.

A Resonant Premise with a New Twist

This outlines the narrative, roughly, of the master of horror’s seminal work It (his best; no debate). It similarly frames of Stephen King’s offspring Joseph Hillstrom King’s new horror doorstopper, in which a close-knit group call forth the ancient, infinitely malicious dragon the Dragon King from the Endless Night to assist them in vanquishing some baddies. Unsurprisingly, their otherworldly invocation has unintended consequences.

Embracing a Literary Heritage

The author began his writing journey striving diligently to remain separate from his renowned parent, adopting the nom de plume he continues to employ and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he bears a striking resemblance to his parent). But in this latest novel, he leans into it. Certain passages that intentionally mirror some of King’s most famous (that classic opening line); a incident that evokes a King plot point (a game of puzzles). In this whopper of a novel, the author rejoices in his family connection, and the audience revels alongside.

Meet the Central Figures

Returning to the group: five of them are students at the fictional the esteemed institution in Maine. First is Arthur, studious and intelligent, deciphering historical enigmas in his free moments; the character Colin, rich, clever, and inclined to bulldoze anyone who stands in his way; twins Donna and Donovan; the attractive the lovely Allie. Additionally, Gwen appears, who remains outside their academic circle, but emerges as crucial of their circle as they toy, half believing, somewhat doubtful, in arcane arts.

The Pivotal Ritual

Our hero becomes, for reasons we don’t need to go into, obliged to take valuable volumes from his treasured institution’s archives by a set of regional villains. This tears at his bookish heart, particularly as he’s compelled to seize the institution’s prized and disturbing publication: the journal of adept Enoch Crane (executed “for trafficking with the devyll in 1703”; the cover is made from his skin). These young investigators examine the log, realize they are able to call forth what Crane describes as a armoured devil” to help Arthur out with his coercion issue – and devote the remaining story reaping the consequences. King Sorrow will indeed rid them of those annoying regional antagonists, but they are required to pick a new sacrifice every twelve months or fall prey to the beast. In the character’s own words: “You sow dragon’s teeth, all you get is additional horrors.”

Genre Dexterity and Inventive Range

Spanning forty years, the author shifts with natural fluency through various literary forms: as the friends attempt to deal with the situation they find themselves in by, through diverse methods, choosing undeniably wicked targets to offer up, or hunting down ways to slay the beast themselves, we go from page-turner to shadowy tale, black-ops torture to love story to fright. My favorite genre switch was to a adventure narrative, far beneath the surface below Cornwall, a section sprinkled with JRR Tolkien that was gloriously terrifying.

A Rich Mosaic of Dread and Courage

The novel features trolls – the classic variety and online ones, genuinely frightening and superbly depicted. There are magical swords and deceptions, heart-stopping scenes of valor and scenes of dreadful evil, both human and extraterrestrial. This is a remarkable achievement: a horror novel that is above all a paean to the imagination, and to devotion and companionship. “We needed a story to believe and {now we’ve got one|presently we possess it|currently we hold it,” says this character as the allies gather at the table, getting ready to invoke their beast into existence with the strength of their collective will.

As Hill puts it in his opening statement: “Hic sunt dracones”. Ensure you experience it.