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A group of six quirky but doughty youngsters fall into the trail of a vast and dreadful supernatural darkness that has invaded our existence from the farthest reaches of oblivion. They have no choice but to spend their lifetimes confronting it, facing horror after horror in the ordeal.

A Familiar Premise with a New Approach

This is the plot, roughly, of Stephen King’s novel It (arguably his finest; undeniable). It similarly frames of the celebrated author’s heir Joe Hill’s new massive horror novel, in which a close-knit group invoke the primordial, deeply sinister serpent King Sorrow from the Long Dark to assist them in vanquishing some antagonists. As one might expect, their arcane ceremony goes awry.

Embracing a Family Lineage

Joe Hill started his career making great efforts to distance himself from his renowned parent, adopting the nom de plume he still uses today and avoiding meeting his agent (he bears a striking resemblance to his father). But in this latest novel, he leans into it. There are lines that intentionally mirror some of his father’s iconic (the famous Dark Tower introduction); a scene that evokes a signature King element (a battle of wits). In this epic story, the author rejoices in his lineage, and readers share in the joy.

Introducing the Central Figures

Returning to the group: the majority are students at the fictional the esteemed institution in Maine. There’s Arthur, academic and gifted, deciphering ancient puzzles in his leisure hours; another key figure, rich, clever, and prone to trampling anyone who stands in his way; twins Donna and Donovan; the stunning Allie. And there’s Gwen, who remains outside their academic circle, but emerges as crucial of their band as they dabble, partly convinced, partly skeptical, in the occult.

The Fateful Ritual

Arthur is, due to circumstances beyond his control, forced into stealing rare books from his beloved college library by a set of regional villains. This devastates his scholarly soul, notably because he’s compelled to seize the collection’s foremost and chilling publication: the diary of adept the historical figure (put to death “for trafficking with the devyll in 1703”; the binding is fashioned from his hide). These young investigators read the journal, discover they could summon what the author references as a cunning serpent to aid our hero with his coercion issue – and devote the remaining story reaping the consequences. The dragon will indeed rid them of those annoying regional antagonists, but they are required to pick a fresh offering annually or become his victim themselves. In the character’s own words: “You plant seeds of destruction, all you get is additional horrors.”

Genre Versatility and Inventive Scope

Spanning forty years, Hill also moves with effortless ease through various literary forms: as the allies endeavor to address the predicament they find themselves in by, variously, choosing undeniably wicked targets to sacrifice, or searching for methods to kill the dragon themselves, we transition from page-turner to dark fantasy, clandestine torment to affectionate subplot to terror. My favorite genre switch was to a adventure narrative, deep in the caves under the English county, a section tinged by the Lord of the Rings author that was gloriously terrifying.

A Rich Mosaic of Fear and Optimism

There are trolls – the classic variety and digital trolls, genuinely frightening and superbly depicted. We see enchanted blades and betrayals, breath-taking moments of courage and scenes of dreadful evil, both mortal and supernatural. This is a remarkable achievement: a chilling book that is primarily a ode 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 sit around the table, preparing to summon their serpent into existence with the strength of their collective will.

In the author’s own words in his introductory quote: “Hic sunt dracones”. Do not overlook this.