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A group of six quirky but brave kids fall into the way of a vast and dreadful paranormal evil that has invaded our existence from the farthest reaches of shadow. They are compelled to wage a lifelong battle fighting it, experiencing terror upon terror in the ordeal.

A Familiar Plot with a Fresh Approach

This describes the premise, broadly speaking, of Stephen King’s novel It (his best; no debate). It similarly frames of Stephen King’s offspring Joseph Hillstrom King’s recent chilling tome, in which a close-knit group call forth the age-old, utterly malevolent serpent King Sorrow from the Long Dark to aid them in overcoming some baddies. Needless to say, their otherworldly invocation backfires.

Acknowledging a Family Lineage

The author began his writing journey going to great lengths to remain separate from his famous father, adopting the nom de plume he still uses today and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he exhibits a uncanny likeness to his father). However, in his newest work, he fully acknowledges it. Several quotes that intentionally mirror some of the senior author’s well-known (“The man in black fled across the desert …”); a scene that evokes a signature King element (a riddling contest). In this whopper of a novel, the author rejoices in his lineage, and we delight along with him.

The Cast of the Protagonists

Focusing on the companions: five of them are pupils at the imagined Rackham College in this northeastern locale. There’s Arthur, academic and gifted, cracking historical enigmas in his free moments; Colin, rich, clever, and known for crushing those who oppose him; the twin siblings; the attractive the lovely Allie. Then we have Gwen, who doesn’t study with them, but becomes a key part of their group as they experiment, partly convinced, partly skeptical, in the occult.

The Pivotal Ceremony

Our hero becomes, as a result of external pressures, obliged to take rare books from his cherished academic collection by a set of regional villains. This wounds his academic spirit, notably because he’s forced to acquire the library’s most valuable and disturbing title: the diary of occultist this enigmatic character (condemned “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the book’s jacket is made from his skin). The intrepid group peruse the diary, realize they are able to call forth what the author references as a armoured devil” to aid our hero with his extortion dilemma – and occupy the subsequent narrative reaping the consequences. The dragon will indeed rid them of those annoying regional antagonists, but they must select a fresh offering each year or fall prey to the beast. As our protagonist states: “You sow dragon’s teeth, all you get is more dragons.”

Genre Versatility and Creative Range

Covering a generation, the author shifts with effortless ease across narrative styles: as the allies endeavor to address the predicament they find themselves in by, variously, selecting clearly malevolent individuals to immolate, or seeking means to destroy the entity themselves, we go from thriller to grim fantasy, covert operations to affectionate subplot to horror. A standout transition was to a adventure narrative, far beneath the surface below Cornwall, a section infused with the fantasy maestro that was magnificently horrifying.

An Expansive Canvas of Horror and Courage

There are trolls – those living under bridges and internet antagonists, truly terrifying and perfectly brought to life. The story includes mystic weapons and treacheries, breath-taking moments of bravery and ones of appalling malevolence, both earthly and supernatural. It’s a tour de force: a horror novel that is chiefly a tribute to the creative spirit, 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 sit around the table, making preparations to call forth their beast to life with the power of their thoughts.

According to Joe Hill in his opening statement: “Hic sunt dracones”. Don’t miss them.