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Six quirky but doughty kids fall into the way of a immense and fearsome otherworldly darkness that has entered our existence from the farthest reaches of darkness. They have no choice but to spend their lifetimes confronting it, facing horror after horror in the struggle.

An Echoing Premise with a Fresh Twist

This describes the premise, in essence, of the master of horror’s seminal work It (a standout in his career; undeniable). It similarly frames of the celebrated author’s heir Joe Hill’s latest horror doorstopper, in which a close-knit group summon the ancient, utterly malevolent serpent the Sorrowful Monarch from the Abyssal Void to assist them in vanquishing some antagonists. Unsurprisingly, their supernatural ritual backfires.

Celebrating a Family Legacy

The author started his career striving diligently to distance himself from his renowned parent, publishing under the pen name he continues to employ and steering clear of encounters with his agent (he possesses a strong similarity to his dad). However, in his newest work, he embraces it. There are lines that consciously reflect some of the senior author’s well-known (that classic opening line); a scene that recalls a recurring theme in King’s works (a game of puzzles). Throughout this massive book, Hill is delighting in his family connection, and we delight along with him.

Introducing the Central Figures

Returning to the group: most are students at the made-up this academic setting in Maine. First is Arthur, studious and intelligent, solving Old English riddles in his free moments; Colin, affluent, sharp, and prone to trampling those who oppose him; the twin siblings; the beautiful Allie herself. Then we have Gwen, who remains outside their academic circle, but becomes a key part of their band as they dabble, somewhat credulous, somewhat doubtful, in arcane arts.

The Fateful Ceremony

The protagonist finds himself, due to circumstances beyond his control, compelled to pilfer valuable volumes from his treasured institution’s archives by a bunch of local criminals. This devastates his scholarly soul, notably because he’s made to take the institution’s prized and disturbing work: the logbook of occultist Enoch Crane (condemned “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the book’s jacket is made from his skin). Our Scooby gang read the journal, realize they are able to call forth what Crane describes as a cunning serpent to help Arthur out with his coercion issue – and occupy the subsequent narrative enduring the repercussions. This ancient entity will indeed rid them of those troublesome local drug dealers, but they’ll have to choose a fresh offering every twelve months or succumb to the dragon’s wrath. In the character’s own words: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is more dragons.”

Genre Versatility and Inventive Breadth

Moving through four decades, Hill also moves with natural fluency across narrative styles: as the friends endeavor to address the predicament they find themselves in by, in different ways, choosing undeniably wicked targets to offer up, or seeking means to slay the beast themselves, we go from page-turner to dark fantasy, clandestine torment to love story to fright. One particularly memorable shift was to a heroic journey, deep in the caves below Cornwall, a section tinged by JRR Tolkien that was wonderfully frightening.

An Expansive Mosaic of Horror and Hope

The novel features trolls – the classic variety and digital trolls, properly scary and expertly realized. We see enchanted blades and betrayals, heart-stopping scenes of valor and instances of appalling malevolence, both earthly and otherworldly. It’s a tour de force: a frightening tale that is above all a ode to the creative spirit, and to devotion and companionship. “We required a narrative to trust and {now we’ve got one|presently we possess it|currently we hold it,” says this character as the friends gather at the table, getting ready to invoke their serpent into being with the power of their thoughts.

According to Joe Hill in his introductory quote: “This is dragon territory”. Ensure you experience it.