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A group of six oddball but brave children encounter the trail of a colossal and fearsome supernatural malevolence that has invaded our realm from the farthest reaches of oblivion. They are compelled to devote their lives fighting it, experiencing one nightmare after another in the struggle.

A Familiar Plot with a Distinctive Twist

This describes the premise, broadly speaking, of the master of horror’s novel It (a standout in his career; undeniable). It parallels of the celebrated author’s heir Joe Hill’s recent chilling tome, in which a close-knit group invoke the age-old, deeply sinister serpent the Dragon King from the Long Dark to help them defeat some villains. As one might expect, their otherworldly invocation has unintended consequences.

Celebrating a Literary Lineage

Joe Hill started his career making great efforts to avoid any connection from his renowned parent, adopting the nom de plume he still uses today and steering clear of encounters with his agent (he exhibits a strong similarity to his father). However, in his newest work, he fully acknowledges it. There are lines that deliberately echo some of his father’s iconic (the famous Dark Tower introduction); a moment that evokes a recurring theme in King’s works (a riddling contest). Throughout this massive book, Joe Hill takes pleasure in his lineage, and we delight along with him.

The Cast of the Protagonists

Focusing on the companions: the majority are scholars at the fictional the esteemed institution in this northeastern locale. We have Arthur, bookish and brilliant, solving historical enigmas in his leisure hours; another key figure, wealthy, clever, and prone to trampling obstacles in his path; Donna and Donovan; the attractive Allie herself. Additionally, Gwen appears, who doesn’t study with them, but emerges as crucial of their band as they dabble, partly convinced, partly skeptical, in supernatural practices.

The Critical Ceremony

Arthur is, as a result of external pressures, forced into stealing valuable volumes from his treasured institution’s archives by a bunch of local criminals. This tears at his bookish heart, especially when he’s made to take the collection’s foremost and disturbing work: the journal of occultist Enoch Crane (executed “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the book’s jacket is crafted from his flesh). Our Scooby gang read the journal, learn they can invoke what the occultist details as a armoured devil” to assist Arthur 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 are required to pick a fresh offering each year or become his victim themselves. As our protagonist states: “You sow dragon’s teeth, all you get is additional horrors.”

Narrative Dexterity and Imaginative Scope

Moving through four decades, Joe Hill transitions with natural fluency across narrative styles: as the companions strive to manage the situation they find themselves in by, variously, choosing undeniably wicked targets to offer up, or seeking means to destroy the entity themselves, we transition from page-turner to grim fantasy, black-ops torture to affectionate subplot to fright. A standout transition was to a heroic journey, within the subterranean depths under the English county, a segment infused with the fantasy maestro that was magnificently horrifying.

A Rich Canvas of Horror and Optimism

We encounter trolls – the classic variety and online ones, genuinely frightening and expertly realized. We see enchanted blades and deceptions, breath-taking moments of courage and instances of appalling malevolence, both earthly and otherworldly. This is a remarkable achievement: a chilling book that is chiefly a paean to the creative spirit, 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 serpent into existence with the force of their minds.

In the author’s own words in his introductory quote: “This is dragon territory”. Don’t miss them.