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A group of six unlikely but resilient children fall into the trail of a colossal and terrible otherworldly malevolence that has infiltrated our world from the deepest abyss of darkness. They must wage a lifelong battle battling it, enduring terror upon terror in the struggle.

A Familiar Plot with a New Twist

This is the plot, in essence, of the master of horror’s novel It (arguably his finest; undeniable). It parallels of King’s son Joe Hill’s recent chilling tome, in which a close-knit group call forth the ancient, utterly malevolent beast the Dragon King from the Long Dark to help them defeat some baddies. As one might expect, their otherworldly invocation backfires.

Celebrating a Family Legacy

Joe Hill began his writing journey making great efforts to distance himself from his famous father, publishing under the pen name he continues to employ and eschewing in-person meetings with his agent (he bears a strong similarity to his father). But in this latest novel, he embraces it. Several quotes that consciously reflect some of his father’s iconic (that classic opening line); a moment that evokes a King plot point (a riddling contest). Throughout this massive book, the author rejoices in his lineage, and the audience revels alongside.

The Cast of the Main Characters

Returning to the group: the majority are scholars at the made-up this academic setting in the New England state. We have Arthur, academic and brilliant, cracking Old English riddles in his leisure hours; another key figure, wealthy, clever, and prone to trampling those who oppose him; Donna and Donovan; the attractive the lovely Allie. Additionally, Gwen appears, who remains outside their academic circle, but assumes a vital role of their group as they experiment, half believing, partly skeptical, in the occult.

The Fateful Summoning

Arthur is, for reasons we don’t need to go into, compelled to pilfer prized manuscripts 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 library’s most valuable and unsettling publication: the logbook of adept Enoch Crane (condemned “for dealing with infernal entities in 1703”; the book’s jacket is fashioned from his hide). These young investigators read the journal, learn they can invoke what the author references as a “arrogant beast to aid our hero with his blackmail problem – and occupy the subsequent narrative reaping the consequences. The dragon will undoubtedly remove those troublesome local drug dealers, but they must select a new sacrifice each year or become his victim themselves. As Arthur later puts it: “You sow dragon’s teeth, all you get is further monstrosities.”

Narrative Fluidity and Inventive Breadth

Spanning forty years, Joe Hill transitions with seamless grace through various literary forms: as the allies attempt to deal with the circumstances they find themselves in by, variously, choosing undeniably wicked targets to sacrifice, or searching for methods to kill the dragon themselves, we move between thriller to grim fantasy, clandestine torment to affectionate subplot to fright. One particularly memorable shift was to a adventure narrative, deep in the caves beneath this UK region, a segment infused with JRR Tolkien that was wonderfully frightening.

A Detailed Tapestry of Horror and Optimism

The novel features trolls – those living under bridges and digital trolls, truly terrifying and perfectly brought to life. There are magical swords and treacheries, breath-taking moments of courage and scenes of dreadful evil, both mortal and extraterrestrial. This is a remarkable achievement: a chilling book that is primarily a tribute to the imagination, and to love and friendship. “We longed for a tale to embrace and {now we’ve got one|presently we possess it|currently we hold it,” says Colin as the companions assemble around a surface, making preparations to call forth their beast into existence with the strength of their collective will.

According to Joe Hill in his introductory quote: “Here be dragons”. Ensure you experience it.