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A group of six unlikely but brave children confront the trail of a vast and fearsome paranormal darkness that has infiltrated our realm from the farthest reaches of darkness. They have no choice but to wage a lifelong battle fighting it, experiencing horror after horror in the process.

A Familiar Premise with a Distinctive Spin

This describes the premise, in essence, of Stephen King’s seminal work It (a standout in his career; no debate). It is also the plot of Stephen King’s offspring Joseph Hillstrom King’s new massive horror novel, in which a band of six summon the age-old, utterly malevolent beast the Dragon King from the Endless Night to help them defeat some baddies. As one might expect, their otherworldly invocation backfires.

Celebrating a Literary Heritage

Joseph Hillström King launched his profession striving diligently to remain separate from his well-known dad, using the pseudonym he still uses today and avoiding meeting his agent (he exhibits a striking resemblance to his dad). However, in his newest work, he fully acknowledges it. Several quotes that intentionally mirror some of his father’s iconic (“The man in black fled across the desert …”); a moment that evokes a signature King element (a riddling contest). In this epic story, Hill is delighting in his lineage, and readers share in the joy.

Meet the Central Figures

Focusing on the companions: the majority are pupils at the made-up this academic setting in Maine. First is Arthur, studious and intelligent, cracking ancient puzzles in his leisure hours; another key figure, wealthy, sharp, and known for crushing obstacles in his path; Donna and Donovan; the stunning Allie. And there’s Gwen, who doesn’t study with them, but assumes a vital role of their circle as they experiment, partly convinced, somewhat doubtful, in supernatural practices.

The Fateful Ceremony

The protagonist finds himself, as a result of external pressures, compelled to pilfer prized manuscripts from his treasured institution’s archives by a set of regional villains. This wounds his academic spirit, notably because he’s forced to acquire the institution’s prized and disturbing title: the logbook of adept Enoch Crane (executed “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the book’s jacket is made from his skin). These young investigators examine the log, discover they could summon what Crane describes as a armoured devil” to help Arthur out with his blackmail problem – and occupy the subsequent narrative enduring the repercussions. The dragon will undoubtedly remove those problematic neighborhood criminals, but they’ll have to choose a new sacrifice each year or succumb to the dragon’s wrath. As our protagonist states: “You invoke terrible forces, all you get is additional horrors.”

Narrative Versatility and Inventive Scope

Spanning forty years, the author shifts with seamless grace through various literary forms: as the allies attempt to deal with the situation they find themselves in by, variously, choosing undeniably wicked targets to immolate, or searching for methods to kill the dragon themselves, we transition from thriller to dark fantasy, black-ops torture to love story to horror. A standout transition was to a quest story, far beneath the surface below Cornwall, a section sprinkled with JRR Tolkien that was magnificently horrifying.

An Expansive Canvas of Horror and Courage

We encounter trolls – those living under bridges and digital trolls, truly terrifying and superbly depicted. There are magical swords and deceptions, breath-taking moments of courage and scenes of dreadful evil, both human and supernatural. This is a remarkable achievement: a frightening tale that is primarily a paean to the imagination, 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 allies gather at the table, making preparations to call forth their beast to life with the strength of their collective will.

As Hill puts it in his introductory quote: “Here be dragons”. Don’t miss them.