King Sorrow by Joe Hill review – dragon-fired horror epic is a tour de force

Joe Hill's latest horror novel, King Sorrow, is an unapologetic love letter to the genre, with all the thrills, chills, and imagination that comes with it. This sprawling tale of six college friends who unwittingly unleash a malevolent dragon upon the world from the Long Dark is a masterclass in building tension and delivering gut-wrenching horror.

At its core, King Sorrow is a story about the unbridled power of friendship and the devastating consequences of meddling with forces beyond human comprehension. The plot follows Arthur, a bookish student at Rackham College, as he reluctantly becomes embroiled in a supernatural ritual to summon an ancient dragon to rid him of local thugs. Unbeknownst to the group, their attempt at summoning this monstrous entity backfires catastrophically, sending them on a wild ride through decades of escalating terror.

Hill's nod to his father, Stephen King, is unmistakable, with several lines and plot points deliberately echoing some of the master of horror's most iconic works. However, instead of trying to live in his shadow, Hill delightfully leans into his family connection, crafting a narrative that feels both familiar and fresh.

The cast of characters is diverse and well-developed, each bringing their unique perspective to the unfolding horror. There's Colin, the charismatic but ruthless one; Donna and Donovan, the alluring twins; Allie, the enigmatic outsider; and Gwen, who becomes an integral part of their tight-knit group as they navigate the increasingly dark world.

As the friends navigate their way through four decades of terror, Hill effortlessly switches genres, seamlessly shifting between thriller, dark fantasy, black-ops torture, and romance. The narrative is a true tour de force, with each chapter delivering heart-pumping action, spine-tingling suspense, and moments of profound emotional resonance.

With trolls both online and in the flesh, magical swords clashing with human cruelty, and heart-stopping scenes of courage and despair, King Sorrow is an unrelenting ride through the darkest recesses of the human experience. Hill's masterful prose weaves a tapestry of fear, friendship, and love that will leave readers gasping for breath.

As Joe Hill himself so eloquently puts it in his epigraph: "Hic sunt dracones" – here are the dragons. Don't miss this terrifying tale of six college friends who unleash hell upon the world.
 
omg have you guys tried those new plant-based milks from oatly 🥛? i swear, they're so good for u! i've been drinking the unsweetened kind and it's literally changed my life 😂. anyway, back to joe hill's latest novel... what's with all these dragon creatures in horror stories lately? 🐉 it's like we're all secretly fascinated by mythical beasts or something 🤣.
 
I don’t usually comment but I just finished reading King Sorrow and I gotta say, it’s one wild ride 🤯! Joe Hill is a master at crafting tension and delivering chills, and this book is no exception. The way he weaves together all these different genres, from thriller to dark fantasy to romance, is pure genius. And the characters? So diverse and well-developed, you can’t help but become invested in their stories. I love how Hill pays homage to his dad's style without trying too hard – it just feels like a natural part of the narrative 📚. The plot twists are insane and the writing is top-notch, with moments that had me on the edge of my seat 🎢. If you're a fan of horror or just looking for a thrilling read, King Sorrow is a must-check out 🌟.
 
omg you guys King Sorrow is like the ultimate horror novel 🤯 i mean joe hill has outdone himself with this one, it's like he's paying homage to his dad stephen king but also totally on his own thing. I love how the characters all come together and get pulled into this supernatural mess. Colin is literally soooo charismatic 😎 and allie is just so enigmatic i need more of her lol. the way hill weaves horror, thriller, fantasy, and romance together is insane, it's like a rollercoaster ride through the darkest corners of humanity. and can we talk about how beautiful it is that he includes themes of friendship and love amidst all the terror? 10/10 would recommend this one to anyone who loves a good scare 🎃
 
🤯 I mean, have you ever stopped to think about how our relationships with others can be both the most beautiful and terrifying things in life? Like, we're all connected on such a deep level, but at the same time, there's this dark energy that can easily consume us all if we're not careful. It's like, when Joe Hill writes about these six college friends unleashing this dragon upon the world, it's not just some monster – it's actually a metaphor for how our relationships with each other can spiral out of control if we're not mindful of the forces that are at play.

And I think that's what makes King Sorrow so unsettlingly relatable. It's like, we've all been in situations where we felt like we were losing ourselves or that someone else was manipulating us, and it's those feelings that Hill taps into to create this sense of tension and dread. But at the same time, he also shows us the beauty and strength that can come from our connections with others – like when Gwen becomes this integral part of the group, you know? It's like, she brings a lightness and compassion to the story that balances out all the darkness.

Anyway, what really struck me about King Sorrow is how it explores the idea that even in the darkest moments, there's always hope. Like, even when things are at their bleakest, there's this spark of humanity that can never be fully extinguished. And I think that's what makes Hill such a talented writer – he has this ability to tap into those deeper emotions and create stories that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. 📚💀
 
I just finished reading King Sorrow and I'm still reeling from the experience! 😲 The way Joe Hill weaves together horror, thriller, and dark fantasy is pure magic. He's like a master conductor leading you through a symphony of terror and suspense. The characters are so well-crafted and relatable, I felt like I was right there with them, experiencing their fear and triumphs firsthand. And the plot twist? Mind. Blown. 🤯 It's clear Joe is a huge fan of his dad's work, but he doesn't try to copy him - instead, he uses that as fuel to create something fresh and unique. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next! 💥
 
omg i just finished reading king sorrow and i'm still trying to process everything that happened 🤯😱 i mean i know joe hill is a master of horror but wow this book is like a rollercoaster ride of emotions 😂👻 what really got me was the friendship between the characters it's so real and relatable i felt like i was part of their crew too 👫💕 but also can someone explain to me why they didn't just call the cops when those thugs were bothering arthur 🤔🚨
 
🤯 I'm literally blown away by King Sorrow! The way Joe Hill weaves together thrills, chills, and imagination is just masterful 🎭. What really drew me in was how he explores the power of friendship and the consequences of playing with forces beyond human control 💔. The character development is top-notch too - each friend feels like they're got their own unique personality 😊.

I love how Hill nods to his dad's works, but instead of copying, he leans into that connection and makes it fresh 🌟. The way the story effortlessly switches genres kept me on the edge of my seat ⏱️. And let's be real, who doesn't want to dive into a world where magical swords clash with human cruelty 😈? Overall, King Sorrow is an unrelenting ride that'll leave you gasping for breath 👅.
 
I'm telling you, something fishy is going on with that book release. I mean, who comes up with a title like King Sorrow? Sounds like some kinda code to me 🤔. And have you noticed how many parallels there are between this book and its author's dad, Stephen King? Too many coincidences if you ask me 😒. And what's with all the 'deliciously leans into his family connection' nonsense? Just seems like a way to distract us from the real issue: is Joe Hill just trying to cover up some deep-seated family secret or something? 🤷‍♂️
 
🤩 I'm literally SHAKING over King Sorrow! Joe Hill's latest novel is a GAME CHANGER, it's like he took all his favorite horror tropes and mashed them together into this EPIC ride that'll keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish 😱. The way he weaves together friendship, love, and terror is pure MAGIC ✨. I'm loving how he pays homage to Stephen King without copying him - it's like he's having a chat with his dad's ghost 🤣. And can we talk about the characters? I mean, I've already fallen in love with Colin's dark charm 😏. The way Hill seamlessly switches genres is mind-blowing, and that ending?!😱 Don't @ me, but King Sorrow might just be my favorite horror novel of all time 🤯
 
just finished reading king sorrow by joe hill and i'm still reeling from the experience 😱🔥 what a wild ride that book takes you on! hill's nod to stephen king is so subtle yet intentional, and it's actually kinda cool how he leans into his family connection instead of trying to live up to the master of horror's shadow 📚👏 the characters are all so well-developed and complex, each with their own unique voice and perspective. and the way hill effortlessly switches genres? insane 🔪💣 i love how the book takes you on a journey through decades of terror, with moments of pure emotional resonance that'll leave you gasping for breath 💔👻
 
omg i'm literally shaking just thinking about King Sorrow!!! 🤯 Joe Hill is a genius, no doubt about it! He's like the modern-day Stephen King, but on his own terms and with an all-new level of darkness & complexity. I mean, who else can make you laugh one minute and scream the next? 😂 The way he weaves together horror, thriller, fantasy, and romance is pure mastermind stuff. And that cast of characters?! Divine! Each one so unique and well-developed, you'll be rooting for them all... until they become the monsters themselves 😱. Trust me when I say this book is NOT to be missed - it's a wild ride from start to finish! 🎢
 
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