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.
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.