Joe Hill's latest horror novel, King Sorrow, is a sprawling, genre-bending epic that leans heavily into its connections to the author's father, Stephen King. The story follows six students at Rackham College in Maine as they unwittingly summon an ancient and malevolent dragon known as King Sorrow from the outer limits of darkness.
After a series of events set in motion by their meddling with the occult, the group finds themselves trapped in a desperate battle against the forces of evil, facing horror after horror as they try to survive. The novel's narrative spans four decades, effortlessly shifting between thriller, dark fantasy, and romance, with even a nod to JRR Tolkien's style.
Hill's writing is at its best when exploring the relationships between his characters, particularly the strong bonds of friendship that serve as a linchpin for the group's survival. The author skillfully weaves together moments of humor and levity with scenes of unflinching terror, creating a sense of unease that permeates every aspect of the story.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its ability to balance lighthearted, everyday moments with scenes of supernatural horror. From trolls that lurk both online and offline, to magical swords and betrayals, Hill crafts a narrative that is equal parts thrilling and terrifying.
Ultimately, King Sorrow is a paean to the power of love and friendship, as embodied by the unbreakable bonds between its six protagonists. As they navigate their desperate quest to defeat the dragon, they must confront the darker aspects of themselves and each other. The novel's themes are timeless, and its execution is nothing short of masterful.
For fans of horror and fantasy alike, King Sorrow is a must-read. With its unique blend of genres and Hill's effortless storytelling, this tour de force of a novel promises to deliver a reading experience that will leave you breathless – and yearning for more.
After a series of events set in motion by their meddling with the occult, the group finds themselves trapped in a desperate battle against the forces of evil, facing horror after horror as they try to survive. The novel's narrative spans four decades, effortlessly shifting between thriller, dark fantasy, and romance, with even a nod to JRR Tolkien's style.
Hill's writing is at its best when exploring the relationships between his characters, particularly the strong bonds of friendship that serve as a linchpin for the group's survival. The author skillfully weaves together moments of humor and levity with scenes of unflinching terror, creating a sense of unease that permeates every aspect of the story.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its ability to balance lighthearted, everyday moments with scenes of supernatural horror. From trolls that lurk both online and offline, to magical swords and betrayals, Hill crafts a narrative that is equal parts thrilling and terrifying.
Ultimately, King Sorrow is a paean to the power of love and friendship, as embodied by the unbreakable bonds between its six protagonists. As they navigate their desperate quest to defeat the dragon, they must confront the darker aspects of themselves and each other. The novel's themes are timeless, and its execution is nothing short of masterful.
For fans of horror and fantasy alike, King Sorrow is a must-read. With its unique blend of genres and Hill's effortless storytelling, this tour de force of a novel promises to deliver a reading experience that will leave you breathless – and yearning for more.
I just finished reading King Sorrow by Joe Hill and OMG it was like my heart was racing the whole time! The way he weaves together all these different genres - thriller, dark fantasy, romance... it's like a masterclass in storytelling 
. And I love how he explores the relationships between his characters, especially the bonds of friendship that save their lives at every turn 
. It's so refreshing to see a story that balances humor and terror, you know? 
The way Hill describes trolls lurking both online and offline had me shuddering 
! But what really gets me is how the novel explores themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery in a way that feels both timeless and totally relevant 
. I'm obsessed with this book and I think fans of horror and fantasy will be too 
.
. but at the same time, isn't it just a bit too on-the-nose when an author winks at their own influence? like, can't we just enjoy the story for what it is rather than making connections to joe hill's personal life? 
I'm so over these epic fantasies with their 'ancient and malevolent dragons' 
... Can't we just have a simple, straightforward story for once? Like, I get it, the connections to Joe Hill's dad are cool and all 
but do we really need to know every single detail about them? 
I just finished reading Joe Hill's latest horror novel King Sorrow and I'm still reeling from the experience 
. The way he weaves together genres like thriller, dark fantasy, and romance is pure magic 
. What really stood out to me was how well he explored the complexities of human relationships, especially friendship 
. Those moments of levity amidst all the terror had me laughing out loud LOL! But what I think really sets King Sorrow apart is its ability to balance everyday life with supernatural horror 
. Like, who hasn't felt like trolls lurking online or offline 
? It's so relatable and yet still manages to deliver a thrilling ride from start to finish 
. If you're into horror and fantasy like me, you NEED to add King Sorrow to your reading list ASAP 
His writing is super relatable, especially when it comes to friendships - we've all been there with our own struggles and triumphs 
. And let's be real, who hasn't felt that sense of unease when browsing online for hours, only to stumble upon something genuinely creepy? 
.
. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! 
.
but then it got REALLY good after that... I'm talkin epic battles with trolls & dragons, & those relationships between the characters tho.. *swoon* 
. The fact that he weaves together thriller, dark fantasy, and romance so seamlessly is no easy feat. And the way he balances light-hearted moments with supernatural horror? Total boss move 
. But what really gets me excited is how he explores the relationships between his characters - it's clear he put a lot of thought into creating strong bonds of friendship that make their survival all the more believable and relatable