Joe Hill's monstrous novel, King Sorrow, is a sprawling, genre-bending epic that will leave readers sleeping with the lights on. The story follows six misfit friends - Arthur, Colin, Donna, Donovan, Allie, and Gwen - as they unwittingly unleash a terrible supernatural evil from the outer limits of darkness upon themselves.
The plot bears an uncanny resemblance to Stephen King's classic novel It, albeit with some notable twists. In this version, the six friends attempt to summon an ancient, infinitely malevolent dragon known as King Sorrow, using a ritual that backfires spectacularly. The result is a catastrophic chain of events that will force them to confront their darkest fears and make impossible choices.
Hill's novel deftly weaves together elements of thriller, dark fantasy, romance, and horror, showcasing his mastery of the genre. From the opening pages, it's clear that Hill is having the time of his life, reveling in his family connection to Stephen King and delighting his readers with clever references and nods to his famous father.
The characters are well-developed and complex, with each one bringing their unique perspective to the table. Arthur, the bookish and brilliant protagonist, is forced to confront the darker aspects of human nature when he's coerced into stealing rare books from his college library. The result is a journey that takes him - and the reader - down a twisted path of terror and discovery.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its effortless genre-hopping, effortlessly shifting between styles with ease. From the claustrophobic tension of a dark basement to the surreal beauty of a Cornish cave system, King Sorrow is a true tour de force. Hill's prose is evocative and immersive, conjuring up images that will linger long after the final page has been turned.
Ultimately, King Sorrow is a love letter to the power of imagination and the bonds of friendship. It's a story that will leave you breathless, convinced, and maybe even a little bit scared. As Colin so eloquently puts it, "We needed a story to believe and now we've got one." Don't miss this monstrous masterpiece - but do make sure to keep the lights on.
The plot bears an uncanny resemblance to Stephen King's classic novel It, albeit with some notable twists. In this version, the six friends attempt to summon an ancient, infinitely malevolent dragon known as King Sorrow, using a ritual that backfires spectacularly. The result is a catastrophic chain of events that will force them to confront their darkest fears and make impossible choices.
Hill's novel deftly weaves together elements of thriller, dark fantasy, romance, and horror, showcasing his mastery of the genre. From the opening pages, it's clear that Hill is having the time of his life, reveling in his family connection to Stephen King and delighting his readers with clever references and nods to his famous father.
The characters are well-developed and complex, with each one bringing their unique perspective to the table. Arthur, the bookish and brilliant protagonist, is forced to confront the darker aspects of human nature when he's coerced into stealing rare books from his college library. The result is a journey that takes him - and the reader - down a twisted path of terror and discovery.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its effortless genre-hopping, effortlessly shifting between styles with ease. From the claustrophobic tension of a dark basement to the surreal beauty of a Cornish cave system, King Sorrow is a true tour de force. Hill's prose is evocative and immersive, conjuring up images that will linger long after the final page has been turned.
Ultimately, King Sorrow is a love letter to the power of imagination and the bonds of friendship. It's a story that will leave you breathless, convinced, and maybe even a little bit scared. As Colin so eloquently puts it, "We needed a story to believe and now we've got one." Don't miss this monstrous masterpiece - but do make sure to keep the lights on.
, but honestly, 700 pages is just too much 
...
. I mean, come on, a supernatural novel that's basically just a rehashing of It? Originality is overrated... right? 
. Still, if you're a Stephen King superfan or just love a good horror story, this might be your cup of tea 
. Just don't expect me to be sleeping with the lights on anytime soon 
.
but at the same time, it sounds super lit, you know? the idea of a supernatural evil being unleashed by a group of misfit friends is wild, and hill's masterful genre-hopping is probably gonna be on point 
still, if you're into that sorta thing, king sorrow might be the book for you... or maybe not? 
. The way he weaves together all these different genres is pure magic 
. I mean, who needs sleep when you can have a good scare, right? 
. Can't wait to see what Joe Hill comes up with next... but for now, let's just say I'm never sleeping again 
.
I feel like I'm reading a mini Stephen King biography in there 
. The way the story jumps between genres is crazy cool - I love how it keeps you on your toes 
. And the characters? So well-developed! Arthur's descent into darkness is so intense, it gave me chills 
...
. The way he combines thriller, dark fantasy, romance, and horror elements is pure genius 
. And that twist with Arthur stealing books from his college library? Mind blown 
! Hill's nod to Stephen King is adorable too, I ship him and his father forever 
. If you haven't already, grab a cuppa and get ready for a wild ride 
!
arthur's got some serious bookworm issues 
so yeah, if you're a fan of horror or just love a good story, king sorrow is def worth checking out... just don't say i didn't warn you 
. I loved how Hill paid homage to his dad Stephen King without being too on-the-nose. The writing is so evocative and immersive - I felt like I was right there with Arthur, exploring those dark caves and creepy basements 
. It's a true tour de force and I'm already recommending it to all my friends 
. If you're looking for a story that'll keep you up at night, this is the one 
. Just... be prepared for some serious sleep deprivation 
. If you're not already aware of King Sorrow, trust me when I say it's a must-read... but maybe grab some flashlights first 
! The writing is straight fire 
. I'm seriously considering giving it 11/10 stars 
️
. The characters are so well-developed and complex, I felt like I was right there with them on their twisted journey 
. I'm not sure if I'd be brave enough to read it at night, though... maybe I'll stick to my daytime reading habit