The Dragon's Curse by Joseph Hillstrom King Review – A Dragon-Fired Supernatural Saga Delivers Masterpiece-Level Thrills

Six quirky but doughty kids confront the way of a immense and dreadful supernatural darkness that has invaded our existence from the outer limits of darkness. They are compelled to devote their lives fighting it, enduring one nightmare after another in the struggle.

A Familiar Plot with a New Twist

This describes the premise, roughly, of the master of horror’s novel It (arguably his finest; no arguments). It parallels of King’s son Joseph Hillstrom King’s latest massive horror novel, in which a band of six call forth the primordial, deeply sinister beast the Dragon King from the Abyssal Void to assist them in vanquishing some villains. Needless to say, their arcane ceremony has unintended consequences.

Celebrating a Literary Lineage

Joe Hill started his career going to great lengths to distance himself from his famous father, using the pseudonym he continues to employ and steering clear of encounters with his agent (he possesses a uncanny likeness to his parent). Yet with this recent release, he embraces it. Certain passages that consciously reflect some of King’s most famous (“The man in black fled across the desert …”); a incident that recalls a signature King element (a game of puzzles). Throughout this massive book, Hill is delighting in his family connection, and we delight along with him.

Introducing the Central Figures

Returning to the group: five of them are scholars at the fictional the esteemed institution in Maine. There’s Arthur, studious and intelligent, cracking historical enigmas in his free moments; Colin, affluent, sharp, and prone to trampling obstacles in his path; twins Donna and Donovan; the attractive Allie. Then we have Gwen, who isn’t their classmate, but assumes a vital role of their band as they toy, somewhat credulous, somewhat doubtful, in the occult.

The Pivotal Summoning

The protagonist finds himself, due to circumstances beyond his control, forced into stealing valuable volumes from his treasured institution’s archives by a set of regional villains. This tears at his bookish heart, notably because he’s made to take the collection’s foremost and disturbing work: the logbook of occultist the historical figure (put to death “for conspiring with dark forces in 1703”; the book’s jacket is crafted from his flesh). Our Scooby gang read the journal, realize they are able to call forth what the occultist details as a “proud worm to aid our hero with his coercion issue – and spend the rest of the novel facing the fallout. King Sorrow will indeed rid them of those problematic neighborhood criminals, but they’ll have to choose a different victim each year or fall prey to the beast. As our protagonist states: “You plant seeds of destruction, all you get is further monstrosities.”

Narrative Dexterity and Inventive Breadth

Moving through four decades, Joe Hill transitions with effortless ease through various literary forms: as the companions attempt to deal with the circumstances they find themselves in by, variously, picking people who are obviously evil to sacrifice, or seeking means to destroy the entity themselves, we go from page-turner to shadowy tale, covert operations to love story to fright. My favorite genre switch was to a heroic journey, far beneath the surface beneath this UK region, a section sprinkled with the fantasy maestro that was magnificently horrifying.

An Expansive Tapestry of Horror and Courage

We encounter trolls – those living under bridges and online ones, truly terrifying and expertly realized. The story includes mystic weapons and deceptions, breath-taking moments of courage and ones of terrible wickedness, both mortal and otherworldly. This is a remarkable achievement: a horror novel that is chiefly a tribute to the creative spirit, and to affection and camaraderie. “We longed for a tale to embrace and {now we’ve got one|presently we possess it|currently we hold it,” says this character as the allies gather at the table, getting ready to invoke their dragon into being with the power of their thoughts.

In the author’s own words in his opening statement: “Here be dragons”. Don’t miss them.