Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for the e-arc of King Sorrow by Joe Hill. King Sorrow comes out Oct. 21st.
This book had me at dragon. A group of stoned college kids call forth a dragon named King Sorrow to help get rid of a pair of low-life drug dealers who are forcing one of them to steal rare books from the college’s library. The kids get more than they bargained for with the dragon. First rule of dragons is never make a deal with a dragon. The group must choose a new victim every year for the dragon or they become his next snack. Here’s the full summary from the publisher:
Arthur Oakes is a reader, a dreamer, and a student at Rackham College, Maine, renowned for its frosty winters, exceptional library, and beautiful buildings. But his idyll—and burgeoning romance with Gwen Underfoot—is shattered when a local drug dealer and her partner corner him into one of the worst crimes he can imagine: stealing rare books from the college library.
Trapped and desperate, Arthur turns to his closest friends for comfort and help. Together they dream up a wild, fantastical scheme to free Arthur from the cruel trap in which he finds himself. Wealthy, irrepressible Colin Wren suggests using the unnerving Crane journal (bound in the skin of its author) to summon a dragon to do their bidding. The others—brave, beautiful Alison Shiner; the battling twins Donna and Donovan McBride; and brainy, bold Gwen—don’t hesitate to join Colin in an effort to smash reality and bring a creature of the impossible into our world.
But there’s nothing simple about dealing with dragons, and their pact to save Arthur becomes a terrifying bargain in which the six must choose a new sacrifice for King Sorrow every year—or become his next meal.
Lots of creepy atmosphere, an interesting mix of characters, and a dragon who talks like a British cabbie makes this an enjoyable and entertaining read. Gwen was my favorite character. Smart, tough and determined. The rest of the group included a Colin a rich weird guy who eventually become an even richer and manipulative tech bro. Arthur, the kid being forced to steal the books, is the scholarly but lovable nerd. Twins Donovan and Donna are yin to each other’s yang. Alison is the beauty who lives a lie.
The story is engrossing and I loved the dragon. I thought King Sorrow needed to appear more. He was witty, scary and took great pleasure in tormenting his victims before he killed them. I also loved the troll under the bridge-a trope that turned into an internet troll. The pace of the book was steady. I thought there were a few scenes that dragged on too long and slowed the story down a bit, but I tend to like stories that move along very quickly. I’m sure many readers will savor every bit of this book.
Hill says in his author’s note that this is his first book in ten years. That makes this a must read for horror fans. I know they’ll eat this book up just like King Sorrow.
About the Author
Joe Hill is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels (King Sorrow, The Fireman, NOS4A2, Horns, Heart-Shaped Box), fiction collections (Strange Weather, Full Throttle, 20th Century Ghosts), and a comic-book series (Locke & Key). Much of his work has been adapted for film and TV.
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