Very nearly 5 stars, rounded up.

At 900 pages, King Sorrow is a doorstop that might deter easily intimidated readers. HOWEVER, somehow, those 900 pages keep up the pace and drive you forward. Seriously, there was no point at which this book slows down or drags. The prose feels ready-made for film; Joe Hill shows you exactly what he wants you to see in your mind's eye every time it counts. For 5 days, if I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about reading it and scheming to make time for it. Hill has total control over a reader's attention, providing flashbacks that are injected only when the context colors the present day narrative. This is how he fleshes out his incredible characters with an entire life jumping off the page. The plot is organized around landmark events that shape the group's relationships with King Sorrow and each other. Occasionally, a detail is revealed through dialogue that is inelegant enough to break immersion, but this is so infrequent all I can say is it gets the point across, at the cost of tact. The characters themselves wouldn't be out of place in a typical teen horror movie, and over time evolve organically into relatable and realistic, and deeply flawed adults. Even unlikable characters retain their most human traits, never quite becoming cartoonishly irredeemable. It's not an exaggeration to call this an epic, making magical realism, horror, drama, fantasy, and thriller elements feel like they belong together.

TL;DR this was a banger, Joe Hill really put everything into this and it shows.

Where can I begin….. this book was absolutely fantastic!!!! It brings DnD to current times. Was it a long book? Most definitely YES! The characters and plot were so well written! Joe Hill has become such a wonderful story teller and I am excited to see what he comes up with next. I loved N0S4A2 and now I think this one I love even more!!!!! I have told anyone I have spoken to about how wonderful this book is and many have preordered! If you are reading this to see if you should get this book DO IT!!!! This is my favorite read for 2025!!!!

I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to read and advanced copy courtesy of Joe Hill and NetGalley!!

Oh, man. Joe really feels like Stephen King's son in this one. There's friendship, magic, a deal made with an entity as sly as it is evil, a story that spans decades and whole lot of scary. I think this one will be a hit. I enjoyed it much more than I expected to. It's not perfect but it's darn good and perfect for fans of fantasy and friendship.

Both epic and yet remarkably intimate, this novel is breathtaking and was a brilliant read. The story is grounded in its characters, and every character on the page feels fully realized and personal, and we see the characters change and grow, often in unexpected ways. Yes there is a wildly fantastic element to this story but that never overwhelms how grounded it feels, which is wonderful. Yes, it is a long book, but it never reads that way. This is largely due to brilliant pacing. The novel is sectioned into five larger sections, between each of which is an “interlude” which are themselves pretty hefty in page count, but all of these are broken up by numerous fast-paced chapters that never feel rushed while they maintain a strong sense of momentum. Importantly, we switch perspectives in each section, and each “book” serves as a standalone story in the much larger epic. I didn’t want to put it down once I started, and never once did the length feel unwarranted. I loved the time I got to spend with each of the characters and the way Hill used that to manipulate and circumvent expectations.

The world-building also feels really inviting and encompassing. The story moves across decades and the readers have to follow it, and we see the world develop and expand as the story builds, as each new book reveals itself. In addition to small college towns in New England and wealthy estates of eccentric ex-CIA agents Hill needs to build an entire fantasy world on top of the mundane, a place where dragons make sense and other bits of the arcane might find ways to leak through, and that is done wonderfully. The way the novel approached magic and the power of belief, and then how the various characters react to and navigate that, is wonderful. It really does come down to the characters, all the fantastical and the world-building and the plotting, they all serve this believable group of characters and their personal journeys. Right from the opening sections Hill points the reader in the direction these characters might journey, but it never feels predetermined or heavy-handed, instead we see how their various circumstances, traumas, and experiences lead to different, sometimes competing, sets of values and understandings of the world. There is a deep friendship at the heart of this story, one that is tested and twisted, and watching that develop is really a joy. That is all aided by some wonderful set pieces, little bits of action and destruction and horror littered across every book, reminding you that this book is dark and willing to earn its genre stripes. Still all the spectacle (and oh, is there spectacle!) is all done for the purpose not of spectacle itself but to advance the characters, it all makes sense and feels like a valuable part of the story, not just something haunting or exciting to get your heart racing.

A reason this works so well is because Hill uses the fantastic to interrogate very real ideas. Of course, seeing these characters develop we get to think about trauma, resilience, friendship, and responsibility. But we also get to explore the idea of power, of various types, and how it can be deceptive and corruptive and liberatory at the same time. There is a serious investigation (made explicit in a very cheeky way in the epilogue) about whether or not there is ever a responsible execution of supreme power, and if something essential about our humanity is burned in the balancing act of power, vengeance, and best intentions. What are the parts of us that will outlive us? How do we nurture those? There are all sorts of metaphysical and moral boundaries explored, a breadth of ideas equal to the word count, and it is delightful to be in the mess of these ideas with our characters.

I imagine it is difficult living in the literary shadow of his father, but Hill really has taken the best parts of King at his best and brought them together in this novel. The writing is personal and has just a little folksiness to it, always painting a complete and inviting picture for the audience without ever feeling like it needs to hold our hands. The characters are diverse and complicated and have robust and meaningful inner lives, the heart blood of this story. The fantastic and horrific, and all their resplendent grandeur and spectacle, actively serve the characters’ journeys and move the narrative forward while expanding it at the same time. The plotting is tight and captivating, without meandering or bloating the story, instead always keeping the reader entertained and leaning in, tense with nails bitten to the quick. There are parts of the ending that you can probably predict, but nothing ever feels easy, and there are certainly some curveballs thrown in, too. It ultimately is not just fulfilling but fitting, bringing certain things to their logical conclusions which are even bigger than this particular novel. It just all works, I was 100% in from the first chapter and everything I read just made me want to go deeper. (The fact that this story takes place in Stephen King’s Castle Rock universe, spoiling The Dead Zone in the process, doesn’t hurt. Nor does the beautiful reference to The Gunslinger and a few other easter eggs for SK’s works).

I have had this ARC for a while and I kept prioritizing other things because it is such a doorstopper and I was anxious about it (not for any good reason, really, considering I have really enjoyed everything I have read by Hill). This waiting? It was a mistake! The book flew by, and now I just want to spend more time with these characters and this world. It is heartfelt and gripping, a proper epic journey in every sense of the word, and I had a blast reading it.

I want to thank the author, the publisher William Morrow, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed this book. The pacing is great, keeping you interested through the gradual reveal of the real villain of the story. Plus I enjoyed the subtle references to other writings, (not just to a certain author named King), but to relevant legendary classics.

King Sorrow is a truly epic book that explores the human and the monstrous, and the place where they collide. Joe Hill has always been a fantastic writer, but this newest book cements his place among the greats. This dark fantasy saga spans years and follows the steady, immaculately written evolution of its characters, a group of friends who made a deal with a devil one fateful night, and suffer the consequences through the next several decades. Wildly ambitious (and successful in that ambition), it is also achingly human in its exploration of how far we can work with or for monsters before becoming monsters ourselves. I think King Sorrow is a triumph, and every dark fantasy fan should read it; don’t be intimidated by its size, this story pulls you in from chapter one and won’t let you go till the very last page.

I would recommend King Sorrow to readers who love dark fantasy, epic books that follow characters through their lives, and dragons- terrible, horrifying dragons.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the arc! All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This was a BIG ol’ book. A little off-putting, I’m not gonna lie, but I dove in because I have loved Joe Hill’s previous work. I knew nothing about it, so when the group of friends started summoning a DRAGON, I was like…Wtf is happening? It was jarring at first because it felt like a different book. Also, dragons aren’t scary to me so this definitely felt more fantasy than horror, in my opinion. If any other author had tried to tackle this plot, I would not have enjoyed it. But this author writes in a way that makes anything readable for me, and though it wouldn’t be a book that I’d pick up again, the characters and writing were fantastic. (But also why did they stay friends with Donna?) 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Joe Hill has written his opus magnum. I can't truly begin to describe this work of his, but he has hit a grand slam homerun with it. Great characters and a moving, powerful story. As much as I wanted to devour it, I also wanted to savor my time with it. It's a love letter to everything Hill loves, and he has crafted a story for the ages.

First of a big thank you to William Morrow and Mr. Joe Hill for an early read! And trust me, I will be giving this a listen when it is released on audible! This epic story is definitely credit worthy! Probably going to clock in at 30 hours! So if you are old school and buy print, make sure and get your arms in shape, we have a doorstopper! But don't worry about how big the story is, it flies by, on dragons wings.. hey o! But seriously, this is epic fantasy that spans decades, has everything you would expect from Joe Hill, horror, fantasy, humor, and heartbreak, all the good stuff! Thanks again, and thanks for reading!

The best book I've read this year!
It's a fucking brick, but it's so worth it! Deadbeats, dragons and rich people all together make this book fascinating, but made it sing was the full story of friendship and each character in the friend group having a full backstory and thoughts. Joe Hill is like the better version of a Stephen King book...more nuanced and just as thrilling!

Wow, Joe Hill. Just: wow. And I say that as if I'm speaking directly with Mr. Hill, which would be a shame if "wow" were all I could say, but it holds nonetheless.

King Sorrow is epic, yes. Sprawling, even, but at its heart it's pure Joe Hill. The purest.

I've been reading Joe Hill's work since I one day stumbled upon a rock n roll horror book of sorts. I hadn't heard of it (and, in hindsight, I have no idea how that happened, how I very much didn't know about this awesome book in the pipeline), but I was pulled right in, this book of a tractor beam pulling me and pulling me toward it.

I'm a fan, yeah.

And I've loved every book, every story, but there honestly was a moment in time wherein I thought Joe Hill couldn't possibly outdo NOS4A2.

Well, like all great authors (and as authors generally do), he has outdone it. A thousand times over.

Frankly, I'm flabbergasted.

Engrossing? Yep.
Epic? Very yes.
Excellent horror? You bet.
Smidge of fantasy? Oui, oui.

This book, simply stated, as got it. It's got it so hard it rewires the deck and pulls up all spades.

But the best thing is what Joe Hill does best: characters.

The characters that make their story and the relationships therein/thereof. This is the arena in which Joe Hill shines and shines and shines and is, by all accounts, absolutely untouchable.

King Sorrow is a masterpiece for all of time to come.

I loved this novel by Joe Hill. A fantasy/horror novel with plenty of Easter eggs of King and Hill novels - which makes the novel that much more fun. A group of 6 college friends perform a seance in order to bring forth a dragon to get rid of a couple of drug dealers. But the dragon is a riddler and a master of words - and there are consequences for decades to come. Fantastic!

King Sorrow was not only a 5 star read, but a 6 star read. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time to come. This book warped the way I see other people and myself, but in a good way.

The characters! Oh, the characters were the best part of this novel. Even the ones you hate. Even the ones you hate that you love.

If the characters weren't the best thing about this story, then the setting and ambiance would take the cake. Dark academia vibes oozing with nostalgia. It was the most cozy cocktail of ingredients put into one story.

Joe Hill should be very proud of this book and I highly recommend it to any type of reader because this book holds something special for everyone.

Joe Hill’s King Sorrow starts as an atmospheric campus novel snowbound Maine, ivy-covered libraries, friendships forged in late night talks and then takes a sharp turn into the mythic and terrifying. What begins as a desperate attempt to save a friend spirals into a dark bargain with a dragon who feels both ancient and deeply menacing. Hill handles the dragon element far better than I expected, making King Sorrow an intimidating and unforgettable presence rather than a fantasy cliché. The group at the center of the story—Arthur, Gwen, Colin, Alison, and the McBride twins are fun to follow, and their predicament sets up some great tension and high stakes choices. Hill nails the feeling of being trapped between loyalty, fear, and impossible bargains. The book isn’t flawless though. At nearly 900 pages, it sometimes drags, especially in the middle. I don’t mind a long book if the length feels earned, but here the pacing lost me in places. Another sticking point, the voices of the characters. Though they’re written as college students and then adults, their dialogue and behavior often felt more like high school kids. It’s not enough to ruin the story, but it pulled me out of the illusion more than once. Finally the events that start the relationship with King Sorrow did not come off as important enough to warrant their actions, a bit overkill.
Overall, King Sorrow is imaginative, chilling, and full of memorable moments. The concept of making an annual sacrifice to a dragon gives the book a mythic weight, and the characters’ impossible choices kept me turning the pages. Even with its flaws, it’s a story worth reading—and one that lingers after the last page.

King Sorrow by Joe Hill is an ambitious fantasy novel of epic proportions grounded in the real world. It’s difficult to describe how this book swept me away and compelled me to read on. Joe Hill has created a masterpiece in King Sorrow and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to read it early. The substantial length of the book is perfectly tailored for the story he has written. The characters are deeply complex and fleshed out. I caught myself grinning while reading realizing how he was interweaving a fantastical dragon tale amongst real historical events. King Sorrow is everything a reader wishes for in a big chunky book. A story that is deeply engaging and propels itself perfectly. This is my favorite book of the year and I can’t wait to read what Joe Hill writes next.

Thank you to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

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.

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.

Just in time for Halloween, another horror novel by Joe Hill. Interesting characters and fantasy concepts. A dragon is summoned with serious consequences for townies and college kids alike in this New England novel.

One of my favorite things about this book is it seems to exist in the same fiction realm as his father's novel, "The Dead Zone."

In the late 1980s, student librarian Arthur Oakes finds himself breaking the worst of his moral codes (stealing rare books from the university library) to fend off a drug dealer and her violent partner. Desperate to stop stealing, Arthur and his five friends dip into the occult, calling forth a dragon to murder the blackmailing pair. After the deed is done, however, the six friends learn that their pact with the dragon is not done — each year, they must choose another person to sacrifice to the dragon or else he'll take one of them instead. What follows is a tale spanning nearly 40 years as Arthur and his friends battle their personal demons and try to get out of the Faustian bargain they unwittingly entered years ago.

Told in episodes focusing on each of the friends in turn and hopping through the decades, this book does not feel like it's almost 900 pages long. It's engrossing, propulsive, and just complicated enough to make the pages fly by without feeling flabby at any point. For his first full-length novel in a decade, Hill has knocked it out of the park with this one, seamlessly melding supernatural and all-too-human horror with a bit of a history lesson on global atrocities, the division of American politics, and the influence of technology on society. And it's all done with humor, horror, and exceptionally created characters. I loved this book, and I'll be recommending it widely.

King Sorrow is a titular horror novel that belongs on every horror enthusiast's bookshelf. Hill outdoes himself in this book, bringing the reader into the story and the gathering darkness bit by bit. The imagery is so rich and at times gory that it's palpable and easily projected in the mind's eye. the characters are layered and textured, best defined as well-developed three-dimensional characters. It is challenging to pick just one to root for.

The monster is a creature of nightmares, a much more macabre rendering of a dragon than one could possibly expect. There is a rich dark underpinning to the narrative, and it gives the staunchest of warnings to move forward with caution when desperation for the fulfillment of a desire outweighs reason.

There is so much to love about this book and it is something that I cannot rave enough about. For a novel of such length, it bears mentioning not a bit of it is wasted; every part is stimulating and feeds into the next part, forming a vise grip connecting the reader to the very sinew of the narrative.

A spectacular return by Son of Stephen! While I admire the work Joe has been doing in comics I have anxiously awaited his return to horror-fiction and King Sorrow makes that return in abundance. A brink of a book that keeps you guessing the entire way and provides a little horror fantasy twist reminiscent of Stephen King's IT and Tolkien's The Hobbit. Running through the years of our character's lives dealing with a pact with an ancient entity that they never should have as kids that will leave you both fulfilled and drained...in the best of ways.

Will share video review on release day!