very well-done horror story. it's VERY long, and at points feels longer than it needs to do, but had some pretty strong/effective themes in general. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Just finished reading an advance e-galley of King Sorrow—Joe’s epic 900-pager, due in the fall—and am totally floored by what a brilliant, page-turning success he has created here. That it’s a nonstop thrill ride is no surprise. But it’s so much more—a dazzling and profound meditation on themes of responsibility, loyalty, guilt, and redemption. Joe has truly swung for the fences this time, and he has hit the ball far, far beyond the centerfield fence. A++++

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I've enjoyed Mr. Hill's books and this one did not disappoint. This was less hallucinatory than some of the others, but no less enjoyable because of it. What really grounded the story is the friendship circle, and the history and relationships between the people in this circle. I really enjoyed the characters and character development throughout.

This book was pretty good, I would definitely recommend

~This was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

We meet Arthur, Van, Donna, Colin, Allie, and Gwen back in the 80s, at Maine's prestigious Rackham College. While visiting his mother at a women's prison, bookish Arthur's chance encounter with a couple of local drug dealers changes his and his friends lives. This novel is a beast that spans decades and over 800 pages, following the group after they summon an evil, vengeful dragon to help Arthur escape the situation with his new criminal foes.

There are many twists and turns to this story, and whenever I would start to question the novel's length, a new direction would unfold and I would eagerly be right back in the middle of it all. I devoured this in about four days, and it was a wild ride--fun, creepy, and unexpected in places with hints of dark academia at its core.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

An epic novel that has it all, scares, adventure, romance, told in a nostalgic hopeful manner. This is Joe Hill's best novel yet. You'll be thinking about this one long after you finish it. I'll be recommending this book to everyone I know. Well worth the wait!

Arthur Oakes is an outsider. His mother is in prison, his father is long gone, so he spends his time lost in the legends of English mythology. Then one unintended incident—one moment of standing up for another underdog—leaves his mother in danger and him with orders to steal rare books from the college library. And the events that will unfold from that single act of bravery will lead to slaughter.

Because his gang of six close friends, all outsiders, intend to use a tome bound in human skin in an arcane ritual to summon the notorious dragon-demon King Sorrow to kill their tormentors... They enter into a pact—King Sorrow will kill the couple who have been terrorising the group in exchange for their worship.

But dragons are not to be trusted, and soon they realise this isn't just revenge. They must repeat the ritual every year—including choosing who their King will kill next...

From 1980s Midwest America to 2020s England, King Sorrow is a game-changing horror novel with an unforgettable cast led by six clever, damaged protagonists battling all manner of menaces, both supernatural and all too human—unmissable for fans of Stephen King, Jordan Peele, and Leigh Bardugo.

As weird as this one was, I had a great time reading it. This was my second Joe Hill book after Nos4a2. While I didn't like this one as much, it was still a great read and should be enjoyed by Hill and King fans alike!

Horror fans should start preparing now for this release! This book is a beast! King Sorrow boasts an extensive cast of characters, unbelievable suspense, and some truly scary, creepy moments that left my heart racing. This book is long, but the pacing is spot on. I did find myself growing weary about 2/3 or the way through, just in time for the author to reach out and grab me once again. The plot drives like a freight train and the characters are complex and well developed enough to carry the reader through what is a story full of fear and hopelessness. How this disparate group of individuals come together and and make their way is riveting reading. Add in the philosophical explorations, the title dragon;'s dark wit and the global scope of this story and you get a book that is hard to put down. This is simply excellent storytelling and I cant wait to recommend it to patrons who have a fondness for epic fiction and especially those with a taste for the dark side.