The wait is over! After nearly a decade, Joe Hill has a new release, and it did not disappoint. I have no excuses for being so behind on October reviews – but they’re slowly coming before the wrap up (and November stack)
Thank you William Morrow for the gifted early copy – it was such exciting book mail to open up when it arrived!
KING SORROW – Joe Hill (Released October 21st, 2025)
Book Description:
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.
My Thoughts: 5/5 stars
This one took me a few days to finish up and it was worth every second! While the length of the book might seem intimidating (896 pages, to be exact), it is equal parts enchanting, gripping, dark, horrifying, and imaginative.
We follow a group of friends, who are trying to help one of them get out of some trouble, mess with the occult and bring about summoning King Sorrow. An evil and menacing dragon who is more than willing to help them solve this problem, however, there is a price to pay. One sacrifice every year, otherwise one of them will be chosen.
While this does deal in dragons, the occult, and some dark themes this also does a great job looking at human nature and that the lines between good and evil can blend over time. Due to the length of the book, we get to see these characters grow and go through different stages in their lives. You want to scream at some of them, you feel their heartbreak and struggles, and they’re all living under the constant threat of this benevolent dragon. King Sorrow is an incredible and formidable villain. Lurking and unforgiving in them holding up their end of the bargain, and not caring about how they had to choose.
His first book in a decade and I was just as blown away as I was with his other books. The characters, the relationships, the horror, the fantasy – this book is one you won’t soon forget!
Jessicamap Reviews 