Joe Hill Unveils Long-Awaited Novel ‘King Sorrow’ Featuring a Dark Pact

Author Joe Hill has returned to the literary scene with his first novel in nearly a decade, titled King Sorrow. This epic horror narrative, released in March 2024, follows a group of college-aged friends who inadvertently summon a dragon to eliminate dangerous drug dealers they have become entangled with. As is often the case in tales of dark pacts, the consequences of their actions are dire.

In this intricate story, the six friends forge a lifelong bond with an unkillable dragon known as King Sorrow. They must choose new sacrifices each year to appease the creature, or risk becoming victims themselves. This chilling premise reflects Hill’s ability to weave horror into complex relationships and moral dilemmas.

Influences and Inspirations

Hill is candid about the influences that shaped King Sorrow. He cites Donna Tartt‘s 1992 novel The Secret History, which features a similar group of friends dealing with the aftermath of a morally questionable act. Additionally, the legendary author J.R.R. Tolkien is noted for his inclusion of dragons in his fantasy narratives, a theme that resonates throughout Hill’s work.

Interestingly, a less conventional influence emerged during discussions about the novel. A fan recently suggested that King Sorrow serves as Hill’s dark reimagining of Walt Disney’s classic, Pete’s Dragon. Hill admits that this perspective fits, stating, “When you come down to it, King Sorrow is Pete’s Dragon reimagined as an R-rated horror epic.” He emphasizes that it represents the darkest interpretation one could envision.

Family Legacy and Literary Influences

As a son of acclaimed author Stephen King and Tabitha King, Hill’s family legacy looms large. Though he initially chose to publish under a different name to avoid perceived advantages due to his lineage, he acknowledges the profound impact of his parents on his writing. Hill describes their influence as “more like spotlights” compared to the “candles” of other inspirations.

His upbringing in a literary household profoundly shaped his understanding of narrative, character development, and writing style. “So much of the way I think about narrative and character and writing style, the way a sentence should sound; so much of that is fundamentally shaped by the house I grew up in,” Hill explains. The conversations surrounding writing within his family have left an indelible mark on his craft.

King Sorrow showcases Hill’s evolution as a writer, blending horror with deep psychological insights and rich character dynamics. As he immerses readers in a world where friendships are tested by the supernatural, Hill invites them to confront the darker aspects of human nature. This latest offering promises to captivate readers and further establish Hill as a formidable force in contemporary horror literature.