My tiny mind is blown, loved it!

 

5 stars

When Halloween is on the horizon, I want to indulge in a bit of creepy reading that will put me in the mood as the nights draw slowly in. That said, my eyes lit upon King Sorrow and I knew it would fit the brief. Slightly concerned a Joe Hill book might be too gory or frightful, much like his father, I need not have feared. Very tension-packed, indeed, with loads of action and anxious moments but lacking goriness, thankfully. It was the perfect Halloween read but so much more.

Watching the blinking cursor, I am at a loss to capture the full, all encompassing splendour that is King Sorrow. It's a big ask for my tiny, blown mind. This novel was more powerful and nuanced than I expected. In my imagination it played out as an eight part drama fit for AppleTv. Cinematic and huge, it had everything a reader could want. Characters worth investing in - flawed with shades of good, bad and everything in between. It had a solid premise - six teens summon King Sorrow to deal with a threat to one of their number not realising the pact they forge is one requiring an annual death, not a one-off. A wide, gorgeous scope for the narrative to unfurl in - we went places I did not expect and it had me gripped tight in its claws. Unfolding as a deep good versus evil exploration that played out over years, carrying the weight of a saga. I feel saddened to have finished.

I honestly don't want to say anything more about it beyond telling you to get a copy and read it. It was terrifically unexpected in the way it developed and went no where near the guesses I calculated as the plot unfolded, much to my joy. I would much rather the story not be limited by my theories so I can fully appreciate the genius of the author. And, here, Joe Hill has gifted us an ingenious story I have relished having in my life for the short time it took me to read it. Brilliant, completely brilliant.