Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Joe Hill's 900-Page 'King Sorrow' Explores Moral Grey Areas
Imagine a group of friends who get into a bit of trouble and try to solve it in a really wild way.
They use a special old book to call for help, and surprise!
A dragon actually shows up.
But this dragon isn't just for show; he makes them promise to give him a 'gift' every year, meaning they have to choose someone to disappear.
This makes the friends super uncomfortable because they have to decide who deserves to be given away, even if that person isn't very nice.
It's like a big, scary decision they have to make over and over again.
The story is about how this scary choice changes them and their friendships over many years.
It makes them think a lot about right and wrong.
Even though it has a dragon, it's really about how normal people deal with tough and gray choices.
Joe Hill's new 900-page novel, 'King Sorrow', is his first since 2016 and features horror elements within everyday life.
The story follows five friends who summon a dragon named King Sorrow through a chaotic ritual using a rare stolen book.
The dragon demands an annual victim, forcing the friends into difficult moral decisions and conflicts about who to sacrifice.
The book explores themes of conscience, the complexity of good and evil, and the evolution of the friends' relationships over decades.
'King Sorrow' is noted for its detailed portrayal of everyday life and character development, making readers contemplate the characters' choices more than the horror itself.
- Who
- Five friends: Arthur, Donna, Van, Gwen, Ella, and Colin.
- What
- The friends accidentally summon a dragon named King Sorrow, who then demands a victim each year, forcing them into a moral dilemma of choosing who to sacrifice.
- When
- The story spans several decades, with the initial summoning occurring before Easter and subsequent events happening annually around that time.
- Where
- The narrative does not specify a distinct geographical location but focuses on the characters' personal lives and their interactions.
- Why
- Arthur's mother is in prison and he is blackmailed into stealing rare books; one stolen book is used to summon the dragon out of desperation, leading to the ongoing annual sacrifice requirement.
Prioritize Human Life
Sacrifice for the Greater Good
Morality of Sacrificing Victims
Prioritize Human Life
Some friends are horrified by the predicament of feeding the dragon and struggle with their consciences, viewing it as murder regardless of the victim's bad deeds.
Sacrifice for the Greater Good
Colin creates a spreadsheet to 'sacrifice' serial killers or those deemed 'worth less to the world' to appease the dragon, suggesting a utilitarian approach.
Responsibility for the Supernatural
Prioritize Human Life
The friends feel guilty for having been responsible for the dragon's appearance and the resulting harm.
Sacrifice for the Greater Good
Colin initially treats the situation pragmatically, suggesting methods to deal with the dragon, highlighting a more detached, problem-solving approach.
- Author
- Joe Hill
- Book Title
- King Sorrow
- Page Count
- 900 pages (896 pp)
- Release Year Mentioned
- 2025
- Key Characters
- Arthur, Donna, Van, Gwen, Ella, Colin
- Price (Amazon India)
- ₹1863
- Price (Stores)
- ₹1999