Book Reviews

By Joe Hill
10/21/25
896 pages
$40
William Morrow

‘King Sorrow’

This is a big book — an epic doorstopper with multiple narrators, a winding timeline, and a torrent of emotion that’s rarely uplifting. In other words, it is not for the faint-hearted. And, yet, if you’re brave enough to crack it open, you will find a mesmerizing tale of bad ideas, beautifully flawed characters, and a bountiful mix of horror and fantasy that absolutely shines. 

College student Arthur Oakes has found himself in a bind, but, luckily, he has an eclectic mix of friends ready to help him solve the problem. Their solution is to summon a dragon. This isn’t a fairy tale, though, and the six friends soon find themselves tangled in a cycle of debt and sacrifice they couldn’t have foreseen. And, it only gets worse from there. 

Literary horror may sound like an oxymoron, but Hill consistently proves to be a master of both. Despite the massive page count, the story feels brisk and the dialogue is brilliant and snappy. I love a found family tale, and there is a lot of heart here — underneath the horror. My only complaint is that this novel may have ruined dragons for me forever. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich

By Alix Harrow
10/28/25
320 pages
$29.99
Tor Books

‘The Everlasting’

I keep telling myself that Alix Harrow can’t possibly write anything more beautiful or poignant each time a new book comes out. And, yet, every time she outdoes herself and sweeps me even more deeply into her thrall. Maybe that makes me biased, but the heart wants what it wants.

I have to be cautious with my synopsis. This is very much a book that thrives in its secrets. At its heart, it is an epic story of love lost and found, and then lost again. It is a story about stories, myths and finding the truth even when it hurts more than the lie. Una is a legendary heroine trapped in time, and Owen is a historian tangled in the web that is her story. Their story replays and resonates across time, and the impacts of their love will change everything.

I want a story that breaks the mold, something that doesn’t shy away from the hard parts — a story with something real to say. I found all of that and more intertwined with some of the most achingly beautiful writing I have ever encountered. This book is a masterpiece and is easily my favorite of the year. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich