King Sorrow: A Novel

· William Morrow · Narrated by Ari Fliakos, Ian Shaw, Kate Mulgrew, Virginia Kull, Dominic Hoffman, Marin Ireland, Tim Sample, Kristen Ariza, Jaime Lamchick, Mike Ortego, Micky Shiloah, Kristen Sieh, Pete Simonelli, Kevin Stillwell, and Peter Ganim
47 reviews
Audiobook
26 hr 4 min
Unabridged
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About this audiobook

Experience King Sorrow in a whole new way with this mesmerizing multicast audiobook. Featuring an ensemble cast, including Ari Fliatkos, Kate Mulgrew, and Ian Shaw, and enhanced with subtle sound effects, this production immerses listeners in every tense, atmospheric moment. From spine-chilling scenes to dramatic character dynamics, this is a truly unforgettable audio experience.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill, a chilling tale of modern-world dangers, dark academia, and the unexpected consequences of revenge as six friends dabble in the occult and are tragically, horrifyingly successful… calling forth an evil entity that demands regular human sacrifice.

“A brilliantly Faustian fable with a heart as huge as a dragon’s, and a stinging twist in its tail. I devoured it.” —Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in Suite 11

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.

Experience King Sorrow in a whole new way with this mesmerizing multicast audiobook. Featuring an ensemble cast, including Ari Fliatkos, Kate Mulgrew, and Ian Shaw, and enhanced with subtle sound effects, this production immerses listeners in every tense, atmospheric moment. From spine-chilling s...

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Ratings and reviews

47 reviews
Jay Kimsey
January 19, 2026
Joe Hill strikes again. The pacing of his writing is always jarring but I've come to accept it doesn't mean it's bad. This one is definitely his version of 'IT' and it is certainly worthy of that accolade. I can imagine catching this in a multiple movie adaptation or a TV adaptation. I hope it gets something like that like a lot of his work seems to get.
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Paul Acevedo
November 2, 2025
Wow, what a long and great story. It takes place from the 1980s-present, and it involves a dragon and other hints of magic. Fantasy horror! The characters are memorable, and most experience significant growth over the course of the story. There are a few twists and surprising deaths of main characters, but Hill somehow keeps the story and the reader's/listener's interest going from there. The reader does a terrific job, and there are also short interludes that are performed by actors like Kate Mulgree. This is probably Hill's best novel yet. Don't miss it!
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Shannon McDowell
November 5, 2025
This was a pure pleasure and delight. kept me feeling wanting more and exploding with all emotions I am capable of. each chapter and at times paragraphs had me feel everything all at once. THANK YOU 😊
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About the author

Joe Hill is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels (King Sorrow, The Fireman, NOS4A2, Horns, Heart-Shaped Box), fiction collections (Strange Weather, Full Throttle, 20th Century Ghosts), and a comic-book series (Locke & Key). Much of his work has been adapted for film and TV.

Kate Mulgrew, a native of Dubuque, Iowa, is an actress and author with an extensive career on stage and screen. From her start as Mary Ryan, the lead role on the popular soap opera Ryan's Hope to the groundbreaking first female starship captain on Star Trek: Voyager to her acclaimed performance as Galina ""Red"" Reznikov on Netflix's smash hit Orange Is The New Black, Kate brings a formidable presence and deep passion to all her projects. Her 2016 book, Born With Teeth, allowed her to add ""New York Times bestselling author"" to her resume.

Joe Hill is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels (King Sorrow, The Fireman, NOS4A2, Horns, Heart-Shaped Box), fiction collections (Strange Weather, Full Throttle, 20th Century Ghosts), and a comic-book series (Locke & Key). Much of his work has been adapted for film and TV. Kate Mul...

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