Something Wicked This Way Comes: Difference between revisions

Thirteen-year-olds Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade are the best of friends, despite their contrasting personalities. A week before their fourteenth birthdays around Halloween, a [[Circus of Fear|carnival]] comes rolling into town. Even though carnivals aren't uncommon in their time, October is a very late month for them to be still running in. That isn't the only odd thing about this carnival, as Will and Jim soon find out that its freaks are [[Deal with the Devil|offering]] townspeople more than cotton candy and amusement rides - offers that [[Be Careful What You Wish For|turn out to be more than their receivers bargained for]].

 

Things become a lot more dangerous for the boys when the circus folk, led by the tattooed [[Names to Run Away From Really Fast|Mr. Dark]], get wind of [[He Knows Too Much|them knowing too much]] and plan to make sure that their secrets remain secret by bribery or trickery. Fortunately for Will and Jim, Will's father Charles Halloway proves the exception to the [[Adults Are Useless]] rule and becomes a valuable ally. Even so, the carnival has more up its sleeve than the regular parlor tricks, and the lure of its offers may be too great for one of the boys to resist...

 

* [[And I Must Scream]]: The Dust Witch sews up Jim Nightshade's and Will Halloway's eyes, mouth and ears. They're still aware of their surroundings, but they can't see, hear, speak, [[Eye Scream|blink]] or swallow.

* [[Badass Bookworm]]: Charles Halloway, who could also be called a [[Badass Grandpa|Badass Grandfatherly-Looking Father]].

* [[Villainous Breakdown]]: Dr. Dark has several, but the big one comes when {{spoiler|Charles Halloway sees straight through his final attempt to win, being rendered near speechless with rage.}}

 

* [[Ascended Extra]]: Tom Fury, the Lightning Rod Salesman.

* [[Hoist by His Own Petard]]: {{spoiler|The Carousel}} ends up being Mr. Dark's undoing.

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Fantasy Literature]]

[[Category:Hugo Award]]