Book Review: Something Wicked This Way Comes

SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES | Ray Bradbury
1962 | Simon & Schuster
Rating: 4/5 stars

The show is about to begin. Coogar & Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show has come to Green Town, Illinois, to destroy every life touched by its strange and sinister mystery. The carnival rolls in sometime after midnight, ushering in Halloween a week early. A calliope’s siren song beckons to all with a seductive promise of dreams and youth regained. Two boys will discover the secret of its smoke, mazes, and mirrors; two friends who will soon know all too well the heavy cost of wishes…and the stuff of nightmares.

SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES is a classic tale of friendship put to the test in a situation that is mysterious and terrifying. The relationship between Will and Jim genuinely steals the show of this story and I think without that solid foundation I wouldn’t have fallen in love the way I did. The boys are an endearing and accurate portrayal of youth and their reactions to the horrors found in the carnival crafts together a captivating coming-of-age story. Couple that with a downright creepy, evil, and magical carnival and you have the perfect story for reading every Halloween! The secondary characters in the form of Will’s father and the carnival inhabitants work to make a well-rounded story of good versus evil. I definitely want to reread this one next year!

Side Note: Why are there not more creepy carnival stories? After reading this one, I’m determined to find a few more for my TBR, so send recommendations!

50 States of Horror Challenge: Illinois

This book is available to buy from: Amazon | Book Depository

Disclosure: What Jess Reads is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This in no way influences my opinion of the above book.