History Literature / SomethingWickedThisWayComes

* SpiritualSuccessor: To ''Dandelion Wine'', long before it received an official sequel in the form of ''Farewell Summer." The three books collectively are unofficially known as the "Green Town Trilogy."

* HeterosexualLifePartners: Will and Jim. [[spoiler:Although it's [[AvertedTrope averted]] by the bittersweet hint that [[GrowingUpSucks it won't be this way when they grow up.]]

* OddFriendship: Will and Jim couldn't be more different, yet their friendship is unshakeable. Borders on HoYay at times.

* {{Epigraph}}: Includes a quote from TheBible and another one from ''MobyDick''.

* LiteraryAllusionTitle: From ''{{Macbeth}}'':
-->"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes!"

** In fact, the only major difference in opinion they seem to have had before the dark forces invaded the town was whether they should continue to peep in on the more...intimate moments of their neighbors lives. (Is there a trope for "Youthful Peeping Tom"?)

* MarkedBullet: Part of a magic trick held by the circus, but Charles uses it to his advantage by [[spoiler:carving a smile instead of his initials on the bullet and using it to shock the Witch into death. It's BetterThanItSounds and also a CrowningMomentOfAwesome for Charles.]]

A novel by RayBradbury that's more fantasy/horror than science fiction but still has his SignatureStyle all over it. Disney produced a film adaptation from a script written by Bradbury himself.

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* PowerTattoo: Mr. Dark has tattoos of the other circus folk all over his body, signifying his control over them.

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: The [[spoiler:Carousel]] ends up being Mr. Dark's undoing in the movie.

* DarkIsEvil: The Carnival.

* AndIMustScream: The Dust Witch sews Jim Nightshade's and Will Halloway's eyes, mouth and ears up with an invisible dragonfly. They're still aware of their surroundings, but they can't see, hear, speak, [[EyeScream blink]] or swallow.

A novel by RayBradbury that's more fantasy/horror than science fiction but still has his SignatureStyle all over it. Disney produced a film adaptation from a script written by Bradbury himself. Although the movie is praised within [[CultClassic certain circles]], there are some who [[YourMileageMayVary weren't so impressed]].

* PragmaticAdaptation: The movie.

* CameBackWrong: Happens to [[spoiler:Cooger/Mr. Electrico]].

This book contains the following tropes:

-->"By the itching of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes!"
* MarkedBullet: Part of a magic trick held by the circus, but Charles uses it to his advantage by [[spoiler:carving a smile instead of his initials on the bullet and using it to shock the Witch into death. It's Better Than It Sounds and also a Crowning Moment Of Awesome for Charles.]]

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: The [[spoiler:Carousel]] ends up being Mr. Dark's undoing.

* LiteraryAllusionTitle

* CompleteMonster: Mr. Dark

* FountainOfYouth / ThirteenGoingOnThirty: One revolution forward on the carnival's merry-go-round will age the rider one year; one revolution backward will de-age him/her a year. Naturally, the merry-go-round is the main source of attraction for the dissatisfied townspeople.

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 [[CircusOfFear 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 [[DealWithTheDevil offering]] townspeople more than cotton candy and amusement rides - offers that [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor turn out to be more than its receivers bargained for]].

* CompleteMonster: Mr Dark

* EvilCannotComprehendGood

* RightUnderTheirNoses: At one point, Will and Jim hide under a grater in full view of the carnival because no one will think of looking for them in such an obvious place.