I hate circuses. I saw one when I was in Istanbul pre-pandemic (the last of a dying breed of spectacles) all I saw was animal and differently-abled people abuse not even well disguised beneath the stupid tent lights and gaudy outfits oh yeah and vomit-inducing shiny makeup. Whoooowee, I need a minute. Okay there, unburdened.

Now onto the bloody horror of this sodding circus.

I so loved the theme of the father shielding his son from physical and emotional and fantastical threats even to his own detriment. A beautiful  heartbreaking undertone about parent-toddler relationship.

The play on size in relation to level and force of threat, of violence was executed well. We expect bigger to be bad and the worst whilst smaller would be sweeter therefore easy to overpower. In this case, Biggest tent ever housing smaller than Dave's average average height things/clowns/shadows/ trapeze artists - all the worst hell on earth.

Plot/Storyline:
I'm no mama-bear but I desperately wanted to rip into the pages, flatten myself into this book, dimension jump from my reality to that of the Circus Tent In The Woods and just rage against the forces threatening little Jacob.

Character:
Oh for Fecking Sake  - I hate clowns.

Significant Scene:
Kids are perceptive even when they're 4 year olds and can't reason and have no choice but to heed instinct. Dave Dave Dave, should've listened to little Jacob - but hey no good horror starts with listening.
■Can we watch a movie?” He asked, trying to get us back to the house. (Before entering the Tent)
■Jacob was looking over my shoulder. “Daddy, why is he a clown?”
“Because it’s a circus, buddy.” (When it was already too late)

Favorite Quote /Concept:
■A bloody bleeding tent. No, literally.
■ Jacob understood the need to stay quiet, which honestly was asking a lot of a four-year-old. (Dad/Narrator on his sweet son in the midst of a daring escape attempt)

StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt:  150 Horror Books by 2025