The truth about Halloween candy - Jenks Public Schools

Review Page 10Haunted housessparkthrillsMany events are gradually opening upthis month to celebrate the season of Halloween.The most highly anticipated events ofthis year are the haunted houses. Oklahoma’stop-rated list of haunted houses include theCastle of Muskogee and Nightmare. Hundredsof tickets are sold for each venue.The Castle of Muskogee has two hauntedhouses, a haunted trail through the woods, anda frightening maze. The two haunted housestake place in the castle, while the maze andtrail take place outdoors. Souvenirs are availablefor purchase to forever be reminded ofthe horrifying thrill and experience of thewalk through the haunted houses.When people wait in line for the indoorattractions, they can hear screams frompeople inside the event that echo through thewalls. When they hear the screams their anxietyrises as they wait to enter. Toward the endof walking through the haunted house, theynever fail to bring out a man with a chainsawwho chases the frightened visitors out of theentire venue.The most popular event at the CastleIt is not often in the world of literature that abook receives such wide acclaim before its scheduledrelease date as The Night Circus. But alreadythis book is taking publishing by storm.The debut novel of Erin Morgenstern, TheNight Circus features a circus, called Les Cirquesdes Reves, that opens at midnight and closes atdawn. It is designed as a series of interlocking circulartents, rather than one large one, and is entirelyblack, white, and gray, sprinkled with tiny lightsresembling stars.The circus’s purpose, however, is not to entertainthe public, but to provide a place for twomen to compete in a long-standing game. They donot compete themselves, but instead use a series ofapprentices - in this case, Celia, a daughter of oneof Muskogee is the Trail of Blood. The Trailof Blood is a haunted trail that leads into thedark woods. People in frightening costumesleap out of bushes and send people’s innocentshrieks into the night sky. The trail is consideredthe most favorable and scariest attractionheld at the Castle of Muskogee.The other highly-ranked haunted house isNightmare. Nightmare is a haunted house thatis just as frightening as the Castle. Unlike theCastle of Muskogee, Nightmare has more ofan emotional storyline to the event rather thanjust for scare. Although it is not as diversein events, it is one intimate story that leavespeople walking out of the event feeling scared,but inspired.“The scariest room was the Hell room.There were demons who touch you and makeyou feel uncomfortable. Overall, Nightmareteaches teens useful lessons in a realistic way,”senior Ana Torbati said.The moral at the end of Nightmare leavespeople in awe. Although both venues differ inmany ways, they are both known for the thrillthat they inflict upon people. -Amy PrittThe Night Circus combines magic and mysteryof the players, and Marco, a boy takenin off the streets. They must competeagainst each other as players in thegame until one or the other of themdies, marking the other the winner ofthe game. But things quickly becomeeven more dangerous when it appearsthat Celia and Marco might be falling inlove.Other characters populate the novelas well, and they are just as memorableas the players. They are all circus performers,but have the same etherealquality of the circus itself, and contributeto its magnetic attraction, from contortioniststo illusionists who all seem topossess something of the supernaturaland mysterious.Throughout the novel’s plotline aresmall chapters written in second person,to help envision the circus as Morgensternherself sees it. The plot itself isnot sequential, though, and it can besometimes confusing to keep the variedtimelines straight.The Castle of Muskogee (top) looks formalon the outside, but judging the outsidedoes not portray the scares on the inside(picture above).Morgenstern’s style of writing isjust as dreamy and haunting as the subjectshe has chosen to write about. Shewrites about flames “the color of pumpkins”and a clock that features “a tinyprincess in a carved tower who pacesin distress, awaiting an absent prince”.It is almost like a fairy tale, rather thana science fiction novel, and is alreadybeing compared to showstopping fantasynovels such as Harry Potter andTwilight. Rumors of a movie are alreadyin circulation despite its recent release inthe middle of September.For those who are intrigued bymagic, or are simply looking for a goodbook, The Night Circus comes highlyrecommended. The powerful reactionsalone from reviewers are enough todrive it, but even these are not reallyneeded. The characters, plot, and stylewill keep the pages turning long afterbedtime - for really if any book shouldbe read at night, there is none better thanthis one.-Rachel Lampi