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{{Short description|Novel by R. L. Stine}}
{{Infobox book|
{{Infobox book|
| name = A Night in Terror Tower
| name = A Night in Terror Tower
| orig title =
| orig title =
| translator =
| translator =
| image = A Night In Terror Tower.jpg
| image = A Night In Terror Tower.jpg
| caption = Book cover
| caption = First edition cover
| author = R. L. Stine
| author = R. L. Stine
| cover_artist = [[Tim Jacobus]]
| cover_artist = [[Tim Jacobus]]
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| series = [[Goosebumps]]
| series = [[Goosebumps]]
| genre = [[Horror fiction]], [[Children's literature]]
| genre = [[Horror fiction]], [[Children's literature]]
| publisher = [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]]
| publisher = [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]]
| release_date = January 1995
| release_date = January 1995
| media_type = Print ([[Paperback]])
| media_type = Print ([[Paperback]])
| pages = 129 (first edition, paperback).
| pages = 129 (first edition, paperback).
| isbn = 0-590-48351-X
| isbn = 0-590-48351-X
| preceded_by = My Hairiest Adventure
| preceded_by = My Hairiest Adventure
| followed_by = The Cuckoo Clock of Doom
| followed_by = The Cuckoo Clock of Doom
}}
}}
'''''A Night in Terror Tower''''' is the twenty-seventh book in the [[Goosebumps (original series)|original ''Goosebumps'']], the series of children's [[horror fiction]] novels created and authored by [[R. L. Stine]]. It was adapted into a two-part episode, an audiobook, and a board game. The plot is loosely based on the historical [[Princes in the Tower]].
'''''A Night in Terror Tower''''' is the twenty-seventh book in the [[Goosebumps (original series)|original ''Goosebumps'']], the series of children's [[horror fiction]] novels created and authored by [[R. L. Stine]]. It was adapted into a two-part episode, an audiobook, and a board game. The plot is loosely based on the historical [[Princes in the Tower]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
Sue and her younger brother Eddie are American tourists in [[London]] and after Eddie wants to visit [[Tower of London|Terror Tower]], they join a tour of the castle. As the tour progresses, Sue notices that a man wearing black is following them as they move throughout the castle. The man in black, who also wears a cape, chases them and the children manage to escape. After going back to their hotel room, they find out that the suite is empty and that their parents are not in the hotel. They have trouble remembering their last name as well. After they leave the hotel's restaurant, the man in black blocks their path, and sends them to Medieval times with magical stones.
Sue and her younger brother Eddie are American tourists in [[London]]. After Eddie wants to visit the [[Tower of London|Terror Tower]], they join a tour of the castle. As the tour progresses, Sue notices that a man wearing all black with a black hood over his face is following them as they move throughout the castle. The man in black, who also wears a cape, chases them and the children manage to escape. After going back to their hotel room, they find out that the suite is empty and that their parents are not in the hotel, and the children have trouble remembering their last name. After they leave the hotel's restaurant, the man in black blocks their path, and sends them to Medieval times with magical stones.


Confused, alone and frightened, Eddie and Sue are once again stalked by the man in black and eventually find refuge in the home of a peasant woman who promises to keep them safe. However, this turns out to be a ruse, as the woman quickly betrays them and turns them over to the man in black, who is revealed to be the lord high executioner. Sue and Eddie are then taken back to Terror Tower to await execution.
Confused, alone, and frightened, Eddie and Sue are once again stalked by the man in black. After Eddie disappears, Sue eventually finds refuge in the home of a peasant woman who promises to keep her safe. However, this turns out to be a ruse, as the woman quickly betrays her and turns her over to the man in black, who is revealed to be the Lord High Executioner of the reigning [[British Monarch]]. Sue is then taken back to Terror Tower to await execution, wherein she meets Eddie, who admits to having been captured earlier.


In the dungeon, the children meet Morgred, a sorcerer, who informs them that they are Susannah and Edward, heir to the throne and niece and nephew to the man in black. It is revealed that the man in black murdered their parents and was attempting to murder the children in order to claim the throne for himself. However, before he could succeed, Morgred sent the children into a distant future with new memories in hopes of saving them from their uncle.
In the dungeon, the children meet Morgred, a white-haired sorcerer, who informs them that they are Edward and Susannah, Prince and Princess of York, heir to the throne, and niece and nephew to the current King. It is revealed that the King murdered their parents—the rightful King and Queen—to claim the throne for himself, and was attempting to murder the children in order to forestall any challenge to his rule. However, before he could succeed, Morgred sent the children into a distant future with new memories in hopes of saving them from their uncle. However, he was unable to complete their new memories, resulting in them forgetting their parents and their own surnames.


Fully aware of their identity, Sue and Eddie, along with Morgred, are led to their execution. After a brief standoff with the man in black, the children manage to break free and recover the magic stones allowing Morgred to, once again, send them into the future. Now in the present, they are part of the tour again. A bearded man, Morgred, joins the children and tells them to call him Mr. Morgan.
Fully aware of their identity, Sue and Eddie prepare for their execution. After being asked by the children, Morgred refuses to send them back to the future, fearing for his own life, even after Eddie hands him the three magical stones, which he had stolen from the Lord High Executioner upon his capture. Eddie, utilizing his pickpocketing skills, lifts the three stones from Morgred's robe and performs the spell himself, returning himself and Sue to the future, wherein they're met by a new tour group, with Morgred as one of the tourists, having been brought along to serve as the children's guardian. As they prepare to leave the tower along with the group, Morgred tells the children to call him Mr. Morgan, and the children adopt Morgan as their surname.


==Adaptations==
==Adaptations==
The book was adapted into a two-part episode for the [[Goosebumps (TV series)|television series]]. Jeffrey Kauffman, of ''DVD Talk'', wrote, "If you're new to the ''Goosebumps'' world, this is a great place to start, with two exceptional episodes which perfectly balance thrills with an at times black humor".<ref name="DVD">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/34658/goosebumps-a-night-in-terror-tower/ |title=Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower |last=Kauffman |first=Jeffrey |date=September 13, 2008 |website=DVD Talk |accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref>
The book was adapted into a two-part episode for the [[Goosebumps (1995 TV series)|television series]]. Jeffrey Kauffman, of ''DVD Talk'', wrote, "If you're new to the ''Goosebumps'' world, this is a great place to start, with two exceptional episodes which perfectly balance thrills with an at times black humor".<ref name="DVD">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/34658/goosebumps-a-night-in-terror-tower/ |title=Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower |last=Kauffman |first=Jeffrey |date=September 13, 2008 |website=DVD Talk |accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref>


An audiobook was released by [[Walt Disney Records]], which was nominated for an [[Audie Awards|Audie Award]] for "Best Audio Children's Production".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YQ8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA78#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Disney Trak |date=March 2, 1996 |website=Billboard |accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref> In a review of the audiobook, ''Billboard'' said that it is an "imaginative, intriguing tale of two American tourists who visit Terror Tower".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wQkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA83 |title=Goosebumps: Attack of the Mutant/Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower |date=September 14, 1996 |website=Billboard |accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref>
An audiobook was released by [[Walt Disney Records]], which was nominated for an [[Audie Awards|Audie Award]] for "Best Audio Children's Production".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YQ8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA78 |title=Disney Trak |date=March 2, 1996 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref> In a review of the audiobook, ''Billboard'' said that it is an "imaginative, intriguing tale of two American tourists who visit Terror Tower".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wQkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA83 |title=Goosebumps: Attack of the Mutant/Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower |date=September 14, 1996 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref>


It was adapted into a board game titled ''Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower Game'', released by the [[Milton Bradley Company]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9815/goosebumps-a-night-in-terror-tower-game |title=Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower Game (1996) |website=BoardGameGeek |accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref>
It was adapted into a board game titled ''Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower Game'', released by the [[Milton Bradley Company]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9815/goosebumps-a-night-in-terror-tower-game |title=Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower Game (1996) |website=BoardGameGeek |accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref>
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Artist [[Tim Jacobus]] stated in his autobiography ''It Came From New Jersey! My Life As An Artist'' that the cover was one of the hardest pieces of art he ever had to draw and the longest to finish.
Artist [[Tim Jacobus]] stated in his autobiography ''It Came From New Jersey! My Life As An Artist'' that the cover was one of the hardest pieces of art he ever had to draw and the longest to finish.


A spin-off and sequel appears in the Give yourself Goosebumps series where the protagonists from the first book returns to take down their evil uncle Robert once and for all.
A spin-off and sequel appears in the ''Give Yourself Goosebumps'' book ''Return To Terror Tower'' where the protagonists from the first book return to take down their evil uncle Robert once and for all.


==Sales==
==Sales==
Line 45: Line 46:


==Home media==
==Home media==
The [[VHS]] release included a bookmark.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Og8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60 |title=Video Bow of 'Goosebumps' Anything But Scary |last=McCormick |first=Moira |date=March 2, 1996 |website=Billboard |accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref> The episodes were released on DVD in 2008, with no special features. The DVD also includes the two-part episode ''Stay Out of the Basement''.<ref name="DVD"/>
The [[VHS]] release included a bookmark.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Og8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60 |title=Video Bow of 'Goosebumps' Anything But Scary |last=McCormick |first=Moira |date=March 2, 1996 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref> The episodes were released on DVD in 2008, with no special features. The DVD also includes the two-part episode ''Stay Out of the Basement''.<ref name="DVD"/>


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:1995 fantasy novels]]
[[Category:1995 fantasy novels]]
[[Category:1990s horror novels]]
[[Category:1990s horror novels]]
[[Category:American horror novels]]
[[Category:American fantasy novels]]
[[Category:1995 children's books]]
[[Category:1995 children's books]]
[[Category:Novels about time travel]]
[[Category:Novels about time travel]]
[[Category:Novels set in London]]
[[Category:Novels set in London]]
[[Category:Works set in castles]]
[[Category:American novels adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:Scholastic Corporation books]]

Latest revision as of 17:15, 15 March 2024

A Night in Terror Tower
First edition cover
AuthorR. L. Stine
Cover artistTim Jacobus
LanguageEnglish
SeriesGoosebumps
GenreHorror fiction, Children's literature
PublisherScholastic
Publication date
January 1995
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages129 (first edition, paperback).
ISBN0-590-48351-X
Preceded byMy Hairiest Adventure 
Followed byThe Cuckoo Clock of Doom 

A Night in Terror Tower is the twenty-seventh book in the original Goosebumps, the series of children's horror fiction novels created and authored by R. L. Stine. It was adapted into a two-part episode, an audiobook, and a board game. The plot is loosely based on the historical Princes in the Tower.

Plot

[edit]

Sue and her younger brother Eddie are American tourists in London. After Eddie wants to visit the Terror Tower, they join a tour of the castle. As the tour progresses, Sue notices that a man wearing all black with a black hood over his face is following them as they move throughout the castle. The man in black, who also wears a cape, chases them and the children manage to escape. After going back to their hotel room, they find out that the suite is empty and that their parents are not in the hotel, and the children have trouble remembering their last name. After they leave the hotel's restaurant, the man in black blocks their path, and sends them to Medieval times with magical stones.

Confused, alone, and frightened, Eddie and Sue are once again stalked by the man in black. After Eddie disappears, Sue eventually finds refuge in the home of a peasant woman who promises to keep her safe. However, this turns out to be a ruse, as the woman quickly betrays her and turns her over to the man in black, who is revealed to be the Lord High Executioner of the reigning British Monarch. Sue is then taken back to Terror Tower to await execution, wherein she meets Eddie, who admits to having been captured earlier.

In the dungeon, the children meet Morgred, a white-haired sorcerer, who informs them that they are Edward and Susannah, Prince and Princess of York, heir to the throne, and niece and nephew to the current King. It is revealed that the King murdered their parents—the rightful King and Queen—to claim the throne for himself, and was attempting to murder the children in order to forestall any challenge to his rule. However, before he could succeed, Morgred sent the children into a distant future with new memories in hopes of saving them from their uncle. However, he was unable to complete their new memories, resulting in them forgetting their parents and their own surnames.

Fully aware of their identity, Sue and Eddie prepare for their execution. After being asked by the children, Morgred refuses to send them back to the future, fearing for his own life, even after Eddie hands him the three magical stones, which he had stolen from the Lord High Executioner upon his capture. Eddie, utilizing his pickpocketing skills, lifts the three stones from Morgred's robe and performs the spell himself, returning himself and Sue to the future, wherein they're met by a new tour group, with Morgred as one of the tourists, having been brought along to serve as the children's guardian. As they prepare to leave the tower along with the group, Morgred tells the children to call him Mr. Morgan, and the children adopt Morgan as their surname.

Adaptations

[edit]

The book was adapted into a two-part episode for the television series. Jeffrey Kauffman, of DVD Talk, wrote, "If you're new to the Goosebumps world, this is a great place to start, with two exceptional episodes which perfectly balance thrills with an at times black humor".[1]

An audiobook was released by Walt Disney Records, which was nominated for an Audie Award for "Best Audio Children's Production".[2] In a review of the audiobook, Billboard said that it is an "imaginative, intriguing tale of two American tourists who visit Terror Tower".[3]

It was adapted into a board game titled Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower Game, released by the Milton Bradley Company.[4]

Artist Tim Jacobus stated in his autobiography It Came From New Jersey! My Life As An Artist that the cover was one of the hardest pieces of art he ever had to draw and the longest to finish.

A spin-off and sequel appears in the Give Yourself Goosebumps book Return To Terror Tower where the protagonists from the first book return to take down their evil uncle Robert once and for all.

Sales

[edit]

A 2001 article from Publishers Weekly said that the book was 294 on the list of bestselling children's books of all time, with 1,316,723 copies sold since its original publication.[5]

Home media

[edit]

The VHS release included a bookmark.[6] The episodes were released on DVD in 2008, with no special features. The DVD also includes the two-part episode Stay Out of the Basement.[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Kauffman, Jeffrey (September 13, 2008). "Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower". DVD Talk. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  2. ^ "Disney Trak". Billboard. March 2, 1996. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  3. ^ "Goosebumps: Attack of the Mutant/Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower". Billboard. September 14, 1996. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  4. ^ "Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower Game (1996)". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  5. ^ Roback, Diane; Hochman, Debbie (December 17, 2001). "All-Time Bestselling Children's Books". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  6. ^ McCormick, Moira (March 2, 1996). "Video Bow of 'Goosebumps' Anything But Scary". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2013.