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maeverose's review
3.5
This book was overall fun and very true to the vibes of the Nightmare Before Christmas. If you love the movie, I’d definitely recommend it. I do have a few small issues with it, but they’re mostly minor things.
For one, it’s very repetitive. Throughout the book, Sally is trying to grapple with her feelings about being a queen. She doesn’t feel like a queen, and being suddenly treated as one is difficult for her. This is r e a l l y beat over your head throughout the book. And the way she finally seems to accept her role as a queen?by ‘meeting’ queen elizabeth II… I really was not prepared for the sudden praise of the english monarchy there. Lol so out of left field. Could’ve done without that
Second, I felt like Sally was overly timid and clingy towards Jack. It’s been over a year since I’ve seen the movie, and I do remember her being somewhat timid, but I remember her being much more confident and independent than she is in this book.
This isn’t a complaint for me personally, but despite this being marketed as YA, it has a strong middle grade feel to me. I think the romance element is the only thing making it YA, as it would’ve felt a bit out of place for middle grade (though it’s still very PG of course).The reveal about the villain’s motives at the end is a good example of this. I didn’t mind it, because it felt very in line with this over the top world, but it was very silly and middle grade esque.
Sally being chill with everyone being asleep for even a second made no sense, and when she met her parents she accepted potentially never saving Jack and everyone else way too easily.
Another reviewer pointed out that the Dream Town residents’ fear of the sandman made no sense since he can’t put them to sleep and he already put everyone else to sleep, which I somehow didn’t even question when I read the book but now is glaringly obvious…
As a disabled person I’m always irritated by the disabled villain trope, and the character of Dr. Finkelstein already annoys me for this reason. In this book we find out he’s even worse than we already knew him to be in the movie, and I would’ve preferred if he was just wasn’t in the book that much rather than doubling down on that trope. Of course it’s not like they could’ve made him a good guy when we already know he’s terrible, but to further add to it was unnecessary imo.
To end on a positive note, I did appreciate the casual queer rep, brief as it was.
For one, it’s very repetitive. Throughout the book, Sally is trying to grapple with her feelings about being a queen. She doesn’t feel like a queen, and being suddenly treated as one is difficult for her. This is r e a l l y beat over your head throughout the book. And the way she finally seems to accept her role as a queen?
Second, I felt like Sally was overly timid and clingy towards Jack. It’s been over a year since I’ve seen the movie, and I do remember her being somewhat timid, but I remember her being much more confident and independent than she is in this book.
This isn’t a complaint for me personally, but despite this being marketed as YA, it has a strong middle grade feel to me. I think the romance element is the only thing making it YA, as it would’ve felt a bit out of place for middle grade (though it’s still very PG of course).
As a disabled person I’m always irritated by the disabled villain trope, and the character of Dr. Finkelstein already annoys me for this reason. In this book we find out he’s even worse than we already knew him to be in the movie, and I would’ve preferred if he was just wasn’t in the book that much rather than doubling down on that trope. Of course it’s not like they could’ve made him a good guy when we already know he’s terrible, but to further add to it was unnecessary imo.
To end on a positive note, I did appreciate the casual queer rep, brief as it was.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Body horror, and Kidnapping
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Child abuse, Misogyny, Murder, and Violence
jadejade's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
There are some interesting ideas here. For example, I really liked how in the end Sally is literally made the stuff of nightmares and dreams ).
Unfortunately the novel did not work for me:
* The story didn't really get interesting for me until about halfway through.
* I was waiting forSally's parents to be revealed to be a dream but, no, apparently we're sticking with the kidnapping explanation .
* I was utterly dumbfounded by the cameo ofQueen Elizabeth II , and I cannot understand why she is identified by name (I would have been fine with alluding to her) and why several pages are devoted to praising her.
I love the movie that inspired this middle grade novel ... Maybe that's the issue. Anyway, I clearly wasn't the right reader.
Unfortunately the novel did not work for me:
* The story didn't really get interesting for me until about halfway through.
* I was waiting for
* I was utterly dumbfounded by the cameo of
I love the movie that inspired this middle grade novel ... Maybe that's the issue. Anyway, I clearly wasn't the right reader.
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping, Body horror, and Confinement
jewelzbooks44's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Omg! This story was spectacular to read. The characters so well developed. I love the journey, the tense moments, the unkowning feeling Sally had, you understand. It's heartfelt throughout it. Still some creeps. Love Sally and jacks scenes, they'll bring the joy out of you
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror
A book that'll stay with you.
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