Scan barcode
A review by so_many_books
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
adventurous
emotional
funny
relaxing
tense
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
This book surprised me in a good way.
I went into reading this with caution as I always do when I pick up a book with substantial hype around it. I didn't really know what to expect, but a sweet love story, political intrigue, family drama, and good critical conversations around the commercialised holidays were not it.
The Nighmare Before Kissmas brings all of the above.
The forbidden and unexpected love story between the Prince of Christmas and the Prince of Halloween is sweet and lovely. Their connection is so palpable from the very beginning. Even though Coal and Hex's relationship is kinda forbidden because of the political marriage that needs to happen between Coal and the Princess of Easter.
Yes, they're awkward, and I don't think the romance is actually the focus of this book. It doesn't really have angst up until the end.
I most enjoyed the politics of the Holiday Courts(?) in the story. Especially Christmas's need to be the best and baddest of them all. It was unexpectedly political and a good critique on the commercial holidays that succumbed to capitalism and lost the fluffy feelings behind them. Obviously, the family drama behind it is a little stressful. Coal has a big heart and feels that something's not right, but he doesn't really have the power to do anything. Or at least he's kinda checked out about all this.
But then he makes an effort to make it right and go against his dad about all of it.
His dad's controlling and unforgiving nature is definitely triggering, so please be careful.
I absolutely loved Kris and Iris, too. The brotherly bond between Coal and Kris is so strong, and they face their dad's whims together, looking out for each other. Iris is the complementing third in their friendship group, and I loved how Coal cared for her the whole time. The tension between her and Kris, though. I'm not sure about that. It was a tease that led to nothing.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book. Especially around Christmas time. The audio narration is pretty great, too.
I went into reading this with caution as I always do when I pick up a book with substantial hype around it. I didn't really know what to expect, but a sweet love story, political intrigue, family drama, and good critical conversations around the commercialised holidays were not it.
The Nighmare Before Kissmas brings all of the above.
The forbidden and unexpected love story between the Prince of Christmas and the Prince of Halloween is sweet and lovely. Their connection is so palpable from the very beginning. Even though Coal and Hex's relationship is kinda forbidden because of the political marriage that needs to happen between Coal and the Princess of Easter.
Yes, they're awkward, and I don't think the romance is actually the focus of this book. It doesn't really have angst up until the end.
I most enjoyed the politics of the Holiday Courts(?) in the story. Especially Christmas's need to be the best and baddest of them all. It was unexpectedly political and a good critique on the commercial holidays that succumbed to capitalism and lost the fluffy feelings behind them. Obviously, the family drama behind it is a little stressful. Coal has a big heart and feels that something's not right, but he doesn't really have the power to do anything. Or at least he's kinda checked out about all this.
But then he makes an effort to make it right and go against his dad about all of it.
His dad's controlling and unforgiving nature is definitely triggering, so please be careful.
I absolutely loved Kris and Iris, too. The brotherly bond between Coal and Kris is so strong, and they face their dad's whims together, looking out for each other. Iris is the complementing third in their friendship group, and I loved how Coal cared for her the whole time. The tension between her and Kris, though. I'm not sure about that. It was a tease that led to nothing.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book. Especially around Christmas time. The audio narration is pretty great, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment