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A review by bookcheshirecat
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
“That’s really the golden age, isn’t it? That’s what my brain is longing for, a time when I only saw the sparkle. A time when I loved this unabashedly because I hadn’t realized that the sparkle was a distraction layered over a complex concept full of cracks and mold, and the day you see beyond the glitter for the first time is the day you officially grow up, no going back.”
➽ The Nightmare Before Kissmas sounded right up my alley, but I had mixed feelings about it! As a big Nightmare Before Christmas fan, I was excited that this story is all about the different holiday worlds that exist parallel to the normal world. Coal is the prince of Christmas and is forced to marry his best friend Iris, the princess of Easter, even though neither has romantic feelings for the other. When Hex, the prince of Halloween shows up in protest both enter a competition for Iris' hand in marriage. It's sad because this story had so much potential and there were many parts I loved. Unfortunately, I had many issues with the plot and marketing of this story, as it's NOT a cute rivals-to-lovers romcom. Instead, the book is a Holiday Fantasy with lots of political intrigue and serious topics! I also didn't realize this wasn't YA until the two sex scenes. If you took them out this wouldn't be what I'd call an Adult book. That's why I'm sad New Adult never became a big thing!
➽ Let's start with what I liked. I was really into the worldbuilding. I loved that each holiday harnesses joy from the world, but most normal people are unaware of its existence. Christmas is one of the biggest, most popular holidays, which is why it owns a majority of the joy being spread throughout the world. I liked the political aspect of the story, as many holidays have almost turned into corporations, that are trying to harness the most joy. Coal's father is obsessed with making Christmas the most powerful holiday and focuses more on the commercial aspect than the genuine joy. Many princes like Coal are forced to study whatever their parents tell them and are expected to take over the business. There are also alliances within the holidays, such as with Easter and Iris' family. Of course, Christmas is also closer to other Winter holidays, though I wish the story had at least included some non-western ones!
➽ I liked Coal and his bond with his brother Kris and friend Iris! They were a great trio and I enjoyed their friendship dynamic. Coal's got a reputation as the resident troublemaker since a disastrous incident, even though he had good intentions. He's stuck as a Yale student, unable to do what he really wants because of his controlling father. I felt bad for Coal, as he's branded as the 'screw-up' and forced to do whatever his father wants, without ever being included in the holiday business. Coal genuinely used to love Christmas, but has become more jaded as he's seen how commercial it has become. Iris is one of his best friends, but he's appalled when their parents announce their engagement without informing them about it. I also felt for Iris, as she's worried about her holiday and how rejecting an alliance with Christmas would affect her father's standing! Even worse, Kris has had a crush on her for years. I liked how the three of them stuck together and tried to make the best out of a bad situation!
➽ Unfortunately, The Nightmare Before Kissmas was mismarketed. I know many people were expecting a Holiday Romance, but I'm going to be honest: this is mostly a Fantasy book with a romantic subplot. The romance doesn't take up much space at all, because the focus is on the political aspect. I'm sad that Hex didn't get a POV, as I barely got to know him. As a prince of Halloween, he should have been THE character for me, but he wasn't well-developed. I thought Coal and Iris' friendship was more developed than the romance. Hex and Coal's relationship is very insta love and they're never really rivals. Neither wants to marry Iris and all the conflict is externally forced on them. Neither has much agency as Coal's controlling father dominates the entire book as a cartoonish villain. I struggled to connect to the romance. It would have been better if a) Coal and Hex were the ones forced to marry or b) Coal had seen Hex as a real rival and aimed to protect Iris.
➽ The plot is also all over the place. I loved the first 40% and wanted to give this 4 stars, but the more I read, the less I felt like the author explored her themes well. Coal's controlling, abusive father overshadowed so many other aspects and his presence was so oppressive. It takes until the last 10% for anyone to stand up to him, as he gets away with all the blackmail and manipulation for most of the book. The way he treats his sons was so uncomfortable, as he's not only controlling their lives but bodily manhandles them when they do something he doesn't like. I don't think the exploration of abuse was done well since it's not even addressed as such and the ending is so rushed. I can't believe Santa got away with being such a horrible person for most of the book and then doesn't even get much of a comeuppance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment
Minor: Grief, Death of parent