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maeverose's review against another edition
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: Body horror, Confinement, and Kidnapping
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Murder
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Whimsical. Resonating. Empowering. I’ve adored Shea’s previous books and this one is no exception. Picking up with Sally & Jack’s wedding right at the end of The Nightmare Before Christmas, LLtPQ explores the anxiety of stepping into new expectations, discovering your place in the world, and drawing on the power of dreams. LLtPQ is diverse and comforting, and is completely appropriate for younger YA readers, even upper MG, while still being enjoyable for adults.
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting