Review of Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Erns
A couple of Christmases ago, I asked for this book, and since I just rewatched The Nightmare Before Christmas with my brother, I figured now was the perfect time to dive in. If I liked it enough, I planned to grab the sequel, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen by Megan Shepherd.
First off, shoutout to Libby for the audiobook because the narrator sounds just like Sally. That made the experience extra fun.
The prologue recaps the events of The Nightmare Before Christmas through Sally’s eyes, leading up to her marriage with Jack. I really liked the addition of music before every chapter; it made it feel theatrical.
Now, Sally’s narration… whew. It’s very princess-like, full of suffering and grand gestures. At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d make it to book two (and I was only 2% in). But then chapter two pulled me in with a beautiful description of Valentine’s Town, where Sally and Jack go for their honeymoon. I was just happy Sally finally got to enjoy herself a little. Still, hearing every single thought of hers felt like pulling teeth. I had just finished Dreadful earlier this week, so maybe I was already low on patience for too much inner monologue.
That said Disney 👀 page 36 got a little steamy, and I wasn’t mad at it.
The end of chapter two reeled me right back in with some suspense. But I found myself frustrated with Jack. Sally is overwhelmed, and he doesn’t really step in to support her. I know she’s her own person, but she felt unprotected, and it made me angry. Luckily, she does stand up for herself, and when she opens that hidden door, the story really starts rolling.
By chapter four and five, things speed up like a roller coaster, and I was hooked. At 30% in, I felt like this was what I’d been waiting for. Ernshaw does a fantastic job with world-building explaining where we are, what the creatures look like, and how everything works. But Sally’s constant self-doubt and repetitive “head noise” wore me out. She’s the only one who can do what needs to be done, yet she spends so much time crying and second-guessing herself that it slowed things down.
By 50% in, I knew I wasn’t keeping this book or continuing to the next one. I don’t mind a damsel in distress, but at some point, you have to get up and act. The pressure of being Queen makes sense, but breaking down constantly made Sally feel helpless in a way I don’t remember from the movie.
When I finished, I actually had a headache. I ended up giving the book 3.5 stars, though the more I think about it, it’s closer to 3. I love The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Ernshaw delivers a solid story, but the repetition killed me. Watching something happen and then hearing it retold? My brain was screaming, “Get on with it!”
If my partner’s life was in danger, I wouldn’t spend half the time kissing him like Sleeping Beauty I’d be moving heaven and earth to save him. The world is literally unraveling, and Sally keeps stopping to cry. She’s timid, sure, but I needed more showing and less repeating.
All in all, though, it’s a solid enough story. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. Let’s call it 3 stars and I’ll definitely be reselling the book. I think if you like dreadful you’re going to love this.
So, you're curious about 'Long Live the Pumpkin Queen' by #1 New York Times best-selling author Shea Ernshaw, huh? I totally get it! As a massive fan of Disney Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas,' I was eager to dive into Sally's next chapter and see her crowned and seated on a throne, as depicted on the book cover. This book is often categorized as a Young Adult (YA) Fantasy tale, specifically a spin-off or a standalone sequel to the beloved movie. It picks up right after the events of the film, focusing on Sally's new role as the Pumpkin Queen and her journey to find her voice and protect Halloween Town. Many people wonder about the 'Long Live the Pumpkin Queen' series or if there's a direct sequel. While the original article mentioned a book called 'Hour of the Pumpkin Queen' by Megan Shepherd, it's important to clarify that 'Long Live the Pumpkin Queen' by Shea Ernshaw is generally considered a standalone novel expanding on Sally's story. If you're looking for more Pumpkin Queen books, this one is the primary official literary follow-up to the film that centers on Sally. It's not part of a larger series by Shea Ernshaw in the traditional sense, but rather a dedicated continuation of a cherished story. The queries about 'Shadow Over the Pumpkin Queen' might stem from similar themes or confusion with other titles, but Shea Ernshaw's book is the one we're talking about here. One query I often see is 'is Long Live the Pumpkin Queen spicy?' The review briefly touched on a 'steamy' moment around page 36. From my perspective, while there's a hint of romance and some intimate moments between Sally and Jack, I wouldn't classify it as overtly 'spicy' in the way some YA fantasy novels can be. It's more about their developing relationship and Sally's personal growth, keeping it suitable for a broader YA audience. It has its moments, but don't go in expecting a full-blown romance novel. Regarding the characters, beyond Sally's intensive inner monologue that I found a bit draining, the book does introduce new facets to familiar faces like Jack Skellington. Jack's portrayal here, for me, was a bit frustrating as he often takes a backseat, leaving Sally to navigate her struggles alone. However, this also allows Sally to truly shine and develop as a protagonist. The world-building is where Ernshaw really excels, painting vivid pictures of new towns and creatures within the Nightmare Before Christmas universe. If you're wondering about 'Long Live the Pumpkin Queen characters,' you'll definitely get to see Sally evolve, encounter new allies, and face never-before-seen threats. It’s a solid addition for fans who’ve always wanted to know what happened after Jack and Sally got together, offering a fresh perspective on their world.
