Long Live the Pumpkin Queen takes place just after Jack and Sally Skellington get married and I had hopes of this being a great addition to the Nightmare Before Christmas world especially as, although Sally is a main character in the movie. We know so little about her and she never seemed to quite fit with anyone else in the movie character-wise.


There are so many aspects of this that I did love, particularly when we see behind the holiday doors in the Grove such as Valentine Town. I'd always hoped we would get some mini spin-offs of the franchise on TV or movie screen so the author delivers with this. (I would say, I didn't get why there's a 4th of July door as it's not a widespread holiday like the others but there we go.) 


The concept of Sally being at the centre of the story, and yet feeling misplaced in Halloweentown/her role as Queen by Jack's side is a good one. However, the story didn't live up to the hopes I had for this book because the movie and characters were a firm favourite for me and my family. Admittedly I despised Oogie's character from day one but the vampires and witches always made me giggle. I do like how the author explores Sally’s background and successfully introduces their characters to the story so they mesh well to bring this new story to life.


Unfortunately, despite that, the story felt a little lacklustre and one I'll donate rather than keep.