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Pumpkin Queen #3
Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen
Follow Sally to a dark realm called Shadow Town—where a powerful foe awaits her—in the series inspired by Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas!
Can Sally save Jack from the shadows?
Sally should be at ease now that she has proven herself as Pumpkin Queen by saving Halloween Town from destructive spells twice. But the villain behind the town’s most recent troubles—a mysterious figure cloaked in darkness—is still at large, and Sally refuses to rest until she and her king, Jack Skellington, can find their enemy and stop them forever.
Then, strange storm clouds and directionless wind begin to haunt Halloween Town, and soon, citizens start to go missing. It becomes clear that the dark foe has decided to make the first move, and Sally will need allies from across the Hinterlands to stop him. But as Sally and Jack gather their friends to fight back against this attack, the unthinkable the mysterious force takes Jack, too.
After learning that her nemesis is a dark prince who lives in a lost realm called Shadow Town, Sally embarks on another cross-realms quest to find a solution, one that will connect her to new locales like Chance Town and the Hinterlands Maze. With the prince tracking her at every turn, seemingly bent on revenge, Sally will need to fight with every fiber of her being to prevent Halloween Town from utter destruction. But what secrets is the prince hiding—and could the truth undo everything?
Can Sally save Jack from the shadows?
Sally should be at ease now that she has proven herself as Pumpkin Queen by saving Halloween Town from destructive spells twice. But the villain behind the town’s most recent troubles—a mysterious figure cloaked in darkness—is still at large, and Sally refuses to rest until she and her king, Jack Skellington, can find their enemy and stop them forever.
Then, strange storm clouds and directionless wind begin to haunt Halloween Town, and soon, citizens start to go missing. It becomes clear that the dark foe has decided to make the first move, and Sally will need allies from across the Hinterlands to stop him. But as Sally and Jack gather their friends to fight back against this attack, the unthinkable the mysterious force takes Jack, too.
After learning that her nemesis is a dark prince who lives in a lost realm called Shadow Town, Sally embarks on another cross-realms quest to find a solution, one that will connect her to new locales like Chance Town and the Hinterlands Maze. With the prince tracking her at every turn, seemingly bent on revenge, Sally will need to fight with every fiber of her being to prevent Halloween Town from utter destruction. But what secrets is the prince hiding—and could the truth undo everything?
Hardcover
First published July 7, 2026
About the author
Megan Shepherd
35 books2,814 followersNew York Times bestselling author Megan Shepherd grew up in her family’s independent bookstore in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is the author of several young adult and middle grade novels. She now lives and writes on a 125-year-old farm outside Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, two cats, and an especially scruffy dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
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April 28, 2026Well Jacks going missing again. Not surprising.
These books are fun so I’m excited.
These books are fun so I’m excited.
July 23, 2026
Loved the atmosphere, tired of the formula.
I really do enjoy this series overall. It’s a cozy, fun escape, and expanding the universe with new realms is always a highlight. I’ve loved watching Sally grow into her role and gain confidence as Queen. I completely understand that this series is meant to focus on Sally's own hero's journey, but there has to be a more creative way to highlight her than constantly using the "oh, Jack disappears again" trope. For a character who is supposed to be the Pumpkin King, he is constantly sidelined, captured, or written out early on.
Disney has an opportunity here to give us an amazing story where Jack and Sally actually team up and fight together, but instead, they keep leaning on the exact same predictable plot structure. It honestly suffers from the same issues as Disney's live-action remakes playing it way too safe and reusing old tropes. Unless Disney is willing to break this pattern and let them act as a real power couple, I think this should be the final book. Worth checking out if you love the lore, but be prepared for the same old dynamic.
I really do enjoy this series overall. It’s a cozy, fun escape, and expanding the universe with new realms is always a highlight. I’ve loved watching Sally grow into her role and gain confidence as Queen. I completely understand that this series is meant to focus on Sally's own hero's journey, but there has to be a more creative way to highlight her than constantly using the "oh, Jack disappears again" trope. For a character who is supposed to be the Pumpkin King, he is constantly sidelined, captured, or written out early on.
Disney has an opportunity here to give us an amazing story where Jack and Sally actually team up and fight together, but instead, they keep leaning on the exact same predictable plot structure. It honestly suffers from the same issues as Disney's live-action remakes playing it way too safe and reusing old tropes. Unless Disney is willing to break this pattern and let them act as a real power couple, I think this should be the final book. Worth checking out if you love the lore, but be prepared for the same old dynamic.
July 22, 2026
Kept me pulled in. Fun exploring other realms
August 3, 2026
As the others, I enjoyed falling back into Halloween Town. It is fun to get more character development for Sally and exploring new realms.
July 18, 2026
Same old same old zzzzz
Jack is gone blah blah blah Sally is incomplete without Jack something something new town
Jack is gone blah blah blah Sally is incomplete without Jack something something new town
July 20, 2026
I want to start my review by saying that the author is a wonderful author. Her novelization of the movie was wonderful. As far as my feelings for this book, It is, of course, up to the reader, but this book fell very short for me. I think aspects of the book are nice but I will point out my major flawing.
- the random mentioning of the abandoned hospital that has not been mentioned in any previous book as well as recluse woods. As adventurous as he is, Jack would have shown Sally these prior. There would have been some mention. She had no clue of recluse woods and she is the leader of the town. It doesn’t add up. I think this could’ve been a good addition if it wasn’t as random.
- There were a LOT of Oogie mentions. So much so I waited the entire book for him to somehow pop up. Of course a nod or two is great but he was mentioned heavily but not mentioned in either of the other books heavily. Granted, it could be gearing up for something more.
- The mentioning of Sally’s molars and the stitching at her wrist is mentioned quite a bit. I think there are other ways to mention her anxiety.
- why are there suddenly wildlife critters in Halloween town? I mean even their roosters are skeletons. Perhaps if the author had made them more creepy.
- The Shadow Twins backstory doesn’t sound right. No one else in Halloween town remembered these two??? I thought the entire point of Finkelstein kidnapping Sally was because he could not create a life. He created two? Sure it says they didn’t do what he wanted, but wouldn’t he just create another? Also how are they perfectly good humans? If dug up remains they would be oddly mismatched and creepy. I think this could’ve been a good addition if more descriptive into how no one knew them, made them more creepy looking, etc. The idea of shadow town is a good
Concept. The forgotten, etc. wonderful idea. But I don’t think it was executed the best. More details would’ve been better.
- The mummy family…. There was absolutely no mention of mummy boys parent and in this book not only are they mentioned a few times… they even had a baby? Don’t get me wrong I’m happy he has parents but why just randomly throw them in? None the less I do love the idea!
- Sally has seemed out of character. I understand characters grow, and that’s great.
- This does NOT seem like the end to a series. It wasn’t satisfying in that way. If there’s a secret next one then maybe.
- Sally’s parents just telling her to forget her husband and town? Not necessarily an issue with the author! Just the characters lol
- Sally said a thing of her and her siblings riding skeleton reindeer in the woods. Those did not exist until the movie? This would’ve happened before? They had no clue what reindeer were? I also think this could’ve been just Sally day dreaming without logic but i think more details couldve saved it.
What I did like?
- I like Finkelstein did show remorse for his actions
- I APPLAUD THE AUTHOR FOR EXPANDING THE WORLD! I can imagine that it’s hard to come up with more and more after the previous author already explored a lot of the holidays. I admire her wanting to add and give the readers more and more lore. It takes a lot of guts to add knowing some readers won’t enjoy the new additions. I do think the twins could be an interesting addition but i think the author should amp up their creepy factor. They would be stitched up decaying body parts.
- What would I like for the future?
STOP THROWING JACK IN A CRISIS
They can be romantic and strong together! He doesn’t always have to be in the sidelines. I think we’d love to spend more time with the characters we already know and love instead of adding more.
Also this one is more towards Disney, if everyone else in Disney can have children, Jack and Sally can have their CANON children wrote about. Their fans who are parents or becoming parents would love to hear about it.
Thank you to the author for continuing this series! I would love to
See what you do next! I don’t mean this review in a harsh way! You are wonderful.
- the random mentioning of the abandoned hospital that has not been mentioned in any previous book as well as recluse woods. As adventurous as he is, Jack would have shown Sally these prior. There would have been some mention. She had no clue of recluse woods and she is the leader of the town. It doesn’t add up. I think this could’ve been a good addition if it wasn’t as random.
- There were a LOT of Oogie mentions. So much so I waited the entire book for him to somehow pop up. Of course a nod or two is great but he was mentioned heavily but not mentioned in either of the other books heavily. Granted, it could be gearing up for something more.
- The mentioning of Sally’s molars and the stitching at her wrist is mentioned quite a bit. I think there are other ways to mention her anxiety.
- why are there suddenly wildlife critters in Halloween town? I mean even their roosters are skeletons. Perhaps if the author had made them more creepy.
- The Shadow Twins backstory doesn’t sound right. No one else in Halloween town remembered these two??? I thought the entire point of Finkelstein kidnapping Sally was because he could not create a life. He created two? Sure it says they didn’t do what he wanted, but wouldn’t he just create another? Also how are they perfectly good humans? If dug up remains they would be oddly mismatched and creepy. I think this could’ve been a good addition if more descriptive into how no one knew them, made them more creepy looking, etc. The idea of shadow town is a good
Concept. The forgotten, etc. wonderful idea. But I don’t think it was executed the best. More details would’ve been better.
- The mummy family…. There was absolutely no mention of mummy boys parent and in this book not only are they mentioned a few times… they even had a baby? Don’t get me wrong I’m happy he has parents but why just randomly throw them in? None the less I do love the idea!
- Sally has seemed out of character. I understand characters grow, and that’s great.
- This does NOT seem like the end to a series. It wasn’t satisfying in that way. If there’s a secret next one then maybe.
- Sally’s parents just telling her to forget her husband and town? Not necessarily an issue with the author! Just the characters lol
- Sally said a thing of her and her siblings riding skeleton reindeer in the woods. Those did not exist until the movie? This would’ve happened before? They had no clue what reindeer were? I also think this could’ve been just Sally day dreaming without logic but i think more details couldve saved it.
What I did like?
- I like Finkelstein did show remorse for his actions
- I APPLAUD THE AUTHOR FOR EXPANDING THE WORLD! I can imagine that it’s hard to come up with more and more after the previous author already explored a lot of the holidays. I admire her wanting to add and give the readers more and more lore. It takes a lot of guts to add knowing some readers won’t enjoy the new additions. I do think the twins could be an interesting addition but i think the author should amp up their creepy factor. They would be stitched up decaying body parts.
- What would I like for the future?
STOP THROWING JACK IN A CRISIS
They can be romantic and strong together! He doesn’t always have to be in the sidelines. I think we’d love to spend more time with the characters we already know and love instead of adding more.
Also this one is more towards Disney, if everyone else in Disney can have children, Jack and Sally can have their CANON children wrote about. Their fans who are parents or becoming parents would love to hear about it.
Thank you to the author for continuing this series! I would love to
See what you do next! I don’t mean this review in a harsh way! You are wonderful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2026
This one was so much better than the previous book! I don't know if it's because the stakes were so much higher for the characters in this book, or maybe the plot just flowed better. Either way, I was able to fly through this one.
I think it's a funny gimmick now that Jack is no help for a majority of the book because he's asleep or missing. I can go into each book now expecting him to just be a background player.
I liked the lore that was developed in this book and the direction of Sally's story. There were some interesting twists in this one. I love seeing her confidence grow through each book and establish herself as a strong ruler and rag doll.
I'm actually excited to see if there will be a fourth book and where it could go.
I think it's a funny gimmick now that Jack is no help for a majority of the book because he's asleep or missing. I can go into each book now expecting him to just be a background player.
I liked the lore that was developed in this book and the direction of Sally's story. There were some interesting twists in this one. I love seeing her confidence grow through each book and establish herself as a strong ruler and rag doll.
I'm actually excited to see if there will be a fourth book and where it could go.
July 9, 2026
Out of the 3, this one’s my favorite I think. Sally is really coming into her own as Pumpkin Queen which is shown in this story. Sally tries to protect Halloween Town and the people in it from the mysterious Shadows taking people from different realms. Sally learns secrets about her memories the Dr stole while also working with her parents to solve the mystery. Of course with the help of everyone Sally uses her needle to draw the shadow out of the Shadow Prince to lock him up for safety. Shadow Town now becomes the place for forgotten people to go to have a home of their own. I think my favorite ending was the statue they made of Sally riding Mare with her needle in the air. Showed just how much everyone appreciated her as the Pumpkin Queen and what she did to save them.
August 2, 2026
A little disappointed in this book. The story had the same premise as the previous one. Sally goes on a quest to save Halloween town. She doubts herself. She finds some new worlds. Then saves the day in the last 30 pages.
I don’t regret reading the book. I’m glad to have it on my bookshelf. Maybe I will enjoy the story more when I read the trilogy again someday.
I don’t regret reading the book. I’m glad to have it on my bookshelf. Maybe I will enjoy the story more when I read the trilogy again someday.
August 2, 2026
I loved the previous two books in this trilogy. I’m so sad to say this one lost me completely.
Shepherd said in a Q&A last year that she was asked to change her original vision for this book, as Disney felt it was “too dark”. I wish we could see what that original was!
If you criticised the first two books in this series for Jack largely being absent, prepare to feel that way again. Jack is stolen away from Htown, yet again. I believe this keeps happening because DisPub wants to center Sally on her own, as a self-reliant strong MFC. It’s sort of like why there are so many dead mothers in traditional fairy tales. The adventure can’t happen if someone is there to protect the MC. I get it, but we’ve had three books of the same exact formula, with the same characters.
If you are a Jack and Sally romance fan, there is virtually none of that in this third book. The other two books felt very “romancey” in parts, even when the characters were separated. The clear shift in tone here feels like it had to be a purposeful decision. Instead of the fantasy romance atmosphere, we get more running around, chase scenes including an elaborate set-piece in a factory, and more physical combat. The first two books overall had a more introspective feel to them. IMO, this third installment shifts even younger than the first two. That’s an interesting choice, since at least from what I read on GR, many readers were critical of the first two books reading more middle grade than YA.
We’re introduced to a new locale in Halloweentown. This remote woodland section of the realm has beavers, chipmunks, deer, and a lake filled with jumping trout. There is yet another new town introduced, and new original characters. The main pair of new OCs further confuse the already complex dynamic between Sally and Dr. Finklestein. Their presence also directly contradicts what we were told in the earlier books about why Dr. F stole Sally in the first place. They also create plot holes, like for example, how did no one else in Halloweentown know about them prior to this?
None of the above quite worked for me, but this would have been a solid 3 or 3.5. I’m giving it a 2, largely based on how it treats the conflict between Sally and Dr. Finklestein.
If you read the first book, Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by author Shea Ernshaw, you know that book radically changed the backstory of how Sally came to be in Halloweentown, and her relationship to Dr. F. Whether or not readers/fans like that change or not, the fact is it was approved and published by Disney, and Disney seems to be treating these PQ books as canon (the Sally face character in the parks has even referenced events from the books to guests…). Throughout these books, a prevalent theme has been Sally wrestling with the trauma of what she went through under the Doctor’s control. She confronts him briefly at the beginning of the second book. He is not only unrepentant at that point, but downright nasty, belittling her and reenforcing her already painful self-doubt.
In this book, Sally’s parents bring Dr. F back to Halloweentown without even telling Sally first (Sally's parents are even more unlikeable in this book than they were in the previous two), because they feel he can help with the problem at hand, given that he is a scientist. When Sally understandably objects to his presence, her mother actually scolds her, saying that as a ruler, she needs to practice compassion. Just to review: this is a character who kidnapped her when she was twelve, erased her memory, cut her open and replaced her dream cotton stuffing with leaves (!!??), and kept her confined as a prisoner/servant for years after. This isn’t even going into his relationship with two new characters introduced in this book - which is also disturbing.
By the conclusion of this story, the Dr. Is allowed to return to Halloweentown, rather than serve out the remainder of his sentence in Dreamtown. Even Jack is on board with this, because…compassion.
My guess here is that Disney wanted this character to be returned to Halloweentown by the end of this book in an effort to “reset” things, as is common with IPs like this. That way, if they do more projects in this universe, they’d don’t have to deal with explaining why he’s not there, or conflict with the PQ books. The way it was handled here really bothered me, however. I feel like there had to be a better way to reach the same end. They spent three books building up this strong female main character, but when it counts, her valid feelings are pushed aside to give her abuser (she calls him her “tormentor” at one point in this story…) redemption. Very disappointing, especially in the current cultural moment.
(I'll add, I recognize that as a Gen X adult, I am maybe not the target reader for these books, however I am a woman who has raised a daughter. I would have liked Sally to tell Greta and Albert where they could go, and how to get there, in this one)
ETA: Upon more reflection, I'll reiterate here something I touched upon in my review of PQ2 last year. I have one overall frustration with this trilogy as a whole: It introduces character dynamics, and situations, that are a touch too mature for the level of prose, and the pacing. If the series concept is aimed at younger middle grade readers (as opposed to YA or NA readers) then don't introduce themes like child abduction, trauma, difficult dynamics between an adult child and their parents, etc - unless you are willing to explore these themes responsibly. The first book is the best in this regard. The second and third struggle, but I don't believe that's the fault of the author. I suspect that when the first book's plot concept was approved - Disney might not have had a series in mind. Once that one was a runaway success, they wanted to do more. However the second and third books are bound by the situation set up in the first book.
I am repeating myself from previous reviews, but I wish Dpub would let these talented authors cook with their ideas, instead of stepping in and sanding all of the edges off. Based on author Q&As, we know that J&S were supposed to discuss starting a family in the second book. We also know that this third book was supposed to be more dark. In the end we have a series that reads lighter, but inadvertently raises questions it doesn't want to answer.
Shepherd said in a Q&A last year that she was asked to change her original vision for this book, as Disney felt it was “too dark”. I wish we could see what that original was!
If you criticised the first two books in this series for Jack largely being absent, prepare to feel that way again. Jack is stolen away from Htown, yet again. I believe this keeps happening because DisPub wants to center Sally on her own, as a self-reliant strong MFC. It’s sort of like why there are so many dead mothers in traditional fairy tales. The adventure can’t happen if someone is there to protect the MC. I get it, but we’ve had three books of the same exact formula, with the same characters.
If you are a Jack and Sally romance fan, there is virtually none of that in this third book. The other two books felt very “romancey” in parts, even when the characters were separated. The clear shift in tone here feels like it had to be a purposeful decision. Instead of the fantasy romance atmosphere, we get more running around, chase scenes including an elaborate set-piece in a factory, and more physical combat. The first two books overall had a more introspective feel to them. IMO, this third installment shifts even younger than the first two. That’s an interesting choice, since at least from what I read on GR, many readers were critical of the first two books reading more middle grade than YA.
We’re introduced to a new locale in Halloweentown. This remote woodland section of the realm has beavers, chipmunks, deer, and a lake filled with jumping trout. There is yet another new town introduced, and new original characters. The main pair of new OCs further confuse the already complex dynamic between Sally and Dr. Finklestein. Their presence also directly contradicts what we were told in the earlier books about why Dr. F stole Sally in the first place. They also create plot holes, like for example, how did no one else in Halloweentown know about them prior to this?
None of the above quite worked for me, but this would have been a solid 3 or 3.5. I’m giving it a 2, largely based on how it treats the conflict between Sally and Dr. Finklestein.
If you read the first book, Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by author Shea Ernshaw, you know that book radically changed the backstory of how Sally came to be in Halloweentown, and her relationship to Dr. F. Whether or not readers/fans like that change or not, the fact is it was approved and published by Disney, and Disney seems to be treating these PQ books as canon (the Sally face character in the parks has even referenced events from the books to guests…). Throughout these books, a prevalent theme has been Sally wrestling with the trauma of what she went through under the Doctor’s control. She confronts him briefly at the beginning of the second book. He is not only unrepentant at that point, but downright nasty, belittling her and reenforcing her already painful self-doubt.
In this book, Sally’s parents bring Dr. F back to Halloweentown without even telling Sally first (Sally's parents are even more unlikeable in this book than they were in the previous two), because they feel he can help with the problem at hand, given that he is a scientist. When Sally understandably objects to his presence, her mother actually scolds her, saying that as a ruler, she needs to practice compassion. Just to review: this is a character who kidnapped her when she was twelve, erased her memory, cut her open and replaced her dream cotton stuffing with leaves (!!??), and kept her confined as a prisoner/servant for years after. This isn’t even going into his relationship with two new characters introduced in this book - which is also disturbing.
By the conclusion of this story, the Dr. Is allowed to return to Halloweentown, rather than serve out the remainder of his sentence in Dreamtown. Even Jack is on board with this, because…compassion.
My guess here is that Disney wanted this character to be returned to Halloweentown by the end of this book in an effort to “reset” things, as is common with IPs like this. That way, if they do more projects in this universe, they’d don’t have to deal with explaining why he’s not there, or conflict with the PQ books. The way it was handled here really bothered me, however. I feel like there had to be a better way to reach the same end. They spent three books building up this strong female main character, but when it counts, her valid feelings are pushed aside to give her abuser (she calls him her “tormentor” at one point in this story…) redemption. Very disappointing, especially in the current cultural moment.
(I'll add, I recognize that as a Gen X adult, I am maybe not the target reader for these books, however I am a woman who has raised a daughter. I would have liked Sally to tell Greta and Albert where they could go, and how to get there, in this one)
ETA: Upon more reflection, I'll reiterate here something I touched upon in my review of PQ2 last year. I have one overall frustration with this trilogy as a whole: It introduces character dynamics, and situations, that are a touch too mature for the level of prose, and the pacing. If the series concept is aimed at younger middle grade readers (as opposed to YA or NA readers) then don't introduce themes like child abduction, trauma, difficult dynamics between an adult child and their parents, etc - unless you are willing to explore these themes responsibly. The first book is the best in this regard. The second and third struggle, but I don't believe that's the fault of the author. I suspect that when the first book's plot concept was approved - Disney might not have had a series in mind. Once that one was a runaway success, they wanted to do more. However the second and third books are bound by the situation set up in the first book.
I am repeating myself from previous reviews, but I wish Dpub would let these talented authors cook with their ideas, instead of stepping in and sanding all of the edges off. Based on author Q&As, we know that J&S were supposed to discuss starting a family in the second book. We also know that this third book was supposed to be more dark. In the end we have a series that reads lighter, but inadvertently raises questions it doesn't want to answer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2026
I love TNBC and this series is wonderful. But it's the same formula. Sally is a great queen, something goes wrong, Jack is taken, she needs to save everyone. Her parents lwk really bothered me this book too. Since day one, they have been so unsupportive but this book makes it so obvious. ALSO i feel like there were a lot of mentions to Oogie Boogie so i was kind of ready for him to come back. I was really ready to see him when she went to Chance Town. It also makes me question why Oogie Boogie was even in Halloween Town and not Chance Town. It just seems like a minor plothole.
The idea of Dr Finkelstein being remorseful doesn't really make sense to me. In the last book we saw him throwing insults at Sally- and now he's helping her. I think i was just a little disappointed that he was getting a character arc. I never really saw him as someone with a good bone in their body so seeing him do something relatively good just shook me up a bit.
I absolutely adore the Jack and Sally romance though. Though, i will say that i'm a little tired of the same 'i need to do this for Jack', 'I just miss Jack', 'The image of Jack spins in my mind', etc. It just gets old. I do like the romance they share when they are together. Jack especially. I think it is pretty true to the character we see in the original movie.
Following that, I would've really love to see Jack and Sally work together as a couple instead of just Sally working alone. I understand they are trying to build a strong FMC but i think seeing the power couple together to fight off evil would make this series over the top phenomenal.
Overall, it is a good book with lots of action. As someone who isn't usually a fantasy reader, this book is worth reading. I love TNBC and i think this series is a great add on to the story we all love.
If this is the end of the PQ series, i am sad to see it end but happy with my ending. If this isn't the end, i really do hope to see Jack and Sally work together on the next adventure instead of the same Sally saving Jack formula.
The idea of Dr Finkelstein being remorseful doesn't really make sense to me. In the last book we saw him throwing insults at Sally- and now he's helping her. I think i was just a little disappointed that he was getting a character arc. I never really saw him as someone with a good bone in their body so seeing him do something relatively good just shook me up a bit.
I absolutely adore the Jack and Sally romance though. Though, i will say that i'm a little tired of the same 'i need to do this for Jack', 'I just miss Jack', 'The image of Jack spins in my mind', etc. It just gets old. I do like the romance they share when they are together. Jack especially. I think it is pretty true to the character we see in the original movie.
Following that, I would've really love to see Jack and Sally work together as a couple instead of just Sally working alone. I understand they are trying to build a strong FMC but i think seeing the power couple together to fight off evil would make this series over the top phenomenal.
Overall, it is a good book with lots of action. As someone who isn't usually a fantasy reader, this book is worth reading. I love TNBC and i think this series is a great add on to the story we all love.
If this is the end of the PQ series, i am sad to see it end but happy with my ending. If this isn't the end, i really do hope to see Jack and Sally work together on the next adventure instead of the same Sally saving Jack formula.
August 2, 2026
Rating 4 Stars
Its been so hard to think of how to review this because all I can think of was how this was way better than I expected after the lackluster plot and ending of the second book. In fact the second one should have been skipped altogether since it seemed to serve as more of an introduction to new worlds and characters with no strong plot but I digress.
What I liked:
-Sally is still Sally. She is still the ragdoll struggling to come to terms to now being the ruler of Halloweentown but has gained some confidence after what she has learned about herself and having to be the one to one to save Halloweentown more than once at this point.
Dislikes:
-Really just a few moments in the book that could have made the book wrap up much faster but since I'm sure Shepherd had a word count to meet she had to just move past some sensible solutions that Sally could have made.
-The whole three trials thing. The MC having to go through some trial or trials or competition is so overdone that I did not enjoy that part at all.
I feel like this was a good ending to the whole series so I hope Shepherd won't write another one just for the sake of cashing in more money.
Its been so hard to think of how to review this because all I can think of was how this was way better than I expected after the lackluster plot and ending of the second book. In fact the second one should have been skipped altogether since it seemed to serve as more of an introduction to new worlds and characters with no strong plot but I digress.
What I liked:
-Sally is still Sally. She is still the ragdoll struggling to come to terms to now being the ruler of Halloweentown but has gained some confidence after what she has learned about herself and having to be the one to one to save Halloweentown more than once at this point.
Dislikes:
-Really just a few moments in the book that could have made the book wrap up much faster but since I'm sure Shepherd had a word count to meet she had to just move past some sensible solutions that Sally could have made.
-The whole three trials thing. The MC having to go through some trial or trials or competition is so overdone that I did not enjoy that part at all.
I feel like this was a good ending to the whole series so I hope Shepherd won't write another one just for the sake of cashing in more money.
July 13, 2026
I have really enjoyed all of the creativity and effort that has gone into making Sally’s story arc. I couldn’t wait for this title and set aside time to devour it. The ending was excellent and the deeper dive into Sally and the Dr’s relationship was insightful. The new characters are terrific additions to our Halloween-town avatars. But I could not help but feel the books are becoming formulaic: sneaky, terrifying new threat, Jack disappears, Sally continuously doubts herself, pulling her loose wrist thread, until she finds the strength to forge ahead. I would love to see the author shake up the next book with something unexpected. I also found the inhabitants and leaders of the Chance Town to be meandering and two dimensional, and I think a dose of Sally Magic would have gotten her out of the maze just as well as the Luck Drop did. But in the whole, I am very grateful to the author for having continued Sally’s story.
July 12, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. It was inspiring and gave me the rush of excitement and thrill I desperately needed. Sally is the definition of an empowered woman.
I will say that we all love the original romance between Jack and Sally, and I’m sure readers expecting only that will want to see more of Jack. However, just a reminder this is Sally’s book. It’s about her life after officially becoming the Pumpkin Queen and one of the rulers of the realms. We do see Jack, and we get to experience what their relationship is like, but the story is told from Sally’s point of view, not Jack’s.
We also learn about Sally’s origins and the world beyond Halloween Town. I can honestly say this is the best book out of the three. It made me love Sally even more. She’s one of my favorite characters, and this book is absolutely worth the read.
I highly recommend it!
I will say that we all love the original romance between Jack and Sally, and I’m sure readers expecting only that will want to see more of Jack. However, just a reminder this is Sally’s book. It’s about her life after officially becoming the Pumpkin Queen and one of the rulers of the realms. We do see Jack, and we get to experience what their relationship is like, but the story is told from Sally’s point of view, not Jack’s.
We also learn about Sally’s origins and the world beyond Halloween Town. I can honestly say this is the best book out of the three. It made me love Sally even more. She’s one of my favorite characters, and this book is absolutely worth the read.
I highly recommend it!
July 16, 2026
This was much better than the second book. The idea of fighting essentially a Shadow Man was a cool concept, and going to Chance Town was fun.
My one big complaint is about Sally.
She is made to be SUCH a crybaby!!
Nearly everything Sally does in this book brings her to tears. Certain situations it made sense, but every time??? Sally in the film is so brave and fearless, yet sympathetic to others around her. But the Sally in the books feels so much unsure of herself, so insecure, and after everything she did in the last two books she STILL doubts herself?? Some of her interactions with her parents in this one feel like she is a teenager shouting that they are ruining her life. It doesnt fit with the Sally we all know.
I still think the first book of the series is the best, but this was a fun edition to it.
My one big complaint is about Sally.
She is made to be SUCH a crybaby!!
Nearly everything Sally does in this book brings her to tears. Certain situations it made sense, but every time??? Sally in the film is so brave and fearless, yet sympathetic to others around her. But the Sally in the books feels so much unsure of herself, so insecure, and after everything she did in the last two books she STILL doubts herself?? Some of her interactions with her parents in this one feel like she is a teenager shouting that they are ruining her life. It doesnt fit with the Sally we all know.
I still think the first book of the series is the best, but this was a fun edition to it.
July 27, 2026
In the third book of this series (trilogy?), we have the same formulaic storyline as the previous two. Jack is captured, and Sally must find a way to save him and the rest of Halloweentown. Along the way, she discovers more about herself and finds new towns.
There's nothing really wrong with the story, but there's also nothing new here. At first, this series was fun because we were finally able to explore some of the other holiday towns. Then we got to explore other towns that weren't part of the holidays (Fable Town, Time Town, Tooth Town, etc.). The towns started to get a little obscure (Tide Town, Chance Town). Along the way we do get more of Sally's background, find out what happened to her before the Nightmare Before Christmas Movie, and see her grown into the Queen that she is. The three books tread over the same territory, and it just becomes repetitive. It's fine for what it is, but not a must-read.
There's nothing really wrong with the story, but there's also nothing new here. At first, this series was fun because we were finally able to explore some of the other holiday towns. Then we got to explore other towns that weren't part of the holidays (Fable Town, Time Town, Tooth Town, etc.). The towns started to get a little obscure (Tide Town, Chance Town). Along the way we do get more of Sally's background, find out what happened to her before the Nightmare Before Christmas Movie, and see her grown into the Queen that she is. The three books tread over the same territory, and it just becomes repetitive. It's fine for what it is, but not a must-read.
July 10, 2026
We're back, baby!
After feeling a bit underwhelmed by the second book, Meghan Shepherd really seems to have found Sally's voice here. The repetitive phrasing that pulled me out of the last installment is largely gone, and Sally once again feels like the character I remember from the film.
The stakes are higher this time around, with new characters, new locations, and new threats that expand the world in fun ways. It also feels a bit more mature than the previous book. It still has that creepy-cozy charm, but isn't afraid to let the tension build.
Looking forward to the next installment, which (I believe) is slated for next year!
After feeling a bit underwhelmed by the second book, Meghan Shepherd really seems to have found Sally's voice here. The repetitive phrasing that pulled me out of the last installment is largely gone, and Sally once again feels like the character I remember from the film.
The stakes are higher this time around, with new characters, new locations, and new threats that expand the world in fun ways. It also feels a bit more mature than the previous book. It still has that creepy-cozy charm, but isn't afraid to let the tension build.
Looking forward to the next installment, which (I believe) is slated for next year!
July 21, 2026
A good ending to a good series. Easily the best book of the trilogy. Although it’s very similar to the first two books, it contained much more backstory and action. The action was the best part, very entertaining.
These books expand upon the nbc world so well with some incredible description. You feel the cold and spookiness of Halloweentown.
All 3 books always contain some cringe lines from Sally. She’s constantly doubting her royalty status and place in Halloweentown. But it’s minimal so it doesn’t hurt the quality of the book. I’m sad the series is over but I believe it wrapped up nicely.
These books expand upon the nbc world so well with some incredible description. You feel the cold and spookiness of Halloweentown.
All 3 books always contain some cringe lines from Sally. She’s constantly doubting her royalty status and place in Halloweentown. But it’s minimal so it doesn’t hurt the quality of the book. I’m sad the series is over but I believe it wrapped up nicely.
July 23, 2026
I am really enjoying this series. I love getting more information into Sally’s backstory and life. I’m sad that Jack is always a background character and not really a main character. However Sally is really coming into her own and is a strong queen. N.B.C is still one of my favorite movies to this day and I love these books continuing after the plot of the movie. I’m hoping there will be a fourth book but if there isn’t I still feel like this story left off in a good stopping point.
July 25, 2026
Really wanted this to be a 5 star, but it became a 3 star.
Hated the parents dismissal of their daughter's agency. Same plot type where Jack isnt around much. Sally's doubts should've been put to the grave by last book, not this book.
That said, I will definitely read more NBC books. And books set within the worlds if they are written.
Hated the parents dismissal of their daughter's agency. Same plot type where Jack isnt around much. Sally's doubts should've been put to the grave by last book, not this book.
That said, I will definitely read more NBC books. And books set within the worlds if they are written.
July 16, 2026
I enjoyed the 3rd book of Sally’s story however I found I struggled to get into it at points as where I didn’t with the first 2 books. Still a great story and I am looking forward to more of Sally’s adventures <3
July 8, 2026
Boring
July 12, 2026
3.5 stars
I think I liked the second book slightly better. Not a big fan when Sally and Dahlia (even ever so slightly) make up with Dr Finklestein
I think I liked the second book slightly better. Not a big fan when Sally and Dahlia (even ever so slightly) make up with Dr Finklestein
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2026
I love the adventures of Sally! I will read these as long as they are written.
July 21, 2026
Not as good as the other two books in the series. The ending was a little anti-climactic.
July 25, 2026
I’d say a 4.5 stars this time. I still really enjoyed it but I enjoyed the other two more. There was one part in here that really didn’t make sense to me but won’t say because of spoilers.
July 25, 2026
This book isn’t perfect. There are plot holes, sure, but it’s such an important story for anyone who’s ever been hurt or mistreated. Especially young adults.
August 1, 2026
Love this!!!!
August 3, 2026
Low-stakes “spooky” fun read.
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