by Shea Ernshaw
First published 2022
Sally Skellington stitches together her new life as Pumpkin Queen of Halloween Town. Jack Skellington swept her into marriage after their whirlwind romance, but royal responsibilities feel more suffocating than her old prison under Dr. Finkelstein. The spotlight burns bright on Sally as townspeople expect her to fulfill queenly obligations she never wanted. During a forest walk with Zero, Sally stumbles upon a hidden doorway leading to Dream Town, an ancient realm buried in the Hinterlands. This accidental discovery triggers dangerous consequences that threaten both her crown and Halloween Town's survival. Sally must navigate the treacherous politics of her new position while uncovering Dream Town's secrets. The fabric princess faces a choice between conforming to others' expectations and embracing her authentic self. Her decision will determine whether Halloween Town endures or crumbles into nightmare.
Genres: romance, fantasy, young-adult, fairy-tale-retellings
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: chosen-one, fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Halloween Town, Dream Town, Hinterlands
Period: Halloween
315 pages · Hardcover · Random House/Disney
Content warnings: anxiety, depression, mental-illness