Sally's Lament

by Mari Mancusi

Read Dates: 7/6/25 to 7/7/25

Review

Sally’s Lament is such a cute and creative twist on the world of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Instead of Jack stumbling into Christmas Town, this version explores what would happen if Sally had been the one to make that magical discovery. It’s like stepping into an alternate timeline—one that still feels completely true to the characters we know and love, while offering a fresh take on the story we’re so familiar with.

I really enjoyed seeing this more independent and curious side of Sally, and how her journey into the Land of Christmas gives her room to grow and reflect. Jack is still very much himself, but we get to see a different dynamic between them as their relationship unfolds in this new context. There are plenty of fun callbacks to the original movie, but also some delightful surprises—especially the new characters that bring extra charm to this whimsical, slightly spooky world. If you’ve ever wondered “what if Sally had been the one to find Christmas Town?”—this book is for you.