Book Review: Sally's Lament by Mari Mancusi

Title: Sally's Lament

Author: Mari Mancussi

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Publishing Date: October 8th, 2024

Read: December 2nd, 2024

Pages: 352

Audio Length: 8 Hours 27 Minutes

Genre: YA fantasy retelling

TW: N/A

Series: Twisted Tales #19

Source: Audio

What it's about:

What if Sally discovered Christmas Town?

Sally has mostly loved her creepy hometown of Halloween Town. But lately, she can't help but want something more. In a place full of the frightening, you'd think living in the shadows wouldn't feel so . . . isolating. She knows she could do so much more if she wasn't always stuck in the lab of her creator, Dr. Finkelstein. Soon Sally is surprised to learn that the Pumpkin King, Jack, is longing for a change of his own. Determined to find a solution for them both, Sally follows a vision that could be the key to changing their fates.

But the more time Sally spends in the strange, jolly land of Christmas Town, the more suspicious she grows of the seemingly idyllic winter wonderland. What is lurking behind those dancing sugar plums? And what exactly does it mean to be put on the Naughty List? Will Sally be able to save the best of both towns—before it's too late?

What I thought:

When I saw that there was a new NBC retelling I had to have it and then I found out that Mari Mancusi wrote it and I double needed it.

I love Mari and I love NBC. 

Cover:

I always love the Twisted Tales covers and this one has a special place in my heart. Absolutely love.

Story:

So this is where a problem comes in, it just wasn't at all what I expected it to be. It was an okay story but it's not what I expected or honestly wanted. I know that sounds silly, I did enjoy it. I just wanted something a bit closer to the movie. 

As a standalone book it's great, as a NBC retelling, not so much.

Pace: 

Everything happened really quicky, it was a really quick read.

Writing: 

Of course the writing is amazing as usual coming from Mari.

Characters: 

So as a standalone, again, I loved them. Jack was pretty yummy to be honest, is that weird?
Anyway! 

But they didn't seem to match with the movie. They just weren't them.

Ending: 

I did enjoy the ending, I cried. I won't tell you why, but I did. And it's what made the book a four star to me.

Narrator:

Overall:

I did like this book, but not as a NBC retelling, just as a standalone book.

A little Snippet:

“Oh, it is good to be home," he declared. And Sally agreed with him. There was so much she loved about Christmas Town. But Halloween Town was pretty great, too. And it was okay, she decided, to like both for what they were. If she learned anything from this adventure, it was that one thing didn't have to define you. You got to define yourself--- in any manner you saw fit.”

― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

Possible books of likeness:

Author's info:

Mari Mancusi grew up where the north wind meets the sea (otherwise known as Massachusetts), but has since made her home in the great state of Texas, mostly due to her love of summer. (And tacos.) A former Emmy Award winning TV news producer, today she is the author of more than two-dozen books for kids, teens, and adults, mostly of the sci-fi/fantasy variety. In addition to writing, Mari loves traveling, video games, and cosplaying. She is also Mom to an eight year old Frozen superfan who, when recently asked by her teacher to describe her hero answered: “My Mom!” (Okay, fine, she said Kristin Bell.)
You can find Mari online at www.marimancusi.com. She knows several Samanthas.
Website:http://www.marimancusi.com
Twitter: marimancusi

Other books I've read by this author: