An okay adaptation of a beloved classic. Enjoyable, but not one I'm sure I would reread, time and again.

I’m not going to lie., I was reading this with caution as The Nightmare before Christmas is my favourite film EVER and I just didn’t know this book was going to make me feel …. Well I felt everything exactly like the film and more !!!! Nothing was spoilt and nothing majorly different, everything was how it should be and beautifully written.

We read this as a family and even my girls ( who are major fans of the film ) both absolutely loved it !!!

This is pretty much the exact same as the movie which is automatically a 5 star for me! Absolutely loved even though I could recite every speaking part.

A great Halloween read but I definitely prefer the movie adaptation personally, it's not the same without hearing some songs and usually I would adore books more but in this case it's the other way around.

I found this a little difficult to get into, I'm not entirely sure why but about half way through I ended up flying through the second half of the book, definitely recommend it to more hardcore Nightmare Before Christmas fans than I, I'm more Hocus Pocus to be honest!

Title: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Novelisation
Written by: Megan Shepherd
Pub Date: 14 Sep 2023
Publisher: Bonnier Books UK, Studio Press
Genre: Teens & YA


This is a book based directly from the movie. We meet Jack and quickly see that Halloween has been his whole life but he has become board with it and feels there must be more to life. He has no idea that there is someone else in his town who feels the same.

Sally had be held captive by her creator Dr Frankenstein. She wants to be free to go and do what she wants. Feeling like she has no other choice she has been poisoning her captor in order to explore. On one of her explorations she follows Jack. Suddenly she realizes she is not the only one who is trapped.

Later, with only his dog Zero for company, Jack finds strange looking trees that have shapes carved into them. He discovers that these shapes are doorways and Jack falls into Christmas town.



While I think Shepherd had a real understanding of the Nightmare Before Christmas universe, I did expect there to be a unique twist to the book that writer would bring. Unfortunately I was wrong. The book IS more or less word for scene.

I think that I would have enjoyed the book more if there was a little difference between the book and the movie. I understand this was a Novelisation but it was so exact to the movie that I'd rather just watch that.

Personally I chose to DNF after 100 pages.

If you've seen the movie, you know the story. It was so lovely to see it brought to life in a book, though. It's one of my favourite Hallowe'en films (yes, it's a Hallowe'en film) and reading this right before watching the movie is highly recommended.

Is this a Halloween 🎃 or Christmas 🎄 film? I watch it all year round .. so when I saw a novelisation had been done I had to read it and like the film I loved it.

The chapter are short and sweet to keep those who don’t know the story interested. A great book in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the release of Tim Burton’s iconic stop-motion film, Disney has released this official novelisation. - The only downside is there are no song 😂

Highly recommended for any NBC fan to get you into the spooky season mood. Well done and great details that help you picture all the characters but will also make you want to watch the film after

🖤 REVIEW 🖤

The Nightmare Before Christmas by Megan Shepherd

This is a very sweet, very spooky, and very short read, one that is great for both youngsters and adults alike. Everyone knows the story of The Nightmare Before Christmas so there is no need for summary. The film itself is magical and likewise, so is this. It’s a simple retelling, so please don’t expect any other bells and whistles! To put it plainly, Shepherd does a wonderful job of telling such a famous and for many, nostalgic, story.

This is the perfect read to get you in the mood for the ‘ber’ months. For me, the film has always been on my Christmas watchlist but I understand that for many it’s a spooky season must! When do you dig out The Nightmare Before Christmas?

Thank you to both @netgalley and @bonnierbooks_uk for this advanced copy in an exchange for my thoughts! I had a lot of fun 🖤🎃🎄 Review on bookstagram to follow soon

I adore everything Disney and I adore the nightmare before Christmas. This is a special edition and I enjoyed it all the same.

4 stars.

A familiar story and a truly satisfying book adaptation of this much loved movie. I have been a huge fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas since I was a child so to be able to read this was fantastic.

The story follows Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town who one day stumbles into Christmas Town. From there Jack has a dream of creating the perfect Christmas.

This was beautifully executed. I have not yet seen the movie however, will be watching it this Halloween. I have read the basic plot and this brought my imagination to life of what I imagined the film to be and portray.

The chapters were short and sweet which paced the book amazingly and was such a fast paced read.

Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas,
When all through Halloween Town,
All the monsters were stirring,
Yes, even a mous... rat!

I think I'd better stop there and apologise to Clement Clarke Moore. Now, this is a difficult one to review, my heart's thinking 'Strike up the band! Launch the fireworks! This is a five star adaptation of one of my favourite animated films, but my head's screaming 'What? Sorry, it may be good, but it has major issues!'

First: It's a by the numbers adaptation that sticks pretty much to the film's storyline. I'm sure there are those that will love that, but for me the best adaptations are ones that surprise me, ones that either add something new or restore something that was cut during the edit and there's little of that here

Second: It's an adaptation of a musical. I know there's nothing the author can do about that, but The Nightmare Before Christmas without the music and songs is a soulless thing. I suppose I could have listened to the soundtrack while reading, but I suspect that would have made me want to watch the film again more than read this book.

As a huge fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas I was delighted to receive an advance copy of this to review. It's as creepy and atmospheric as the film with a few more details thrown in. Would definitely recommend this to all NBC fans and lose yourself once more in Halloween Town and its creepy residents.

My thanks to Bonnier Books U.K. Studio Press for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Novelisation’ by Megan Shepherd. I complemented my reading with my purchase of its unabridged audiobook edition.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the release of Tim Burton’s iconic stop-motion film, Disney has released this official novelisation.

As ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is one of my favourite films viewed many times, the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, and his delight at the discovery of Christmas Town and the chaos that follows was very familiar to me.

I was impressed with Megan Shepherd’s faithfulness to the film and it felt like reading a well described audio description. I found that I was transported back to my first viewing.

I feel that this book will appeal to fans of the film as well as being the perfect gift for same.

This was a true film-to-book adaptation and did not disappoint! As a lover of the original Tim Burton movie, I was absolutely obsessed with this and definitely recommend it to all Halloween lovers!

This did not disappoint. It is perfect for both Halloween and Christmas. If you are obsessed with the film I would highly recommend. It just added a bit more depth for me!

This was a very good novelisation of the film. As in the film Jack Skellington visits Christmas town and tries to bring the magic to Halloween town and chaos ensues. If you are a fan of the film or a collector of Nightmare Before Christmas stuff you'll love this and it's suitable for all ages. I can't wait to read this with my children when they get a bit older.

Absolutely loveeee The Nightmare Before Christmas and reading it was just as magical. Its the perfect book for the start of Autumn/spooky season.

If you love the movie you will love this novelisation. If you don't know the movie this is a good introduction
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A film to text book and it was the book we were all waiting for. I loved every minute. If you adore the film then you will love this. It was exactly what I needed to get me into the autumn spirit and the perfect way to start it off!