Finding Yourself Beyond the Shadows: Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw

This ended up being such a comforting and immersive read for me.

I listened to the audiobook while following along with the physical copy, and as usual, that combination made the story feel even more alive in my head. The narration really enhanced the atmosphere and visuals, which works perfectly for a world as vivid and iconic as Halloween Town. You can almost see the scenes unfolding as you read.

What I appreciated most is that Shea Ernshaw truly understood Sally as a character. She still felt like the Sally we know and love, but with more emotional depth and agency. Instead of simply existing as Jack’s love interest, the story gives her room to question who she is outside of someone else’s shadow. That emotional journey made the book feel more grounded and meaningful to me.

The pacing also worked really well. It never felt slow or dragged out, and I stayed engaged the entire time. It has that cozy gothic fantasy feeling without becoming boring or overly heavy.

What genuinely caught me off guard, though, was the timing of when I read this.

I finished the book on January 29, and then just two days later, the news involving Catherine O’Hara broke. That honestly shook me a little. I’ve owned this book for a long time and randomly felt pulled to finally read it now because I’m such a mood reader. Then that happened right after. Maybe it’s just coincidence, but it became one of those strange little moments that sticks with you and unexpectedly adds another emotional layer to the reading experience.

Overall, this was nostalgic, cozy, and thoughtfully written. It reminded me why stories like The Nightmare Before Christmas continue to resonate with so many people years later. It wasn’t quite a five-star read for me, but it came very close—and I’d absolutely recommend it if you love gothic fantasy with heart, whimsical worlds, and character-driven stories.

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Title: Long Live the Pumpkin Queen
Author: Shea Ernshaw
Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: Gothic Fantasy, YA Fantasy, Retelling
Page Count: 315 pages
POV: Single
Narrative Style: First person
Series Information: Book 1 of the Pumpkin Queen series

Themes and Tropes

• finding your identity
• magical kingdoms
• gothic atmosphere
• cozy fantasy
• marriage and expectations

Gore Level: 1/5
Very mild. Dark fantasy imagery and spooky elements, but nothing graphic or disturbing.

Spice Level: N/A
No explicit sexual content. Romance remains sweet and wholesome.

Profanity: Minimal.
Violence: Mild fantasy danger and supernatural conflict.
Substances: None significant.

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A cozy, nostalgic gothic fantasy that gives Sally the emotional depth and spotlight she deserves while capturing the charm and atmosphere of Halloween Town beautifully.

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