This book is definitely for the kid-friendly gothic-esque lovers, like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline, but the worldbuilding still stands firmly as its own thing and I really loved that! I loved that there were so many different Nightmare creatures, with some being silly and some being dangerous. The titular Labyrinth and the Sorrows were brimming with life and character; I really hope we get more of them in the sequel.

Ix is a very enduring, lovable protagonist. Her love of puns, the connections she has/forms with various Nightmare creatures, the found family she forms with Morrigan, Ollie, and Captain Kel and his husband, it just made me love this kid a lot. I hope Vedder has her whole school journey planned out, because I really wanna see how this kid grows and changes with every book.

I could gush a bit more, but it's better if I don't say anymore. I think kids and adults alike will love this book when it officially releases this February!