A Guided Walk Through the Sparkle Valley Series

Sep 29

4 min read

Updated: Oct 5

What happens to our childhood worlds when we grow up?

Do they disappear — or wait for us in silence?

If you’re new to the Sparkle Valley book series, here is how I think about it:

So I just talked about what Sparkle Valley is really about, and now I want to dig into the actual books a little bit more.

First of all, Sparkle Valley is a fantasy trilogy (with a prequel to come). And as I already said, it takes the question seriously - what happens to the worlds we build as children when we grow up? Do they disappear like most people think they do, or do they just wait for us there in silence?

It's such a fascinating question isn't it? Because you see it around you, you see people, artists maybe, or friends, or people in your family, or yourself if you're lucky, who managed to keep that childlike imagination and wonder. And they have something about them, an aura, an innocence. They recognize the beauty in the world, and they make the world a place that comes alive. We gravitate toward these people.

Book 1

Anyway, let's talk about Book 1. This book is called simply Sparkle Valley, and it starts with, you guessed it, Abigail. Brave, loyal Abigail. She's been left behind by Emily, in her magic garden, and she gets swept away by a river. She lands in Sparkle Valley—a surreal dreamworld that's made up of broken toys, and caves, snow peaked mountains, jungles, musical tortoises, anything you can imagine— literally. Well, Abigail arrives there and her mission is simple: she has to find her friend, Ivana, and bring her home.

Cover of Sparkle Valley by J.P. Nickles — Sparkle Valley

And here I need to touch again on what's going on below the surface. Because remember, Sparkle Valley is more than just a backdrop, it's the physical expression of Emily. Emily, the girl who once loved Abigail, and called her, her sister. But now Emily is drifting into this world of phones and screens and forgetting how to play. So as Abigail searches for her friend in Sparkle Valley, we start to get the idea that the story isn't just about some kind of rescue.

It's about survival, literally the survival of memory, belief, and most importantly of the love that Abigail feels for her sister.

Book 2

So that’s Book 1. Let's move to Book 2, which is called Sparkle Valley and the Rise of the Troll. These books are chronological, so Emily is older now and Sparkle Valley is literally unraveling, kind of like her. The Smortzle, a tyrannical troll, has taken over and he's running everything, ruling by fear. He’s ordered the toys to build blue statues of him – ridiculous stuff like that. It’s a strange confusing world that Abigail returns to. Even memory seems unreliable. Are former enemies now friends? Is Ivana responsible? But through it all Abigail continues to fight for Emily.

Cover of Sparkle Valley and the Rise of the Troll by J.P. Nickles — Sparkle Valley and the Rise of the Troll

There is a lot of emotional complexity in this book, which matches the raging emotions running through Emily. Remember each of these characters represent a part of her. Speaking of, a new character pops up—who you will love—a puppet (actually a marionette), by the name of Frank Needlenose. He’s kind of wild, but he's also a poet and he's totally unpredictable. In this Book 2, everything becomes less defined, less about good/evil, and more about the slow erosion of belief. It’s darker, more allegorical. Again, it’s Emily.

Book 3

Book 3 is called Sparkle Valley and Abigail's Quest, and it begins with Abigail packed away in a closet. Emily has forgotten her, and she's overwhelmed by grief. (Spoiler alert - stop reading here if you don't want to know the ending.) The Inzos, (the shadows of fear) have returned. And the Powder of Life, which is Abigail's last chance to become real, has been stolen.

But none of this is point anymore.

This final book is about sacrifice. Abigail gives up what she wants more than anything in the world —to become real— so that Emily can grow up without losing wonder.

Cover of Sparkle Valley and Abigail’s Quest by J.P. Nickles — Sparkle Valley and Abigail's Quest

Book 3 is Abigail's final journey— her reckoning. And ultimately, Abigail succeeds not by becoming real, but by choosing not to. It’s a quiet heroism of letting go.

The final thing I’d like to discuss is why I think Sparkle Valley really matters. It’s not afraid of sadness. For true joy there has to be sadness.

Built on Feeling

These books are all built on feeling. The rules in Sparkle Valley are based on emotions, and any logic is dream logic, whatever that means.

But that's precisely why Sparkle Vallet matters and what sets us up for an ending that is luminous. It's the Blue Flower. It's possibility. What Abigail has done through her brave fight and ultimate sacrifice is to take us on a trip of the strange beauty of growing up.

In so doing, this little doll – who was animated by love—has given us a map on how to navigate change and loss and give us hope that maybe just maybe, imagination will continue.