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Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula
Princess Decomposia is overworked and underappreciated.
This princess of the underworld has plenty of her own work to do but always seems to find herself doing her layabout father's job, as well. The king doesn't feel quite well, you see. Ever. So the princess is left scurrying through the halls, dodging her mummy, werewolf, and ghost subjects, always running behind and always buried under a ton of paperwork. Oh, and her father just fired the chef, so now she has to hire a new cook as well.
Luckily for Princess Decomposia, she makes a good hire in Count Spatula, the vampire chef with a sweet tooth. He's a charming go-getter of a blood-sucker, and pretty soon the two young ghouls become friends. And then...more than friends? Maybe eventually, but first Princess Decomposia has to sort out her life. And with Count Spatula at her side, you can be sure she'll succeed.
Andi Watson (Glister, Gum Girl) brings his signature gothy-cute sensibility to this very sweet and mildly spooky tale of friendship, family, and management training for the undead.
This princess of the underworld has plenty of her own work to do but always seems to find herself doing her layabout father's job, as well. The king doesn't feel quite well, you see. Ever. So the princess is left scurrying through the halls, dodging her mummy, werewolf, and ghost subjects, always running behind and always buried under a ton of paperwork. Oh, and her father just fired the chef, so now she has to hire a new cook as well.
Luckily for Princess Decomposia, she makes a good hire in Count Spatula, the vampire chef with a sweet tooth. He's a charming go-getter of a blood-sucker, and pretty soon the two young ghouls become friends. And then...more than friends? Maybe eventually, but first Princess Decomposia has to sort out her life. And with Count Spatula at her side, you can be sure she'll succeed.
Andi Watson (Glister, Gum Girl) brings his signature gothy-cute sensibility to this very sweet and mildly spooky tale of friendship, family, and management training for the undead.
176 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2015
8 people are currently reading
1051 people want to read
About the author
Andi Watson
150 books92 followersAndrew "Andi" Watson (born 1969) is a British cartoonist and illustrator best known for the graphic novels Breakfast After Noon, Slow News Day and his series Love Fights, published by Oni Press and Slave Labor Graphics.
Watson has also worked for more mainstream American comic publishers with some work at DC Comics, a twelve-issue limited series at Marvel Comics, with the majority at Dark Horse Comics, moving recently to Image Comics.
Watson has also worked for more mainstream American comic publishers with some work at DC Comics, a twelve-issue limited series at Marvel Comics, with the majority at Dark Horse Comics, moving recently to Image Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
October 18, 2024
Wonderful tale about an overburdened princess who finds true friendship with the new cook. Sometimes the best advice comes from those who know us best; but often we do not listen to their advice. This would be a good book for a small child who is feeling overwhelmed. Really nice art.
July 12, 2017
This graphic novel is so cute! It's an underworld romance. The King of the Underworld has become a hypochondriac. He has taken to his bed and has left the kingdom to his daughter to handle. But he still has the last word on all decisions and wants his daughter to wait on him bony hand and bony foot.
The palace chef quits and Count Spatula is hired. He is a vampire with a sweet tooth. He likes sweets so much that he has lost a lot of teeth.
So he finds his way into her heart with delicious baked goods (would work for me).
It's an adorable story and very imaginable. 😁💕👻🆒
The palace chef quits and Count Spatula is hired. He is a vampire with a sweet tooth. He likes sweets so much that he has lost a lot of teeth.
So he finds his way into her heart with delicious baked goods (would work for me).
It's an adorable story and very imaginable. 😁💕👻🆒
first-second-publications
March 4, 2015We're so delighted to be publishing this absolutely charming book by Andi Watson!
Who can resist the power of solving diplomatic problems through magical baking? I mean, seriously. I myself found magical-baking-diplomacy extremely difficult to resist.
This book is adorable and lovely and it's all about workplace problems in a very light and approachable way, which I think is just super.
Yay!
Who can resist the power of solving diplomatic problems through magical baking? I mean, seriously. I myself found magical-baking-diplomacy extremely difficult to resist.
This book is adorable and lovely and it's all about workplace problems in a very light and approachable way, which I think is just super.
Yay!
November 15, 2021
Read this to see if my niece would enjoy this, even half as much as she enjoys the Hotel Transylvania and Adams Family movies. I hope she will!
Although the story is rather pedestrian (monarch tries to control his smart and talented daughter)--the cute critters and their roles in the castle are not. With most frames, Watson sketches the whims of a child made tangible... in black and white.
Although the story is rather pedestrian (monarch tries to control his smart and talented daughter)--the cute critters and their roles in the castle are not. With most frames, Watson sketches the whims of a child made tangible... in black and white.
February 26, 2016
Great title, especially for a kid's graphic novel, eh? Not scary, even in the R. L. Stine sense. Takes place in the underworld, with an overworked princess and her (maybe) ill father, King Wulfrun, and (especially) Count Spatula, who develops a close relationship to the princess. She seems very young at first, under her Daddy's thumb, but not too young for love, looks like. The rest of the world is populated with zombies, vampires, ghosts, and so on. The big reveals have to do with 1) the princess and the king, their relationship and 2) the princess and the count.
Oh! And the count is the king's baker (spatula, get it?) so there's a lot of yummy food being made here, which is part of the fun of the book.
By northern Englander Watson, done in a kind of sketchy pen and ink style. It's fun. For tweens, or maybe 3rd grade on.
Oh! And the count is the king's baker (spatula, get it?) so there's a lot of yummy food being made here, which is part of the fun of the book.
By northern Englander Watson, done in a kind of sketchy pen and ink style. It's fun. For tweens, or maybe 3rd grade on.
November 20, 2015
Kind of cute, but it felt rushed and unfinished. The art was somewhat inconsistent, especially noticeable on Princess Decomposia's hair. She has a unique hairstyle, which makes it obvious when it's been drawn off model. The story was ok, but it could have been better with more development. Much of the book felt like filler, and even though I thought those were the best parts, it made the thin plot even more noticeable.
September 2, 2019
Read this with my daughter, her choice.
2.5 stars. Definitely for the tween set. Maybe would have rated this higher had it been a little bit shorter.
2.5 stars. Definitely for the tween set. Maybe would have rated this higher had it been a little bit shorter.
June 14, 2021
Engaging and cute.
July 19, 2014
Marvelously charming! The illustrations are unique in that while the characters may be the undead it alights within the reader a warm and fuzzy glow. It’s like watching the young Gomez & Morticia (You know, if, the Addams family ever decided to be rulers over an undead kingdom and have us watch this amazing romance budding throughout at least the first few episodes).
Princess Decomposia takes care of her unwell father, and runs a kingdom simultaneously. She is usually too busy to eat, much less enjoy life, until Count Spatula comes along. Let me just say, if an interesting male came along, popping out, coffee, tea, biscuits, cookies, and cupcakes....
and you don’t feel the need to scoop them up right away:
A delightful (and delicious sounding) read as you watch Count Spatula trying to navigate his way in the kitchen, Clove’s advice (and babies) and watching the unfolding underworld negotions and the relationship between father and daughter. The abduction and resolution was definitely heartfelt and hilarious as everyone goes through their own character development. I closed the last page smiling and
I do think at the end there should have been an instructional tutorial on how to wear your hair in styled bat wings!
Thanks for the ARC NetGalley!
Princess Decomposia takes care of her unwell father, and runs a kingdom simultaneously. She is usually too busy to eat, much less enjoy life, until Count Spatula comes along. Let me just say, if an interesting male came along, popping out, coffee, tea, biscuits, cookies, and cupcakes....
and you don’t feel the need to scoop them up right away:
A delightful (and delicious sounding) read as you watch Count Spatula trying to navigate his way in the kitchen, Clove’s advice (and babies) and watching the unfolding underworld negotions and the relationship between father and daughter. The abduction and resolution was definitely heartfelt and hilarious as everyone goes through their own character development. I closed the last page smiling and
I do think at the end there should have been an instructional tutorial on how to wear your hair in styled bat wings!
Thanks for the ARC NetGalley!
February 2, 2018
I thought this would be a lot cuter than I thought it was going to be? Like, I mean, it was cute and all, but it wasn't super super super adorable and funny, which I thought it was going to be. So, yeah, there's that.
First item on the list is that I thought the art was great. It reminds me of the comic strips that I read back when I was younger, and it's definitely a different type of graphic novel than I've been reading. I thought the sketches were quite nicely done and quite pleasing. A lot of the images were very cute even when they were supposed to be kind of evil creatures?
Overall, I did think this was a cute read. I'm not sure it had a plot, but I kind of just enjoyed going with it. Princess Decomposia was a strong, super capable heroine that was so realistic. Count Spatula was cool, and I liked Clove as well. It was just a cute read that didn't really have too much going on, but it's still super easy to get through.
I did have some issues with the world building, though. You apparently really have to read the summary of the book or else you're screwed to understand what the creatures are and what's happening. There's absolutely no backstory besides that, so I kept going, wait, I thought these people were vampires? Are they not vampires? I think Princess Decomposia was a princess of the Underworld? Like, maybe? And I don't know what the king was supposed to be other than looking a bit like an onion? I DON'T KNOW. I AM SO CONFUSED. I DIDN'T GET ANYTHING ABOUT THIS WORLD AND WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WHY THINGS WERE HAPPENING. I AM SO CONFUSED STILL BUT I MEAN, I STILL KIND OF ENJOYED IT.
And the romance was kind of meh. Wasn't feeling it too much.
Overall, this was a short fun read, but it didn't really have much a plot, deep characterization, or in-depth or really any world building. Andi Watson definitely has a talent for art, and it did have some super fun moments. If you're looking for something light and not deep at all, this is your story that will fill up a little bit of your time. 3 crowns and a Belle rating!
First item on the list is that I thought the art was great. It reminds me of the comic strips that I read back when I was younger, and it's definitely a different type of graphic novel than I've been reading. I thought the sketches were quite nicely done and quite pleasing. A lot of the images were very cute even when they were supposed to be kind of evil creatures?
Overall, I did think this was a cute read. I'm not sure it had a plot, but I kind of just enjoyed going with it. Princess Decomposia was a strong, super capable heroine that was so realistic. Count Spatula was cool, and I liked Clove as well. It was just a cute read that didn't really have too much going on, but it's still super easy to get through.
I did have some issues with the world building, though. You apparently really have to read the summary of the book or else you're screwed to understand what the creatures are and what's happening. There's absolutely no backstory besides that, so I kept going, wait, I thought these people were vampires? Are they not vampires? I think Princess Decomposia was a princess of the Underworld? Like, maybe? And I don't know what the king was supposed to be other than looking a bit like an onion? I DON'T KNOW. I AM SO CONFUSED. I DIDN'T GET ANYTHING ABOUT THIS WORLD AND WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WHY THINGS WERE HAPPENING. I AM SO CONFUSED STILL BUT I MEAN, I STILL KIND OF ENJOYED IT.
And the romance was kind of meh. Wasn't feeling it too much.
Overall, this was a short fun read, but it didn't really have much a plot, deep characterization, or in-depth or really any world building. Andi Watson definitely has a talent for art, and it did have some super fun moments. If you're looking for something light and not deep at all, this is your story that will fill up a little bit of your time. 3 crowns and a Belle rating!
December 4, 2014
PDF - I've typically enjoyed Andi's work in the past. This book, however, felt rushed and slight. Looser, sloppier artwork can feel alive and kinetic, but not here - it feels incomplete and rushed. The script needs a good twist that never arrives to get it out of its cookie-cutter rut. Watson's turned in some terrific comics in the past, but this one falls flat.
May 10, 2018
Very cute
August 25, 2017
A quick and sweet little read, Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula is an inventive little story about a princess of the Underworld who has to cope with a nagging manipulating and whiny king father, who is so nitpicky that the staff rarely lasts too long.
Enter Count Spatula, a pastry chef of the likes never seen in the Underworld, whose lemon drizzle cake is unlike ANY other lemon drizzle cake or cake for that matter.
Whimsical, fun, silly, and sweet. A great read for younger audiences or if you're tired of all the bad news something nice and fluffy and fun to sink your fangs into.
Enter Count Spatula, a pastry chef of the likes never seen in the Underworld, whose lemon drizzle cake is unlike ANY other lemon drizzle cake or cake for that matter.
Whimsical, fun, silly, and sweet. A great read for younger audiences or if you're tired of all the bad news something nice and fluffy and fun to sink your fangs into.
July 22, 2019
Suuuuper cute. I wish this was a series because how adorable is a vampire baker falling in love with a vampire princess? Come on. So precious. The art style got a little redundant for me, not a lot of variation between pages or scenes but it was a really adorable story.
January 19, 2020
It was so cute .
December 6, 2016
Cute story about a princess attempting to do good amidst counterproductive odds. With sweet vampire chef.
I wanted this to win me over just a bit more, but I can't think of anything bad to say about it besides the fact that Decomposia is the only female-presenting character of note.
Maybe it would have helped kick it up a notch if it had been in color, and if a bit more attention had been paid to detailing the food. The parts that really stand out in my head are the bits where they're presenting specially designed food to various dignitaries, and I think they would have had more pizzazz if they'd been given bigger panels (maybe a full page) and some colors.
Maybe in the next story?
Read with:
Bitterblue
Ghostopolis
I wanted this to win me over just a bit more, but I can't think of anything bad to say about it besides the fact that Decomposia is the only female-presenting character of note.
Maybe it would have helped kick it up a notch if it had been in color, and if a bit more attention had been paid to detailing the food. The parts that really stand out in my head are the bits where they're presenting specially designed food to various dignitaries, and I think they would have had more pizzazz if they'd been given bigger panels (maybe a full page) and some colors.
Maybe in the next story?
Read with:
Bitterblue
Ghostopolis
September 7, 2016
SO CUTE! And full of monsters. What more could you want?
To add a few more details, though, it's about Princess Decomposia, who is running herself ragged with royal work while her father malingers. She's never really thought about how unfair that is. She hasn't had a minute to think, she's too busy! Then a new chef arrives to work at the palace. Count Spatula is a vampire who lost his fangs to his passion for sweets, and he quickly determines that the Princess could really use a break. And some good meals. And a friend (or possibly more than a friend).
There's so much emotional depth and realism here, especially as Decomposia (Dee for short) starts to realize how selfish her father has been. By the end of the story, though, everyone's headed in the right direction. I'll be tracking down more of Watson's work. And hoping for a sequel about this charming couple.
To add a few more details, though, it's about Princess Decomposia, who is running herself ragged with royal work while her father malingers. She's never really thought about how unfair that is. She hasn't had a minute to think, she's too busy! Then a new chef arrives to work at the palace. Count Spatula is a vampire who lost his fangs to his passion for sweets, and he quickly determines that the Princess could really use a break. And some good meals. And a friend (or possibly more than a friend).
There's so much emotional depth and realism here, especially as Decomposia (Dee for short) starts to realize how selfish her father has been. By the end of the story, though, everyone's headed in the right direction. I'll be tracking down more of Watson's work. And hoping for a sequel about this charming couple.
December 1, 2014
Provided by the publisher for review via NetGalley.
This is such a delightful and charming little romance. It's about the very busy Princess Decomposia (Dee to her friends) who does all of the hard work of running the Underworld for her "very sick" father. Along comes the new cook, Count Spatula who cares for Dee not only by reminding her to eat, but also by giving her the push to stand up for herself and take time out to enjoy life.
The artwork is simplistic without being dull and while it would suggest that the book is geared towards younger readers, the language is smart and applicable for teens and adults.
October 26, 2014
Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula was an absolute delight! It took all of fifteen minutes to get through (if that!) and was a joy the entire time. Before you even begin reading, you can easily guess at how the story will play out, what lessons the characters will learn, how it will all end, but I quickly realized I didn’t mind one bit; the journey there was half the fun!
October 10, 2015
This is a delightful story that embodies the traditional love story with truly dark and Gothic styling. Each of the characters are superbly written and simply and beautifully illustrated, letting the story speak for itself. And you really can't beat a cake loving vampire baker really, can you? An excellent little read.
June 30, 2015
The young reader set will probably enjoy this coming-of-age story set in the underworld, but it just wasn't for me. The doodle-like illustrations, in particular, resembled storyboards rather than a finished project.
Read
February 8, 2015Weirdly charming, though the graphic side didn't do it as much for me as the story itself.
October 4, 2015
What a fun read! Princess Decomposia is my kind of princess, hard working, capable and kind to all
August 21, 2019
Wholesome, but not that great.
July 17, 2017
Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula by Andi Watson
3★'s my rating
5★'s Brian's rating - He'd give them all 5's:)
What's it About?
Princess Decomposia is overworked and underappreciated. This princess of the underworld has plenty of her own work to do but always seems to find herself doing her layabout father's job, as well. The king doesn't feel quite well, you see. Ever. So the princess is left scurrying through the halls, dodging her mummy, werewolf, and ghost subjects, always running behind and always buried under a ton of paperwork. Oh, and her father just fired the chef, so now she has to hire a new cook as well. Luckily for Princess Decomposia, she makes a good hire in Count Spatula, the vampire chef with a sweet tooth. He's a charming go-getter of a blood-sucker, and pretty soon the two young ghouls become friends. And then...more than friends? Maybe eventually, but first Princess Decomposia has to sort out her life. And with Count Spatula at her side, you can be sure she'll succeed.
What Did I Think?
My little reading pal, Brian, brought this one home from the library a few weeks ago and said I want you to read this one with me...which he is asking me to do less and less now that he feels more confident....and that's a good thing:) I needed a book with a household item in the title or on the cover and "Count Splatula" fit the bill. I'll let Brian take it from here. Be aware if you are over 10 years old that it will take you about 45 minutes to read this from cover to cover...but it's a cute story.
Hi I'm Brian
It was a fun book because it had funny people in it. The king ate too much and got really fat and Princess Decomposia wanted him to not spend all his time being King and eat things that were good for him so she hired Count Spatula to be the cook. Princess Decomposia has to do all the work because the King just wants to eat. Count Spatula was in love with the Princess and just wanted her to be happy and nor so tired all the time. Another thing that I really liked about the book was that Count Spatula was really a vampire and his friend was a zombie. Aunt Carol read it with me so I know that grownups will like it too.
3★'s my rating
5★'s Brian's rating - He'd give them all 5's:)
What's it About?
Princess Decomposia is overworked and underappreciated. This princess of the underworld has plenty of her own work to do but always seems to find herself doing her layabout father's job, as well. The king doesn't feel quite well, you see. Ever. So the princess is left scurrying through the halls, dodging her mummy, werewolf, and ghost subjects, always running behind and always buried under a ton of paperwork. Oh, and her father just fired the chef, so now she has to hire a new cook as well. Luckily for Princess Decomposia, she makes a good hire in Count Spatula, the vampire chef with a sweet tooth. He's a charming go-getter of a blood-sucker, and pretty soon the two young ghouls become friends. And then...more than friends? Maybe eventually, but first Princess Decomposia has to sort out her life. And with Count Spatula at her side, you can be sure she'll succeed.
What Did I Think?
My little reading pal, Brian, brought this one home from the library a few weeks ago and said I want you to read this one with me...which he is asking me to do less and less now that he feels more confident....and that's a good thing:) I needed a book with a household item in the title or on the cover and "Count Splatula" fit the bill. I'll let Brian take it from here. Be aware if you are over 10 years old that it will take you about 45 minutes to read this from cover to cover...but it's a cute story.
Hi I'm Brian
It was a fun book because it had funny people in it. The king ate too much and got really fat and Princess Decomposia wanted him to not spend all his time being King and eat things that were good for him so she hired Count Spatula to be the cook. Princess Decomposia has to do all the work because the King just wants to eat. Count Spatula was in love with the Princess and just wanted her to be happy and nor so tired all the time. Another thing that I really liked about the book was that Count Spatula was really a vampire and his friend was a zombie. Aunt Carol read it with me so I know that grownups will like it too.
February 9, 2022
Fun book on setting boundaries with people who are manipulative, especially when these manipulative people are the ones you care about/are related to you.
I can relate to this a lot even as a kid. I was always someone who wanted to help others but of course there’s always someone who wants to take advantage of that and becomes dependent on you and soon you no longer have time or energy to yourself. Then setting those boundaries or even doing something good for yourself comes as an offense to the person who is using you, so it might feel bad or you may doubt yourself.
Great examples of adults gaslighting children and manipulating them. Also a great example of teaching children how to set boundaries and how to take care of themselves and recognize good and bad patterns. I loved decomposia and spatula together! I’d check out anything else from the author/artist.
I’m an adult and needed this book. I hope lots of kids read it so they can learn early and not suffer all the mistake of tolerating disrespected boundaries like I did.
I can relate to this a lot even as a kid. I was always someone who wanted to help others but of course there’s always someone who wants to take advantage of that and becomes dependent on you and soon you no longer have time or energy to yourself. Then setting those boundaries or even doing something good for yourself comes as an offense to the person who is using you, so it might feel bad or you may doubt yourself.
Great examples of adults gaslighting children and manipulating them. Also a great example of teaching children how to set boundaries and how to take care of themselves and recognize good and bad patterns. I loved decomposia and spatula together! I’d check out anything else from the author/artist.
I’m an adult and needed this book. I hope lots of kids read it so they can learn early and not suffer all the mistake of tolerating disrespected boundaries like I did.
March 22, 2018
This is an Andi Watson graphic novel, so of course it's cute. It's about the princess of an underworld kingdom populated with mummies, zombies, ghosts, and the like, and she's exhausted because her father is kind of domineering, but also expects her to do all the work. She ends up hiring the other title character as the palace chef, and hijinx ensue, although they are mostly of the sort involving what delightful dishes he will cook and how her father will react. It's kind of a low-conflict story, and it involves more talking than one would expect given the afterlife setting, but it's generally enjoyable. Kind of a trifle, but pleasant enough.
June 25, 2017
Relatively cute story, but the art is very sketchy and rough looking. The king is rather off putting character, but he does seem to be making efforts to change once he sees the error of his ways. The count is a sweetheart. Decomposia is a good person and seems to be trying so hard to do all the things she needs to do.
June 18, 2023
Super cute, exactly what you're looking for if you read 4 or 5 pages and like what you see.
I would like to name a cat Decomposia. It sounds cute and also spooky. But I don't think my partner, Poonmaster Flex, would go for that. Even though HER nickname is Poonmaster Flex.
Mine is a life of contradictions.
I would like to name a cat Decomposia. It sounds cute and also spooky. But I don't think my partner, Poonmaster Flex, would go for that. Even though HER nickname is Poonmaster Flex.
Mine is a life of contradictions.
August 7, 2018
Adorable and friendly! An overworked Princess looking for a helping hand but finds love, and learns forgiveness along the way.
Great for middle grade and up!
Great for middle grade and up!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews