Cursed Princess Club Novel 1: An Unusual Princess

by Michelle Knudsen

For fans of Lambcat’s enchanting WEBTOON comes a novel adaptation of the hit WEBTOON series in the vein of Serena Valentino’s Disney Villains series or the Mariko Tamaki’s Lumberjanes novelization. Explore the world of the Cursed Princess Club.

The beloved world of the Cursed Princesses makes the leap from comics to fiction in this new series of novel adaptations based on the hit graphic novels.

Gwendolyn is living the fairy-tale life. She’s a princess. She lives in a castle with her father the king and her loving siblings. Everything is perfect. Or it was.

One day, Gwen overhears a visiting prince commenting on her appearance in the harshest of terms and her world is upended. She’s always known she didn’t look like your typical princess, but her family thinks she’s beautiful. No one has ever been so mean. 

Devastated, Gwen runs into the Haunted Forest and there she meets the Cursed Princesses, a group of outcasts and misfits who band together to show Gwen that she really is a princess. 

Based on the hit WEBTOON and adapted by best-selling author Michelle Knudsen, these novels will take readers deep into the world of the Cursed Princess Club.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

I'm the New York Times best-selling author of more than 50 books for young readers for all ages, including the award-winning picture book Library Lion, which was selected by Time magazine as one of the 100 Best Children's Books of All Time. My other books include the picture book Marilyn's Monster (NPR's Best Books of 2015) and the novels The Dragon of Trelian (VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers) and Evil Librarian (YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults; Sid Fleischman Humor Award Winner). My newest book is LUIGI, THE SPIDER WHO WANTED TO BE A KITTEN (a new picture book with the wonderful Kevin Hawkes, published 3/5/2024). Next up will be INTO THE WILD MAGIC, a new middle grade fantasy novel coming August 2025.

I also work as a freelance editor and teach in Lesley University's MFA program in writing for young people.

Reviews

[Jaimes_Mystical_Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent novelization of the Cursed Princess Club graphic novel! I absolutely love this story and enjoyed reading this version of it. This was a super cute read and the story will always be a favorite of mine.

Thank you to Wattpad Books for the gifted copy.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group | Wattpad Books for the ARC for review!!

When I saw that my FAVORITE graphic novel series was getting a NOVEL, I was ecstatic! The Cursed Princess Club graphic novels are so near and dear to my heart that while I was excited, I was a little worried this novel would not meet my very high expectations.

This novel did not disappoint. While I did miss the visuals from the graphic (because they are simply AMAZING) this novel was able to convey the true heart of the graphic novel without the images.

What I do really enjoy about the novelization of this series so far is being able to dig a bit deeper into what Gwen & Frederick are feeling. I feel like after reading the graphics* it's really nice to get some additional emotional inner dialogue from the characters.

The author did an incredible job at staying true to the tone and character voices of the graphic novels. I love the way that they write. It is clear, concise and also keeps the humorous, awkward and relatable tone from the graphics.

I wasn't sure at first that I would give this 5 stars, as nothing compares to the graphics to me, but considering the medium change and additional writing involved I would say after finishing this it definitely deserves a 5 and a spot on my favorites list!

*I would say if you are considering reading this, I would recommend reading at least the first volume of the graphic novels first as it helps with visualizing some unique characters, but I wouldn't say it is totally dire in order to enjoy this novel. (Plus it is my favorite graphic novel series so I would be remiss to not recommend it!)

[The Library Lass · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thank you to @WattpadBooks for the free books! All opinions are my own. (Note: This is a combined review with the first novel volume of Cursed Princess Club due to the same storyline. Notes about each particular version will be separated below.)

"You never read about the princesses whose curses don't get mended completely, or about when there are no known remedies for their curse."

I fell in love with Gwen and her siblings from the very first moment they were introduced. Gwen's struggle with self-esteem is something that every girl can relate to at some point. Something about her just felt real . While I started the book absolutely despising Fredrick, I have to admit he did grow on me a bit towards the end. The chemistry between the Cursed Princess Club as well as the Pastel Kingdom siblings was done well. The connection between Gwen and Jamie was my personal favorite.

The pacing was perfect and made it easy to flow right through. The writing styles were somewhere between middle-grade and younger YA (which works really well with the content of the story).

Highlights of the Novel:
- More emotional impact, as it allows you greater insight into the thoughts and feeling of Gwen and Fredrick
- I loved the addition of Jamie's pep talk with Gwen!

Highlights of the Graphic Novel:
- Greater look into the various side characters, as it is in third person POV
- More comedic due to visuals

No matter what version you choose to read, Cursed Princess Club is a light-hearted, thoughtful beginning to a great story.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read)]

This new young adult novel takes a spin on classic fairytale princesses as it explores inner worth and embracing your true self.

It is based on a webcomic/graphic novel by LambCat. We see a lot of novels get graphic novel adaptations so it was fun to see this go the opposite way as a novel based on a graphic novel. In a lighthearted way the story addresses a lot of fairytale perceptions like beauty standards and narrow roles and gives the characters a chance to explore what really matters to them. This is the first of the series and so sets up the beginnings of more growth to come!

The main character loves to bake and I love making book inspired food so I paired the book with one of the recipes included with the book: Berry Bewitching Brownies. They were a tasty strawberry version of the classic treat!

[Ryleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for providing me a free eARC for review. All opinions remain my own.

An Unusual Princess adapts the first print volume of the popular Webtoon Cursed Princess Club into the prose format. The point of view characters are Gwendolyn "Gwen", the youngest princess of the magical and beautiful Pastel royal family. Unlike her traditional beautiful sisters (and brother) Gwen has a strange appearance of sharp teeth, green hair, and yellow skin. But her siblings still love her the same. Our other main character is Prince Frederick of the Plaid Kingdom. When Frederick and his brothers are engaged to the Pastel princesses, Frederick sees his engagement to the unusual Gwen as an insult. Gwen overhears him calling her "ugly", which shocks and upsets her, so she runs away into the forest to clear her head. She runs into the Cursed Princess Club, an eccentric group of princesses (and a prince) who are rejected by society for having incurable curses. The Cursed Princess Club serves as a safe place for those who no longer have one. Seeing Gwen's appearance, the club accepts Gwen as one of their own.

I enjoyed the original Webtoon and I believe this book adapts the original story faithfully. While I liked being able to get into the characters' minds better, the humor doesn't hit quite as well without the illustrations and at times feels out of place. But this book maintains the same values of love and acceptance as the original which lifts the story beyond a simple princess story into something better than the some of its parts.

[Living My Best Book Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel version of the graphic novel, Cursed Princess Club? Yes, please. While I read the graphic novel first, I still enjoyed the novel, and it felt like a new experience. The heart and humor of the graphic novel are there and sweet like Gwen's pies.

The story follows Princess Gwen as she deals with her first bout of rejection from a prince. Yes, I wish I could shake some sense into him as he bases his dislike of her primarily on looks. This is a new experience for Gwen because she has never been judged purely on her looks. While the prince makes her feel less than, the discovery of the cursed princess club is a blessing in disguise. They are a group of ladies and, yes, a man, who don't fit the mold but stick together to support and give each other that boost of confidence we all need and deserve.

Gwen's family is so fun to read about. Her father just wants to set all his daughters up with princesses, and they are wrapped around his finger. Gwen's sisters and brother are a solid group and would give up their happiness if it meant Gwen was saved. I love the bond they share, and it really adds charm to the story.

If you loved the graphic novel, you will enjoy this novel! And if this is the first time being introduced to the story, you will fall in love with it too!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is based on the 2023 webcomic of the same name and adapted by Michelle Knudsen.

Gwendolyn and her two older sisters have been overprotected by their father, the King of the Pastel Kingdom. They have not been allowed to leave their castle. After their father announces he’s agreed to allow them to marry three brothers, princes in a nearby kingdom, the soon-to-be betrothed couple exchange paintings of themselves. But there is a problem . . .

This is a well-written fantasy, but there are problems. Gwen is the only developed character amongst several characters and the others remain amorphous throughout the book. The princesses in the club are only minor characters in this book, but still are the most interesting of all the characters. There is a lot of angst that Gwen goes through as well as the prince, who is to be her fiance, while not overwhelming can be annoying perhaps because of Gwen’s naivete. None of the conflicts that dominate the story were resolved by the end of the book..

This is a fast read and suitable for most ages. If you like fairy tales,you’ll love this book.

My thanks Wattpad and Edelweiss for an eARC.

[Clara Lash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed Princess Club has been one of my favorite GN in a LONG time, it's so fun and whimsical! When I found out there'd be a novel adaptation of one of my favorite GN reads, I *HAD* to read it! I think it helps give a lot of insight into the minds of our main characters a bit more, so I think it's a better read to have alongside the GN series. Frederick's personality is a bit more fleshed out than what we saw in the GN, the princes all came off a bit superficial (which falls into the theme of the story, with Gwen etc), and we hear a bit more of his thoughts and background. We immediately get to see how beautiful of a person Gwen is from the start, and I think I'm her biggest fan :)
If you've read the GN series, you'll enjoy this! If you haven't, you still will! As long as you like fairy tale retellings, sweet princesses who are more than just skin deep, and wacky fun!

[Tiffany Seward · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐ Fantasy Comedy | Whimsical | Heartfelt

Thank you to Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I went into Cursed Princess Club without reading the original webtoon, but I’d heard there were some minor differences and one I really liked was that Gwendolyn’s pet is a possum (it’s sometimes called a rat, but the possum detail made me smile). Going in, I thought Gwendolyn was adorable based on the cover art, so it was surprising to learn that she’s considered “ugly” or witch-like in her world.

The story follows Gwendolyn and her sisters, princesses from the Pastel Kingdom, who are arranged to marry princes from the Plaid Kingdom. Gwendolyn is paired with Frederic, who isn’t thrilled about the arrangement, especially since his brothers are set to marry her more traditionally beautiful sisters. Along the way, Gwendolyn meets a group of outcast princesses who’ve been cursed and reluctantly joins their club.

The book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves you wondering what will happen next between Gwen and Frederic, who agree to stay friends for now, but their relationship might grow into something more. Overall, it’s a charming, childlike story that will appeal most to younger readers, despite its arranged marriage theme.

[Vanessa]

I really do love this little series, and am happy to see it get adapted so it can reach a wider audience. Howeverrrrr. This doesn’t translate super well to a book, IMO. The humour doesn’t land, the plot structure leaves the book feeling incomplete, all the descriptions of what were once just drawn background details feel fanficcy… a lot of it feels fanficcy, actually. Better off just reading the comic. It would also benefit from being marketed as firmly in the middle grade range.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is everything a tween girl should be reading. Very engaging story and characters. As a bonus, the values it espouses - acceptaince of others and ourselves, kindness, not judging others without getting to know them first, standing up for family and friends - are all taught throughout the book without ever sounding preachy! Can't wait to pass this book along to my own granddaughter in a few years when she is old enough for it!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and un-put-downable!
I have not read the GN or much of the webtoon, so I was getting introduced to most of the characters for the first time and am looking forward to learning about more of them in the next book.