Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring

by Matthew Loux

A sweet and gently macabre graphic novel for young readers.

There are whispers around the village that monsters are lurking outside the gates. Prunella doesn't pay this talk much mind―until she unearths a strange skull-shaped ring in her garden. When she places it on her finger she's transformed into a skeleton girl, terrifying her monster-fearing town! Exiled, Prunella wanders the wilderness, where she discovers that monsters aren’t as bad as she’s been led to believe.

With her new friends, undead pirate Captain Rip Skeleton and Francis, a floating, fiery skull, at her side, Prunella is sure to find a way to reverse this curse…but does she really want to?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Comics, Adventure, Childrens

160 pages, Hardcover

Published October 18, 2022

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prunella's village has a demagogue who is exhorting the humans to build a second wall atop their existing wall to keep out the surrounding monsters. So, yeah, bad time for Prunella to inadvertently put on a cursed ring that changes her to an animated skeleton.

Banished to live with the other monsters of the island, she soon finds out there may be someone on a distant mountain who may have a solution to removing the cursed ring, so it's quest time! Prunella meets, challenges, befriends and learns about monsters on her journey to finding the way back to where she belongs.

A rollicking, fun and friendly adventure that makes me immediately want another Prunella book.

[Kara (Books.and.salt) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring is a middle grade graphic novel with stunning art and an incredibly brave young main character. When Prunella is cast out amongst the monsters of the wilderness, she learns that her towns beliefs about these creatures couldn't be farther from the truth.

This story is PERFECT for not-so-spooky-season. The art is gorgeous, mixing a gothic setting with vibrant colors and fun characters. The little wisps were so freaking cute, though I think my favorite character has to be the bonsai tree growing cyclops! He was precious.

I read this in one sitting along with my 6 year old daughter, who would not pull her eyes from the page. We both loved the ending and were so happy for Prunella, sometimes it just isn't worth it to preach to people who you know wont listen.

I gave this book 5 stars! Many thanks to the publisher for my gifted copy.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel tells the story of a little girl named Prunella who discovers a skull ring that turns her into a monster. She seems to live in some kind of medieval time type world where people are very concerned about keeping monsters outside their peasant village area. When Prunella changes to a skull she is banished to a land called Cedarton that seems to have tons of monsters living there. The book is about 160 pages long and while most pages have some thought or speech bubbles there are also some pages that have no text. I think this book would be pretty interesting and easy to follow for middle grade students who are developing the skills to read longer books but benefit from pictures to support their comprehension of texts. Graphic novels are definitely very popular right now and I think this book would fit right in with the other similar texts that are drawing in tons of young readers. As a grade 3 teacher, I would definitely consider purchasing a copy of this book for my classroom library and would recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the age 7-12 range. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!

[Ollie Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a cute and wonderful kids graphic novel. The art was fun and even beautiful in a few of page spreads but I gave it a 3 because the ending seemed very abrupt and out of nowhere. I understand the ending but it felt like there could have been more to make it feel less choppy at the end.

[Kirstyn (readwithkirstyn) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring was a lot of fun and had some great humor! It was such a heartwarming and fun read!

[Alana Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book!

[Salamah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story about a little girl who is ignored by humans, finds a magical item and is turned into a monster AKA a skeleton. The story is so sweet and full of goodness and the ending had me laughing. This is a must buy for elementary school as 2nd and 3rd graders will love it.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

DNF had to return it but I LOVE it so far! I can’t wait to finish it!

[Skye · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and First Second Books for the Advanced Readers Copy.

Graphic novel with very cute art, and fun supporting characters. Doesn’t feel fully developed, the plot is very linear with very little turmoil. I never feel like the main character is actually upset that she finds herself being a skeleton. Also the ending is a pretty big let down. For a kids comic I would have loved to have seen more critical thinking skills shown by the main characters, where she has to problem solve herself. Instead it’s just her wandering and going “I have a problem” and then another character goes “have you tried_____” and then she tries it. The whole book is just a skeleton kid going around to make monster friends, which I usually like, it’s just usually done with more character growth which is entirely lacking from this book. Great idea, fun character design, I love seeing more graphic novels made for kids, but I think with a little more story telling effort they can turn this ok story into a great story that kids will want to read for generations.

Spoilers below:


The ending of the book has the main character (who is a child) run away from her human village and become a monster, instead of trying to help the villagers understand the monsters. She never once even goes, “your wrong about them, monsters are my friends” instead she just runs away from the negativity around her and doesn’t try to fix anything. Yes having kids prove adults wrong, and striving for acceptance despite differences is cliche but it’s a tried and true formula.

A fun and memorable ending for this graphic novel would be Prunella shouting to the villagers “they’re not the monsters you are!” Then journeying back to the temple where the ring was made, and finding a way to turn the whole village into “monsters”. Then when prunella returns to the village she finds everyone getting along. They tell her it was hard and they hated it at first, but being able to remove your limbs at will is pretty nifty, they even created a new sport that utilize all the perks of being a monster. Then Prunellas mom shows up who is also a skeleton, saying something silly like, “now that I’m a Skeleton nobody knows how old I am, I’ve decided to get into modeling, like I’ve always wanted to” This is the sort of ending I would like to see, but that’s just me.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very cute graphic novel about a little girl with a kind heart, who lives in a village that is terrified of the monsters outside. Prunella finds a ring in her garden and puts it on her finger, only to find herself turned into a skeleton. She is run out of town, but with courage and kindness, befriends the "monsters" she encounters, who are truly more friendly than the humans inside the town's walls.
This is a sweet fable about how we choose our friends, and even our family. Prunella is a plucky, friendly, brave girl that readers will cheer for. I loved the twist at the end, even when I could see it coming.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a Pollyanna vibe runs through this, but I found it a delightful fairy-tale-ish story of Prunella who inadvertently curses herself. Her family turns on her, and Prunella takes to the monster-filled wilderness. Helped by pirate skeletons, and other monsters, Prunella finds her way to removing the curse. In the end, it turns out that the monsters aren't the "others" but the villagers themselves.

In true fairytale fashion, Prunella benefits from a lot of help, but also displays her own brand of feistiness.

Charming.

[Michael Lee My ComicBook World · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spoiler free review.

Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring is a terrific and very entertaining illustrated book. Prunella is a young girl who is forced out of her town and into a world of Monsters! She treks through the wilderness and befriends several creatures who are not that scary at all once you get to know them. The messages in this book about not judging a book by its cover, acceptance, and being kind to others is integrated so well into the story. I really think both children and their parents will enjoy reading this one.

Prunella comes from a small town that fears and hates monsters. The town's folk are so scared of monsters they built a great wall around the entire town just to keep monsters at bay. One of the most frightened individuals in town is Prunella's mother. Her mom really does not like monsters and fears anyone who is different. During the story Prunella sees how different she is from her mother and how being kind to those who are different is such an important trait to have.

When Prunella discovers a special ring in her garden she experiences firsthand how people or monsters will be kind to you if you are kind to them. Prunella also discovers kindness is a superpower and not a weakness. Through her kindness and the kindness of others she finds the acceptance she's been searching for.

The artwork in Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring is awesome. The illustrations fit right in with the tone of the story. I like how Prunella stands out from the rest of the people in her town. She has bright red hair and is tinier than most people. After Prunella finds the skull ring she stands out even more. Once Prunella sets off on her adventure she meets creatures on her journey who like that she is different than most little girls.

The artwork of the monsters is great too. I noticed when Prunella and the readers first encounter the monsters they seem creepy and scary. Then we find out these creatures are not bad at all, then the illustrations become much more friendly and welcoming.

Matthew Loux wrote and illustrated Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring and I think he did such a great job creating a monster filled world where children and their parents can both enjoy it. If you like monster stories or books with great messages for your children, this a great story to read together.

Stay awesome and keep reading!

Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring Review

Creative Team:

Written and Illustrated by Matthew Loux

[mad mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley.)

Young Prunella lives with her mom in a small village. Though they're on an island teeming with natural beauty, sentient creatures, and magic, you wouldn't know it - Prunella's community is walled off from the forest, the mountains, and the beaches. And there's a rumble to build the wall even higher, as fears of monster attacks spread throughout the town.

In the midst of this panic, Prunella find a mysterious ring while tending to her backyard garden. When she puts in on, she's transformed into a skeleton. Horrified, her fellow citizens mistake her for a "real" monster and promptly banish her from the village.

And so Prunella goes on a quest to break the curse of the skull ring. Along the way, she gets to know the "monsters" with whom she shares the island - skeletons, dragons, giants, stone megaliths, wisps, even the great cat sphinx who guards the island and its inhabitants - and discovers that they possess more humanity than the humans in her village.

PRUNELLA AND THE CURSED SKULL RING is an absolutely adorable and compassionate story, perfect for readers of all ages. The narrative has some pretty obvious real world parallels (all the "build this wall" talk gave me flashbacks to 2016!), making it an excellent way to introduce young readers to concepts like othering, prejudice, and the like. The artwork is charming AF, from the giant proudly introducing Prunella and Captain Rip Skeleton to their miniature home, to Prunella's entry into Cedarton. I wondered - not with a little apprehension - how Loux would wrap up the story, and the ending does not disappoint (a little bit snarky, with nary a whiff of eye-rollingly unrealistic optimism).

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better junior comics I've seen in many a month, if not for years. Here is the broad stroke – both to the art and to the comedy – but it all works and all looks and reads wonderfully on the page. Prunella is growing up in a village where some doom-sayers are threatening of dread beasts from without – but when she puts on a magical jewelled ring in the shape of a skull, she turns into a skeleton version of herself, and faces exile in the land of the monsters.

It's a brisk, humorous read, not afraid to use wordless establishing shots, and the hand-colouring is exemplary at times, making sure this has a visual class many deem unnecessary when targeting readers in single digits. And in going down the roads towards wackiness – while never quite arriving at Full-On Bonkers, thankfully – this has a kind of European feel. Prunella's party of friends as she seeks a way out of being a skeleton certainly becomes a most unusual one, but even if you doubt some of them when they first appear (the talking, bouncing rock, and the giant one) they all come across as good entertaining company, both for us and for her.

All told, this makes for a wonderfully inventive, colourful and lively young fantasy read. And while so many such books just want to replicate the Saturday morning cartoon, this went the other way and achieved all it wanted with distinction. So with both its success and its rarity in mind, I feel five stars is the only response.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the best short story I've read this year. The first thing I noticed were the amazing illustrations. The drawings are so cute, there is so much to look at, it's so beautiful and fun and I really love this art style.

The story is so much fun. I loved the humor, it had me laugh out loud a few times. I love how kind every one is in this story, it's so refreshing. Finally a book without an evil villain!

Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks


I got a warm, fuzzy feeling while reading this book and I felt like the message behind the story is that you can also love your chosen family in life; your friends.

I can't wait to read more by this author, to be honest. I did notice that he wrote more graphic novels and I'm very curious right now.

[Angypants · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed Skull Ring?? That’s all I needed to pick this one up from the library. This was a fun story that had a perennial message. The art is fun and moves the action, with beautifully rendered, detailed backgrounds. I loved seeing the different lands the monsters lived in, and the double page spreads throughout the book are amazing.

This leans a bit more towards younger readers, I’d say 7+, but that are interested in spooky-ish things like skeletons and monsters. They aren’t scary in the book (spoiler: the humans are the true monsters! Dun dun dunnnn!!!), and the story is simple my done, in a wonderful way that will be accessible to younger kids. Older kids will still find something here with the great artwork and cool monsters.

This was a good time and I hope this will be a series- the ending def lends itself to more adventures!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prunella is a pretty cool kid in a village full of -- bigoted idiots? Yes - that seems like a fairly accurate description. Her mother basically ignores her and is only interested in hanging out with snooty friends. Prunella, on the other hand, likes gardening. And can't really understand why everyone in there already walled in village wants to build yet another wall - to keep out the monsters that no one really knows very much about. One day, while digging in the garden, she finds an amazing ring and puts it on her finger. Because, who would think that such a great ring could be cursed? Unfortunately, it is - and Prunella is transformed into a skeleton. Though she still retains her humanness underneath her monster exterior. And once on her finger, the ring cannot be removed. Alas! She is, of course, immediately evicted from the village and thus begins her quest to remove her curse and explore the land of the monsters. She meets so many amazing creatures and quickly discovers that the people in her village are basically ignorant and clueless.
I really enjoyed this! It is a pretty quick read and very accessible to younger kids as long as they are OK with the different monsters - who may look scary but really are not. Plus - there is a very cool black cat sphinx!

[Babsidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun romp through a beautifully imagined world of creatures where the actual monsters are the humans and who prioritize image and reputation above all else.

The dynamic art brings so much life and emotion to the creatures in this world. Dynamic character designs also bring levity to what could otherwise be a scary situation with a sheltered character venturing into the wide world for the first time.

Some of the dialogue felt overly wordy and the end felt disappointing in our protagonist's utter disinterest in sharing her discoveries with her people. The flaws did not distract too much from the story, however.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so much fun. Prunella is a little girl who likes to garden, and while doing so she finds a special ring. Upon putting this ring on her finger, she goes from human to skeleton and becomes a monster. She gets kicked out of town, other monsters, and realizes that monsters are nothing more than other creatures. Most are good and willing to be your friend if you were willing to be friendly in return. This book was simply lovely. Between the message of acceptance and being pure at heart, to the fantastic and fun illustrations, this book was a joy to read from beginning to end. I want to see more adventures from prunella.

[Aud · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness, this was cute! It's a wonderful, gentle fantasy read, complete with an epic quest, fun friends, great world building, cool monsters, and a message that's not too preachy delivered in a satisfying way. The art makes you think it's going to be creepy, but it's really not, which makes it perfect for a wide age range of readers and read-alouds alike.

The colors are vibrant, and I love the character designs. I will say, though, that I think Prunella is cuter as a skeleton than as a human. I don't know if that's on purpose or not, but I do think it's funny.

I love the cat sphinx.

[Abigail Pankau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prunella lives in a small town that is afraid of the monsters that live outside their walls. One day, Prunella discovers a strange ring in her garden. When she puts it on, it transforms her into a skeleton. Frightened, the town exiles her, and she is forced to find shelter in the woods. There she discovers that there are indeed monsters that live outside the town, but they are not as scary as the people believe. She will make many different friends as she tries to undo the curse of the ring, and she will have to decide whether she really wants to be human again or not.

This is a cute mid-grade graphic novel about monsters. Very cute and very fun read.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

An attractive and lighthearted quest through a monster-filled countryside in which Prunella learns monsters aren't the, well, "monsters" they've been made out to be. The humans in her small-minded, walled village live in fear of those on the outside who are different, but when Prunella gets turned into a monster by a cursed ring and cast out of the village she finds those so-called monsters much friendlier, openhearted, and generous than any of the humans from her village have ever been. Everyone she meets helps her on her quest to break the curse, and she realizes the greater world is a much nicer place than she's been lead to believe.

[Amber Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much! The artwork was fantastic. The story was so good. It has a great message. You cannot choose your family, but you can choose your friends. I loved all the different monsters throughout the story. They were all unique and different in their own way. Prunella has such a kind heart and I just loved her. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monsters, humans who are really evil, friendship, understanding others, full color graphic novel

Prunella finds a ring in her garden and it transforms her into a skeleton. Everyone in her town is afraid of monsters so they kick her out. She heads into the forest where she meets a variety of friendly, helpful monsters who help her break her curse. However, she realizes she'd rather live with nice monsters than evil humans. Cute, full color, cartoony style.

[Rachel McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prunella finds a magic ring that turns her into a skeleton. Due to their own fear and hatred of monsters, the townspeople drive Prunella out of town and into the forest, where she meets and befriends several REAL monsters who aid her on her journey to becoming a little girl again. This graphic novel was spooky in the cutest way, and has such a sweet message about overcoming fear and hatred with friendship and a kind heart.

[Scott Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love nearly everything that :01(First Second) publishes. This children's graphic novel didn't disappoint. I shared this book with my 7 year old son and we both really enjoyed it. The illustrations outshined the plot, but the story was still cute. It is a story about a girl becoming a skeleton monster and how people treat her when they find out she is different. I debate in giving this 5 stars, but I'm not sure the plot deserves it like the pictures do.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun book about a girl who lives in a human village of snobs and garbage people. She accidentally gets cursed and on her adventure to break the curse, encounters new friends and meets a bunch of different monsters. Turns out the monsters are good and the humans are awful! Go figure.

I hope there are more volumes as the art is so cute and the story was engaging. I'd like to see more of Prunella's adventures.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for the Charlie May Simon Award Committee. It is a graphic novel about a little girl that finds a ring. The ring turns her into a skeleton, she gets exiled to be with the monsters, goes on adventures with monsters, figures out how to turn back into a girl, then decides she'd rather be a skeleton. Not much happens in the way of a plot line. The illustrations are interesting, but I'm not quite sure it's the best graphic novel selection on our list of to-reads for the award.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars
Black-Eyed Susan Tapestry 2024 - Fall Edition

This could have been even better if the ending wasn't so abrupt. And since this is geared towards a younger audience, I was expecting a speech to drive home the message of the story. Besides that annoyance, I loved the hero's journey that Prunella went on. The friends she made along the way were great as well. I'm also a fan of the artwork.

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you First Second Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this wonderful book. Such a fun and heartwarming story! Lovely, very expressive, detailed artwork makes this story even better and more fun to read. Can’t wait to share this delightful book with young readers.