I have wanted to read Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring by Matthew Loux for a while now. I had access to an online reading copy, but it “time out” on me. Then recently, it mysteriously returned. The planets had fallen into place and it was finally the right moment to read what would be an interesting story of who really is the monster and who is not, while in the meantime, adventures await.
The surface story is simple, and for the ages (strong reader, but can be read to) six to about 10 (an older child can read, but its simplicity would make it a young 11-12) year-old. The young hero of the story, Prunella (a sweet girl) must deal with her cruel mother, and an even crueler town. But she will not let it dim her love of gardening (even if that is the gardener’s job), or her pure heart. But the day she finds a lovely, but odd ring, her life (and technically not-so-death), changes. The ring turns her into a skeleton. A monster. Something her village fears more than anything. To stop this curse, she must travel a path no one could have imagined.
The deeper message to this is that the town is cruel and fearful. Appearances and social standing is the most important thing, and nothing should taint that. And anything that does not fit into their narrow world is “other” and therefore dangerous and must be stopped. Even if that means hiding behind walls, destroying that difference or throwing it out. There are also lessons and messages within the story such as things are a matter of perspective: the giant sees the “normal” sized tree as miniature, whereas Prunellas sees it as “normal.” The ending of the story has a bit of a surprise, but a fun one; and allows for a potential series.
The artwork of Loux is lighthearted and a bit silly, but not ridiculous. It allows for the “spookiness” of skeletons, giants, cyclops and other monsters, but also is sweet and brightly bold. The details are busy and simple, but not simplistic. The action can be a bit intense at times such as Prunella is trapped in a temple, but nothing bad happens to anyone (unless you count an occasional skeleton falling apart). The only things that might be a bit iffy is that the skeletons like to drink skeleton juice and tea. But it basically gives you “hot breath” more than anything else.
