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Horrendo's Curse
From the author of The Witch in the Lake comes a rollicking and irrepressible adventure set on the high seas, bursting with pernicious pirates, fierce fights, and indescribably bad behavior. Once there was a boy called Horrendo who was cursed at birth with a spell that left him able to say only kind words. Everyone else in his village has a sharp face and a tongue like a whip. They spew insults at one another and never bother to say "thank you" or "please." Each autumn, pirates come to the village and steal all the twelve-year-old boys to be their slaves. Despite all their lessons in Herculean Headlocks, Deadly Insults, and Oar Throwing, Horrendo and the other boys succumb to the might of the hated pirates. Aboard ship, the merciless captain and his crew of pirates work the boys to the bone. A cunning escape plan is hatched that involves a hazardous journey. Not all goes exactly to plan, however, as the boys are unexpectedly reunited with their foes. But the boys' determination to return home is finally rewarded, though the village is never to be the same again. In this immensely imaginative and funny story, courtesy, consideration, and teamwork prevail.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2002
4 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Anna Fienberg
112 books64 followersAnna Fienberg grew up in a house filled with books. Her mother was a teacher librarian who relished stories as much as chocolates. 'On Sunday mornings we'd all lie in bed with our books, lost in magical wardrobes, witches’ spells, genies’ magic… What we were going to read next was just as important in our family as what was for lunch!' says Anna.
Anna started writing stories when she was eight, but never imagined being an author. She studied psychology, fascinated by the dark world of dreams. She gave up counseling after an unfortunate incident with an enraged man and a chair (he missed!), began writing and scored the best job in the world. 'Working for School Magazine was a treat,' Anna says. 'I couldn't believe you could get paid for sitting back comfortably in your chair, cappuccino in hand, reading over a thousand books a year. Heaven!' Of course, as an editor she also had to write reviews and articles, stories and plays. One of those stories for School Magazine later became her first book.
Anna started writing stories when she was eight, but never imagined being an author. She studied psychology, fascinated by the dark world of dreams. She gave up counseling after an unfortunate incident with an enraged man and a chair (he missed!), began writing and scored the best job in the world. 'Working for School Magazine was a treat,' Anna says. 'I couldn't believe you could get paid for sitting back comfortably in your chair, cappuccino in hand, reading over a thousand books a year. Heaven!' Of course, as an editor she also had to write reviews and articles, stories and plays. One of those stories for School Magazine later became her first book.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 23, 2017
Story: 3 stars
Illustrations: 3 stars
Full-color children's graphic novel. A seventh-grade boy, cursed to say and do only polite and helpful things, lives in a village visited every year by pirates who capture all the twelve-year-old boys and hold them hostage for two years. Fast-paced but not much character development. Happy ending includes a rather didactic message. Art is bright and cartoony, despite the mean-tempered, ill-behaved, sordid pirates. Contains a fair amount of violence and rudeness, though it is presented in a cartoonish manner. Would mostly appeal to boys in middle school, and probably upper elementary school as well. This graphic novel is an adaptation of an Australian children's book that I have never read.
Illustrations: 3 stars
Full-color children's graphic novel. A seventh-grade boy, cursed to say and do only polite and helpful things, lives in a village visited every year by pirates who capture all the twelve-year-old boys and hold them hostage for two years. Fast-paced but not much character development. Happy ending includes a rather didactic message. Art is bright and cartoony, despite the mean-tempered, ill-behaved, sordid pirates. Contains a fair amount of violence and rudeness, though it is presented in a cartoonish manner. Would mostly appeal to boys in middle school, and probably upper elementary school as well. This graphic novel is an adaptation of an Australian children's book that I have never read.
July 16, 2016
A rollicking adventure story with some strong messages.
July 24, 2014
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Horrendo's Curse is the most recent graphic novel adapation of Anna Fienberg's beloved story of pirates and manners.
The story follows young villager Horrendo - who knows that he, along with the other 12 year old boys, will be kidnapped and put to work by pirates. But Horrendo is a bit different; he's been cursed by a witch to only say kind words and never be violent. The boy is clever - but can he survive aboard the evil pirate ship?
The story is definitely geared toward 12 year old boys - with lots of threats, violence, and aggression. But told in a comic way, it does lesson the blow a bit amidst chopped fingers, lost legs, and hungry sharks. But 12, a boy shouldn't be too impressionable to read this story. But I would caution against younger boys of a sensitive nature. These aren't cuddly pirates even though the story is told in a very tongue in cheek manner.
The jokes are cute but not really meant to be funny. As such, I would classify this more as an adventure book than a comic one. The blocky illustrations are clean and easy to view and the book is vibrantly colored. My 11 year old read this and she liked it. But it's not one of those rare books that both children and adults like.
Provided as an ARC by the publisher.
September 20, 2013
What a delightful little story! A young boy cursed (!) with the inability to curse or wish harm, grows up in a village that spends every year preparing for the annual pirate attack. Schools instruct children in practical matters such as Petrifying Pets and Rude Words, instead of Maths & English. How does Horrendo survive this environment and later, the pirate attack?
The ending felt somewhat moralising but perhaps that's a feature of children's fiction. I saw a review that criticised the violent language and depictions as being unsuitable for children. That's probably true, though I didn't think about it when I read the book.
If this is a children's book for adults, a slightly less preachy ending might have worked better. If this is a children's book only, then I'm not sure how to tell a pirate story without some swordplay, plank-walking, rum-swigging and cussing. Personally, I enjoyed it.
The ending felt somewhat moralising but perhaps that's a feature of children's fiction. I saw a review that criticised the violent language and depictions as being unsuitable for children. That's probably true, though I didn't think about it when I read the book.
If this is a children's book for adults, a slightly less preachy ending might have worked better. If this is a children's book only, then I'm not sure how to tell a pirate story without some swordplay, plank-walking, rum-swigging and cussing. Personally, I enjoyed it.
August 19, 2013
Got this free from NetGalley. I loved the art and the original idea.
However, in no shape or form was this appropriate for children.
When the pirates started saying stuff like, "I'll blow your brains out" and "I'll tear his guts from his belly," I decided it was time to switch to My Little Pony.
However, in no shape or form was this appropriate for children.
When the pirates started saying stuff like, "I'll blow your brains out" and "I'll tear his guts from his belly," I decided it was time to switch to My Little Pony.
July 5, 2020
3.5 stars
Cute, clever story about a village that gets raided by pirates.
Cute, clever story about a village that gets raided by pirates.
March 18, 2021
AMAZING.
JUST READ IT.
JUST READ IT.
September 14, 2013
Horrendo and his friends live in a seaside town that has a terrible problem. When boys reach the age of twelve they're kidnapped by pirates and forced to serve their new masters for 2 years. If they survive they might be able to come home again, with luck. So, naturally, the children in the village have a different sort of school where they learn to talk in pirate insults, raise deadly pets, and survive whatever pirate life might throw at them. Horrendo, however, is under a terrible curse. He's just plain nice and can't be nasty. He can't say rude things, he is always helpful, and he's a remarkably good cook. Piracy is going to be the death of him...unless his particular skills can be parlayed into an early release. This is a fun graphic novel based on the novel by Anna Fienberg with bright, sharp-edged illustrations by Remy Simard. Sure the ending is a little schmaltzy, but readers will enjoy the tongue-in-cheek humor and the funny and yet bloody version of pirates found here.
August 5, 2013
Poor Horrendo. He lives in a village full of pirates. He goes to school to learn to be a pirate, and he lives in fear of being captured by pirates and forced to work on their ships. But worst of all is the witch that cursed him at birth. She cursed him so that he is not able to curse. In a village full of pirates, this makes him stand out in a really bad way.
When he is inevitably caught by pirates, he makes them french toast and soup and is polite. The pirate captain can't understand this in the slightest, so this causes a conflict.
It's a fun re-release of a book in graphic novel form. Anna Fienberg hits all the young reader buttons, silly humor, slightly gross jokes (and bleeding pirates), and adventure. Remy Simard's art feels like a Cartoon Network adaptation, but that means the look is familiar, without being a media tie-in. Good for 8 and up, and I enjoyed it.
When he is inevitably caught by pirates, he makes them french toast and soup and is polite. The pirate captain can't understand this in the slightest, so this causes a conflict.
It's a fun re-release of a book in graphic novel form. Anna Fienberg hits all the young reader buttons, silly humor, slightly gross jokes (and bleeding pirates), and adventure. Remy Simard's art feels like a Cartoon Network adaptation, but that means the look is familiar, without being a media tie-in. Good for 8 and up, and I enjoyed it.
November 1, 2014
Horrendo lives in a seaside village where every boy dreads their 12th birthday. Every year pirates visit the village and steal all the the 12-year-old boys, putting them to work at sea. Horrendo is different from most boys, he was cursed at birth to only speak polite words. This is hardly a good beginning for life with pirates as they never speak politely. Thank goodness Horrendo has a knack in the kitchen. He tries to use his curse to turn things around and save all the kids in his village from ever being taken by pirates again. This is a slightly humorous tale with fun illustrations that will appeal to some young boys. There is some blood - pirates losing appendages and such, but it is so cartoony that it doesn't really come across as gory. However, this could offend some more sensitive young readers.
December 20, 2013
In a seaside village when boys turn 12 years of age they are turned into pirates. They are given training in rude remarks and sword fighting, digesting difficult things etc, but any and all training is a waste on Horrendo; he was cursed at birth such that he can only speak kind, polite words.
Life aboard the ship isn't all that bad, Horrendo's kind heart is infectious and before long the whole crew has become accustomed to warm, delicious meals and pleasant conversation. None of this pleases the captain, but when he forces Horrendo to walk the plank it merely sets his escape plan into action.
An action-packed read with a funny premise. Grades 3-5.
Life aboard the ship isn't all that bad, Horrendo's kind heart is infectious and before long the whole crew has become accustomed to warm, delicious meals and pleasant conversation. None of this pleases the captain, but when he forces Horrendo to walk the plank it merely sets his escape plan into action.
An action-packed read with a funny premise. Grades 3-5.
August 7, 2011
In Horrendo’s village everyone is a master of the insult except Horrendo. At his birth he was cursed by the local Wise Woman to be unable to curse, swear, hurt, or maim. Whereas this has been a problem in his early life, all boys in his village are stolen by the local pirate ship to serve as slaves for two years when they are twelve and so it becomes worse when he is captured. Horrendo’s curse leads his fellow prisoners and the pirates in unexpected directions as they encounter other pirates and search for treasure.
August 16, 2014
Kim Gamble and Anna Fienberg go together like stilton cheese and home made quince paste.
An original plot, I thought. We've been on pirate journeys before with kidnapped children and cruel pirate captains... well, I did last week with The Mourning Emporium actually... but this one features a child with an unusual characteristic. A curse of good manners and kindness, even when he doesn't want to be kind and polite. I found this quite an interesting concept and less obvious than you might think in its ramifications.
An original plot, I thought. We've been on pirate journeys before with kidnapped children and cruel pirate captains... well, I did last week with The Mourning Emporium actually... but this one features a child with an unusual characteristic. A curse of good manners and kindness, even when he doesn't want to be kind and polite. I found this quite an interesting concept and less obvious than you might think in its ramifications.
July 6, 2013
ARC Provided by NetGalley
A cute adaptation of a once highly popular Australian Children’s book. Probably best suited for reluctant readers, although some of the initial humor (which isn’t terribly funny to start with, a weakness that has carried over from the original book) might go over their heads. An emphasis on politeness, community, and kindness even in the face of adversity and rudeness make this particular title appropriate for any elementary school library. Includes mild comedic violence.
A cute adaptation of a once highly popular Australian Children’s book. Probably best suited for reluctant readers, although some of the initial humor (which isn’t terribly funny to start with, a weakness that has carried over from the original book) might go over their heads. An emphasis on politeness, community, and kindness even in the face of adversity and rudeness make this particular title appropriate for any elementary school library. Includes mild comedic violence.
September 3, 2013
In a village by the sea, young Horrendo has been cursed with the inability to curse or say anything bad about others. No matter how mean they may be, he responds politely. When pirates kidnap him and his schoolmates and pillage the village, his unfailing politeness and cooking skills endear him to the crew. Readers will be highly amused at how he copes with the blood-thirsty captain and manages to escape. There's quite a lot going on--even the beginning of a young romance--in this graphic novel.
August 9, 2013
How is a polite 12-year-old boy supposed to survive being kidnapped by pirates? This cute comic for kids tells the tale of Horrendo, a boy who was cursed by a witch so that he is unable to swear or curse, hurt or maim. This is a big problem since Horrendo's village is visited by pirates each year who kidnap the boys to work on pirate ships.
ARC received from NetGalley.
ARC received from NetGalley.
April 3, 2014
While enjoyable, the story was a bit rushed and felt distracted by itself, often jumping from idea to idea rather quickly and without always feeling resolved. It also may be due to the original source material but I found myself wanting to know more about why the pirates kidnapped boys at 12 once a year and felt a bit cheated out of that knowledge.
July 3, 2014
Horrendo has been cursed...with manners. This is a terrible curse indeed for a boy who lives in a town where pirates regularly kidnap the young residents. Only the rough and tough have a chance, so what chance does a polite and mannerly boy have? A tongue-in-cheek seafaring adventure with plenty of fun and humor.
May 28, 2013
I read this book when I was 11, and almost 11 years later the story still sticks with me. This was a book I really wanted to add to my goodreads shelf, because I loved it so much as a kid. I'll definitely re-read it as an adult.
May 4, 2012
This is a fantastic book.
Grade 6
Grade 6
August 18, 2013
Adorable! Sweet and gross! Pirates! Scallywags! Treasure! Man-eating sharks! Yay!
August 28, 2013
Great pirate graphic novel for kids.
December 1, 2013
Some parts of Horrendo’s Curse seemed to become interesting, but then fell back into mediocrity for me.
August 5, 2016
This graphic novel will appeal to 10-12 year old boys (girls?) with its comic style and the subject matter, pirates.
August 18, 2016
Good idea but fairly simplistic execution - nothing special
March 5, 2015
Awesome! This is such a fun book.
March 18, 2015
Definitely a book for boys to enjoy reading. An easy read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews