“I don’t have all the answers.”

One rainy night, Antoine is driven deep into the countryside—into something darker than just bad weather. His father explains he must leave Antoine with grandparents, who the boy barely knows, so he can search for Antoine’s missing mother. At their remote house in the woods, his grandmother is obsessively fixated on mushrooms, specifically the ominously named trumpets of death. His grandfather, meanwhile, is ever present and barely speaks—and when he does, it’s with anger. Isolated and uneasy in the presence of people he doesn’t know, Antoine tries to pass the time until his father’s return. But when he follows his grandfather into the forest on a mushroom hunt, everything changes. Left behind alone, Antoine picks a mushroom—and something happens. Something strange, maybe even supernatural. As night falls and the woods twist into something unrecognizable, Antoine finds himself looking to escape and confront a secret far older and more dangerous than he ever imagined.

There’s a lot I want to unpack about this graphic novel, but I have to start with the illustrations. The artwork is breathtaking—rich in both detail and atmosphere—and the dark, moody color palette perfectly reinforces the ominous, unsettling tone established from the very first page. The art stole the show for me, and in fact, a majority of the story is told through the illustrations rather than the written text, which I actually preferred. It added to the mystery and tone in such a perfect way. What really shone through was Bournel-Bosson’s use of color theory to shape the story. As the plot unfolds, each scene has its own unique color palette—subtle, often nearly monochrome, but always purposeful in its dark blues and navies or vibrant oranges and yellows. This approach adds an incredible amount of depth to Antoine’s world, and is a stunning manifestation of his loneliness and restlessness while also marking the slow pass of time in a place that feels both suspended in reality and threatening. However, the story itself left a bit more to be desired. Despite its compelling plot and some standout characters, I found myself with more questions than answers by the time the story ended. It almost felt like a setup for a follow-up installment—though that might simply reflect a cultural difference. Originally published in French, the story maintains its ominous, open-to-interpretation tone right through to the final page, leaning more into atmosphere than resolution.

Trumpets of Death is illustratively beautiful and narratively quite upsetting. Centered on a young boy struggling in his relationship with his grandfather, he experiences psychedelic growth with mushroom hunting. The story juxtaposes relationship with family, relationship with violence, and relationship with nature in a coming of age format.

The art alone is reason enough to read through the graphic novel, though the story I think can exist in many formats to the reader as it is told almost entirely through the illustrations.

Thank you to NetGalley for supplying a digital ARC for review.

The story is intentionally ambiguous, leaving it to the reader to interpret the meaning behind everything. It will take multiple reads, I think, to really understand what the author is trying to say, but I didn't mind. The abstract and leaving things for interpretation is a good way to get thinking beyond what you just read.

I enjoyed the color work a lot and the panels showing the passage of time. I felt like grandpa was a bit more outwardly hostile than I was anticipating, but I know there are people out there like that who are able to hide that dark side in polite company and let awfulness out with family.

Overall, I felt it was an interesting read and I enjoyed trying to figure out what it all meant!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

The ethereal look of this cover is what initially drew me in to want to try this book. A lot of the details are left intentionally ambiguous and the art does a lot of the storytelling, allowing for reader interpretation. The book takes place in France in the early 1990’s. Antoine’s mother has gone missing and the boy’s father leaves him with his grandparents while he tries to sort things out.

Antoine is not having a great time and his grandparents barely tolerate them, but they love to hunt and forage mushrooms. One day Antoine comes upon a mushroom with transforming capabilities which cause his family to no longer recognize him. He effectively “goes missing” as well.

This is a book that will make you want to start again as soon as you finish to see what you might have missed the first time around. This would be a great book to prompt discussions and the artwork is chillingly beautiful.

This story was an eerie and visceral exploration of familial relationships through the lens of a stunning color palette and captivating illustration style. On first glance Trumpets of Death can be a quick read, however, there is a lot I know I missed so I'm looking forward to reading it again to catch details I previously missed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of Trumpets of Death by Simon Bournel-Bosson, translated by Edward Galvin for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

If you’re looking for a bizarre tale that’s seemingly mysterious, tragic, and a sort of coming-of-age, try Trumpets of Death. Antoine is a young boy who is dropped off at his grandparents in a remote wooded location by his father one night. He is left to live with them for a time and waits to hear from and be picked up by his father. His grandmother cares for him while his grandfather is pretty much hostile towards him and not receptive to this new resident. Antoine spends time outside and one day while hunting for mushrooms in the woods “with” his grandfather, something happens and he will never be the same again… read on for more and to find out what happens!

Although my eyes caught on this cover and I was intrigued to see where this story was going, I unfortunately was not wowed. The topic of mushroom foraging may appeal to some, but even if that’s something readers are interested in, the story is not fleshed out enough nor engaging enough, in my opinion, to hold one's attention. I had high hopes for this graphic novel and liked that it was a translation from French, but I do not see it being particularly appealing to my high school students and I’m not sure if our middle school students would be attracted to it either. A valiant attempt that fell short and ended in enough time for me to move onto another graphic novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the arc in exchange for a review.

While the art style was intriguing, the plot was a little all over the place. Rarely any real communication between Antoine, his crappy grandfather, or any more information as to why Antoine's mother had gone missing. It felt like the color scheme was supposed to do the bulk of the work carrying the story but it was still disjointed.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Trumpets of Death by Simon Bournel-Bosson is a speculative Middle Grade graphic novel set in the 90s with minimal dialogue with strong coming of age themes. Antoine’s mother has disappeared and his father leaves him in a small town with his grandparents. While Antoine’s grandmother is kind and doting, his grandfather is hostile and makes no effort to connect to Antoine. When Antoine eats a mushroom in the woods, he’s going to grow up in ways he never expected.

If a young reader is sensitive to animal death or depictions of harm done to animals, I would skip this. Antoine’s grandfather is a hunter and there is imagery of animals in traps and with arrows sticking out of them as well as an animal carcass on a table and several implications of animals being shot with a gun. It’s not graphic and all of the depictions are appropriate for the age group, but it’s not just one scene. The imagery is spread throughout the book, which does mean more sensitive readers should probably walk in with an understanding that the imagery is there.

The grandfather almost never talks while the grandmother talks some. Antoine himself is mostly silent, especially in the latter half of the book. One of the things I love about graphic novels (besides how they are a gread bridge between TV/video games and prose books) is that they can all the images to just exist and tell a story with no words at all. I felt that was done exceptionally well here and the lack of dialogue in many parts added to the emotional weight and wonder. The color palette being very limited on every single page also helped keep attention on the linework and the emotions.

Content warning for depictions of extramarital affairs, abuse, and harm to animals

I would recommend this to young readers who are struggling to transition to graphic novels with a lot of dialogue and readers looking for a graphic novel that lets the imagery speak for itself

Trumpets of Death -- a grim name for a poignant coming of age tale -- is an understated, quiet tale of transformation and trauma. Antoine, trapped in with his grandparents in a small village in France while his father attends to other familial affairs, endures a world that has shrunken down to the village with a grandfather who is actively hostile and a grandmother who doesn't see the point of travel or expanding horizons when she can just have her food delivered and watch the equivalent of the Discovery channel.

Done in a limited, understated palette with splashes of vibrant, contrasting color for emphasis, this graphic tells you much more with what it isn't saying than what it is. Whether it is encounters with humanity, the wild, or the world -- everything still comes back to the interior world of Antoine as he endures this period in his life with frustration at the gap that exists between him and his hosts.

What happens to bridge that gap is truly magical, and forces a reckoning for the family, as debts become due. Antoine's world demands he learn his place in it -- in the family, in the environment, in himself.

Ultimately Trumpts of Death is a tale of growth, this graphic novel will likely resonate with those who have struggled to connect with their families across generational lines. Likely anyone who's heard their grandparents say 'you kids have it so easy today' while ignoring the struggles of today's generation is going to feel a pang of empathy for our boy's struggles, and more youthful readers will likely empathize with Antoine's frustration of being left stranded in a world that he doesn't know all the rules of, or what things are being expected of him -- or why failure is assumed by those who cannot muster empathy for him.

All in all, a slow and thoughtful read, bound to sit in the mind after.

Trumpets of Death is a surreal, visually striking graphic novel that feels as much like a fever dream as a family drama. The story follows young Antoine, who is left at his grandparents’ remote house in the woods, caught between a doting grandmother and a grandfather whose hostility borders on the menacing. As Antoine ventures into the forest with his grandfather to forage for mushrooms, the narrative veers into magic realism and horror, culminating in a transformative hunt that blurs the line between reality and nightmare.

- The book’s ambiguity and surrealism invite interpretation, and its depiction of intergenerational tension and mysterious forces of nature is both haunting and memorable.
- The narrative is highly abstract, and it’s easy to feel like you’ve missed a pages or three. The plot can feel fragmented, more like a snapshot or flashback from a larger, unseen story than a standalone work.
- The themes of family, transformation, nature, perhaps even trauma, are hinted at rather than explored in depth, leaving the reader unsure of the book’s ultimate thesis or message.

Some of the book’s oddness and narrative gaps may be due to cultural references or language subtleties that don’t fully survive translation. The mushrooms (the titular “trumpets of death”) and the mythic tone might resonate more strongly in the French context, and the abrupt shifts in mood and meaning can be disorienting for English readers.

If you appreciate graphic novels that prioritize mood, atmosphere, and visual storytelling over linear plot, Trumpets of Death is a rewarding and curious read. It’s best approached as a poetic, unsettling snapshot rather than a traditional narrative. Readers who enjoy mysterious, horror-tinged graphic fiction with a psychedelic edge will find much to admire, but those looking for clear answers or a strong narrative throughline may be left wanting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this graphic novel in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was a short graphic novel with a lot of heart, but maybe less story than I was anticipating. It was beautifully illustrated and a quick read, I just wish there had been a bit more substance or context as to what the entire story was. For what it was, it was enjoyable and I would still recommend it.

There's a message in there! This unique graphic novel features a young boy, Antoine, who is abruptly living with his grandparents in the middle of the forest. And as grandma teaches him about being safe and resourceful, he learns about fungi, particularly the trumpet of death which is actually a delicious edible not the poisonous one that the name might suggest. Antoine ventures into the forest in order to prove to his gruff grandfather that he has skills, the picking of one of these mushrooms transforms him into a deer to be hunted with a phenomenal twist by the end.

There are plenty of panels and pages without any text whatsoever, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the emotional lives of the grandparents and grandson in this countryside area with very specific color choices and emotive character expressions to understand the movement of the story which is genius in that it says a lot without ever uttering a word (as a graphic novel should be).

While it's a little offbeat, true fans of the format will like the ethereal life lessons imparted that feels more fairytale than reality.

I think I got what I was supposed to get from this story but I didn't leave with any emotion, I was bored the whole time.

The description of this made me feel like i was really going to like it but honestly i was just really bored the majority of the time.

The art in this graphic novel was beautiful, but I found the story itself a little confusing. It tells the story of a young boy who is dropped offed at his grandparents by his father since there is something going on with his mom, which is never explained. His grandfather is difficult and the boy finds himself at odds leading to an adventure through the woods and an unclear ending.

In Trumpets of Death, a young boy named Antoine finds himself marooned at his grandparents' secluded home, a stark contrast to his usual life. The atmosphere is thick with unspoken tension, particularly between Antoine and his gruff grandfather, who seems less than thrilled by his grandson's presence. What begins as a dreary, isolated stay soon morphs into a suspenseful journey when Antoine joins his grandfather on a mushroom foraging expedition, leading them into a thrilling and mysterious hunt through the woods.

The book does a commendable job of painting a vivid picture of the remote, rain-soaked setting and the strained relationship between Antoine and his grandfather. The doting grandmother provides a much-needed emotional anchor, while the grandfather's open hostility creates a palpable sense of unease that keeps you turning pages. The story effectively builds suspense as the mushroom hunt unfolds, weaving together intergenerational conflict with the enigmatic forces of nature. The descriptions of the forest are evocative, making you feel like you're right there with Antoine, experiencing the damp air and the rustling leaves. The climax, a "fearsome hunt," delivers on the promise of resolving their differences, creating a compelling emotional arc for both characters.

However, the story could have truly blossomed with more background on the "special mushroom" that seems to be at the heart of their journey. While its mysterious nature adds to the intrigue, a deeper dive into its significance—perhaps its folklore, its unique properties, or its historical connection to the family—would have provided a stronger foundation for the narrative. Without this additional context, the motivations behind the hunt and the "mysterious forces of nature" feel a little underdeveloped, leaving some gaps in understanding Antoine's perilous adventure. Knowing more about this crucial element would have allowed the story to truly cohere, giving more weight to the grandfather's actions and making Antoine's personal growth feel even more earned.

Overall, Trumpets of Death is an engaging and atmospherically rich read with strong character dynamics. It's a solid 3.5-star experience that offers a compelling blend of family drama and natural mystery. If you enjoy stories where human relationships are tested against a backdrop of the wild unknown, you'll likely find this a rewarding read, even if you're left wanting a bit more about the magic behind the fungi.

I thought this book was very interesting. The family dynamic was something interesting to read and sad a times. Totally would recommend to others!

**First Person ARC Review: *Trumpets of Death* by Simon Bournel-Bosson**

*Trumpets of Death* is an intoxicating blend of noir, horror, and surrealism that caught me completely off guard—in the best way. I went in expecting a dark thriller and came out feeling like I’d wandered through a hallucination wrapped in decay and dread.

From the opening pages, there’s this strange, hypnotic pull to the narrative. It doesn’t unfold so much as unravel—layer by layer, dream by dream, rot by rot. The writing is sharp, but it’s laced with something deeply unsettling, almost fungal, like the story itself is alive and slowly consuming you. I could practically smell the damp earth and feel the mold creeping in.

The plot is slippery, deliberately so. You’re never quite sure what’s real, who to trust, or where the line is between psychological breakdown and supernatural influence—and that uncertainty only makes the tension more intense. I felt constantly off-balance, like the ground might give way at any moment.

But beneath the horror, there’s something profoundly existential about this book. It probes into death, decay, and the quiet terror of losing control—of the body, the mind, the narrative. It’s not just eerie; it’s thoughtful in a way that sticks with you long after the final page.

*Trumpets of Death* isn’t a conventional horror read. It’s strange, poetic, and rotting from the inside out—and that’s exactly what made it unforgettable. If you like your horror weird, philosophical, and a little bit hallucinatory, this one is absolutely worth getting lost in.

This was cute, the art was beautiful . Took a minute to get where it was going but I appreciated the ending.

Trumpets of Death tells the story of a boy left with his grandparents. His mother has left them, and his father needs time to look for her and possibly fix their relationship. The grandparents are not close with the boy, though the grandmother tries to be warm. The grandfather is a large mean man who seems to dislike his grandson and is always on the edge of threatening violence. Then, the story takes a mystical turn as the boy disappears into the woods and becomes a deer for a few months?
The story is strange - a sort of character study and then magical realism enters the picture. I didn't feel like there was any resolution or real end, and though I am sure some out there would enjoy it, this was just not for me.