Frogkisser! in What's the Name of That Book???

May 02, 2017 Jessica rated it really liked it

Shelves: middle-grade, library, fantasy

Absolutely charming! A perfect book for fans of Diana Wynne Jones, or Patricia C. Wrede's ENCHANTED FOREST CHRONICLES. Also for fans of, dare I say it, my own Castle Glower books?

In this book, young Princess Anya sets off on a Quest, aided by one of the Royal Dogs. Her quest, on the surface, is to gather the ingredients needed to make a magical lip balm that will enable her to kiss a frog and turn him back into a prince. (The lip balm is necessary because she's not his true love, you see.) Thwa ...more

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Jan 14, 2017 Christina rated it liked it

Shelves: fairy-tales, fantasy

This was a very cute book, about a princess who starts on a quest to transform a frog back into a prince but winds up taking on a lot more in the course of her travels. I guess possibly because of my previous experience with Garth Nix (Sabriel and the two following) I was expecting something aimed at a slightly older audience, YA rather than middle-grade fiction. I have nothing against younger YA books (see my undying love for The Wee Free Men and the rest of the Tiffany Aching books) but this o ...more

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Feb 14, 2017 Laura rated it it was amazing

Shelves: old-reads, mt-bookpile-2016-2020

I never thought I'd read a Garth Nix book and think, he's channeling Terry Pratchett, but... he did. He is. And it's delightful. (Nix also has touches of Patricia Wrede and others, just adding to the yumminess).

This is sort of a fractured fairy tale, with elements we know thrown in in unusual ways. Snow White makes an appearance, there are many heralds named Gerald (it's a thing), far too many frogs to be kissed, flying carpets, dwarves, evil stepstepfathers and so. much. more. And I can't belie ...more

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Mar 23, 2017 katayoun Masoodi rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, ya, ebook

very fun read

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Mar 02, 2017 Emma rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned

All Anya wants to do is sit in the castle library reading books and learning new spells (but only small ones because she doesn't want to become an evil sorcerer like her step-step-father Duke Rikard). Unfortunately the Duke seems intent on becoming a completely evil sorcerer and his previously intermittent transformations and threats to Anya and her older sister Morven begin to escalate. Rikard even transforms Prince Denholm, one of Morven's many suitors, into a frog.

Anya makes a sister-promise All Anya wants to do is sit in the castle library reading books and learning new spells (but only small ones because she doesn't want to become an evil sorcerer like her step-step-father Duke Rikard). Unfortunately the Duke seems intent on becoming a completely evil sorcerer and his previously intermittent transformations and threats to Anya and her older sister Morven begin to escalate. Rikard even transforms Prince Denholm, one of Morven's many suitors, into a frog.

Anya makes a sister-promise to return Prince Denholm to his human form before realizing it will lead to bigger challenges. Soon Anya has to flee the castle before Rikard can strike against her and forced into a Quest with Royal Dog Ardent at her side.

While she tries to gather ingredients for a magical anti-transmogrification lip balm to fix Denholm and Rikard's sundry other victims Anya realizes there is far more at stake than one sister-promise as she grapples with her privilege and responsibility as a princess while trying to save her kingdom in Frogkisser! (2017) by Garth Nix.

Frogkisser! is a rollicking adventure filled with magical creatures including talking dogs, giant otters, and an enchanted bright orange newt. Along the way Anya also encounters wizards, good robbers, evil sorcerers and more.

Anya faces danger at every turn often leading to bittersweet successes which help to make Frogkisser! all the more gripping. Anya's contemplation of the advantages she has--and the protection she owes her people--as a ruling princess is realistically handled and an excellent introduction to the concept of social responsibility.

Nix creates a unique world filled with minor kingdoms, magic, and a fair bit of mayhem in this novel. He also includes several wry nods to familiar fairy tale characters like Snow White and Merlin (who are the same person) as well as traditional tropes including the magic of true love's kiss.

Frogkisser! is a masterful standalone fantasy novel that once again demonstrates Nix's talent and range as an author. Anya's young age and a deliberate lack of romance makes this story a great choice for readers who want a story focused on frienship, adventure, and magic. A must-read for fans of fractured fairy tales and fairy tale retellings. Highly recommended.

Possible Pairings: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix, A Well-Timed Enchantment by Vivian Vande Velde, The Princess Bride by William Goldman, Princeless Book One: Save Yourself by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin, Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede ...more

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