FROGKISSER BY GARTH NIX

Drawing on a magical mixture of fairy tales and folklore, Garth Nix delivers a wonderful story of determination, bravery and accepting destiny. We follow Princess Anya who wants to be left in peace so she can study sorcery. Unfortunately, she has made solemn promise to her sister Morven, to find the prince who has won her heart but has unfortunately been turned into a frog by their evil step-father, Duke Rikard.

This is not as easy as it sounds. First, Princess Anya must find all the ingredients for the magical lip balm that, when applied, allows her to kiss a frog and transform him back into his princely form. As if this wasn’t enough to keep Anya busy, her dastardly step-father is planning to take over the kingdom and banish her to a boarding school from which she is unlikely to return.

Anya’s sole desire is to get the ingredients for the lip balm, restore her big sister’s boyfriend and get everything to go back to normal. That way her sister can rightfully inherit the kingdom and her evil step-father will be vanquished.

But that’s not what happens.

Aided by a talking dog, Anya flees the castle and starts her journey. Along the way she meets a boy thief who has been turned into a newt, an otter who has been turned into a half-human, a cranky wizard, tricky witches and a whole bunch of heralds called Gerald.

This entertaining story is written with a playfulness that also explores the deeper issue of one’s destiny. Princess Anya’s battle with fate and frogs and a bunch of beautifully crafted characters is a wonderful read.

For Ages: 12-16 years old

Number of Pages: 336 in paperback form.

Published: February 2017

Themes: Loyalty, overcoming adversity.

Rating: 4/5          

Take Home Element: I need a talking dog so they could tell me what mine is saying!