Frogkisser!

Frogkisser!
Garth Nix
Scholastic, 2017 372 pages
Grades 5-8
Fantasy

Princess Anya is stuck living with her selfish older sister, distracted stepmother, and evil sorcerer step-stepfather, Duke Rikard. Suitors keep arriving at their castle in a faraway kingdom to woo the Princess Morven and the Duke keeps scaring them off. When the latest prince is transformed to a frog, Anya tries to help and finds herself in big trouble from her evil step-stepfather. She is in need of ingredients for a magical lip-balm that can restore transformed creatures to their natural form and decides to escape the castle and go on a quest to locate all of the items. Anya sets off with one of the castle's talking guardian dogs and the transformed frog-prince. The questers meet many interesting creatures, including a Robin Hood-type of band called the Association of Responsible Robbers, who explain to Anya the evil lurking in the world, a family of druids, a boy transformed to a newt, an otter transformed to a girl, Weasels turned into soldiers, mercenary witches, and a helpful wizard with dwarf workers and invisible apprentices, as well as the great Merlin himself. Anya acquires helpers along the way as she gathers her ingredients and keeps a step ahead of the Duke. As the quest continues she meets more and more creatures in need of transforming. Will she be able to make the lip balm before the Duke catches up to her? And what will happen if and when he finally does catch up?

British author, Garth Nix, delivers a truly funny spin on a traditional fantasy with all of the elements of magic, adventure, and surprises. He acknowledges borrowing from his influences in the genre and certainly the world and aspects of the quest seem very familiar. Nix adds original new characters and truly funny Monte Python-esque bits that make this story a delight to read. Frogkisser! reminds me a bit of the E.D. Baker series Frog Princess in that it is a twist on the traditional genre and very funny. I felt that the book was a little long, yet it never dragged. Smart kids and devoted readers will love this book and fly right through it. Those new to the fantasy genre might be better served elsewhere in that the best bits of the story may fly over their heads. This book is labeled as “teen” and I have seen the recommended age listed as eighth grade and up. I feel that it is actually for middle grade readers and will best be enjoyed by late elementary school students and early middle school. Nothing is particularly sophisticated that warrants the older age recommendation. The story does get a bit violent towards the end, but nothing worse than Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. The book will be more of a natural sell to female readers, but boys brave enough to get past the title and the female main character will find much to enjoy. Nix features many strong female characters that aren't afraid to fight and lead groups into battle. Wonderful fun for fans of British fantasy and anyone who enjoys a good yarn.