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notturna's review against another edition
4.0
Garth Nix has done a wonderful job with this hero-Princess story, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I didn't love it as much as some of his other books, but I would recommend people try it if they're after something light and whimsical.
I respected that Anya doesn't quest because she's bored or resents her privileged life. She does it for the sake of others, even when the list of "others" keeps growing and she would really prefer a less complicated task. A romantic interest isn't an inevitability of her story, and she meets many other talented women on her journey. Women of all colours occupy all avenues of life in Anya's world, and they aren't looked at as aberrations because they're knights or wizards.
I respected that Anya doesn't quest because she's bored or resents her privileged life. She does it for the sake of others, even when the list of "others" keeps growing and she would really prefer a less complicated task. A romantic interest isn't an inevitability of her story, and she meets many other talented women on her journey. Women of all colours occupy all avenues of life in Anya's world, and they aren't looked at as aberrations because they're knights or wizards.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Refreshingly funny fairy tale, for older children and adults who like to be entertained
Yes, there are princesses, yes there are definitely frogs to kiss (as well as other things). But this is NOT a sloppy tale about weak-willed and spoiled princesses (well, actually there is one of those, but not one we see much of) who need helping and can't do much for themselves. Anya herself determines to go on a quest, the younger princess who goes off to make the lip balm to kiss the enchanted frog to fulfil her 'sister promise' and make him a prince again for her elder sister, heir to the kingdom.
It's not the stepmother's doing either - it's the dead king's widow's new husband (the step-stepfather) who's done the deed, and who is after Anya, with his minions and magic.
Can Anya, with the aid of dogs, newts and other eccentric sidekicks fulfil her Quest, as well as her other quests she picks up on the way, and save the kingdom, the prince and everyone else who needs a hand?!
Highly entertaining, an original and refreshing spin on the done-to-death fairy tale plot, Anya is a great role model, heroine and protagonist. There are plenty of in-jokes to keep readers amused (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was one of my favourite parts), and we still get wizards, spells, enchanted animals, trolls, all the expected elements of a fairy story, but with a worldly-wise and realistic hero(ine). Princes barely feature - hoorah!
My first Nix, and I'll definitely be trying some of his other titles.
One for maybe ages 8 and above, and there's nothing to stop teens and adults enjoying this too.
Yes, there are princesses, yes there are definitely frogs to kiss (as well as other things). But this is NOT a sloppy tale about weak-willed and spoiled princesses (well, actually there is one of those, but not one we see much of) who need helping and can't do much for themselves. Anya herself determines to go on a quest, the younger princess who goes off to make the lip balm to kiss the enchanted frog to fulfil her 'sister promise' and make him a prince again for her elder sister, heir to the kingdom.
It's not the stepmother's doing either - it's the dead king's widow's new husband (the step-stepfather) who's done the deed, and who is after Anya, with his minions and magic.
Can Anya, with the aid of dogs, newts and other eccentric sidekicks fulfil her Quest, as well as her other quests she picks up on the way, and save the kingdom, the prince and everyone else who needs a hand?!
Highly entertaining, an original and refreshing spin on the done-to-death fairy tale plot, Anya is a great role model, heroine and protagonist. There are plenty of in-jokes to keep readers amused (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was one of my favourite parts), and we still get wizards, spells, enchanted animals, trolls, all the expected elements of a fairy story, but with a worldly-wise and realistic hero(ine). Princes barely feature - hoorah!
My first Nix, and I'll definitely be trying some of his other titles.
One for maybe ages 8 and above, and there's nothing to stop teens and adults enjoying this too.
shinycrochet's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this story. It's a wonderful journey with sweet character growth and fantastic magic cost. Highly recommend this to readers of all age!
twocents's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just a funny little take on princess fairy tales that delivers on what it sets out to do.
xenasorceress's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The WHIMSY of this book goodness gracious OWGHGGDH... I picked this up not knowing it was aimed for a younger audience than expected, but honestly I still managed to enjoy it so much! Even though it reads like it's for a pre-teen age range it doesn't sanitize or decomplicate any of its plot or storybuilding elements which I'm really appreciate of. I thoroughly enjoyed the fairytale worldbuilding and adventure as a whole, the world feels so fleshed out and it makes the final ending of the story feel all the more meaningful. Aagh I absolutely loved the character development and the funny little cast of little fellows the main character gathers, and ngl I got SO hyped near the climax when she starts kissing the frogs and amasses her little frog army Overall SUCH a fun and lighthearted read, definitely takes time to get through but it's time I absolutely had fun getting through <3
sparksofember's review against another edition
4.0
This started a little slow but ended up being super cute. I spent the first couple of chapters worried it might get too dark but it ended up being very much a middle-grade-type fairy tale. I wasn't hooked on the story until the group arrived at the Good Wizards, though I was starting to get intrigued when we met the good robbers. My daughter and I loved the silliness of the Good Wizard putting on a hat and beard, and the witches putting on warts, the story behind Snow White & the 7 dwarves, etc. And we cheered for most of the entire last third of the story. ;-) The audio narration was very well done - Marisa Calin did each voice distinctly and spot on.
Spoiler
I especially loved the twist at the end regarding Anya's sister.tinynavajo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A cute short story about a younger princess sent on a quest to turn a frog back into a prince, an otter maid back into an otter, a newt into a young thief and saving her kingdom from her evil stepstepfather.
mackle13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
After reading the Prologue, I thought I was going to be delighted by this story. Princesses, magic, talking dogs, quests... all with a sort of tongue-in-cheek meta-awareness that I thought would add humor and zest to the story.
But as I continued, the meta-aspect of being genre-savvy didn't really do anything to elevate this by-the-number quest. If anything, the awareness of it just sort of made it even more by-the-numbers.
The characters were ok - I liked the Good Magician and the 7 Dwarves - but the pacing was very slow, and the story not all that intriguing. Overall, I ended up finding this book sadly ho-hum.
But as I continued, the meta-aspect of being genre-savvy didn't really do anything to elevate this by-the-number quest. If anything, the awareness of it just sort of made it even more by-the-numbers.
The characters were ok - I liked the Good Magician and the 7 Dwarves - but the pacing was very slow, and the story not all that intriguing. Overall, I ended up finding this book sadly ho-hum.