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A review by katykelly
Frogkisser! by Garth Nix
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.