With the New Year, I’m revisiting one of my old favourites. The Book of the Month for January is Frogkisser! by Garth Nix. Published in 2017, this teen novel is a fun reimagining of classic fairy tales.
The book tells the story of Princess Anya, who goes on a mission to kiss a frog – one that used to be her sister’s love. But when Anya can’t turn the frog back herself, she has to go on a Quest to save him instead, all the while avoiding the machinations of her evil stepstepfather.
‘Great!’ said Anya bitterly. ‘I simply want to read my books and learn magic and get on with things and now not only am I saddled with a frog prince, I have to go on a Quest to save the kingdom from Duke Rikard and I’m not even the oldest…’
-Garth Nix, Frogkisser!
Anya makes a good protagonist for the story, neither a damsel in distress nor a tomboy, but she is exactly who she needs to be to achieve her goals, whether she wants to or not. The discussion of magic and destiny give the princess her own agency within the book.
Nix weaves an engaging narrative with creative history and world-building that is nevertheless easy to grasp and immerse yourself in. The quirky side characters and Anya’s own outlook on the world bring life to the story. Frogkisser! remains one of my comfort reads.
- Rating: 𝙶
- Author: Garth Nix
- Published: 2017
- Review: ★★★★☆