School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up-"Frogkisser" isn't a nickname most 13-year-old princesses aspire to, but when Anya makes a sister-promise to return Prince Denholm to his human state, she goes in search of Transmogrifying Reversal Lip Balm. Nix knows how to stage an enchanting story, as Anya finds herself up against (and equal to!) one adventure after another. Accompanied by palace pup Ardent, prospective good thief Shrub, otter/girl Smoothie, and her own ample intelligence and bravery, Anya sets out on a quest to restore Denholm and make the kingdom of Trallonia safe again. Narrator Marisa Calin voices characters with delightful English and Scottish accents. Nix keeps listeners on their toes, tossing in bits of fairy tales and delightful surprises (friendly monster Moatie; the Only Stone, a flying carpet with an ego; Sir Malorak), some of which seem destined to appear in a sequel. Battle scenes are mild (most weaselfolk are "knocked out" in battle), yet the story never lacks for excitement. Nix puts a sophisticated vocabulary to good use, seamlessly weaving in words such as admonishment, jerkin, and demesne. -VERDICT Highly recommended for middle school audiobook collections. Nix's story is excellent in its own right, and Calin's voice enhances Anya's adventure in every way. ["With wonderfully inventive creatures, challenging vocabulary, and a captivating story, this fantasy is recommended as a first purchase for YA collections": SLJ 1/17 starred review of the Scholastic book.]-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Filled with an assortment of talking animals, this quirky tale of a princess on a mission to save her family from her stepmother's evil new husband is perfectly suited for the audio format. Princess Anya's "stepstepfather," Duke Rikard, is attempting to force her older sister, Morven, to marry a man of his choosing by turning all her other suitors into frogs. Anya sets off on a quest to find allies to help protect her family, accompanied by her sister's most recent beau, Prince Denholm (currently a frog); her talking dog, Ardent; and a boy-turned-newt named Shrub. Anya's adventure brings her into contact with all sorts of creatures. Actor Calin proves a thoroughly delightful storyteller in the audio edition of Nix's tale: her enthusiastic reading coupled with her English accent enhances the fairy-tale aspect, but it's her personable and light tone that carries the story. Calin also creates a cast of distinct character voices that maintain clarity through conversations. Ages 12-up. A Scholastic Press hardcover. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
