Anya is a second daughter: the younger princess behind her sister Morven. The two girls lost their mother quite young, and their father remarried. Their stepmother had little to do with the girls leaving much of their education to the Royal Dogs. When the king died their stepmother remarried Duke Rickard. Neither their stepmother nor their stepstepfather could hold the throne and have been waiting for Morven's birthday.
Morven is soon to come of age, but the Duke has plans for the little kingdom which preclude her coronation. Duke Rickard is a sorcerer of wicked intent. He has been biding his time and building his power until he can take over Trallonia. When it looks like Morven may fall in love with a visiting prince Denholm, the duke transforms her suitor into a frog.
Anya, though young, has been studying sorcery and Morgen turns to her sister when Denholm is turned. Anya makes a sister-promise to turn the frog back into a prince. Thus begins her quest. Anya takes Ardent, an overexcitable new member of the Royal Dogs, and prince Denholm in his frog cage and they go searching for ingredients to create a transmogrification lip balm. Along the way, they encounter a boy-turned salamander thief-in-training, a Good Wizard, a band of brigands who steal from the rich and give to the poor, and an otter-turned-girl.
As her quest becomes more and more complex Anya's patience and desire to take on more responsibility are tested. When the band of brigands introduces the concept of an All-Encompassing Bill of Rights and Wrongs, Anya challenges the idea that a second sister can make policy changes and considers what it could mean.
Duke Rickard announces his plans to take over the small kingdom and Anya must hurry her quest to a quick conclusion, find the ingredients for Denholm's transmogrification lip balm, and return to Trallonia to save Morven and the rest of her subjects.
Frogkisser is meant for middle-aged readers and is a twist on traditional fairy tales. Readers who enjoyed The Wizard of Oz and the Percy Jackson books will enjoy this upbeat tale.
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