Book Review - The Frog Princess

Title: The Frog Princess
Author: E.D Baker
Series: The Frog Princess (book 1)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Release Date: 2 Sep 2002
ISBN-13: 978-0747560746

Synopsis
Princess Emeralda isn't exactly an ideal princess. Her laugh sounds like a donkey's bray rather than tinkling bells, she trips over her own feet more often than she gracefully curtsies, and she hates the young Prince Jorge whom her mother hopes she will marry. But if Emeralda ever thought to escape from her frustrating life, she never expected it to happen by turning into a frog! 


My Review
This is another book that has been on my TBR pile for a very long time. I finished Princess Diaries part 3 whilst in my lunch break at work and had left book 4 at home, so I grabbed this from my tray and sat down with it. 
I was halfway after 40 minutes so decided to bring it home with me to finish.
Princess Emeralda or Emma as she likes to be called is a real princess, although she doesn't act like one, her laugh is loud and invasive, she is clumsy and ungraceful. And she doesn't want to marry the man her mother has chosen for her. Her aunt is a Green Witch who is quite powerful, but Emma seems to make a mess of any spells she casts.
When out hiding from her suitor, Emma walks to the swamp, whilst there she runs into a frog. Shocked when it speaks to her she runs away. But the next day she is curious and goes back. The frog asks her for a kiss explaining he is a Prince under a witches curse. At first she doesn't believe him but then her mother announces that she is organizing Emma's wedding to stuck up Jorge, so Emma figures there isn't much to lose and so kisses the frog. This doesn't work out as planned either - instead of turning the Prince back, Emma ends up as a frog. Together they set out to find a way to break the spell.

I've only read one book by E.D Baker before and didn't really like it, but in this one I really liked her writing style and voice and felt myself pulled into the story. I knew a bit about the story before hand but not a lot, so I went in with an open mind.
I liked Emma, she was someone that I felt you could relate too. Not sure of herself or what she is meant to be. Always feeling like she is letting others down but with an inner strength. The Prince is quite full of himself at first but shows a deeper side and starts to soften towards Emma, and becomes really caring. 
Their adventures are quite exciting and there are many twists and turns. 
A very easy read, children would love the magic and adventure and those slightly older would appreciate the love story. A great read. I am going to read the rest of the series now. I am hooked.


My Rating
I would give this book 9.5/10 full of magic, mystery, romance and humour. A great read.