THE FROG PRINCESS RETURNS

When Queen Willow vanishes, Princess Emeralda, aka Emma, embarks on a quest to find her and restore harmony to the fairy community in this latest addition to the Tales of the Frog Princess series.

As the Green Witch, the independent, white princess also has the “responsibility of watching out for the humans and fairies in Greater Greensward.” Even though Emma has transformed her fiance, Eadric, back from a frog into human form, his parents still oppose their marriage. Accordingly, when attractive, nasty, white Princess Adara arrives unexpectedly, claiming to be a distant relative, the interloper’s pursuit of Eadric arouses Emma’s suspicions. Before Emma can convince Adara to leave, she’s embroiled in bitter, disruptive fighting among the fairies over who will be their new ruler. Accompanied by devoted Eadric and hindered by irritating Adara, Emma travels on her magic carpet to Soggy Molvinia, wielding her magical powers on the fly and hoping to discover missing Queen Willow. Featuring comic scenes, a romantic subplot, and wacky animal, fairy, and witch characters, the fantasy falls a bit flat, feeling formulaic at this point despite its independent heroine, breezy first-person voice, fairy-tale elements, and fast pace.

This humorous, ongoing extension of the frog-turned-prince saga should appeal to fans of the series who want more of the same.