I got this softcover from the ongoing book-sale in the Pelham NH public library. It's an amusing spin on fairy-tale tropes, with feisty younger-sister princess Anya trying to rein in her ditzy older sister (who tends to develop crushes on different suitors almost daily), evade the machinations of evil step-dad Duke Rikard (who's a sorcerer, and a very nasty one indeed), and make her own way in the world. But when Rikard's plans force her to flee the city in company with one of the kingdom's sentient - and powerfully magical - talking dogs, plus a young thief who's been turned into a newt, her adventures begin. (The quest to find the ingredients for a magical balm that will allow the wearer to restore shapeshifted victims with a non-true-love-related kiss is one part of the story, and leads to lots of amusing scenes in which reluctant and increasingly-lip-weary Anya rescues more and more victims - and builds an army as she goes!)

This is a somewhat lighter story than Nix's "Old Kingdom" books, and is lots of fun.

I left this book, bagged against the elements, on the signboard at the parking-lot trailhead off N. River Road on this rainy day, while in the area to hunt for a princess-themed geocache. Hope the finder enjoys the book!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2018 One Word Title release challenge. ***