In the ancient land of Ameram, where giant, man eating frogs lurk in the marshes of the valleys, an aging and vain king has succumbed to the evil that is grasping control of his kingdom. His selfish behavior blinds his wisdom, opening the doors of Castle Ambermal to a wicked sorcerer who uses potions and manipulations to steal the throne from the rightful heir, the king’s only child, Ekala. As the magician begins his plan to revive the power of a once-defeated order of black-hearted creatures, a sculptor of Stone Truth triggers a chain of events that reveal an ancient prophecy and its guardian, Thalmus--The King's Frog Hunter. Along with his loyal companions, a giant tortoise, a Paint stallion, and a Great Horned owl, the mysterious hunter gathers a unique band of warriors to help the princess in her fight to save her father and the Kingdom. Together they embark on a dangerous quest that will challenge their courage, test their resolve and forge new friendships while battling to fulfill the Prophecy of Ameram.
I was initially on the fence about picking up this book—fantasy fiction is rarely my first choice. Now and then, though, I push myself to step outside my usual genres, and that’s exactly what I did with this read. Looking back, I’d say that small risk definitely paid off.
As I started reading, I found myself smiling often; the story reminded me of the fantasy novels I remember reading when I was younger. That nostalgic feeling pulled me in deeper, keeping me engaged until the spark fully caught—and when it did, I was all in.
At its core, this is a story about the unfolding of a prophecy, with a king and a princess at its center. The first chapter lays the groundwork, establishing the current state of the kingdom, and from there the narrative steadily builds, drawing you further into its world.
I loved that the story opened with a strong hook—that kept me turning the pages. Boschina and her father, Veracitas, a skilled stonecutter and sculptor, are two central figures in the unfolding plot, and I found them both to be remarkably brave, which pulled me in, giving me some attachment. However, I took an instant dislike to King Ahmbin, which, in a way, nudged me to feel protective of and partial to the princess before she even appeared on the page. But it's Thalmus, "The Frog Hunter," whose character I found the most compelling. The mark of a great storyteller is the ability to invoke strong emotions in the reader early on—a crucial element in keeping them engaged. This was accomplished in this read.
As a fantasy, the book naturally demands a healthy suspension of disbelief and a strong imagination to fully picture the fantastical beings that inhabit this world. As an avid reader, that's not a challenge for me. The anthropomorphic elements woven into the story add a unique charm and give the narrative an extra layer of intrigue. Overall, the author makes it easy to visualize each scene, using vivid descriptions that enhance the story's creativity and bring the world to life.
The King's Frog Hunter is a classic fantasy adventure—full of enchantment, centered on an unlikely champion, in a richly imagined world begging to be explored. I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration.
A mythic hero's quest, only the heroes are heroines. A well written story that literally ticks off the steps of the quest path. A stone cutter's daughter desperate to find and save her father. A princess dedicated to rescuing her people and the kingdom, even if it from the king himself. Add in a seer, an immortal frog hunter, giant carnivorous frogs, magic, invading armies, lost princes, evil wizards and magical animals. I had a lot of fun reading this. It does not quite follow the 'female heroine' story line that I've seen touted recently, but it does a rather good job of allowing the female protagonists follow the heroic pathway. I was a lot more impressed with the writer's diligence and effort when it came to the plot than I had expected to be. I even liked all the characters, which is rare. Kudos.
This was a wonderful fantasy fiction , a genre I don't usually reach for. This was a gift, as I love to read. This book may have changed my mind, I enjoyed it very much.
Recently, I read The King’s Frog Hunter written by Ken Young published by North Point Publishing in Paradise, CA. This story had been written over a span of 35 years, as Ken told original folktales to his daughter as lullabies. Finally piling these empowering stories of truth, nobility, individualism, courage, and family (blood and found) together in a tight tale with imaginative characters (human and nonhuman), Ken Young has succeeded in creating a vivid quest for the truth leaving you begging for “what’s next”. Written in third person with a not-so-difficult reading level, this arc of good •vs• evil is appropriate for the tenacious. The most important lessons learned within the story is the power of truth, the strength in the self and the antithesis: the strength in numbers.
My daughter read through this and went through it pretty fast. It's good for advanced readers, lots of depth in the characters. Definitely would want to see a sequel or other books from this author.
A fantastic world is brought to life by Ken Young in this story of fate, destiny and rising to the challenges that life brings you. A very satisfying story.