The Princess and the Goblins

Author's name: George MacDonald

A princess, a hidden ladder, and a danger rising from the depths of the mountain.
In a secluded mountain house, shaded by the sky, young Princess Irene lives a peaceful life. But curiosity leads her to discover a wondrous secret: a hidden staircase ascending to a mysterious attic, where she meets her hidden grandmother, the guardian of secrets and wisdom. There, the grandmother gives her a magical, soft thread, visible only to those who believe in it—a thread that may be her only lifeline.
For in the deep darkness beneath the mountain, evil forces awaken. Goblins, those twisted creatures bearing an ancient grudge against humankind, plot wicked schemes, and make the young princess the target of their machinations. With the help of Cordy, the brave miner boy, Irene embarks on a journey of confrontation that relies not on physical strength, but on courage of heart, unwavering faith, and that magical gift that binds her to the world of light.
But what happens when the innocence of childhood is confronted by the cruelty of the underworld? And is a thread of light enough to guide us in the darkest caves?
"The Princess and the Goblins" is a tender treatise on faith and inner courage. Through profound symbols—the invisible thread, the wise grandmother, and the light that dispels the darkness of the caves—the story weaves a simple certainty: that the greatest strength lies in purity of heart and trust in what the eyes cannot see.
George MacDonald, the Scottish writer, poet, and thinker, is considered one of the pioneers of modern fantasy literature. His enchanting worlds and profound concepts of good and beauty inspired a generation of literary giants, including Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, who considered him his spiritual mentor. In this novel, MacDonald crafts a world that speaks to the childlike innocence in all of us, reminding us that the true battle is always with our own inner demons first.
"Everything I wrote after reading Macdonald was imbued with his spirit. It is one of the books that most influenced my childhood imagination."
— C.S. Lewis