A lyrical novel with a fairy-tale plot, this fresh presentation of the enduring quest story is a fascinating literary introduction to Western mystical thought. "Drawing on rich and eclectic sources, Mary Mendenhall has produced a memorable tapestry of great power and beauty," a London reader commented of the first edition. An unpaid debt. A cursed king. The chilling reminder, "There is a power greater than yours," when his wife dies in childbirth, his daughter is lost, and his kingdom crumbles. Sensing that all is not right, the forgotten princess embarks on a journey of self-discovery alone, misunderstood and confused, wandering in search of home... So begins the story of Michael, a medieval craftsman craving fulfillment who stumbles across a cold and aloof stranger. But the Ice Princess is not like the fairy-tale figures of the Snow Queen, North Wind, or the White Witch: she is a flesh-and-blood woman with a quest of her own. Reminiscent of the storytelling styles of Elizabeth Goudge and George MacDonald, Michael and the Ice Princess: A Mystical Romance offers an ideal 'bedtime story' in the old oral tradition. Suitable for older youth and anyone who craves spirituality linked with old-fashioned romance, this classic novella is an enchanting journey through the world of sages of long ago who still have something to say to modern souls. Praise from readers of the First Edition: "It really is a journey inward, taking the reader into his own depths" -Elizabeth Sherrill, author "Extremely beguiling and imaginative... We are at once entertained, mystified, enthralled, and spiritually nourished by her marvelous characters" -A.E. Rawlinson, London "I was sorry it was so short; I could have used 300 more pages" Kim Robertson, Celtic harpist "A charming tale. The tensions of warm and cold, fire and snow, male and female, rich and poor, dark and light, good and evil all give your tale a texture which delights the eye and the heart."-S. T., Episcopal Priest"