Michael and the Ice Princess: A Mystical Romance

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 reviewer commented of the first edition.

"How can someone be blessed and cursed at the same time?"

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...and then she meets Michael, a craftsman craving fulfillment. 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 offers an ideal 'bedtime story' in the old oral tradition. Suitable for older youth and anyone who craves spirituality tucked within a fairy tale, it's an enchanting journey through the world of sages of long ago who still have something to say to modern souls.

Praise from readers:
"It really is a journey inward, taking the reader into his own depths"-Elizabeth Sherrill, author
"Extremely beguiling and imaginative"- A.E. Rawlinson, London
"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. Tobias, Episcopal Priest
"Hey, it's got pictures AND music in it! WooHoo!" -- a young fan of medieval fantasy

Winner of 2 Literary Awards: Book Excellence Award finalist for Christian Fiction and Maincrest Media Award for Fairy Tale/Mythology.