Princess Irene lives in a lonely mountain castle, protected but curious about the world. When she discovers a secret great-great-grandmother in the attic and befriends a brave miner boy named Curdie, they uncover a sinister plot by the grotesque goblins living beneath the mountains. The story weaves together themes of courage, faith in the unseen, and the power of innocence, as Irene and Curdie must trust each other and the mysterious guidance of the princess's otherworldly grandmother to save the kingdom. It's a foundational fantasy adventure about growing up, discerning truth from deception, and finding light in dark places.