A young woman from modern-day New York City is thrust into a parallel realm where fairy tales are real and a dark conspiracy threatens the stability of the Nine Kingdoms. Virginia Lewis and her father Tony find themselves navigating a treacherous landscape populated by trolls, goblins, and a malevolent Evil Queen. As they attempt to return home, they must assist a cursed prince in reclaiming his throne to prevent the collapse of the magical world. The narrative follows their progression through these strange lands, utilizing a fast-paced, episodic structure that mirrors classic quest-based storytelling.

This work is widely recognized as the novelization of the popular television miniseries, maintaining the same tone of lighthearted adventure and dark fantasy. Readers often note the effective translation of the screen-based visual spectacle into descriptive prose that captures the whimsy of the original setting. The narrative is frequently praised for its ability to weave disparate fairy tale elements into a cohesive, albeit sprawling, world-building exercise. It serves as a nostalgic touchstone for fans of the source material who appreciate the expansion of the characters' internal motivations beyond what was visible on screen.