Book Series to Read If You Like the Movie Labyrinth
Jim Henson’s 1986 musical fantasy Labyrinth was love at first watch for me. As a child, I was mesmerized by its otherworldly setting, menagerie of puppets, and toe-tapping songs. Watching it was an experience, one which whisked me away to a fantastical realm where magic was real, danger lurked around every corner, and goblins not only existed but thrived under the reign of a charismatic, morally ambiguous king.
As an adult, I have long sought a book that captures the essence of Labyrinth and evokes its same sense of wonder and adventure. And at last, I have found not one but two book series that check all the boxes. Not only do they both feature heroines who embark on a perilous quest to rescue a loved one from the clutches of the Goblin King, but they also reimagine the story by imbuing it with their own mythos and sprinkling in some romance. The result is two stories that pay homage to Labyrinth while retaining their own unique identities.
So, without further ado, let’s talk about these books.
Of Goblin Kings by Emma Hamm
There are five books in this series, starting with Of Goblins and Gold. At the onset of the pentalogy, the story’s protagonist, Freya, journeys to the goblin realm to save her sister, who has been kidnapped by the Goblin King. To free her sister, she strikes a deal with the king: in exchange for completing a series of tasks, he’ll release her sister. However, as is often the case in fantasies whenever a bargain is involved, things end up getting complicated quickly – and not just the nature of the tasks. Before long, an undeniable chemistry begins to surface between Freya and the Goblin King, threatening her resolve and risking her heart. If you love slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romances with banter, pining, and a dash of adventure, then you are going to love this series.
Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
Similar to the Of Goblin Kings series, the premise of the Wintersong duology revolves around a female protagonist traveling to the goblin kingdom to rescue her sister, who has been taken captive. In this series though, the heroine, Elisabeth, must offer up more than a bargain to free her sister; she must sacrifice her freedom and life itself. The Old Laws, after all, are quite clear: the Goblin King must claim a human bride every year or condemn the world to eternal winter.
This dark fairytale features a captivating plot, romance, and lush, lyrical writing. I, however, should also note that the second book, Shadowsong, falls far short of its predecessor, Wintersong. Nevertheless, it is still worth reading the final book to see what becomes of all of the characters.
Full review of the Wintersong series
And so concludes my labyrinthine list. Have you read either of these series, or are there other books that you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments section below!
-Julia
P.S. You can buy all of the books from this list at Bookshop.org.
Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you click through and make a purchase.
