The Seven Pipes

Danielle Bruno
Zumaya Publications (2002)
ISBN 1894869664
Reviewed by Tammy Petty Conrad for Reader Views (6/06)

Jenny yearns for adventure and gets much, much more! The story begins on the eve of her fifteenth birthday in a fairy tale kingdom, but quickly turns into more than a Cinderella story. Jenny, her sister Amy, and the stable boy, James, discover a magical book and map, learning about the Seven Pipes of Enchantment that are awaiting discovery. The young friends can’t wait to begin their escapade, which sounds like a clever game and much fun.

It isn’t long before they discover the seriousness of their quest. They are joined by the Prince and their annoying cousin, Maple, and a few others along the way forming an unusual family. A fairy gives them clues in the form of poems to find each pipe. Each task and opponent is more difficult and dangerous. Centaurs, ogres, and dragons are sprinkled throughout the tale.  The band of travelers learns to work as a team, counting on each member in life and death situations.
Although this is set in an imaginary kingdom in the past, its heroine is anything but a boring maiden who can’t help herself. Jenny and her sisters are liberated and their male traveling companions appreciate their skills. It is refreshing to read a book where the girl isn’t only interested in boys.

Each chapter brings a new twist and complications abound. Sixteen years old at the time, the author, Danielle Bruno, crafted such a fast paced story that I found myself eagerly turning pages to find out what happened next. The villain, Evel Ness, is truly horrific and the atrocities he performs outrage all. Every step of the journey he is in the shadows, somehow waiting to spoil their attempts at success. But this team of young heroes uses their heads to try to outwit him and save the world from the ruin he intends. Lessons are learned each step of the way. You must read to the very end to unravel all the threads and find out who is victorious.

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