The White Pipes

by Nancy Kress

Fia, the Storygiver, had come to the backward kingdom of Veliano to practice her special art. In the mist that swirled between her hands, her mind formed tiny figures to act out simple folk tales for the entertainment of the lords and ladies.

But in the court of King Rofdal and his third Queen, Leonore, the story forming in the mist became a tale of twisted passion and shocking betrayal... for waiting in Veliano was the man Fia both loved and feared. Waiting was a web of intrigue to trap her in a struggle for ultimate power - a magic linked to the dark legend of the White Pipes... the secret instrument of Fia's fate, and the fate of all she held dear.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

218 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Nancy Kress is an American science fiction writer. She began writing in 1976 but has achieved her greatest notice since the publication of her Hugo and Nebula-winning 1991 novella Beggars in Spain which was later expanded into a novel with the same title. In addition to her novels, Kress has written numerous short stories and is a regular columnist for Writer's Digest. She is a regular at Clarion writing workshops and at The Writers Center in Bethesda, Maryland. During the Winter of 2008/09, Nancy Kress is the Picador Guest Professor for Literature at the University of Leipzig's Institute for American Studies in Leipzig, Germany.

Excerpted from Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This feels like a young adult book that's really meant for adults. I know that doesn't make much sense, but there's a bit too much sex (not to mention the flaying alive) in it for me to feel comfortable recommending it to young people. And yet, the only adults I can think of who I suspect would enjoy it are those who, like me, enjoy reading ya books.

It's one of Kress's earlier works (1986), but she already has that style of writing that keeps the reader constantly wanting to know what's happening next. And it's pure fantasy, also more characteristic of her earlier work. Here, the entire plot depends on the use of magic, and in particular on the magical creating of stories after ingesting predisposing drugs.

It's a quick, fun read. If you happen across it in a library or used book store, it's worth checking out.

[Cera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read loved this 20 years ago, and ought to reread it & see if I still do.

[Kelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dialogue, setting, world building, all great. Plot was interesting, and the ending is both a head-scratcher and predictable (in my opinion)
Would read again 👍🏻

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story for a teenage reader