Book two in the Deltora Shadowlands trilogy, the story chronicles Lief, Barda and Jasmine's continuing quest to reunite the Pipe of Pirra and rescue the enslaved Deltorrans from the Shadowlands.
Meanwhile, back home, Marilyn, Sharn, Doom and company must fight assassins and enemies who were once dear friends.
Both Lief and Jasmine are hiding secrets which can only cause great trouble later on, while Marilyn is assumed to be someone she is not.
They do procure the second part of the Pipe and meet the Aurons by books end, by although the story is good and there is action to keep it going, I do think if it had been fleshed out more, even another fifty pages worth, it would have greatly enhanced the characters and plot. On the other hand, these characters were part of an eight-book series that takes place prior to this trilogy that I have not yet read and that might give enough character background that what is lacking here is irrelevant. Still, as a new reader coming into an entirely "new" series (or portion of the series), I would appreciate more character and background. Still, for the age range, enjoyable and a quick read without being banal.