Review by Booklist Review
Robson's quirky fantasy novella, set in an alternate England called Angland, skewers political bureaucracy with its depiction of the Low Parliament, in which constituents are too busy arguing to accomplish anything, even saving their own lives. Frivolous but talented scribe Lana will do anything for kisses from a pretty girl, which often lands her in trouble. Soon she's tricked into taking another scribe's place in the Low Parliament, where she and her fellow scribes are forced to record Parliament's futile debates forever, or until the fairies, who developed Parliament to save humans from themselves, flood the whole place in despair. Despite her layabout tendencies, Lana recruits grumpy fairy overseer Bugbite and beautiful constituent Eloquentia to scheme a way to avoid a watery death. Robson's story, like Lana, is a tease, fascinating and clever without fully committing. Even with the threat of imminent death, stoner Lana parties or sleeps her way through the plot but props up Eloquentia enough to call for a nonsensical world-saving vote. The political satire is sharp, though, in this lighthearted romp.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
With this charming fantasy novella, Nebula Award winner Robson (Waters of Versailles) offers a satirical take on political gridlock. In a fascinating, all-female world, fairies have established a European Union--esque system of government called Low Parliament to keep humans from destroying each other and the planet. Flirtatious scribe Lana Baker is persuaded into writing and delivering a letter for fellow scribe, Cora, in exchange for a few kisses, and winds up being sent to Low Parliament in Cora's place. It's a dangerous assignment: there's a hung Parliament, and the fairies will drown everyone who works there if Parliament can't come "unhung" by the new moon. Lana quickly befriends the fairy in charge of the scribes, Bugbite, via magical yeast (which acts a bit like marijuana) and psychedelic mushrooms. While high, they encounter Eloquentia de la Barre, a dancer with whom Lana becomes infatuated, convinced she's the only person who can save Parliament. Lana is a charmingly breezy narrator, though her falling asleep during the penultimate parliamentary debate undercuts Robson's argument that parliamentary systems, however flawed, are worth preserving, and Eloquentia's climactic call for decision feels a little left-field. Still, Robson's fans will enjoy this easygoing perspective on a politically charged fairy tale world. Agent: Hannah Bowman, Liza Dawson Assoc. (Aug.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Lana Baker is Aldgate's finest scribe and a shameless flirt. When a promise to deliver messages in exchange for kisses draws the ire of a fairy, Lana earns herself a one-way ticket to the Low Parliament. Settling into her new life of recording the exhausting debates of the practically ineffectual legislative body, Lana befriends the cantankerous fairy Bugbite and the beautiful deputy Eloquentia, forming an unlikely trio upon whose shoulders rests the fate of humanity. Robson's (Alias Space and Other Stories) latest is a spirited novella featuring elements of fantasy, LGBTQIA+ representation, and political satire. Embracing a frenetic pace in lieu of expansive worldbuilding, Robson presents a roller-coaster ride that leaves readers wanting more. Narrator Amy Scanlon gives the characters distinct personalities and voices, abandoning her dry, breathy intonation to shift with ease between the flirtatious stoner Lana, the shrill-voiced fairies, and foreign deputies. Lending intimacy to the storytelling, Scanlon's performance will delight listeners with these unlikely heroes and their endeavors to save humanity. VERDICT Recommended for fans of fantasy, quirky characters, and political satire.--Andy Myers
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