I couldn’t stop reading this book, despite not really understanding the point. It felt like it wasn’t descriptive enough in events happening, time just sort of… passed, which may have been purposeful due to the drug elements, but it really detracted from what could have been a neat story. I love a triad, but it did seem to come out of nowhere — I didn’t realize the romantic connection between BB and anyone else until it was firmly established and the book ended. It felt like an allegory for how horrible American politics is, but I’m not really sure of the message it was trying to convey after all. LOVED that there were no male characters, that was such a brilliant surprise and so, so well done. Also, the cover art is stunning!

Lana Baker, ordinary human scribe for whom stealing kisses may be her hobby and also her downfall, can understand and write in nearly any language including Anglish and Fairy. Crossing a fairy, though, lands her a dangerous spot as a Parliamentary scribe. The Low Parliament is hung, and nothing has proven to break the deadlock. Everyone assumes Lana will hate Parliament - and yet the optimistic scribe can take advantage of every situation and turn it into a good time. But what can a mere scribe do to prevent the dissolution of Parliament?

One character says, “Lana has a talent for happiness. It’s a great gift.” That quote could sum up this novella. It’s a charming, delightful, a wild and weird queer political romp. If you ever looked at politics and said “This is entertaining, but it would be even better with hallucinogens” then this novella is for you. I use the term “weird” in the kindest sense, when I say this one is out there. Lana forges friendships with fairies and other humans, spends her time in the scribes influenced by mushrooms, and maintains a hopeful optimism in the face of pending doom.

This novella was eccentric, outlandish, and wholly unique. To sum it up as the author puts it, "a lesbian stoner buddy comedy with fairies." But these aren't your trendy fantasy romance type of fairies. They're mischievous, moody, and shower glitter everywhere.

In an alternate version of 18th-century London, Lana--flirtatious, nonchalant and always chasing a high--finds herself exiled to the Low Parliament, where human deputies must agree on a vote or face death. With the help of a curmudgeonly fairy and a bewitching human deputy, they must find a way to unite the two sides.

The world-building was very unique from the small bits of exploration it gave, and I laughed out loud a few times at the absurdity of it all. This is a great novella to pick up if you're looking for something light, quirky, and very female-centric!

This was a really fun read, but i honestly didn’t like Lana as the main character. I even liked Bugbite more. Also at some point the flirty comments were annoying already, and it took away from how serious the actual political turmoil happening in the background. Honestly tho… what was the point? I get that it wanted to showcase the government in a fantasy world but???? It wasn’t written concretely. I felt it was all so vague and didn’t lead up to a point…. Sorry i need to be honest.

High Times in the Low Parliament is a fun novella, following Lana who, self-confessedly, is a bit of an irresponsible flirt. When she gets herself sent to the Low Parliament in place of another scribe, all she can really think about is flirting with one of the deputies, despite the fact that, if the Parliament cannot agree, they will all be drowned. (I didn’t quite get this bit, which I will come to later. For now, just roll with it.)

First and foremost, Lana has a vibrant and fun voice. She’s the reason you keep reading this one, through any confusion. It’s nice to see a lesbian character who’s just allowed to flirt with almost every woman she meets and isn’t somehow penalised for it. And Lana was so unrepentant about it that you couldn’t help but like her.

And then there’s Bugbite, who I have to mention in a whole separate paragraph to herself just because of how much I loved her. The growth of her relationship with Lana was the best part of this book. Yes, she still remains a little sharp and spiteful by the end, but softened.

Really, the only issue I had with this one was that I thought it needed to be longer than novella length. Not simply because I wanted more of it (although I did), but I thought that it needed to better explain just why this Low Parliament existed and why exactly the fairies had to enforce it (and why it would end in humans drowning?). Perhaps there was something I missed right at the beginning but even so. A little more exposition would have been welcome.

That aside, though, I thought this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. If you haven’t picked up a Kelly Robson book before, this is a great one to start with. If you have, well, you’ll only enjoy this one all the more.

Thank you to NetGalley and a Macmillan-Tor/Forge for a free eARC in exchange for my honest review!

And this was a BLAST!💥 Two parts ridiculous laugh-out-loud hilarity and two parts searing social commentary—all in a compact read-in-one-sitting fantasy package. I absolutely recommend!

Also worth noting: I do not believe I encountered a single male character in this novella…and if I read the world correctly (someone please correct me if I am mistaken), I am not actually certain men even exist? Not that this in any way detracts from the story! Just a fun tidbit for enquiring minds.

Altogether a fabulously worthwhile use of a few hours—and I would not say no to further exploration of this super fun and unique world. 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

Bemused. Confused. Intrigued. Those words describe my initial reactions to "High Times in the Low Parliament". It took awhile for the light to flip on in my mind but once it did, I was definitely intrigued. Who knew the fairy world was so politically charged.

In fact, it wasn't until my mind began to make connections between the disdain and attempted destruction of the Low Parliament and, hmm, maybe NATO that my mind began to make sense of it all. It's an interesting if bewildering world that Lana Baker finds herself deposited in for the sake of a few kisses. Yes, lots of lady on lady type action here but, honestly, it was secondary. The politics and complicated relationships between the humans and fairy characters, not to mention the multitude of factions within the political body are what made the story interesting to me. I didn't even particularly like Lana as the book began but gradually found myself warming to her, then admiring her pluck and smarts as she navigated the complex world she found herself inside. In other words, she matures and grew on me. Same for Bugbite, the cranky fairy that Lana befriends. They're far more complex characters than one imagines at first and their growth and concern for all, not just themselves, made me care about what was and might happen to them.

The political world they inhabit is, well, full of turmoil. Much talk, endless posturing, arguing, finger pointing, and grand gestures that all come to naught. Sounds a great deal like our modern political world doesn't it, even though this one is set in 18th century. I doubt that the author had invasions and threats against NATO in mind as she wrote but given current circumstances, it was difficult to erase that thought from my mind once that light bulb went off. Lana, who admits to not really ever even trying to think shows more common sense than most, coming up with ideas on how to avoid being drowned, the eventual fate of all there if agreement isn't reached. So, given the fate awaiting them, why are deputies of the many, many factions still arguing? To hear their own voices? A grasp for power even if others die as a result? Power or maybe the power to make history? Or end it? Is chaos really more effective than calm? Will anyone listen to reason or are all fated to a dreadful end. But, wait, how are the fractious deputies perhaps thinking to have it all, power and survival?

You're going to have to read the book to find out. Read it with an open mind. For instance, although I don't swing that way, I didn't find the lady on lady flirtation offensive. It certainly fits this seemingly all female world. You may even find different connections than I eventually did. As noted, I was initially bewildered and didn't even like the main character but things change. Isn't that what it's all about? Change for the better?

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Macmillan-#Tor/Forge, #Tordotcom for offering me the chance to read the book. Admittedly, I wasn't sure as I began and it seemed slow but found myself thinking about it while doing other things, a sure sign that I was hooked.

A scribe, a fairy, and a deputy all converge in this short and sweet story about politics and romance. The story follows Lana Baker, a scribe who is definitely a lady’s lady. She’s got a sharp wit and a fine pen. When she agrees to deliver a message for a beautiful scribe in exchange for kisses, she ends up in a situation she never thought she would be in. She is sent to Low parliament by a temperamental fairy and now has to transcribe endless circular arguments of Parliament. There she meets Bugbite, a fiesty fiery, and Eloquentia, a bewitching human deputy. These three ladies will debate, fall in love with each other, and maybe even save humanity. A sweet overall ending.

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tordotcom for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A fun, quick, extremely queer, heartfelt book. I would love to see more in this world! The ending ran slightly saccharine for my tastes, but it was in line with rest of the book. A few narrative threads were left unfinished, and I would have loved to linger on the philosophy of language a little bit more, but that's to be expected in a novella. Solid four stars.

While I appreciated this book’s originality and fresh tone, I couldn’t fully immerse myself in the worldbuilding and I couldn’t really connect to the characters. If you’re looking for a slightly off-beat, wacky and strange story, this book is for you! I just wish everything had been a bit more fleshed out.