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Friday, April 10, 2009

We'll Always Have Parrots by Donna Andrews


This is book 5 in the Meg Langslow series.

This was just a fun brain candy book and why I liked it in particular was because it was set at a fantasy convention and, having attended SF&F conventions for the past 15years, I could totally relate to the surroundings. The outlandishly costumed fans, boring panels, a dealers room, issues with the hotel, masquerades, auctions...yup, been there, done that!

Premise of the book revolves around Meg and her actor-boyfriend Michael, who is required by contract to attend a certain number of publicity events for the hit fantasy serial show Portafina. Nearly the whole cast and crew are here for this Convention and they are none to happy about it.

Our cast of characters includes the "QB", as she is referred to - who owns the rights to the comic book series, the show and everyone's contract. Not well liked by her castmates, she refuses to come out of her room for her autograph signings and discussion panels. Michael’s good friend and evil nemesis on the show, Walker, just received notice the QB was going to fire him. Nate, the show's writer, can't stand QB because she mangles his scripts. Tabitha is the QB's personal assistant and the only assistant to last more than a week. Ichabod Dully is not who he seems. Chris is the shows weapons master and womanizer. Everyone adores Maggie and Salome the tiger is looking for a new home.

And if the cast weren't enough to contend with, someone let loose the parrots and monkeys and they are now running amok in the hotel.

Yes, the plot has issues, especially with the escaped monkeys, parrots and a tiger on display. Yes, Meg spends the book running about between her booth in the dealers room and trying to solve the mystery. But it was just a fun read anyway.

I find some irony at posting this review today - I'm heading down to Minneapolis for one of my favorite sci-fi conventions this morning!

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