SOLVED. Fantasy set in a future Italy where power is based on internet code. Spoiler. [s]

[Diane]

Looking for a fantasy book I read in in 2004-2005.

It's set in a near-future Italy. The main character (young adult female) is a recent graduate from school/training. Her graduate project is a programmed parrot that acts like the real thing. I don't remember much of the plot but it involves going "into" the internet where the old web (very clearly referring to our current day web) is much like a crumbling, dangerous, and decaying city. She meets a young man who she ends up working with to solve whatever the problem is. There's something about people getting plastic surgery but the young man doesn't because he's from Venice and uses masks (I'm fuzzy on that part).

Theres also a discussion on how she studies to classic music and how jazz affects thinking differently.

This is a stand alone book. More in the short to mid-sized range; definitely not one of those 800 to 1,000 page long books

Spoiler








The parrot is destroyed by the end of the story. :(

[Aerulan]

Maybe Interface Masque by Shariann Lewitt?

[Diane]

Oh my goodness, that's it! And the very first post. Thank you so much.

And I learned it's not a parrot but a bird of paradise.

[Aerulan]

Diane wrote: "Oh my goodness, that's it! And the very first post. Thank you so much.

And I learned it's not a parrot but a bird of paradise."

You're welcome! I'm glad it was the right book, since I didn't turn up any other likely prospects when I searched.