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Pantomime

(Micah Grey #1)

Laura Lam (Goodreads Author)

3.89 · Rating details · 2,932 ratings · 619 reviews

In a land of lost wonders, the past is stirring once more

Gene's life resembles a debutante's dream. Yet she hides a secret that would see her shunned by the nobility. Gene is both male and female. Then she displays unwanted magical abilities - last seen in mysterious beings from an almost-forgotten age. Matters escalate further when her parents plan a devastating betrayal, ...more

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Paperback, US, 392 pages

Published February 5th 2013 by Strange Chemistry

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· 2,932 ratings · 619 reviews

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Apr 11, 2012 Laura Lam rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, circus, glbt, read-20x-or-more-because-i-wrote-it, young-adult, quiltbag, 2014, strange-chemistry, 2013

Hello! This is my book. I'm pretty fond of it and stuff.

It's got an official blurb up above, but I thought I would add a more informal one here with pictures. Credit where credit is due: totally got this idea from Elizabeth May's review of her book The Falconer, though I have decidedly less animated gifs and wit, alas.

Pantomime has a girl, named Gene, who isn't completely content with her lot in life.

A boy named Micah becomes an aerialist:

Gene & Micah have a secret.

Most of the book is set in a c ...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Experiment BL626 rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed, netgalley, young-adult, fantasy, lgbt

Comments on this thread are heavily moderated, meaning I am trigger-happy with the delete and block buttons. For a similar but less ranty viewpoint, check out this review by The Book Smugglers.

UPDATE: I am not only the who took issue with the book description. Shoutout to book bloggers The Book Smugglers and LGBT author Malinda Lo.

UPDATE 2: The book has been re-released with a new book description. So half of this review doesn't apply anymore, but I'll just leave it up as it is for record's sak ...more

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Jul 11, 2012 shady boots rated it it was amazing

Shelves: covergasm, all-time-faves, the-gay-agenda, read-more-than-once, 2013-faves, oh-my-god-marry-me, heroes-i-adore

Man alive, this book was just as wonderful as when I had first devoured it.

I just cannot stress how incredibly unique this book is. I've literally never read anything like it, and possibly never will. The writing was beautiful, the world was enchanting, the characters were lovable, and I adored how the story was told in a non-linear fashion. But I think the thing I love the most above all is that I have no idea what to expect in the future of this series. I'm starting Shadowplay in just a moment ...more

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Apr 21, 2020 Amy Imogene Reads rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: great-worldbuilding, read-in-2020, fantasy, favorites

4.5 stars

A circus, an intersex main character, an alternate world with bits of Victorian and steampunk, and extremely catchy writing.

Concept: ★★★★★
Main character: ★★★★
Pacing: ★★★ (there is a split timeline, and I didn't love that)

Pantomime was a book that I randomly added to a Book Outlet haul a few weeks ago because it had a gorgeous cover and was blurbed by Leigh Bardugo. Enough said, right? Also, it was about a circus so I was ON IT.

It's about an intersex main character named Micah Grey who ...more

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Dec 07, 2012 Kenya Wright rated it it was amazing

Shelves: new-type-of-magic, more-tension-than-sex, a-little-romance, perverted-genius-author, apocalytical-wow, book-vacation, netgalley, awesome-worldbuilding, magical-realism, book-hump-love

OH MY GOD!

When you get this book, you must follow my instructions. . .exactly!

First: SIT DOWN IN A CHAIR (it doesn't matter where).

Second: OPEN THE BOOK

THIRD: (Optional) Smell the scent of dark, edgy sucess!

Four: Strap on your seat belt...

Because this is an emotional roller coaster ride, BABY!

I don't read many books that don't have sex in it. This book doesn't have sex! And I LOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEDDD this book!

You won't read a book that is this amazing again. To describe the main character is to give ...more

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Feb 11, 2013 TheBookSmugglers rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, misleading-covers, young-adult, women-in-scifi-fantasy-ya-and-mg, lgbt

Original review posted on The Book Smugglers

Ana’s Take:

I will start by simply saying: Pantomime’s cover copy is supremely misleading. One would think that this is a run-of-the-mill PNR YA featuring two protagonists that seem to be about to fall in love with each other whilst a secre–zzzz, BORING. I would never had picked up this book based on this blurb had I not known from the get go what it is really about.

Allow me to rephrase the blurb slightly:

R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest c ...more

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Jul 09, 2017 Angus rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites, 2017

4.75 Stars

This Book is seriously underrated and more people need to read it! It is honestly one of the best Young Adult books I have ever read!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love circuses and I think this book does an excellent representation of showing the magic and mystery surrounding a fantasy circus. I mean ... what's not to love about bearded women, creepy clowns and contortionists.? However, what really set this book apart from a few other circus books I have read, is that there are Ch ...more

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Aug 23, 2013 Mogsy (MMOGC) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201...

Okay, can I first just say how misleading the description of Pantomime is and how blatantly it underrates the value and extent of its content? Honestly, it does not do this book justice! One look at it gives the unsuspecting reader the impression of a Young Adult paranormal romance, featuring a story of star-crossed love between a daughter from a noble family and a low-born circus scalawag, perhaps. But no, no, no, that's 5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201...

Okay, can I first just say how misleading the description of Pantomime is and how blatantly it underrates the value and extent of its content? Honestly, it does not do this book justice! One look at it gives the unsuspecting reader the impression of a Young Adult paranormal romance, featuring a story of star-crossed love between a daughter from a noble family and a low-born circus scalawag, perhaps. But no, no, no, that's just all wrong!

That's the problem with publisher descriptions, I suppose. I understand about wanting to save some surprises for the book. I get that, I do. But it's another thing when it makes a book sound so average and conventional, when in reality it's anything but! Hiding behind the official synopsis here is a story that's a lot more significant and extraordinary. Yes, I was surprised and I loved this book for being so much more than its description. But on the other hand, had I know earlier what Pantomime is really about, then maybe I wouldn't have shrugged it off as "just another YA romance" and waited so long to get to it!

Having said that, I am now at a dilemma. How do I talk about how much I enjoyed this one without giving the story away? After all, I did just criticize the description for misrepresenting the book, and yet here I am being vague. At the same time, I was really surprised when revelation about the characters hit me, and spoiler or not, I wouldn't dream of taking that away from anyone else thinking of picking up this book. I loved the story more for it, and it's definitely something you have to read for yourself. Or bah, who knows, maybe the "secret" is actually common knowledge by now. Suffice it to say, I'm sure there are many other reviews out there that have divulged it if you're still curious and want to know, but you probably won't be getting the details from me.

What I will say though, is how impressed I am with the character development and how this coming-of-age story deals with matters of sexuality and identity. These are issues portrayed with sensitivity and attention, as well as the associated emotions that come along with the characters' struggles to understand what they want versus what society expects of them. There's action and drama and romance in Pantomime, but at its heart is a very unique journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, and ultimately it's this aspect that sets this book apart and makes it so special.

I'm also a sucker for circuses, especially in fantasy stories. What an amazing setting and community Laura Lam has created here, complete with atmosphere and all the cultural dynamics. What's incredible is how she so perfectly captures the magical nature of a circus, without actually including much of what we'd think of as traditional magic. And yet there are plenty of other fantastical elements, and I find myself intrigued by the rich history of Ellada as well as the mysteries of Vestige. Still, nothing quite beats the vivid descriptions of the circus along with the performers and their acts.

As Angry Robot's YA imprint, Strange Chemistry has come a long way since its launch. I find some of their older titles to be pretty decent, though a few of their more recent books have been just incredible. I've always attributed that to the publisher gradually coming to find its groove over the last year. Little did I expect though, that I would find such a gem in Pantomime amongst some of their earliest publications. It is simply wonderful. ...more

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Mar 01, 2013 Robin Hobb rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-readers-of-any-age

A runaway youth, fleeing the comfort and constrictions of a wealthy home. A circus, with its own society and rules. A peculiar city, with an underlay of an ancient, not-fully-understood magic prevailing. And the classic adolescent question, "Who am I, really?"

There is obviously more to come in this story, but there is still a satisfying arc, and promise for much more of the world to unfold.

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May 25, 2012 Elizabeth May rated it it was amazing

I love this cover. When I saw it, I was like, "Cover lady, you look so great, you can shush me anytime."

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Oct 05, 2015 Eilonwy rated it liked it

Recommended to Eilonwy by: Vippi

Shelves: character-driven, heartbreaking, a-bit-on-the-long-side, good-mythology

3-1/2 stars, but rounded down because of the pacing.

I am not sure what I can say about this book without giving away the central twist. And on the one hand, that twist is so unusual that it deserves to come as a surprise rather than given away in reviews (and most of the reviews for this book do give it away, so avoid them if you want to read the story unspoiled. DO NOT read the GR blurb, either). But on the other hand, keeping the twist secret gives the marketing of this book a troublesome ide
3-1/2 stars, but rounded down because of the pacing.

I am not sure what I can say about this book without giving away the central twist. And on the one hand, that twist is so unusual that it deserves to come as a surprise rather than given away in reviews (and most of the reviews for this book do give it away, so avoid them if you want to read the story unspoiled. DO NOT read the GR blurb, either). But on the other hand, keeping the twist secret gives the marketing of this book a troublesome identity crisis. The jacket blurb is downright misleading, and worse, it's BORING. It makes this sound like a fantasy romance with Chosen Ones, which I expect we've all pretty much read before, and zzzzz. Plus, the book is almost certainly not getting into the hands of the readers who might most appreciate it.

Instead, this is a story about identity. In alternating narration, Micah Grey, a runaway boy, joins R.H. Ragona's Circus of Magic as a trapeze artist; Iphigenia Laurus, a young noblewoman, struggles with expectations of ladylike behavior and seeking a husband. But Micah and "Gene" share a secret, something so weird and socially unacceptable that they live in emotional isolation and constant anxiety of being found out and shamed. This aspect of the story is fascinating, and really well done. The quandaries they face, the struggle and inability to ever forget what sets them apart from everyone else, the loneliness, and the exploration of the aspects of this difference, make this story unique. I felt so deeply for Micah and Gene; it's a really moving issue that they face. These parts of the book are fantastic, and worth five stars.

What dragged the book down for me was poor worldbuilding and poor pacing. The mix of real-world and fantasy-world names of the various characters irritated me (and how is "Genie/Gene" a nickname for what I thought is pronounced Iff-uh-jen-EYE-uh?). Other examples of weak worldbuilding for me were that this seems to be a typical Victorian-type fantasy world, but then a cup of coffee is said to "taste like gasoline," which felt jarring, and got me wondering just how industrial this place actually is. What worldbuilding there is is really interesting, and I'd like to see more of this archipelago, but it didn't quite all hang together in this volume.

The pacing is the biggest problem. The first third of the book zooms along; I was completely drawn into both Micah and Gene's predicaments and attempted resolutions. But then the Big Twist is revealed, and too much of the rest of the book wallows around filling out the background some, but without really moving any plot forward, or developing any tension. I'm left wondering if this was meant to be a standalone, but then got sold as a trilogy instead, since that's what epic YA fantasy is "supposed" to be packaged as, because it feels expanded and slightly bloated. There are hints that there might be an epic story in here somewhere, as all kinds of intriguing mythology is introduced but then not followed up on very satisfactorily. I was never downright bored, but I did have a sense of dragginess through too much of the middle three-fifths of the book.

Then it gets exciting, and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.

I do plan to read the second volume, but I'm not in any hurry, since Book Three won't come out until 2017. (The author lucked out with Tor picking this trilogy up after the Strange Chemistry imprint shut down earlier this year.)

So I'm not sure I recommend this for the fantasy world or plot, although I enjoyed both Ellada and the circus. But I do very much recommend this book as a very different story about a unique situation. I'm glad I was intrigued by Vippi’s review and picked this book up. And I'm glad someone else has a library hold on it after me, because this story deserves a wider readership.
...more

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Sep 07, 2018 Melanie marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Recommended to Melanie by: Imi (Imi Reviews Books)

Shelves: lgbtqiap, fantasy

(My amazing friend Imi, at Imi Reviews Books, gave this to me as a birthday gift!) 💖 ...more

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Oct 11, 2012 Kirsty rated it liked it

Shelves: review-books, uk-author, ukya, lgbt

I don't really know where to start when it comes to reviewing this little gem apart from saying it's flawless and just WOW!

This review will be short deliberately as I don't really have the words to do it justice and I don't want to spoil the secret of this wonderful for anyone because it is jaw dropping. Believe me when I say this is one of the most unique stories for young adults I have read in a long long while (and this comes from a girl who has currently read about 250 so far this year). It' ...more

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May 19, 2015 Rosaline (Rosaline's Rolls & Scrolls) rated it it was ok

Shelves: bored-out-of-my-mind, first-in-series, in-series, summer-of-2015, read-in-2015, 2-and-a-half-stars, abandoned-series, reviewed, omg-that-ending, first-person-narrative

I really wanted to like this... ...more

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Sep 21, 2012 Zuleeza rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourite

"Byssian music played - brass and nickel instruments, large drums, and twanging strings. It made me think of sunsets and yellow eyes and deep growls in dark jungles."

Ah, such a cruel way to end a book. But Pantomine...PANTOMINE...gee, I'm at lost for words.

Nope, I'm not just throwing a random picture from the internet. This picture gave me the same effect as Pantomine did - it messes with my head in the most wonderful way I could ever imagine.

This is an art.

*Takes a deep breath*

I don't know. I ...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Sarah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2013, books-i-own-print, read-in-2017, netgalley, books-i-own-kindle, for-review-read, british-author, 2013-debut-author

1st Read - February 2013
2nd Read - March 2017

Original Review

It is really difficult to know where to start with this review, I'm going to have to be incredibly careful about what I tell you because there is no way I want to spoil the shocking twist in Pantomime. Honestly, this has to be one of the most unusual YA books I've ever read and it is an incredible debut from Laura Lam. I want to go out and start placing copies of Pantomime in people's hands because I think everyone should be reading thi ...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Ingrid Jonach rated it it was amazing

Um... where do I start? Brilliant. Magical. Unique. Shocking. These are the words that come to mind when I think about this utterly gripping and deliciously bizarre novel.

There is not a lot I can say here without giving away the twist (and trust me your jaw will DROP), but I will say that Laura Lam handles a complex and emotional issue in a mature and accessible way.

The love story is endearing - as are the motley band of characters: circus freaks and performers, and the bourgeoisie. You will lo ...more

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May 26, 2020 Nerily rated it liked it

This seems a little like a first draft, it is good, really good, idea, execution and everything else. But it's under-edited, it could have been a lot better.

But I liked it so much. SO.MUCH

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Apr 01, 2017 Darcy (Daydreamingofbookdragons) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbtqia, diversity-rep, wanted-to-dnf-it, skimmed, read-for-bookclub, it-was-boooooooring, books-read-in-2017, let-me-down

One of the most disappointing things a reader can come across is a book they thought for sure that they would enjoy. And then didn’t.

I am disappointed. (As if the two stars didn’t already say that).

It had such potential! A character who is both male and female (awesome) who has magical abilities from a long lost race of beings (magic!!) who is betrayed by her parents (mysterious) and runs away from home dressed as a boy to join a circus. The description also said that the circus has a dark side One of the most disappointing things a reader can come across is a book they thought for sure that they would enjoy. And then didn’t.

I am disappointed. (As if the two stars didn’t already say that).

It had such potential! A character who is both male and female (awesome) who has magical abilities from a long lost race of beings (magic!!) who is betrayed by her parents (mysterious) and runs away from home dressed as a boy to join a circus. The description also said that the circus has a dark side, which I guess it does but it wasn’t really enough to mention in the blurb, and Gene/Micah sort of has visions but only, like, twice. I wouldn’t exactly call it a “plague”.

For the most part, the story actually was pretty cool, and it was interesting to read from the perspective of a bi, intersex character. But what let it down so drastically, for me, was the writing. From the very start I found it off-putting and unfortunately it brought down all the good qualities of the novel. It felt like there was this masterpiece of a world that could only just be seen through a thick blanket of dullness.

To start off with, the writing consisted of 90% tell and 10% show. The author had so many opportunities to really drag the reader into the story and make them feel like they were living it, but I just felt detached from it for the most part. I'll be honest, there were a few scenes that made me anxious on behalf of Gene/Micah, but there are only three times in the whole story that I can really say I was emotionally invested, and they were towards the end of the novel - long after I wanted to give up (which was by the end of chapter one).

Normally you need to tell people to lay off using commas too much but please! Laura Lam use more commas! Stop creating lots of little, needless sentences. They interrupt the flow of the writing and make it feel jerky to read. And while you’re at it, also add in apostrophes! Just like The Selection series ruined the word “giggle” for me, I don’t think i’ll be able to read “could not”, “did not” or any other similar non-contractions without having my lip curl and eye twitch. JUST SAY “COULDN’T”!!!! Seriously, I don’t know if a contraction was used once in the whole book.

The author also had the habit of going into way too much detail over small and uninteresting things but then rushing through the exciting parts when a little more detail would not go amiss. I really don’t care about about the exact performance the circus held, it’s not really necessary to the plot. I would, however, like to know a little more about how Micah was feeling when almost found out for being intersex and/or a missing person (again, show not tell). I would also like more worldbuilding. It was fairly good but I feel as though a lot of things were missing (although that could be because I skimmed through some of it and didn’t always bother to go back and read passages when I found myself zoning out).

Finally, two dreaded, cliche, and cringe worthy lines were used. ”I let out a breath I did not know I had been holding” (notice the lack of an apostrophe!!) and, *shudders* ”you’re not like other girls” (hey! A contraction!! *cheers*). That last one being used not once, but twice. And this was one of the very few books where it would have been appropriate to use that line, only it was said by a character who didn’t know that Gene was both male and female.

The writing did get better a quarter of the way into it or so, but it still isn’t what I’d consider ‘great’. It struck me as amateur and I wish that the author had re-written the story a few more times until she really improved her writing. Then this could have been a 4 to 4.5 star read. I can definitely see how her later novels could be much better, but although I’m curious to find out what happens next, I don’t know if I want to continue on. I have a friend who read this and really loved it, and if she reads the next few books I might just get her to tell me the plot.

For all my going on about the writing, I wouldn’t necessarily tell someone not to read this. The story and characters were interesting enough and other people have read this and really loved it, so I’d say check it out for yourself. I’ll probably never read this again, but reading and more importantly enjoying books is such an individual process that I could never tell anyone to avoid a book I disliked (unless it had harmful themes in it). If you’re someone who can stand not the best writing, and the plot sounds interesting, then go forth and discover for yourself the world of Pantomime. ...more

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Feb 12, 2014 Shandra rated it it was ok

Edit 12/23/14: I'm going through some of my previous reads and adjusting ratings I felt were too generous. This is one. I'm dropping this down to 2.5 stars. I lost interest in this series shortly after finishing this book, and won't be continuing them any further.

A three star read for me. Any spoilers will be clearly marked.

Scratching head photo: Jack Skellington animated head scratching tumblr_inline_mpgu5eub1R1qz4rgp_zps04387663.gif

Well...I can honestly say that this book was very different than anything I've ever read before.

We follow two main characters (with a whole slew of side characters I t ...more

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Dec 27, 2018 Alice 🔮 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: genre-fantasy, 2018-reads, lgbtq, youngadult

i'm going to try and write a review for this tomorrow!

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May 23, 2020 Tiffany Miss.Fiction rated it liked it · review of another edition

3.5 stars if we consider some stuff that could have been easily avoided through editing and this is why I can’t rationally give a higher review though I loved this book
BUT 5 stars in my heart. Micah Grey I love you so much, can we become friends?

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Aug 01, 2012 Joanne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-fantasy

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

First off, this review isn't going to be a full review. There is a big secret within the pages of Pantomime - a very big secret - and both Laura Lam and the publishers, Strange Chemistry, want the secret to stay well under wraps until Pantomime is released. To talk about it would be to spoil a major part of this book, but it's something I want to talk about. So, with Strange Chemistry's permission, I am writing a mini-esque review now (it might not be th Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

First off, this review isn't going to be a full review. There is a big secret within the pages of Pantomime - a very big secret - and both Laura Lam and the publishers, Strange Chemistry, want the secret to stay well under wraps until Pantomime is released. To talk about it would be to spoil a major part of this book, but it's something I want to talk about. So, with Strange Chemistry's permission, I am writing a mini-esque review now (it might not be that mini), and my full review after publication. But now, on with this review!

Pantomime is absolutely amazing! It's a fantastic character driven fantasy, that will draw you in from the very first page and have you caring deeply about it's brilliant main characters, Gene and Micah.

When I asked her on Twitter about the genre of Pantomime, Lam said, "I've been calling it gaslight fantasy, since it's sort of steampunk without the steam." I'm going to describe the genre based on my experience of reading fantasy. I haven't read any steampunk, it's definitely not dystopia or urban fantasy, so for me, that leaves high fantasy. Except, it only just fits into my idea of high fantasy; an imagined world that feels historical, with magical people and creatures. This Pantomime has - the very different way of living, the magic in the chimaera and the Alders - but it doesn't have so much of the politics or any of the epic battles that most high fantasies I've read I have, or at least not in this book. But the fantasy elements of the story - the magic, the chimaera and the Alders - are not a massive part of this story. Pantomime is very much about the characters, and so feels more like a historical about historical teenagers, though I have a feeling that the fantasy elements will play a much bigger part in future books.

So on to Gene and Micah. Gene is the teenage daughter in a noble family; she's expected to go to balls and wear beautiful dresses, to enjoy embroidery and high tea, but she doesn't. It's just not her. Micah is a teenage runaway who has joined the circus in order to find his own way in life. For both characters, Pantomime is very much about being true to yourself, and working out just exactly who that is. It's about fighting against being pigeon-holed - especially when you, a square peg, are being forced into a round hole. These characters are brilliant, and they're unlike any other characters I've read before. You can't help but fall in love with each of them in turn, and want so badly for them to be accepted for who they are, rather than being made to do what is expected of them. Your heart goes out to each of them; there are moments where I was so disturbed by the way they were treated, and moments when my heart just broke over the crappy choices they had in front of them. These are characters with terribly hard lives; lives where only more difficulty lies ahead.

As I said, I feel the fantasy elements will play a much bigger part in the next books. Which means the questions you have relating to our characters and the fantasy elements aren't all answered. In any other book, this would be quite frustrating, but I'm so invested in the lives of the Micah and Gene, in the people they are, that I almost don't care that I have unanswered questions, because the characters - who have found a permanent home in my heart - are much more important than the questions I have.

Pantomime is not only an amazing story, but an important one. You're not wowed because of the world building, the mythology behind the chimaera and the Alders, or the cliffhanger ending - which are all incredible - but by the truly beautiful, enthralling people we find in Micah and Gene. There's is a story that needs to be told, and that everyone should read. A completely eye-opening, enthralling debut, and I can't thank Lam enough for writing it. Another book to add to the favourites list.

Thank you to Strange Chemistry for the ARC. ...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Aa'Ishah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-or-fantasy, reviewed, arc-or-galley, own-physical, arc-physical

3.5 stars

I had my eyes on Pantomime for quite a while before I got the chance to read it. Just by looking at it and reading the synopsis, it's easy to see that this is not something you come across very often - a story against the backdrop of a circus. A world that seems almost beyond time itself, where you will find references to the Alder and the Vestige and Penglass, and a more specific setting in the city of Ellada. While Pantomime was by no means perfect, it was enjoyable nonetheless.

It is 3.5 stars

I had my eyes on Pantomime for quite a while before I got the chance to read it. Just by looking at it and reading the synopsis, it's easy to see that this is not something you come across very often - a story against the backdrop of a circus. A world that seems almost beyond time itself, where you will find references to the Alder and the Vestige and Penglass, and a more specific setting in the city of Ellada. While Pantomime was by no means perfect, it was enjoyable nonetheless.

It is difficult to say anything about what the book is about without spoiling anything. Even while I was reading the book I was wondering how I could possibly write this review without giving anything away. The description provided is misleading, but in the best possible way. I don't really see how the author could have worked around it, either. Meeting Gene and Micah was a wonderful experience; reading from both perspectives showed them to be likeable characters. I enjoyed seeing Gene rebel against society's expectations of her, doing more of what were considered to be boyish activities. Her home life was not at all easy and I was very sympathetic towards her. Micah's love of the circus and determination to work hard to become something more than just an outsider in the eyes of those working in the circus was also appreciable.

Of course the thing that sets Pantomime apart is the world in which the story takes place. Laura Lam's mind is clearly an incredible place to be. It kind of makes me wish it was real, so I could physically experience it for myself. But let's move on from my weirdness. The setting is very complex. It's magical, it's mysterious, there's this idea that perhaps it's set at some point in the future. At the same time there's this sort of Victorianism to the way society is set out and how it works, the idea of markets and trade and merchants. It's very hard to pinpoint when this might actually be taking place. And while this world is amazing, and while I did truly love seeing the circus, in some ways it was all almost too much. I wanted to know more about the Alders. Who were they? I wanted to know more about the Vestige, artefacts from the time the Alders were living. With the Penglass, I found it difficult to imagine. Maybe it was just me, but that was something else that made it difficult for me to completely connect with the book.

One thing that did surprise me was how early on the plot twist came. After a moment of confusion I suddenly realised what I'd just read and then checked back to a couple of reviews to see if that was actually the twist. The twist itself is ingenious. It's something that hasn't been broached before and it introduces key themes. The way that Lam dealt with it was expert. It did mean that not a great deal happened for a long time, but this wasn't a particularly massive issue. The ending was a lot better in terms of pacing, and I quite liked the turn the story took, presenting a wonderful opening for the sequel. The presence of romance also ties into a couple of the issues that the plot twist brings in, and it's certainly something that gets you thinking.

Trying to write this review was somewhat tricky, and I'm aware it's not exactly one of my finest. But despite the issues that the book presents, it's still worth reading, at the very least for the originality it brings. There are a diverse range of characters to meet, and quite a bit of mystery, so in some ways you do get a lot. I definitely will be reading the sequel.

This review is also posted on my blog. ...more

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Feb 04, 2013 The Book Tart rated it really liked it

To pantomime is to tell a story with your body and facial expressions, and what a story this Pantomime is.I'm struggling to write a review and not spoil the story... It’s not at all what I expected. I was just imagining a simple tale about a teen running off to the circus in a fantasy world setting. It is so much more. It’s a study in differences, male and female, colorful and dark, normal and abnormal, safe and daring. It’s a fascinating and at times uncomfortable commentary on expectations and ...more

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Feb 04, 2014 Vippi rated it really liked it

I picked up this book by chance. The cover and the synopsis really intrigued me and for once, going with my gut, that was enough. And I'm so glad of taking that impulsive choice, because it made me discover a very talented writer and a beautiful, stunningly original story.

I loved the magical, delicate athmosphere created by the Author, the plot full of secrets and twists and how the parallel stories of Gene and Micah entertwined.

I must admit that the description is quite misleading because you s ...more

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Apr 15, 2018 Rissa rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nook

Pantomime 3⭐️
The circus with a beautiful twist and new view on what we all crave a little bit of fantastic. Could be compared slightly to the night circus but it is different and unique but if you liked the night circus definitely pick this up.

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Jan 16, 2018 Nicky added it

Shelves: fantasy, queer

I know, I know. It’s taken me far too long to get round to reading Pantomime, and I deserve a kicking. I really do, because now I’ve finally read it, I wish I hadn’t taken so long. It’s pretty unique in that it has an intersex protagonist and a queer love story, but it’s not just about that. I’m fascinated by the world, too: the different species, the magic, the Vestiges, what the mysterious glass is… And by the end of the book, I very much wanted to know more about Drystan, too.

I did have one d ...more

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Nov 10, 2012 Sanne (papierplanet) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: circus-setting, ebook, cover-porn

ohhh this was so cool. i love books set in circuses and this was just another level of uniqueness. i loved how this book made allusions to the greek mythology. it didn't refer to (demi-)gods as you would expect, but this book treated the mythology of hermaphroditus in a interesting, creative way. especially because i currently have a class on body image this book was very intriguing to me.

i would have found it better if the book was set in "our" world, in a historical setting, because this book ...more

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Aug 12, 2014 Monica rated it really liked it

I was surprised by what this book was actually about, and it is a much more original novel than I originally thought it would be. This book is full of emotion, and both the characters and the plot are well written. This is definitely not a book for everyone, but I will give too much away if I explain why. I would recommend this book to anyone who is adventurous and open minded, and also anyone who loves stories about misfits and coming of age stories with a twist.

This is definitely not a romance ...more

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About Laura Lam

Laura Lam

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Please contact me via the contact page on my website as opposed to GR mail.

Laura Lam was born in the late eighties and raised near San Francisco, California, by two former Haight-Ashbury hippies.

After studying literature and creative writing at university, she relocated to Scotland to be with the partner she met online when they were teenagers and he insulted her taste in books and she insulted hi ...more

Other books in the series

Micah Grey (3 books)

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Quotes from Pantomime

“The circus collects the outsiders like a flame tempts moths.” — 20 likes

“The circus had been unlike anything I could ever imagine and I could not walk away. I wanted to be a part of the magic, create it and wield it with such skill that it looked effortless. I wanted to fly.” — 16 likes

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