Review: Pantomime

Jan •  6 •  2013

Title: Pantomime
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult-Fantasy
Author: Laura Lam
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Book: ARC sent by publisher

R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone—are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide. Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star. But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.

 To be honest I was ready to give up on this book. I know how horrible of me, but to be honest the beginning was just not clicking for me. I was finding no connection with the main character and my interest in what was happening was going downhill. However, when reaching a part of the book, I began to look at it from a different perspective and that is when everything clicked into place and I have to say I fell for this book.

The main character goes by different names but I will go by the name that the character created for him/her when joining the circus. Now you are probably wondering why in the world I would put “him/her” well that is what makes this character unique.

Micha joins the circus in attempt to run away from her parents after she over hears them talking about having some surgical work done to her. At first I was thinking that her parents were just trying to have Michas best interests at heart but then when realizing how Micha came into the family, I am glad she ran away. Micha is a character that gives up her life of royalty to join the circus life. But when she is in the circus life, everyone has secrets so she does not always feel different.

There are hints of romance throughout the novel and we are able to see more of it as the novel comes to an end. Picking up in the middle, the novel quickly turned my eagerness to read more and by the time I knew it the novel was over.

Ms. Lam does a marvelous job of catching my attention after losing it in the beginning. I find it hard for most novels to do that but this was certainly done. I am eager to see another novel follow and allow me to go on an adventure with a person, although misunderstood, who is a creative one to young adult literature.

I give it 4 bites! 

3 Comments

  1. Not sure this one is for me, but yay for your persistence and I’m glad you were finally able to connect with this.

  2. Jen Greyson
    Jan 7, 2013

    Bummer. This one sounded interesting, but if the front is tough, I’m out. I already have a kajillion books that lost me in the first few pages 🙁

  3. Amy
    Jan 7, 2013

    I don’t think this is a book for me, but I get what you mean. My review that goes up tomorrow is a book that I seriously almost DNF’d a few times, but I did end up liking it in the end. I’m glad when a book can do that, but at the same time, I wish that it didn’t make me want to give up in the first place. Great review!