Pantomime

LoveReading Says

This is a welcome reissue for Pantomime, the first volume of Laura Lam’s sparkling and original fantasy trilogy. Set in a world not unlike our own 19th century it tells the story of Gene a teenager who runs away to join the circus. Lam weaves something very special from this familiar set-up. She takes chances, embraces the point of view of the outsider, the different and is not shy of leaving mystery to the reader.

Gene comes from a wealthy and noble family but chafes at the roles open to her, for she feels herself to be an outsider. Gene is both male and female and lives in a world that isn’t ready to deal with such an ambiguity so she runs away and, posing as a boy, employs her climbing skills to join a travelling circus.

Keeping her secret she can nevertheless draw comfort from the society of others who don’t quite fit. The world of the circus is richly and warmly described by Lam, though not sentimentally - this is no escape from a wider harshness. The world the circus moves on is one of harsh class divisions and great want.

It contains relics of a lost civilisation and as Gene travels she learns more about the past, more about the possibility of an actual magic and more about the fears for a dark future. Evocative, strange and full of empathy, this is a novel about identity and the celebration of difference. It’s perfect for lovers of Angela Carter and Erin Morgenstern. ~ Simon Spanton

Reviewed by Simon Spanton
Simon Spanton has been a publisher of Science Fiction and Fantasy, as well as mainstream fiction, for 25 years, the last 19 years of which has been as Associate Publisher at the…
More reviews by Simon Spanton

About Pantomime

'A VIBRANT TALE' LEIGH BARDUGO ON DRAGONFALLFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author of Dragonfall comes the first in a gaslamp fantasy trilogy about a circus aerialist's quest to escape his past and decipher the magical prophecy that will shape his future.In a land of lost wonders, the past is stirring once more . . . When Micah runs away from a debutante's life at home and joins the circus, he harbours two secrets. One: he was born between male and female. And two: he may have powers last seen in mysterious beings from an almost-forgotten age.As Micah discovers the joy of flight as an aerialist, courting his trapeze partner, Aenea, and confiding in the mysterious white clown, Drystan, he finally feels free. But the circus has a dark side, and Micah's past isn't done with him.Meanwhile, the strange 'ghost' of a woman with damselfly wings whispers to Micah that only he can help magic return to the realm, and he fears she may be right . . .Micah has much to learn, and he must do it quickly - before his past and future collide, with catastrophic consequences.A gorgeous and inventive fantasy with queer elements, inspired by Victorian Scotland. L.R. Lam weaves a coming-of-age tale, stirrings of first love, and prophetic whispers into this unforgettable first instalment of the Micah Grey series.READERS LOVE IT'Lushly written and beautifully imaginative' ?????'It was beautiful, exciting and thought provoking' ?????'The worldbuilding was so deeply immersive' ????? 'A luscious, intricately imagined tale of identity, love, terror, freedom and magic' ?????'I was hooked from the start and enjoyed the rollercoaster all the way to the end' ?????

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