Gene, a young noble raised as a girl, is feeling increasingly constrained by the role she’s expected to play as she gets older. Gene is intersex, a fact that her family has kept hidden to preserve their reputation. As her parents start planning her engagement, Gene flees, terrified of the life they’re planning for her. After running away, Gene takes on a new identity: a young man named Micah Grey. Needing to escape the city and start a new life, he joins the circus, and for the first time, finds freedom and acceptance amongst the motley crew of the performers.

Pantomime is a queer coming of age story filled with found family and magic set in the midst of a circus. The circus is amazingly atmospheric and the magic of the world is fascinating, but this is a character focused story at its heart.

Micah’s story is really moving - as an intersex character, his character journey focuses a lot on his gender identity, but also more broadly on finding a place and people where he feels accepted and free. I thought his character was written very well and his story was really touching. The side characters are also great, and I loved seeing Micah build relationships with the band of misfits that populate the circus.

The magic and world building of Pantomime were really interesting, though not fully developed in this first book. There was enough shown to make the world feel unique and exciting, but plenty was left unexplored. I’m looking forward to seeing how the author will expand on the world/magic in the sequels.

Overall, I really enjoyed Pantomime and look forward to reading the rest of the series!

Thank you to Netgalley and DAW for providing me an e-arc in exchange for my unbiased review.

*Pantomime* is a lyrical, bold, and emotionally resonant story that combines the glimmering fantasy of a circus with the deep-rooted ache of identity and transformation. From its first pages, L.R. Lam invites readers into a lush, bittersweet world of illusion, danger, and discovery.

We follow Gene Laurus, a noble-born child raised as a girl but who secretly dreams of freedom beyond gendered constraints. The life they lead is increasingly suffocating, both socially and physically. After a series of traumatic events, Gene escapes and reinvents themselves as Micah Grey, a boy with a natural talent for aerial performance. Micah joins R.H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic—an atmosphere pulsing with color and chaos—and finds not just an outlet for his skills, but the first real chance to live authentically.

Lam’s treatment of Micah’s intersex identity is deeply empathetic and refreshingly nuanced. His dual narrative—alternating between Gene and Micah—reveals how one can carry multiple truths while struggling to be seen for who they are. This is not a simplistic transformation, but a layered, painful, and powerful claiming of self.

The circus setting is immersive and richly imagined. I could practically feel the sawdust underfoot, hear the distant music of the calliope, and see the flickering torches lighting up the night sky. Lam populates the world with a memorable supporting cast: Aenea, the trapezist with a daring streak; Drystan, the clown with secrets of his own; and Bil, the brusque but oddly kind ringmaster. There's a quiet queer intimacy that builds through the narrative, one that doesn’t hinge on overt romance but on emotional safety and chosen family.

Beneath the surface, *Pantomime* also weaves in darker threads—medical violation, trauma, and the violence of being forced into binary categories. Micah’s past never quite loosens its grip, and the book doesn’t shy away from depicting the very real danger queer and intersex people face when their identities are misunderstood or erased.

A few minor pacing issues—especially in the middle third—are noticeable, and while I appreciate the worldbuilding, a map or clearer geographic structure would have helped ground the journey. But those are small issues in a story that is so heartfelt and necessary.

**Final thoughts:**
I’m genuinely thrilled to see this series getting a second life. *Pantomime* is a brave, genre-bending fantasy that deserves to be discovered by a whole new generation of readers. It stands as a trailblazer for intersex and nonbinary representation in SFF. I'm looking forward to revisiting the rest of the Micah Grey series with this beautifully reissued edition.

**Content Notes (for sensitive readers):**

* Medical trauma and bodily autonomy violations
* Gender dysphoria
* Transphobia and societal erasure
* Attempted sexual assault (not graphically described)
* Parental emotional abuse and gaslighting
**Recommended For:**
Fans of *The Night Circus*, *This Is How You Lose the Time War*, or *The Circus Rose*. Readers who crave character-driven fantasy, lyrical writing, and authentic queer representation.

I was surprised to see an ARC available for Pantomime, since I bought it when it was first released in 2013. After several moves—and more than a few heartbreaking book culls—the Micah Grey series has stayed with me. It was one of the first books I read that deeply explored gender and identity.
Micah Grey is intersex, born with both male and female biological traits, but lives in a rigidly binary world where danger and ostracization claw at the margins. After fleeing an impossible situation, Micah joins the circus in search of belonging and safety.
I love that this story features an intersex, nonbinary lead and a richly diverse cast of queer characters. The world is expansive and detailed. I’m not usually someone who needs a map—I’d rather just vibe with the setting—but in this case, a visual guide would have helped me better track where the characters were and where they came from.
I’m so excited this book is being republished!

Pantomime is both enchanting and electric. The setting, the characters, and the intricate plot development all contribute to a classic epic fantasy atmosphere that feels cozy and inviting. The novel features prominent queer characters who experience realistic growth and dynamics in their relationships, alongside a well-described magic system. What more could one ask for?

Queer love, the circus and found family, Pantomime is a book filled with adventure, mystery and self discovery. It is paced very well and every chapter will leave you wanting more. Highly recommend!

Review in exchange for an ARC

Good book, fun idea
I like that the circus theme is coming around more often, it is a gritty and fun setting with numerous potential avenues for individuality

A lush, lyrical fantasy with a heartbeat all its own!! Pantomime swept me into a world of velvet stages, shadowy secrets, and a protagonist who refuses to be boxed in. Micah is a revelation: raw, brave, and wholly unforgettable. The pacing meanders a bit in places, but honestly? I didn’t mind lingering in this strange, magical circus world. A dazzling and daring start to a series that feels both classic and completely new. Four stars and a standing ovation. 🎪✨

Review: Pantomime by L.R. Lam

Haunting, lyrical, and deeply original, Pantomime blends circus magic with a powerful story of identity and belonging. Micah is a standout protagonist—brave, complex, and unforgettable—and the world of Ellada is rich with secrets and wonder. If you love character-driven fantasy with heart and mystery, this one’s a must-read.

Pantomime was such an enjoyable read. The world’s that L. R. Lam builds are ones I want to escape to and just get lost in for a while, especially when it means running away to join their magical circus. It’s a perfectly atmospheric, enchantingly queer fairytale of escaping the past and finding a new future. I miss Micah Grey already and eagerly await the continuation of his story.

ELADA. R.H. RAGONA’S CIRCUS OF MAGIC. A place of wonder and possibility. Micah Grey decides to take up the reins of his life. A leap of faith is all it takes to enter a wondrous world of arcane illusions and have a taste of freedom.

Gene Laurus dreams of flying and living a life free of the constraints of societal norms and judgements. The life of a lady from a wealthy family means having to follow a certain determined path, and that is not what Gene aspires to do. The circus then becomes a place for Gene to present another version of herself as a young boy, the aerialist Micah Grey. He will not only go up against the challenges the circus presents but also face a reality of magic that seems to unravel right before his eyes. Something is blooming inside of him and the time has come to let it shine.

There is something so special about Micah’s journey. Searching for a place in the world and being able to live, love and express himself to the fullest. Finding himself amongst a colourful motley crew of new friends and family in the circus, he gets to experience the adventurous and exhilarating lifestyle of a circus member. This is a coming-of-age story that deals with themes such as sexuality, gender and identities beyond the binary. It’s hopeful and celebrates a life without shame in which anyone is deserving of being able to be free and fly.

“I’d rather make my own way than have it decided for me.”

From the very start, I felt completely immersed in this beautifully written world. The smells and sounds of the circus. The curious, magical artefacts and fantasy elements. I felt fully invested in Micah Grey’s tale and all the characters surrounding him, such as the charming trapezist Aenea, the enigmatic clown Drystan and the curious Phantom Damselfly. It was so delightful to get to know the ins and outs of circus life through Micah’s eyes. There are still mysteries and questions to be answered, and I am beyond excited to see what is to come in the Micah Grey series!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and DAW Books for providing me with an e-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for letting me review this book.

It took me a moment to get into this story, but towards the end I got more into it. The characters are all unique and intriguing.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a mysterious fantasy read with a circus.

Includes:
Great representation
Circus
Running away

Dislaimer: I haven't read the previous iterations of this story which as I understand was significantly edited, nor have I known the author before. My review is for this new version published in 2025.

Although I haven't read the previous version, I can see the editing in the tight reins the author has of the plot. Throughout the whole story, it is obvious that they know what they are doing. In the interview included in the book they say that it was an unique experience to be able to edit the whole trilogy as one and it shows.

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and I'm curious where all this is going. The magic in this world is nothing I've read before. The atmosphere of the circus was saturated in all its glory and grime, the secondary characters believable and with enough personality to distinguish them. I like that each of the books seems to be set in the different kind of performance so the setting won't get repetitive.

Micah is an extremely likeable character, capable, brave and kind, the type of character one wishes the very best to.

this is my first LR lam book & it won't be my last.

i read up on the trilogy before i actually sat down to read it & i knew from that moment i was going to be hooked. i think LR is a fantastic author, but i also know this story is everything i needed as a child. the author's note in the beginning of PANTOMIME is a must-read & i think for those going in blind, it's very important reading. in the author's note, LR lam states that micah grey is intersex, & many years ago when she first wrote that book, the message my have fallen under the radar.

given the current predicament in 2025, as a queer trans reader, i'm so very thankful to have read PANTOMIME. the world isn't queernorm, not inherently. & startlingly, it's a breath of fresh air. micah grey's journey is split between their past & present. as micah, their preferred name & person, & their past - someone they hope to leave behind, though not entirely.

i know people were mixed on the ending of this book. i think the journey leading their & the beyond (for the remainder of the two books in this trilogy), i'm happy with it.

this is not a fast-paced type of story. but it's a slow burn with romantic interests, with a conversation on gender and sexuality. and i cannot wait for the next two

The Micah Grey series was one of my favourites as a teen, to the point where I made so much fanart there's a side character in book 3 named after me. So I obviously already came into this attached to the characters & full of nostalgia and can’t exactly come at these versions unbiased. It has been quite a few years since the last time I read them, so my memory of some details is vague - but I enjoyed the experience just as much as I did the last time(s)!!

It’s such an original and magical world - I love the mix of gaslamp fantasy and victorian circus (and later magicians) vibes with an original mythology. There’s strong themes of queerness, gender, and identity intertwined with the themes of performance, and some fantasy, political, and romance simmering in the background.

It feels a little more mature than the original versions, and it’s also a bit gentler in regards to assault/death - most of the more blatant scenes of violation (being groped/stripped) from the original are removed. The weight of potential for those things is more than enough to be impactful in the same way, it’s just a bit subtler, in a way that I appreciate!

I love the bit of extra content in the arc, and I can’t wait to read the rerelease of Shadowplay and Masquerade!

One of my favorite books as a teenager. I'm so glad to see it reprinted and getting the recognition it deserves.

This was the first book I read about and intersex individual, and Lam is so real for that. I was never able to get my hands on the rest of them because they were out of print.

While this book is overall a wonderfully unique tale of finding oneself, the magic of Circus and some dark themes woven in, it sadly didn't enchant me as much as I hoped it would.

Micah Grey is a beautiful and unique character and I adored to get to see Micah's transformation.
Something about the way the story is told though didn't resonate with me, I could not really connect with it.
I wish I could love Pantomime, the premise is certainly worth to give it a try at least. If you love whimsical stories about running away to the Circus and following a beautiful character on his journey of identity and love, give this book a try.

Micah Grey what a memorable and fantastic character you are!

Pantomime was a breath of fresh air when it comes to a unique protagonist. Micah’s journey of identity, found family and purpose was a joy to be apart of.

✅ Intersex protagonist
✅ LGBTQ+ rep
✅ Circus vibes

The world building of this novel needed a bit more deepening but was intriguing. I’m hoping the next books delve into more details about the Vestige and the empire. It was difficult to understand Micah’s powers as they weren’t used/expressed much in the book. There is certainly potential but hopefully this is explored more thoroughly in the next book.

Lam’s writing is immersive and easy to digest. I do think the story was a bit bumpy in terms of pacing but I think Micah is a character that makes the book enjoyable.

Thank you to DAW for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Beautifully written, thoughtfully constructed, and filled with magic. The snippets of history and myth at the start of each chapter give it an immersive feel, and I loved the circus setting. Micah is a remarkable protagonist. I'm intrigued to see where this story takes him next.

Actual rating is 4.5!
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW Books for an ebook advanced reader copy of Pantomime written by L. R. Lam in exchange for my honest review.
Micah Grey has always known he is different. First and foremost, he was raised as a girl. Micah escapes the clutches of society life and an arranged marriage. He comes across a circus and discovers magic, mystery, and an inner voice he can't resist.
Pantomime is at its heart a coming of age story with a cast of larger than life characters. I was completely sucked into this world and it's sleeping magic. The circus, carnival, and freak show create an atmosphere of wonder. The pacing is perfection in this books as well! Elements are revealed bit by bit and kept me engaged for the duration of this part of Micah's story. I love how the supporting character's motivations are not always clear which gave an air of mystery to the story as well.
The queer representation in this book is heartbreakingly accurate to so much real world lived experience. I imagine Micah's story will be healing to some and make others feel not so alone. Pantomime is a wild ride into a disorienting magical realm, a journey of self discovery, and a peek into the lives of circus folk. I cannot wait to read what comes next!

Pantomime is very unique in many ways, and I absolutely love L. R. Lam's writing! This story is of a daughter of a noble family who doesn't feel at home in the gender role assigned to her. She runs away from home, for a few reasons, and disguises themselves as a boy called Micah. Micah joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice. The Micah/Gene character really intrigued me, and I loved learning about that dynamic! I am hoping the next book explores more of the magic in the world since it is not fully understood.