I went into Pantomime knowing how special this series was to people in its first form when L.R. Lam first published it, and that some readers felt so seen by Micah's story, they took the same name when they transitioned. Normally I would worry about the pressure to love a book that obviously means so much to those that read it. But L.R. Lam made it so easy to fall in love with the story, the world, and Micah of course.

Lam opens with a note about the journey this book and the wider series has taken. I think that really served to highlight how much love and care went into the whole story initially and in the rework of its newest publication. I already had started to mentally aww before I hit the prologue.

Meanwhile the prologue absolutely captivated me. "Discover the mystery and magic of R.H. Ragona's Circus of Magic, the best circus in Elada." How can you not be drawn in by this?!

From the prologue, we get Micah's first experience of the circus, being drawn into the weird and wonderful place that is the circus, and finding his feet while dangling in the air from the trapeze. I have many notes on this but as an aerial circus instructor and keen circus fan, L.R. Lam has one of the best depictions of flying trapeze I've read and obviously did their research on Victorian-era circus structure.

As we follow Micah's circus journey, we also get flashbacks to the things that lead up to him running away to join the circus. These flashbacks were beautiful, and painful, and tense. Between the then and now, we meet Cyril, Aenea, and Drystan. All three of whom I adore alongside Micah. There is a wider cast at the circus who are of course also magical, and I hope we get a bit more time with a select few of them as the two remaining books are republished.

What stands out is not only the richness of the circus and the little details that Lam paints, but also how vivid the rest of the world is. Each chapter begins with a note from someone somewhere in the world. Whether it's an academic quote from Caed Cedar at Royal Snakewood University, Godrick Ash-Oak, Aerialist Diane Albright's memoirs, Hestia's Fables, or the unpublished memoirs of Jasper Maske.

It's clear why people fell in love with this story. It's clear why those going through their own identity journey fell in love with this story in particular. Micah is unapologetic about who he is. He loves his body, he loves his friends and family, he loves his circus, and through him you get all the wonderful parts of a magical world. Like I said, Lam made it easy to fall in love with. I cannot wait for the next book. I cannot wait for this series to find even more people. And I hope for the love of the Lady of the Moon and the Lord of the Sun that Micah gets something great at the end of the journey. Please, L.R. Lam. We need this.

Pantomime didn’t begin to capture my interest until about halfway through the book. The moments with Aenea were wonderfully written and showed a lot of vulnerability. It seemed as though the real story would begin in book 2 which is frustrating as a reader. I also wonder if Pantomime relies too much on readers having experienced a circus first-hand which I have not. It’s clear Micah is enthralled but I did not feel the magic or the pull of the circus come through the pages and grab me.

I think it’s wonderful a story with an openly intersex main character exists and hope this representation is helpful to the community.

This is an interesting book that really sells the story of running away to the circus. Micah does the hard work, the dirty work, and eventually earns the right to become an aerialist where he falls in love with Aenea, talks to a ghost, and has all manner of adventures. It’s a quick read, well written and well plotted. Unfortunately for me, while I think it’s fine on its own, I’m not caught enough by the story or the characters to continue on to the next book.

That’s no flaw of the book, just that this book didn’t do the things I wanted in the way I wanted them because it was busy telling its own story about its own characters. If you like circuses and turn of the century fantasy worlds, along with a bit of adventure, this book should be right up your alley. The characters are believable, and the world building is strong. It does, however, end on a bit of a cliffhanger.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

Pantomime is a bittersweet, queer coming of age story full of magic, misfits, and found family. It follows Micah, an intersex teen who is forced to run away from home to escape his controlling mother. He happens upon a circus and is swept away by the spectacle, ultimately convincing the ringmaster to hire him on to train as an aerialist.

There are a lot of things I liked about this book. Micah is such a sweet character, and seeing him find a place and start to flourish among the circus folks was probably my favorite bit. Despite his struggles with his physical differences and his upbringing being forced to live as a girl, he has a clear, positive self image that is very refreshing. Any conflicts that arise due to him being intersex are a result of societal pressures rather than any internalized hatred. The messaging was clear but not overdrawn and I can imagine it resonating a lot with younger readers, especially the themes of self discovery and acceptance.

The only places this book fell a little short for me is around the pacing and the fantasy elements. The first half of the book switches back and forth between present and past, and I found it a little hard to keep up momentum, but once the timelines converged the story was very engaging to the end. As for the fantasy elements, they are repeatedly referenced but ignored by the main character until the very end, so we still don't learn very much about them. I imagine the next two books will dive deeper into the lore. One yellow flag for me is that this book hints that Micah, and perhaps intersex people more broadly, are actually not human at all but some other race entirely. I kind of get where it's going with that but don't know if it's the best approach.

Also notable is that this edition is significantly revised from its original back in the 2010s. I haven't read the original, but after reading and enjoying Samantha Shannon's Bone Season revisions I am interested to see if this will become a wider trend for revitalizing older series for a modern audience.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for this honest review.

This story was so whimsical and creative and unique and I loved it so much. It felt like the best bedtime story . I loved it.

“Pantomime” was a very creative and enjoyable story. I like that Iphigenia/Gene/Micah is intersex and does not fully understand what that means but knows it is not something “acceptable” and knows that the gender presentation their parents want them to portray (a young noble woman) is not what they want/feel most comfortable being. I also like the idea of the Kedi — half-man, half-woman —representing completeness. I think most (if not all) people exist on a gender spectrum. There are certainly people who are very much what society defines as “masculine” or “feminine”, but I think most people have elements of masculine and feminine and it is finding the proper balance between those aspects that leads to a sense of belonging.

I like the way the author alternates between past and present, slowly giving the reader a look into the life of Iphigenia/Gene/Micah when they were (at least perceived as) the daughter of a noble family and their life once they join the circus and become Micah Grey. There is a great cast of supporting characters, especially the various circus performers.

3.5 ⭐️ —Thank you to NetGalley and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this new version of the book.

i read dragonfall and enjoyed it so when i saw that the author was rewriting this series, i was intrigued. overall, i really enjoyed reading this book. I've never read a book with an intersex (main) character and it was interesting to read from that perspective. micah's story at the circus gets interrupted with flashbacks about his life from before he ran away from home. i liked reading about the circus and the interactions between all the performers. the love triangle between micah, aenea and drystan did feel very forced and was a weird way to tell the reader about micah's bisexuality/queerness. some of the chapters that described the circus acts were really long and slowed the story down significantly. the book also describes domestic violence, but no one seems to help the victim at all until it is revealed at the end that drystan helped her escape. i wish that had been talked about more throughout the story. the ending in general was suprisingly violent and rushed. the whole book felt like it was building up to something and then it ended so quickly.
i do want to read the sequel to know what happens.

A Whimsical, Wistful, and Wonderfully Unique Tale of Identity, Magic, and Belonging
Pantomime by Laura Lam is a beautifully written and emotionally rich fantasy novel that follows the journey of Micah Grey, a character unlike any I’ve read before. Told in a dual timeline, the narrative masterfully weaves Micah’s life before and after joining the circus, offering readers both an intimate backstory and a front-row seat to his unfolding transformation.
From the very first page, I was drawn to Micah—not just because of who he is, but because of how deeply real he feels. Micah is intersex, and the way Lam handles his identity is deeply respectful, sensitive, and powerful. His pain, his yearning for acceptance, and his courage in hiding and surviving in a world that would never fully understand him—it all leapt off the page. You feel the ache in every choice he makes, especially in the moments he longs to speak his truth but can’t. His relationships—especially with Aenea—are tender, fragile, and layered with both affection and an ever-present distance, shaped by the secrets he must keep.
The circus setting is both vivid and enchanting, filled with wonder and quiet danger. Lam paints it with whimsical charm and underlying melancholy, making it the perfect backdrop for Micah’s story. The dual narrative enhances the emotional depth, revealing how he becomes who he is, while simultaneously following his search for a place to belong.
I also have to applaud the worldbuilding. From the snippets of lore and history that begin each chapter to the mysterious remnants of magic—the “Vestige,” the haunting presence of the “ghost,” the Penglass globes, and the mythical beings like the Alder and the Chimera—it all adds a layer of ancient mystery that lingers behind every scene. It’s just enough to keep you intrigued while leaving you hungry for answers. I can’t wait to explore more of this world in the rest of the trilogy.
Highlights:
• A protagonist who is bold, vulnerable, and wholly unforgettable
• A delicately told story of gender identity, handled with nuance and care
• Beautiful prose that captures both the wonder and cruelty of the world
• A mysterious magical undercurrent that raises fascinating questions
Pantomime is a rare kind of book—one that is both whimsical and deeply human. It doesn’t shy away from the ugliness of being different, nor does it downplay the magic of embracing who you are. This is a story that celebrates the courage it takes to live authentically, even in the face of fear.
Micah Grey is truly one of a kind, and I can’t wait to follow where his story leads next.

Such a beautiful story.
The narrative was magical.
In general I really enjoyed this book.
And the cover is so unique.

"Come one, come all."
L.R.Lam is the barker that lures you into the world of R.H.Ragona's circus of magic with people and creatures that breathtakingly well written. Let her take you on this journey of Micah finding their way in Elada: a world full of opposites, like a victorian nobilty vs the anything is possible circus or the glim and darker setting (there's a Shadow and a ghost) vs stones that light up in magic. She will draw you in with suspenceful flashbacks and a romance plot that mirror your teenage experiences so lively it is like reliving your first kisses.
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I have just finished Pantomime's republished edition which was completely rewritten and let me assure you it is a book to treasure: representation of any gender and sexuality is brought with tender care. I will try to make as many people read this novel, because of it.
5 stars don't even cover my appreciation, such a fabulous book!
Thank you @netgalley and @DAW for the arc!

After discovering L.R. Lam from their Dragonfall duology, and seeing that they went back and revamped their Micah Grey series, I knew I was going to be in for a world of enjoyment inside the circus. Pantomime stands as the first of a trilogy as a whirlwind of self-discovery, behind the scenes of a circus show, and the suspense of a well-written thriller. The magical world building that took place was so immersive and well-thought-out that it felt like I was walking along the mudded backside of the circus' big top with Micah and the rest of the crew. L.R. Lam never fails to create such a beautiful world of fantastical wonder while sprinkling in important themes of self-love and the ability to stand noble and true to yourself and those you love. I am so excited to continue this trilogy and see where the Lord and Lady are taking Micah Grey next.

Interestingly, this book felt more like a prequel - setting up all the backstory and call to adventure before the real adventure begins. That being said, I did enjoy it and was surprised that, despite there never being major conflict until the very end, it didn't really feel like a slog. The world of the circus was rich and interesting, and I enjoyed the characters and the relationships they formed. I cannot speak for the intersex experience specifically, but as a trans man (who doesn't intend on pursuing a full medical transition), I felt a kinship with Micah and related to their experience a lot - I thought it was a good representation of someone who doesn't entirely fit the binary.
I thought that Aenea's exit from the story was forced and unneeded. Losing a member of the cast at the climax of a novel is pretty common and normally I wouldn't have a problem with it, but because so much of this book felt like set up for the larger story, it felt like she was written out before the story had a chance to begin. The only way I can see this becoming a non-issue is if she appears in the next books, though the circumstances of her exit imply that will not be the case.

The pace and flow of this book is beautiful, there’s a clear connection between the two moments of the story converging, so it doesn’t feel confusing or disjointed.
Micah is an amazing protagonist and the struggles of family, found family and magic are beautifully played out around circus hijinks and serious moments. Can’t wait to read the next installment!

thank you to DAW and Netgalley for the ARC.

I am loving authors revisiting their series to rewrite and edit them to the standard they hold themselves at now. Though I never read this trilogy in it’s original form it’s been one that i’ve heard about forever and always meant to read. So when I heard it was getting a rework I knew, now was the time.

L R Lam has not disappointed, from the first few chapters I was already falling in love with Micah. His earnestness and want to do his best makes him an extremely likeable character placed in a difficult situation. Lam's character work is fantastic and had me caring about and wanting to know more about characters that had very little page time.

Lam’s prose flies off the page and really immerses you in the world. There are so many things I’m excited to learn more about as we dive deeper into this world.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy* (review of the 2025 re-write editions)

If you know me, my favourite author is L.R. Lam, right beside Elizabeth May. My favourite book of all time is Seven Devils by L.R. Lam and Elizabeth May. When I saw the news that Lam was rewriting their first trilogy, I was so excited! Elizabeth May did something similar, but aged her series up (The Falconer).

The first Micah Grey trilogy, I only read Pantomime and Shadowplay. I never read Masquerade even though I wanted to! I was so excited to read this edition of Pantomime, and I’m so glad it lived up to my expectations. Lam’s writing is one of my favourites, and this is no different.

In the authors note at the beginning of this book, Lam mentioned that multiple readers have reached out to them to say they named themself Micah after Micah Grey, and I love that. If I read this series when I was first figuring out my name, Micah definitely would’ve been up there in options!

Micah’s character growth in this book is one of my favourites, and I’m so excited to see how this series continues with the re-writes, and also how it ends! Funnily enough, when Lam announced they were releasing re-writes of this trilogy, that was around the time I was looking at finally finishing it! It was like fate telling me to wait lol.

An astonishingly beautiful revision. Reading this felt let coming home. The worldbuilding is delicious, the characters are so loveable, and the pacing is perfect. This book is filled with queer joy and whimsical magic, everything I love in a book and more. L has smashed it out the park, I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the trilogy

I've been meaning to read this for years, ever since I saw Jacqueline Carey put it on her to-read list, and I'm glad I waited if only because I think the wait allowed me to appreciate it more.

On the surface, Pantomime is a dual narrative, shared between Micah Grey and Gene.

Micah is a runaway who has entered into the circus and, by sheer bravado alone, has pretty much secured himself a place as one of the acrobats. This also allowed me to enjoy some of my favourite scenes of trust and intimacy that you just don't see written a lot in narratives because there just isn't any cause in the majority of books. I am happy to say, this is a good exception.

Gene is a well bred though boyish young woman, whose closest friends are all males, including her brother, and struggles with the social restraints that continue to be put upon her by her mother, predominantly.

As things go further, we see that there are very good reasons why Gene is not as feminine as her mother thinks perhaps she should be and, ultimately, it turns out that Micah and Gene are the past and present versions of the same character.

This is a very clever narrative technique that keeps things interesting the whole way through, as well as giving us a broad scope of Gene/Micah's whole life, where they come from and the reasons why they are living the way they are now.

Drystan, the white clown, is I think the circus character who knows the truth about Micah's identity for the longest, certainly he is the only one who speaks to Micah about it in any clear way. Drystan also has his own secrets, some of which are explicitly stated, and some are only alluded to and which we can only hope get further explored in the next book, Shadowplay.

Aenea was the surprisingly beautifully realised young woman who falls in love with Micah and leads Micah into such wonderings as to whether he's fallen in love with her as a man or as a woman.

The breadth of gender and sexuality diversity just within these pages, and how it does not detract at all from story, is breathtaking and just another example of the fantastic fiction that has been coming out in young adult throughout the past decade or so.

Pantomime was one of the best reads I had this month alone! Omg L. R. Lam is a genious! The characters are perfectly built, the story is so well written.. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can.

This is an ARC review of the updated 2025 version. This review is my honest opinion of the book.

Micah's story drew me in from the get-go. I planned on reading for just 10 minutes before bed yesterday, but ended up reading 50% of the story in one go. My heart broke for Micah so many times throughout this story, and got glued together again too. It's not easy to live in a world that wants you to choose to be one thing, when you are and cannot be one of those things. Micah's struggles around that are portrayed so realistically and respectfully. You feel his pain, his joy, his doubts, as he tries to find where he fits in.

The descriptiveness of tbe writing is just right. It painted a vivid picture, but we never got lost in flowery descriptions of everything in this world.

The flashbacks worked really well. Through them the understanding of our main character is very much enhanced, and they don't take you out of the story at all - when we switched back to the here-and-now I was engaged immediately.

There's so much mystery in this story - what is Penglass? What does Vestige do exactly? What happened in this world to make it the way it is - and what changes are coming? We've got our characters build up and the stage is set - I'm very curious to see what happens next.

Pantomime follows the story of Micah Grey, and his life both before and after joining the circus. The story is told form duel timelines, so we can understand how Micah came to be in the position he is in as well as following his progress with the circus.

Micah is a fantastic character, and I absolutely loved how he was portrayed. The fact that he is intersex is treated respectfully, and his sadness at having to hide who he truly is conveyed beautifully - I could feel how much it hurt him to keep his secret and feel that he will never be accepted. His interactions with other characters - particularly Aenea - are a wonderful platform for showing how he is both cherished but also separate, never being able to fully open up.

The world building is wonderful - I especially liked the 'quotes' at the beginning of each chapter that give more depth and understanding to the places Micah inhabits. I would like to learn more though, so I am hoping that more will be explained in the rest of the trilogy.

The magical element - including the 'ghost' really intrigued me - I want to know more! What is Vestige? What are the Penglass globes scattered around the island? What happened to the Alder and the Chimera? The story left me with so many questions and I am looking forward to having them answered in the next books.

Overall, I really loved this book. Micah is wonderful, and I have never read another character like him - he is truly unique. I loved the author's descriptions and settings - the author doesn't shy away from both the beauty of the world Micah lives in and the ugliness that often comes with being different and being new. I found Pantomime to be both whimsical and magical, with incredible writing about gender identity and intersex people that is handled with respect and sensitivity. I can't wait to read the next book!