Holy crap- I almost felt like too much of a peasant for getting to read this. It’s- amazinggggggg.

From the start, I was aghast with the way the author writes. It truly felt like I was getting thrown into a whole Time Capsule and world. So much respect for the author, the way they write is just so so good

What a whimsical, incredible, unique story with a main character who felt real and complex and well rounded. Lam's writing absolutely soars off the page and brings you in to such a lush and colourful world you cannot wait to explore more of.

A brilliant revision to the original story. Beautifully written, perfectly paced, and is absolutely my favourite book of the year.

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.

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.

Even more perfect than I remember it being, PANTOMIME is a piece of art that has stuck with me since I first read it and is now even better with the author's preferred changes.

This was an excellent, enjoyable and empowering read. The plot flowed well and kept me eager to read. Micah's character was extremely likeable and I loved to see the journey around gender authenticity.

It was a feel-good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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!

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

Um…yes!
Pantomime was fantastic! I absolutely loved the first book in this series about Micah Grey!
The world building was phenomenal! I love a circus setting and this did not disappoint! The world Pantomime is based in sounds incredibly interesting and I can’t wait to read more about it and explore more of it.
The characters are wonderful! Micah is especially well written and their development is fantastic. Their relationship with Aeana felt a little rushed, but it had its place in the story. I am so intrigued by Drystan and I’m glad we’ll get more of him as the series continues!
The pacing of this book was excellent, the length was perfect, the world building fabulous and the character development spot on!

I am a really big fan of the author. I didn't know there was a previous series and I am so glad I got this. It exceeded my expectations. The author has a beautiful way of story telling.

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.

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.

Enthralling, captivating, magical and colourful, "Pantomime" by L.R. Lam is one of the most beautiful hidden gems I've had the pleasure of stumbling upon this year. It was probably the easiest five stars I've handed out to a fantasy book in quite some time, in fact, and I'm itching to keep reading about Micah Grey as he goes on the journey of a lifetime.

Despite the fact that "Pantomime" was first published some 10 years ago, and thus has already been read and reviewed and loved by many people throughout the last decade, I was lucky enough to discover this story for the first time in its 2025 rewritten version, which is exactly what younger me wished for whenever the chance presented itself to browse the shelves of a bookstore in search of my next favourite book. Whimsical and endearing, "Pantomime" acts as the first act of young Micah Grey's tale as he embarks on a quest to find out who he truly is and how he fits in the world around him. You can find my summary at the bottom of this review!

Something I was immensely happy about was the main character's intersexuality, which is made clear from the very first chapter instead of being used as a plot device or a scandalous secret to be revealed further down the line. For decades now, LGBTQIA+ folks have been somewhat banned from main roles as complex characters with identities beyond their queerness, and all too often reduced to what shock value their label could carry as a plot device. Despite how much this has changed in recent years, we are sadly living very difficult times for those of us who belong in the TQIA+ spectrums of the community, and it's in this regard that Micah Grey was a dream come true. Rather than being shunned by the narrative or turned into a passive spectator in his own story, Micah is an active agent in the story who gets to make his own choices without being perceived as anything but a brave youth looking for a way to live a life that feels authentic to him. It's still far too frequent for us TQIA+ folks to be depicted as passive victims of our own identities, or martyrs struggling under the burden of who we are, so "Pantomime" was a breathtakingly strong ode to, in this case, intersex people's humanity and their right to take up space as main characters.

Although this was undoubtedly a fantasy novel, there was nonetheless a lot of excellently handled social commentary that felt incredibly relevant considering the current state of our world. I know that, had I had this story to keep me company when I was just a kid growing up without any proper vocabulary to understand myself and others around me with whom I felt a strong kinship that never made sense to me - I would've come into my truth much sooner, and with a lot less shame and guilt over not being what others expected. This was a powerful story that spoke to me in its nuanced and unapologetic depiction of an intersex character who doesn't need fixing and refuses to apologise for the mere act of existing. Nonetheless, Micah is well aware that not everyone will understand that he's deserving of the same dignity and freedom as everyone else, and in that sense Lam did an excellent job at juggling unapologetic self-acceptance and awareness of other people's prejudiced views. Since it's something that a lot of us have to learn the hard way, one rejection at a time, it felt empowering in many ways to read about a character like Micah, who doesn't internalise others' distrust of him but also isn't unaware enough to think that said distrust doesn't exist.

Regarding the setting and worldbuilding, this book offers an immersive experience that drew me right in from the first pages. Thanks to small snippets from scholarly works and local legends, it's easy to fall in love with the fascinating world of Elada that Lam has created. At the same time, the story introduces its unique concepts and magic system in a perfectly paced way that is neither too rushed, nor too dense. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy I found it to keep track of all the key figures, names, and species, since I often have trouble with fantasy precisely because the excessive info overwhelms me. Even though this is a very subjective topic, I personally found Lam's prose to be quite accessible for neurodivergent readers without losing its whimsical spark. The book was mesmerizing enough to me that I devoured it in under 24h, and never felt the need to go back and reread any of its passages.

Since this first installment ends in quite an explosive way, I think it's safe to say that it's got me on my tiptoes as I frantically look for a way to read its sequel ASAP! There were no ugly cliffhangers or loose threads that made the last chapters unsatisfying or frustrating, but enough is happening at the moment to leave the reader hungry for more. With such high stakes, who wouldn't want to find out what happens next!? I'm dying to, personally, and in the meantime I know I'm going to have a blast going through Lam's backlist!!

All in all, this book was utterly delightful. Huge kudos to Mx. Lam for writing such a wonderful story with an amazing main character who's loveable and kind! This book will stay with me for a long time to come, that's for sur.

***

SUMMARY. Unable to commit to a lifetime of performing the role of the dutiful spouse in frilly dresses, and frightened that corrective surgery might be forced upon his body so he can come closer to living up to other people's expectations, young Micah Grey has run away from his family and the comfort of coming from money, and marrying into yet some more of it. Although Micah has never set foot outside of his privileged bubble as the child of high nobility, he ends up finding his place at the Magical Circus passing through town, which is willing to give him a shot at becoming an aerialist and travelling the continent alongside the colourful crew that makes the magic happen. Despite how badly Micah wants this to become his home, his past is quick to catch up with him when he catches wind of a Shadow his parents have hired to bring him back, and it really doesn't help matters that the circus is drowning in debt, negligent managing, and an inability to compete against other spectacles' posh and refined shows. With the help of a spirit only he can hear, Micah will soon find himself faced with impossible choices and a dreadful truth: his tale has only just begun.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

I love L.R Lam- so grateful for the opportunity of an early read from Net Galley!

Pantomime is a beautifully reimagined tale that blends fantasy, identity, and the allure of the circus. Micah Grey, our protagonist, escapes a confining life to join a magical circus, uncovering secrets about himself and the world around him. Lam’s prose is lyrical, and the world-building is rich, making it easy to get lost in the story.  

The themes of self-discovery and acceptance are handled with grace, and the characters are deeply relatable. If you’re into stories that challenge norms and transport you to a world of wonder, this one’s for you.

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?