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.