Skip to main content

Review: Pantomine by Laura Lam


R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone—are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.

Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.


***

I don't really know where to start when it comes to reviewing this little gem apart from saying it's flawless and just WOW!

This review will be short deliberately as I don't really have the words to do it justice and I don't want to spoil the secret of this wonderful for anyone because it is jaw dropping. Believe me when I say this is one of the most unique stories for young adults I have read in a long long while (and this comes from a girl who has currently read about 250 so far this year). It's magical and beautifully written and the issue it revolves round is tackled in such a brilliant and fascinating way.

For me this book, everything else aside, is all about Gene and Micah working out who it is they want to be and accepting who they are and not what society expects of them. The way in which this is done is brilliant as it's just so heart-wrenching and emotional. You really find yourself invested in the characters and their hopes, dreams and fears to the point where they get under your skin and won't let you go.

The setting of the book is exciting. I'm not a huge circus book fan but I found myself getting into this one. You really getting a sense of the circus and its magic around with a real feel for the life style the members of the circus lead.

A fantastic read, a stunning debut and a jaw dropping secret! I cannot wait for book two.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I just got my copy of this today, and I can't wait to sink my teeth into it! Glad to know that it's such a great book!
Jim said…
Fab review of one of my favourites of the year so far! Mine will be even shorter as I'm so terrified of spoiling this brilliant book.