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Print Length: 400 Pages
Format: E-Arc
Source: Netgalley.com
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Series: Yes, 1 of 3
Completed: January 2013
Challenges: 2013 E-book Challenge, 2013 YA/MG Fantasy Challenge, 2013 DAC Challenge, 2013 Outdo Yourself Challenge
"Somewhere, there's a place for everyone"
"Somewhere, there's a place for everyone"
SUMMARY
Running away to join the circus seems like a great place to hide when harboring dark secrets. Its not so easy to blend in though, when your background is that of nobility and now you find yourself forced to live among the common wealth. Circus life isn't as easy as one may assume either, the workers don't easily accept outsiders, especially if they assume that person may not be genuine or forthcoming. A pampered life is very difficult to give up, but one must make sacrifices if its the only other option may be loosing a part of your true self.
BACKGROUND
From Goodreads Profile: "Laura Lam was raised near San Francisco, California, by two former Haight-Ashbury hippies. Both of them encouraged her to finger-paint to her heart’s desire, colour outside of the lines, and consider the library a second home. This led to an overabundance of daydreams.
She relocated to Scotland to be with her husband, whom she met on the internet when he insulted her taste in books. She almost blocked him but is glad she didn’t. At times she misses the sunshine."
Pantomime Lam's debut novel and is book one in a planned trilogy, with book two having plans to be published sometime in 2014.
SETTING PACE AND STYLE
What a difficult subject to write about. Integrated into a fantasy tale, with a circus setting, this is something so different, curious and absolutely mind blowing. Its written in such a perfect fashion that virtually anyone can enjoy this book about a topic I think many people would usually shy away from. Its presentation is admirable, producing a very thought provoking read. Even though sometimes it felt like the story was a little slow in spots, moving sideways instead of trudging forward, the writing still captivated me and always managed to hold my interest. I found it amazing, beautifully written and difficult to pry myself away from. This proved to be a very well told story about the moral dilemma one character faces. The circus setting is very fitting for where this story unfolds, told in first person narrative, with an alternating timeline from past to present.
CHARACTERS AND PLOT
The characters were endearing. Some of the characters came from affluent backgrounds, living luxurious lives. A vast majority of them, though, worked in the circus environment, a place where misfits are generally drawn to and a setting where dysfunctional people run rampant. So, how could anyone find this characters endearing? Well, once the author describes their stories, their battles, their trials and tribulations, readers would be hard pressed not to have some compassion for them. I loved reading about their lives, it made me see them for more than they were externally, as many of them would be considered freaks. The main character, has it especially hard, faced with a decision of making oneself happy or caving into the pressure and making those near and dear happy. My heartstrings tugged for the emotional and internal battles this character fought and continued to fight with even as the story wraps up.
RECOMMENDATION
This is a fantasy book, with a circus setting that addresses a very serious topic. I would recommend this story to bold readers who don't mind being shocked. Readers who are tolerant of all types of people will fall in love with this story.
PERSONAL NOTE
Pantomime is an exhilarating, moving read, its sensitive and is brimming with buried, dark secrets. I adored the characters, the details and the choices many are forced to make. The circus setting made the story even richer. Then, the fantasy elements put on the finishing touches. Plus, mythology is involved, too. Not, Greek mythology, but this story has its own and its amazing, adding another layer of mystery and intrigue. (I really want to discover the secrets behind the Penglass structures).
I loved the world building. I believe its just getting started in this first book. From what I've heard this is a planned trilogy and the next book is going to focus more on magic. The driving force, other than the fascinating characters stories, is the secrets some of the characters hold close. The ending, oh my, the ending was action packed, riveting and did not go at all the way I would wanted. Ugh! It ends on quite a nasty cliffhanger. I'm dying to see where the next book will take these characters. I despise the fact that I will have to wait until NEXT year to find out.
RATING
This story was hands down, and amazing, mind blowing tale. I can't think of a single reason to deduct any rings from its content. I award this book the highest rating....
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| 5 out of 5 Rings SIMPLY AMAZING - STAYED UP LATE TO FINISH |
It was interesting I thought, that the pace could be relatively slow moving, and yet I was still somehow completely invested in the plot. I really, really loved the imagination of this one, as well, and thought the subject matter was handled expertly, too. I just felt SO BAD for the MC, but they at least had the bravery to be themselves. So proud! Looking forward to some more of the magic in the second book!
ReplyDeleteYes, Aylee, I just read your review today. I'm soooo happy you enjoyed this one too. I really wondered what others would think considering the sensitive subject matter and the LBGT romance. I wouldn't usually read or enjoy a book like this. It just was written so well, weird though, I never felt the pacing was too slow. Like I said above though, I did feel like it went sideways at time.
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