Me on Pantomime

Title: Pantomime
Author: Laura Lam
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Strange Chemistry

R. H. Ragona's Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass, remnants of a mysterious civilization 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.

Pantomime is a mysterious and secretive journey, draped in shadows and moments. Magic, joy, despair, fear, hope. This book is an exploration of self, an exploration of who we are and who we want to be, who we want to show to the world, but the world is full of hidden things that don't want to stay hidden any longer.

Gene craves a place to be herself. She wants to be herself, she wants to shed the debutante dress her mother forces her to wear, the ribbons and laces that polite society tries to weave around her. She has her own wishes and hopes for her future but time is running out. She has an important, and possibly dangerous, decision to make before she's trapped in society's clutches for the rest of her life.

Micah is a runaway now breathing the fresh air of freedom. This is his chance at a new life, a life in the circus, a time for him to be himself. But there are secrets in his past, secrets that linger as in his new life he gains a new strength and sense of bravery.

There are times when both Gene and Micah feel different, so different from those around them it frightens them. Those feelings haunt them in the darkness, follow them down hallways and streets. They must draw on the power and strength inside them if they are to break free, if they are to be who they want to be. But what are they? Who are they?

The city is full of possibilities, as is the circus, but there's a worn away and battered feel to the circus. An extra cobweb or two in the corner of the cart. A new tear in the tent fabric. As rich with magic as the circus is, it also feels old and full of things tucked away in drawers and chests.

This is a wonderfully imaginative, unique, curious thing of a book. The exotic and mystical world of the circus is brought to life here, a place where the impossible can exist, a place to be one's true self, a place to live freely and without scorn or ridicule. But what about fate? What if she decides to appear, play a card or two from her hand?

(I borrowed a copy of this title from the library.)