Nocturnal Book Reviews

4.5/5
Fantastic book! I really enjoyed it and read it in one sitting.

First of all, don't read the synopsis - it's completely misleading which you will find out from the first couple of pages.

What you need to know - it's about magic from a forgotten ancient civilisation, it's about a circus with a tyrant of a ringleader and it's about a runaway. Throw in the bin the rest of your preconceptions. *grinning*

The great twist will be known in the first couple of chapters but it doesn't detract from the story. The world-building is marvelous, the characterisation is subtle and charming. This book might not possess the intricacies of The Night Circus but it's certainly a magical story with a wonderful charming personality. If you have a teenage son or daughter, grab this book for them (it's really well priced as a pre-order from The book Depository).

There are little gems scattered across Pantomime here and there - the museum of ancient civilisation with its automatons; the spice seller; penglass domes; traces of vestige or various circus members...

I haven't had much luck picking a Strange Chemistry title that I'd really like before but Pantomime certainly made me hopeful that I'll find more wonderful books in this imprint. Very much recommended.

So sorry, couldn't go into the plot without spoilers. I had to keep my mouth shut. *wink*