This is one of the oldest books in my ARC queue ... clearly no longer a 'new' book, and likely out of print since the publisher closed down a number of years back. Still, I committed to reading and reviewing it, even if I am a decade (or more) behind! This book is the second in a trilogy (typical of my luck to pick up in the middle of a series) and jumps right into action, presumably from where the first book left off.

Micah and Drystan are on the run from a circus that they both once worked for. Drystan takes them to a run-down old theatre to meet with Jasper Maske, once a renowned magician, who agrees to provide refuge for them. Maske promises to also teach them magic so that they have another skill they can use as they continue on their own.

Micah discovers he has a special talent, having visions and seeing glimpses of the future, which will be important as their new mentor, Jasper Maske, is about to face an old foe.

Despite my feeling just a little bit lost because this picks up (presumably) right after the first book ends, this was a really great adventure. The characters of Micah and Drystan are precisely the sort of characters that you want to read about in a strong, urban fantasy. They would be especially appealing to a YA audience. Jasper isn't quite as interesting, though the magic he wields most certainly is.

A romance is brewing for Micah and this is handled so wonderfully appropriately (again, for a YA audience). It doesn't overshadow (pun intended) the meat of the story, but it's definitely an important part of what Micah is going through.

There's enough magic and mystery here to engage and entertain a reader who's grown up with the famous boy wizard, but this carves a unique story path rather than trying to recreate something that already exists. Setting such a fantasy in a circus and old theatre brings about as much magic (perhaps moreso) as does a school for learning magic. Here lessons are learned on the run and we get to the heart of the lesson quickly, rather than seeing our heroes learn step by step.

Lots of fun, and I'm really eager to read the full trilogy.

Looking for a good book? If you haven't read Laura Lam's Shadowplay and you like YA fantasy, then go out and find this book ... find this series! ... right away.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Requested and downloaded this book back in 2013 with every intention of reading it but then it expired on my device before I had the chance. Have felt bad about that and as a result haven't wanted to leave a review but with more and more publishers relying on Feedback ratings I need to clear out some of these older titles in my queue.

While I was quite intrigued with Pantomime I couldn't get into Shadowplay.

The outline of the two books is very similar, and that makes the turns rather predictable, if not the actual events. Running, hiding, working enthusiastically/feverishly, revelations ho!, work work work and build up to an awesome show of all that we've learned that, at least this time, we didn't miss much of. Before we has a pantomime, this time it's a magic show.

The entire book felt more rushed and less finished than the first instalment. The world building is still awesome mind you.
But I wasn't really impressed with the storyline nor did I feel much was done with the character building.

I was left rather disappointed. And I still got questions, but frankly, I don't think I will read the next installment.

Whoa this one slayed my life. I must have read it like three times. The rep is fantastic and the lore is interesting.I wish Ms.Lam would come out with more books in this series.