Review by Alex- Eyes Like Stars

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
All her world’s a stage.

Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.
She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents.
She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.
That is, until now.
Enter Stage Right

NATE. Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.

COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARD SEED, and PEASEBLOSSOM. Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. BERTIE’S sidekicks.

ARIEL. Seductive air spirit and Bertie’s weakness. The symbol of impending doom.

BERTIE. Our heroine.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.

First Impressions: So many great reviews! I went and bought it soon after it came out. I didn't have much knowledge on what it was about, but it sounded pretty good and everyone seemed to adore it. Alas, I wasn't able to read it because I had too many other books, so I gave it to Lauren to read first. (Where she reviewed here.)

And... many I should have learned a bit more about it. I knew it was going to be original, but not... quite so different? It just takes a while to get into and the understand what's going on. Most of the book is normal prose, but there's also scenes written like a screen play. And some of the scenes just confused me. But overall, the writing is very enjoyable to read, smooth, easy, and special.

But the story itself if very very good. Completely set apart from anything I've ever read. Bertie lives in the Theatre, where magic comes alive, where fantastic creatures and characters abound. There weren't many set rules, just crazy fun. There are lots of characters from many different plays, some important ones being the fairies from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Nate from The Little Mermaid (a sailor with one line), Ophelia from Hamlet, and Ariel from The Tempest.

The fairies add a lot of humor and laughs to the novel. Nate and Ariel, along with Bertie of course, form the love triangle. Ophelia plays an important part in the novel also (which I won't diverge.... :P)

Final Impressions: Worthy of the many praising reviews. My lack of the ability to suspend disbelief caused me to enjoy Eyes Like Stars less than others, but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't recommend it! On the contrary, read this book! You won't regret it.

5/6.