Review by Alex- Perchance to Dream

Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev
The stuff that dreams are made on.

Act Two, Scene One

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.
Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.
When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

First Impressions: Having just reread Eyes Like Stars before delving into Perchance to Dream, I thought I was prepped for Bertie's world. A world full of magic and love and craziness.

Unfortunately... maybe I wasn't. I still did really like Perchance to Dream. It has all of Eyes Like Stars' imagination and creativity and full-on fun. This time, the story takes place not inside the theater, but outside as Bertie tries to get Nate back from Sedna and meets a whole new cast of characters. Each character brings something new.

The whole plot is wild and strange- in a good way. But it was nonetheless a way that I couldn't fully understand. It breaks my heart to say it- but maybe I just wasn't imaginative enough to read Perchance to Dream. I was constantly wondering how in the world all of this was happening until I just had to shut my brain off and stop my wondering. (Which is really, really hard.) However, after doing so, Perchance to Dream became a lot more enjoyable. Yeah, it's crazy, but it's a type of crazy one falls in love with, as many bloggers and readers can attest.

I do love the magical elements of the story. That Bertie is the Mistress of Revels and has the power over words is amazing. The idea that one can have power over words is doubly so.

And then of course we have our love triangle. To be honest, for the most part, Bertie's lack of doing anything to decide between her two men for the better part of the novel annoyed me. But then... I'm firmly on Ariel's side and really don't see why there should be a love triangle.

Final Impressions: I wish Perchance to Dream would have been something I could be fully wrapped into, but it took a while for me to realize that unless I stopped thinking of the whats, hows, and whys of the novel, I'd never get anywhere. But I'm sure others will easily devour Perchance to Dream with all of its beauty and wonder.

4.5 shelves.

Oh, and want another point of view? Lauren's review.

Review by Lauren - Perchance to Dream

Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev

The stuff that dreams are made on.

Act Two, Scene One

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

Once again, LISA MANTCHEV has spun a tale like no other—full of romance, magic, adventure, and fairies, too—that readers won’t want to put down, even after the curtain has closed.

First Impressions: With a storyline as creative as Eyes Like Stars, I was really excited to find out where Bertie's story was going to go.

What I really liked about Perchance to Dream - along with Eyes Like Stars - is the creativity behind the storyline. Almost all the characters come from famous plays. The story is full of theatre references. I'm not ridiculously in love with the book, but it was so much fun with the fairies, the adventure, and the tormenting love triangle. Oh my goodness Nate or Ariel? I was so torn for most of the book and it absolutely tore me apart, although deep down, I think I'm on Ariel's side. Perchance to Dream definitely showed a completely different side of him than Eyes Like Stars.

Final Impressions: Lots of fun, great story, and I can't wait for the third book :)

Waiting On Wednesday (27)

Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev

Release Date: May 25, 2010
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Goodreads
Description:
The stuff that dreams are made on.

Act Two, Scene One

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

Once again, LISA MANTCHEV has spun a tale like no other—full of romance, magic, adventure, and fairies, too—that readers won’t want to put down, even after the curtain has closed.

I can't believe this is the first time for me learning of Perchance to Dream, the sequel to Eyes Like Stars! There isn't really much that needs to be said about Perchance to Dream. It's the sequel to Eyes Like Stars.

However, I'm a little torn on the cover. Do I like it? Yes. Though I like the cover of Eyes Like Stars more. This one seems so... New Moon poster-esque. But the artwork is beautiful. It's just the poses... And it comes out so soon! :D

So what are you all waiting on this Wednesday?

- Alex

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.

Review by Lauren: 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

Wow. Two amazing books in like 3 days. Plus, this one has a sequel :) :) I thought it might just because of the ending and then amazon pretty much confirmed it, so there's something else for me to look forward to.

So Alex brought this over to my house a couple days ago, but I wasn't really drawn into it. The jacket description is a little confusing and it seemed weird but she assured me that the reviews were amazing so I decided to give it a try.

Eyes Like Stars follows Bertie - an orphaned girl who helps out at a theatre where all the characters are real and bound to play their parts. The cannot leave. The little references throughout the novel to various plays over the course of history were cute - ranging from Shakespear to Les Mis and Peter Pan. The book has a really creative concept that I enjoyed and the writing was just all around enjoyable. There's a little love triangle, that I'm sure will develope in later books, but I'm not going to spoil anything for anyone. I was never bored and enjoyed the combination of fantasy and modern writing - it wasn't awkward and weirdly placed... it was just like a whole entire world inside of our own.

Its hard to review without revealing all of the plot twists and mystery that make up the novel so I'm just going to go tell you to go read the book. Sorry about the brief and scattered review. Go buy the book. Just do it.

Trust me.

6/6

♥ Lauren