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    Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I
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    Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I
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    Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I
    Ebook304 pages3 hours

    Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I

    By Lisa Mantchev

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    The fantastic first novel in Lisa Mantchev's Theatre Illuminata trilogy

    Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. The actors are bound to the Théâtre by The Book, an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of the actors, but they are her family. And she is about to lose them all because The Book has been threatened, and along with it the Théâtre. It's the only home Bertie has ever known, and she has to find a way to save it. But first, there's the small problem of two handsome men, both vying for her attention. Nate, a dashing pirate who will do anything to protect Bertie, and Ariel, a seductive air spirit. The course of true love never did run smooth. . . .

    With Eyes LIke Stars, 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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Publishers
    Release dateJul 7, 2009
    ISBN9781429925334
    Unavailable
    Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I
    Author

    Lisa Mantchev

    Lisa Mantchev is the acclaimed author of Ticker and the Théâtre Illuminata series, which includes Eyes Like Stars, nominated for a Mythopoeic Award and the Andre Norton Award. She has also published numerous short stories in magazines, including Strange Horizons, Clarkesworld, Weird Tales, and Fantasy. She lives on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State with her husband, children, and horde of furry animals. Visit her online at www.lisamantchev.com.

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    Reviews for Eyes Like Stars

    4/5

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    • 5/5
      The premise: Bertie Shakespeare Smith lives in the Theatre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written actually exist, but only inside the theater itself. Bertie is no character, but rather an orphan, left at the theater's door. She loves her home, loves her friends, but can't resist causing trouble. When the Theater Manager has enough and decides to kick her out, Bertie convinces him to give her a chance to find her place among the company, to allow her to contribute in such an indispensable way that she won't need to leave. But once he agrees, Bertie finds herself in over her head, and what ensues threatens the very existence of the magical theater itself.My RatingMust Have: close to the Keeper Shelf, but I had some trouble in the beginning getting settled into the story, and there's an evil part of me that wants to pick at a few threads in the plot, just to see if it'll unravel. That said, this is a DELIGHTFUL, FANTASTIC read. The unique setting (at least, it's unique to me, especially in YA) does wonders for the book, and I think even readers who aren't familiar with the theater are going to enjoy this very much. Fans of Shakespeare will also have fun, since all of the Players we meet are Shakespearean characters. The character interaction is just one of the many selling points of the book. There's also tension, mystery, intrigue, love, and of course, comedy. Those of you, like me, who are tired of faeries, have no fear: this book isn't about faeries, and the ones we have here are pure fun, pure comic relief. The pages fly when reading this book, and there's so much about it that's unique in terms of setting (and in some cases, style), that I'm just thrilled to bits with it. Readers who want something different from the usual fangs, fur, fey fare in YA need to get their hands on this book. Especially readers who, like me, enjoy a wee little bit of romance to keep the character relationships interesting. There's no doubt I'll pick up the sequel as soon as it's released, so I'm very, very glad I took a chance on this title. It's just too enjoyable and too much fun to ignore.Review style: Stream-of-conscious variety with some spoilers. So if spoilers bug you, there's no need to click the link. Otherwise, if you want the full review, you can click the link below to go to my LJ. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome. :)REVIEW: Lisa Mantchev's EYES LIKE STARSHappy Reading! :)
    • 4/5
      The Little BookwormFirst up, let me say that I love the concept. An abandoned girl grows in a magical theater where the characters in the play are not actors, they are actually the characters is so cool. And I liked Bertie too. She was feisty and conniving and, dare I say, a little sexy. It was nice to see a strong female protagonist who isn't afraid to push down the boys and make them cry if she needs to. And I loved the little fairies who followed her around like a little demon posse. They were so cute. It was interesting to see Shakespeare's, and other, famous characters brought to life in a different way. So while they all retain their personalities as written, it's fun to see them outside of their own plays although this is mostly with Ophelia and Ariel. I wasn't very fond of the love triangle between Nate and Ariel and Bertie though. While Ariel might be charismatic, Nate is obviously the best choice. Anyway, I'm curious for the sequel now especially with the great surprise at the end.
    • 4/5
      The Theatre Illuminata is a magical place where all the characters in the history of the theater live, ready to perform whenever they're called. Bertie has lived there most of her life, brought when she was a young child by a strange woman she barely remembers. She was raised among the Players, costumes, and scenery but now that she's older she must leave unless she can prove herself invaluable to the Theatre. But what Bertie doesn't know is that another force wants to destroy the Theatre, the only home she's ever known. This is definitely a book for theater buffs. I really enjoyed it, but I think I would have gotten more out of it if I was more familiar with Shakespeare's works. (Which might make it perfect for high schoolers, as many study Shakespeare at some point.) Bertie's a great heroine who makes mistakes (big ones, sometimes) and fights for what she believes in. Her fairy entourage provides comic relief (they were my favorite part of the story). Some ends are left loose as this is the first book in a trilogy.
    • 5/5
      Author: Lisa MatchevPages: 384Source: Purchased from AmazonSeries or Standalone?: 1st in seriesAll her world’s a stageEnter Stage RightBeatrice Shakespeare Smith (Bertie): Our heroine.Nate: A dashing pirate who will do anything to protect Bertie.Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed, and Peaseblossom: Four tiny, mischievous fairies, and Bertie’s loyal sidekicks.Ariel: A seductive air spirit. Disaster follows in his wake, but Bertie simply cannot resist him.Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. The actors are bound to the Théâtre by The Book, an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of the actors, but they are her family. And she is about to lose them all because The Book has been threatened, and along with it the Théâtre. It’s the only home Bertie has ever known, and she has to find a way to save it. But first, there’s the small problem of two handsome men, both vying for her attention. The course of true love never did run smooth. . . .* * *Let me start this review off by saying that I am a huge theater nerd, and an actress (I’m playing my first lead this December!), so I was really excited to read Eyes Like Stars when I heard it was all about plays and took place in a magical theater. Yes.Eyes Like Stars also got me good because Hamlet is my favorite play ever, and Ophelia is my favorite character. I did a mini-squee each time Ophelia was mentioned. And, to make the impact even greater, one of the main characters is from The Little Mermaid, which is my favorite Disney movie. So, needless to say, I loved the book before I even started reading it.But, whoo, when I read it, it was like an explosion of amazing. Kablooie. The whole idea of it was pure genius. Every character from every play that was ever written- -most prominently Shakespeare’s plays- - live in the Theatre. So of course, we have quite the quirky cast. Bertie was my favorite character; she was strong and just all-around loveable. She tried to do her best by the Theatre, and cared for the people that lived there. But more importantly, she was just trying to find out who she was.The two men vying for Bertie’s affections are Ariel, a spirit/fey-type guy from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and Nate, a dashing pirate from The Little Mermaid. Ariel is Ariel and Nate were equally formidable love-interests, but I think I’m on Ariel’s side here. I’m a sucker for the bad boy, and what is Ariel if not that? But he’s not truly villainous. All he’s looking for is freedom, which I thought justified anything he did. He wanted freedom to leave the Theatre, and explore the world outside. One of the magical things about The Book is that it binds the characters to the Theatre, and they can never step outside its doors. Of course, one person did discover how to leave, long, long ago…Mantchev’s debut novel really shines. The writing was fun and fast paced, witty and hilarious at some parts, and there were curves around every bend. Which sort of brings me to my next point, and just about the only thing that left me discontent with the book:Some of the curves that Mantchev threw at us sort of left me…confused. I would have to re-read it a few times, and then I kinda understood what was going on. Also, I couldn’t pin point a setting for the book. Is it written in our world, or in a made up fantasy land? Is it modern day? (I think I recall the mention of a soda-can, but then other things just don’t make sense if it was modern day.) Or is it a more Victorian Era-inspired time? This confusion marred the reading experience for me ever so slightly, which is why I’m docking a star from the “Plot” rating.Definite must read for YA fantasy fans!Other books in this series:Perchance to Dream (sequel)Plot: 4/5Cover: 6/5!Writing: 5/5Uniqueness: 5/5Characters: 5/5
    • 3/5
      An engaging, unique read! I found it confusing in parts and certain characters didn't feel fleshed out enough for me, but overall, it was a good read that should please anyone who's witnessed the magic the theater holds. I look forward to the sequel! (Also, a sidenote, this cover is one of the best I've seen in a long time!)
    • 4/5
      Surprisingly original and funny. I don't remember what review prompted me to check this out but I'm glad they did. The theater geek and Shakespeare nerd in me loved the references and I also found the setting of the theater to be very well written. It acted as another character and really made the book stand apart from other fantasy titles. Kinda annoyed at the cliff hanger ending and the love triangle but they both had their desired effect of making me want to read on.
    • 3/5
      Meh.


      ...I just didn't really like it that much. It took a while to get into, and then it was over. So, whatever... *shrug*
    • 3/5
      When my friend tried to read this book and just couldn't push herself through it, I almost decided not to read it as well. The reason I did pick it up is because it sounded so interesting and original, and I hate to give up on a book that I was excited to read.So anyway, without giving away any spoilers, I will say this book was indeed very confusing (why did the fairies from Shakespeare's play exist in this book?) but it was also fast paced. I enjoyed the concept of the theater being magical and I like Bertie's character because she was head strong and interesting.The love story behind it left something to be desired because I didn't really feel it was developed enough. However, the "Final Act" was so good it made sticking with this story worth it. Overall, I liked it, not loved it. I liked it enough that I do believe I will read the sequel, just not enough to ever re-read it. Check it out if you are looking for something different!
    • 5/5
      I love this book. The idea is one of those that you wish you had come up with, but while reading this, I know that I couldn't put a dent in what Lisa Mantchev did. I absolutely ADORED this book.
    • 4/5
      Beatrice (Bertie) Shakespeare Smith has always lived at the theatre, growing up in a magical place where every play ever preformed lives, particularly the immortal characters created by William Shakespeare such as Lady Macbeth, Ophelia from Hamlet, Ariel from The Tempest and the four fairies from A Midsummer Night's Dream, among others. Bertie has always lived a wonderful, and somewhat wild life around the theatre, and is suddenly threatened to leave the theatre unless she can prove her worth. In desperation, Bertie decides to restage Hamlet in Egypt to bring in patrons. As the production comes together, a magical book containing all stories of the stages is stolen, and Bertie must recover it while discovering the secrets behind her unknown origins.Straightforward, but unique and entertaining, Eyes Like Stars is a quick, enjoyable read that felt fresh and fun, as well as somewhat sophisticated for a YA novel due to all the Shakespeare influences. I particularly enjoyed seeing several of the Bard's classic characters interact with one another. While I find it interesting that much of the plot revolved around a restaging of Hamlet, many Shakespeare purist (and Mantchev seems to be one) would cringe at the thought of restaging any of Shakespeare's plays, I still thought the idea was fun and was approached in a light-hearted enough way that it didn't take over the overall plot.While I would have preferred a few more twists and turns, Eyes Like Stars is a magical read from a compelling new author. Fans of magical fantasy, the theatre and even some romance will devour Eyes Like Stars.
    • 5/5
      When no one is watching the Théâtre Illuminata's company is full of colors and life, happiness and lies. Yes, lies... because even in beautiful places there are lies to hide and truths to discover.And our main character, Bertie, is about to begin her journey.She doesn't know how did she ended up in the Théâtre but she's been there for as long as she can remember and is very happy. Very happy indeed: her room is the stage and her world spins around classic stories like Hamlet, The Tempest and The Little Mermaid. Her best friends are fairies who are always causing trouble but love her and she likes to dye her hair (and her life) with vivid and crazy colors to express herself.But her perfect world is about to crumble when she ruins some set pieces and sets on fire other stuff using a cannon... and now the Theatre Manager -who until now has protect her from being thrown away- tells her that this has been the last drop and that she needs to prove that she is important for the company or leave at once.And now not only she has a few hours to think of something to stay but she also needs protection from Ariel, an air spirit that is part of the company, who believes that only Bertie can set him free and is ready to do whatever it takes to prove he is right...Luckily Bertie has another friend, Nate, who gives her a lucky charm to prevent Ariel from hurting her. But if the charm touches saltwater it will call The Sea Goddess and that would be very bad news.To make things even more interesting the secret of her childhood runs along the purpose of The Book and its secrets... Now she only needs to understand it all.Personal opinion:There are so many things about this book that I loved that I'm afraid I'm going to make no sense at all but I'm going to try because this book deserves all the attention it can get.Who wouldn't want to live in a theatre? I mean, what's not to love?! The costumes, the make-up, the stories, the scenarios, the possibilities and the craziness itself is just enough. If to that you add a caring and handsome pirate and a tempting air spirit then it just ends being AWESOME.And let's not forget that this theatre in particular is magic itself and the players are the real ones from the classics... I had a wonderful and amazing time falling in love again with characters like the fairies from A Midsummer Night's Dream who made me smile, laugh out loud, cry (of amusement!) and clap of joy. They are crazy and funny but they are also loyal and Bertie is very lucky to have them -even if they driver her nuts most of the time. And believe me, they do...-.Then we meet characters less important in the classics that here are important keys for the development of the plot like Nate -who is actually a pirate from The Little Mermaid that only had one line- or Ariel -who comes from The Tempest-.My feelings for both characters are so deep that is actually very difficult to choose a team right now.First there's Nate who would do anything to protect Bertie and shows his love for her in soft and tender ways. He is strong, rude (he is a pirate, remember?), very masculine and sexy... *daydreaming*.And then we have Ariel who seems is just trying to use Bertie to achieve his goals but at the same time shows feelings for her in the most unexpected ways. Completely different from Nate he is tall and lean with long silver hair and a handsome face... *daydreaming again*.Oh, and let's not forget the cover! Have you seen it?! I think it's amazing! It remembers me of some mangas and just wait until you see the next one... *drooling already*.As for me all I have to say is that I have added Lisa Mantchev to my favorite authors because it takes a great talent to create such a wonderful world and make it flow into a story for people to read.
    • 5/5
      Okay, I might be getting way ahead of myself and over-generalizing here but: authors with a background in theater are AWESOME.I've been seeing Eyes Like Stars around for like the past two years, but for some reason I kept putting off getting my hands on a copy - mostly because high school had me studying like a bear eating its body weight before spending the winter napping. I totally regret that now, because that was definitely a time I needed a perky pick-me-up like WHOA.First of all...please tell me how I can end up living at the Theatre Illuminata - minus becoming a foundling child the way Bertie was. It seemed like every other page I was going green with envy, thinking, "Why do places like these only exist in books?!" I mean, Bertie's room is part of the set. How unique can you get?Also, the writing. A major point I've always given to authors with a background in the performing arts is the way the story just seems to flow. When you read Eyes Like Stars - at least to me - it unfolds around you like the perfect movie script. (Speaking of which, this needs to be a movie. Now.)None of the characters are cardboard cut-outs, or take over the stage from anyone else. The only person I really couldn't warm up to was Ariel - mainly because in spite of his NOT being The Little Mermaid, his character was pretty similar. He wanted to be part of that world at all costs...but he went a little far in doing so. Even if it all ended well (and no, I don't count that as a spoiler, thank you very much), I still kept him at arm's length.Nate on the other hand...Oh, and one last push in the right direction: if you don't want to read it for anything I described up there, read it for the fairies - you know, Peaseblossom, Mustardseed...those little cuties from A Midsummer Night's Dream? I always thought that if they had more screen time, they'd really ham it up, and in Eyes Like Stars, they really do.Example: the "Diva" vs. "Divo" scene on page 45. Not only was this cute, it was also funny because my sister and I have had that exact same debate - ie. is Joe Jonas categorized as a diva or a divo? (Don't ask.) Warnings: Bare fairy bottoms, a naked ghost, bathing with a pirate and innuendo, OH MY! Final verdict: Read it. It will make your heart happy. It definitely made mine.
    • 4/5
      I loved this book, mostly because it was so original and otherworldly. Not to mention the gorgeous cover art. I loved how random and magical the story and setting were. This is a very unique, special book. However, those with little patience for unexplained or illogical things would probably become bored or annoyed with it.
    • 4/5
      At first reading this book I didn't think that I liked it, then as I kept myself reading it, it started to grow on me. Now I cant wait to get the 2nd book and start reading it. I don't know about the character Ariel, you hate him, then you love him, then you really don't know what to think about him. I hate how Nate gets kidnapped... what the heck? I really need the 2nd book. =)
    • 4/5
      I completely enjoyed this book. The female lead character Bertie is great, a strong willed, independent trouble making young woman.At first I was a little confused about the parameters of the world in which her book is set. But then I just came to accept this world is based on magic and when magic is involved anything is possibly, like when Harry Potter goes into the what seems to be 2 man tent actually contains around 500 square feet of living space. The world that Lisa Manchev has created is based on magic. The Theatre Illuminata contains any, and every prop, set, character ever written within the theater. The characters are not just actors, but they are the person. It is a crazy concept, but I very much enjoyed every word of it.I love Bertie's comical relief sidekick fairies Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed and Peaseblossom that just want to eat any type of sweets they can get their hands onto. Bertie's two male interests are Nate the protective sweet pirate and Ariel the seductive tempting air spirit.
    • 3/5
      "Eyes Like Stars" is the debut novel by author Lisa Mantchey, as well as the first book of the new Theatre Illuminata series. The story focuses on Bertie Shakespeare Smith, a foundling, who grew up in the Theatre Illuminata, a place where characters from classic plays, come to life to play their roles.Overall, this feels like a work that had too many plotpoints it tried to swallow and ended up choking on it. What didn't help was the fact that the main character is a person that's hard to relate to, and in most parts would come out more as the villain in a high school drama.Its saving grace is the fact that the story does become interesting ...halfway down the book. It doesn't help that towards the end, a trope straight out of a maudlin soap opera, a deus-ex-machina occurs to conclude the story and lead to its sequel. However, it still remained interesting enough for me to hope that the positive trend of the book is something that will continue in Bk 2, "Perchance to Dream." Still, it's should be said that I'm most definitely not within the target demographic and thus my review should be treated with a grain of salt.
    • 5/5
      Novels when turned into plays or movies, never turn out the way you wish.Lisa Mantchev, changes that statement, with her book titled Eyes Like Stars. At first her books looks just like any other book. You open its first pages, realize its a play. It’s not just any play though. The cast of her play is from arrangement of other plays. There is Shakespeare’s characters from A Midsummers Night’s Dream, The Tempest and Hamlet. That isn’t all though there is the play The little Mermaid who in her eyes has the wickedness Witch out of all other witches.Turn the page though to read the play, you see its a book! Shocking isn’t it? Yes, it is. The novel has all the member of every play ever written takes place in Theatre Illuminata and they never leave. All the cast is forever trapped in the Theatre by The Book. An ancient scroll that traps them all there.Reading through the first few pages you meet, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, the heroine of her tale. Meaning that its not the book that tells the tale neither the plays within this book, but the tale that Beatrice has to write in order to find the questions she desires. Such as how she came about to the theater? Who is her mother? Why even though she messes things up so much, why is the Properties Manger always keep her at the Theatre?It all starts within the pages of this book that is a play within another play. Its an exciting story with characters that have transcended time over many years of Shakespeare and now with adding Bertie’s story of her own.Fast page turned that I read in all of eight hours. I know not everyone is like me but, this is one book that is hard to put down. It has what everyone likes about Shakespeare play with so much more since its all of your favorites put into one exciting tale.This is part of my catch up time. So there is a second one called Perchance to Dream, I’m a hundred pages in and it’s just as exciting so be ready for the next installment soon.
    • 5/5
      I was first drawn to Eyes Like Stars because of the cover. My first glimpse was quite some time before the book was released, and without even reading the summary blurb, I was intrigued by the character on the front cover. Blue hair, smoky eye makeup, awesome dress: how could I not think she was awesome. Once I had read the blurb I knew I would read this book, but I didn't know just how much I would love it. Eyes Like Stars has a magical and wholly original premise. I loved seeing the characters that I loved from plays, like Ophelia from Hamlet! I have a bit of a fascination with her character, so seeing this interesting take on her personality, etc. was so fun. Also, Bertie's quest to save the theater and to find out the truth about how she came to live at the theater kept me furiously turning pages. Bertie was an amazing character. Not only is she totally unique, stylish, and smart - she's hilarious. She is definitely in my Top 10 for favorite heroines. Sometimes I like characters, but only love them as part of a couple, but I loved Bertie simply for being Bertie. But wait - I loved her as part of a couple too! Yes, this book has a love plot line too! Yup, it seems to have everything... There is actually a bit of love triangle. Can you guess from the character descriptions above which characters are involved? :) I don't want to say too much, but I'm totally Team Nate; I need a Team Nate button to go along with my Team Peeta button! All of the characters were vividly imagined, I really did fall for all of them, even the villainous ones!I can't write a review for ELS without mentioning the fairies! They are so much fun and so cute...well mostly.READ THIS BOOK. I had a copy from the library, but I'm definitely getting one to keep at home. Even though I just finished it and have tons of books to read right now, I kind of just want to reread ELS... :)
    • 5/5
      This book is every bit as good as the cover would lead you to believe. Beatrice "Bertie" Shakespeare Smith is a girl living in the Theatre Illuminata, where she has been since she was a small child. This magical theatre is filled with every character from every play ever written. It's hard to reveal much about the plot without spoiling the story. However, I can say that the plot is second to the setting and the characters in this book. Right away we are thrown into a chaotic world of theatre with characters from works like Hamlet and the Little Mermaid. I put off reading this for some time because I thought that it would be focused on these classic plays and would require foreknowledge of many of them. This was a major mistake as I thoroughly enjoyed it without having any knowledge of theatre at all. The best thing about this novel is that while being absolutely bizarre at some points it still remains very entertaining and will leave you laughing out loud. At least a third of the story involves the four fairies from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Moth, Cobweb, Peaseblossom, and Mustardseed are constantly acting crazy and yet it doesn't get old because it fits in perfectly with the tone of the novel. An incredibly original Young Adult read.
    • 5/5
      Eyes Like Stars is one of the those books whose premis is somewhat difficult to explain (the offical synopsis is very vague). Basically the novel stars Bertie, a wild and blue-haired girl who lives in a magical theater along with thousands of characters from Shakespearean and otherwise plays. (But mostly just Shakespeare.) Bertie's best friends are the fun-loving (and argumentative) faeries from A Midsummer Night's Dream, her bedroom is located on a trapdoor over the stage of the Theatre where pirate ships frequently dock and plays are performed nightly, and the Theatre bathrooms are more often than not occupied by Ophelia trying to drown herself. If all of that didn't make for a pretty hectic lifestyle, Bertie is also constantly at war over props and wall colors with the Stage Manager-- one of the few non-Player characters in the book. Bertie has two love interests, in the grand tradition of YA love triangles: Nate-- a swashbuckling and yet surprisingly pure-hearted young pirate who has captured Bertie's heart; and Ariel-- a seductive, brooding, and decidedly untrustworthy air spirit who hails from The Tempest. It is Ariel who is determined to steal the Book which contains all the plays ever written and binds the players to the Theatre, therefore releasing them onto the real world. The writing of Eyes like Stars is occasionally a little difficult to follow-- I had to reread paragraphs a few times. But the characters themselves are what makes the story, just like they make a great play. Bertie is a headstrong and wacky kind of heroine and the dialogue is pretty funny, especially wherever the faeries are involved. After finishing the book, I am definitely Team Ariel... ...And I see that he and (a brunette??) Bertie are on the front cover of Lisa Mantchev's newest book Perchance to Dream, the sequel to Eyes like Stars! (Which is even now moving up to the top of my to-read list.) The third and last book in the trilogy-- So Silver Bright-- is set to release sometime in 2011. Eyes Like Stars is an unusual and witty fantasy populated by unique and lovable characters. And it's absolutely a must-read for Shakespeare and theatre fans.
    • 4/5
      Eyes Like Stars is the story of Bertie, a teenager who has spent most of her life living in the Théâtre Illuminata. Her friends are the living characters of all of the plays that have ever been held at the theatre (Hamlet, A Midsummer's night dream, etc). Bertie loves her life, but after one unfortunate evening when she sets off a cannon during a performance, she is told to leave for good. Bertie bargains with the Theater Manager, and he agrees to let her stay if she can successfully direct a play. What happens next is straight out of a fairytale.... For me, Eyes Like Stars was a labor of love. I picked it up, could not get into it, picked up another book, and repeated the process a couple times over. The overabundance of characters coupled with constant scenery changes made it a very difficult book to keep up with. I finally decided that I would give it a dedicated chance and forced myself through the first couple chapters. The more I read, the more I felt the pull to keep reading. After getting through the first half of the book, I could not put it down. I will most certainly read the sequel, but I anticipate that it too will be a strenuous read. Fortunately, I am hooked to the characters, and I'm sure I will be a little more dedicated the second time around.
    • 5/5
      My head is filled with cupcakes and other pastries flitting around with swirls of sparkling glitter. In fact, if you were to look into my eyes right now, you just might see the shadows of sugar filled treats. Why? Well, because EYES LIKE STARS by Lisa Mantchev seems to have that effect on people! For a while now I've heard a lot of talk about this new magical tale. For me, being the cover fiend that I am, the absolute beauty of the artwork surrounding this book drew me in. I've been waiting, at times none too patiently, for EYES LIKE STARS to be released so I could own my very own copy. Imagine my utter joy when I won an ARC online signed by Mantchev herself! All we had to do was show how her fairies wrecked a perfectly good cake. You can see the results of the cake fiasco online at The Théâtre Illuminata. After picking up the book, I didn't put it down for anything, save necessary things like sleep and work. In fact, a bit of sleep actually was sacrificed so I could stay in the lovely world that Mantchev created. There are good books out there. There are great books out there. Then there are books that I would call truly beautiful. A few of the books that I have reviewed here meet that criterion. EYES LIKE STARS is the newest addition to that list. Mantchev's descriptions really help to make the book the success that it is. EYES LIKE STARS is set mainly in the Théâtre Illuminata, a theater where the characters of the great works of the stage come to life to perform their art. As one would expect in a theater, there are many set changes involving quite a bit of scenery. Reading this book is like sitting in one of the audience chairs, watching the scenery move by. Mantchev's colorful words and descriptions bring the book to life. EYES LIKE STARS is the story of Beatrice Shakespeare Smith and her journey to prove herself worth and discover a little bit about herself in the process. She's lived in the theater her entire life though she isn't a member of the cast. When her place there is threatened, she'll do anything she can to stay, but in doing so she just might find herself out of a home even quicker. Mantchev gives our lovely, headstrong Bertie quite a wonderful assortment of friends. Instilling a great amount of humor and cheeky shenanigans, Bertie acts as friend and at times voice of sanity to the fairies Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed and Peaseblossom. Gorgeous pirate Nate from The Little Mermaid constantly stands by Bertie's side, supporting her through thick and thin and devilishly beautiful Ariel from The Tempest spends his time threatening to steal our heroine's heart. My favorite aspect of the book was the character development and more specifically the relationship between Bertie and her fairy friends. Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed and Peaseblossom are fun loving, mischievous little beings. They are constantly on the search for sugar and definitely keep Bertie on her toes. I would say that probably every fifth page or so I was audibly laughing, drawing stares from those around me, the fairies were just that funny. Mantchev has a special gift for writing and humor, both of which work wonderfully to add the element of fun to EYES LIKE STARS. I would highly recommend this book to everyone, regardless of their age. This is a wonderful story about developing and growing up that any young adult reader should love. In addition, the note of romantic tension between Bertie and her two men adds a fantastic note for adult readers to connect with as well. Any theater students out there? Mantchev has quite a bit of theater experience and this shows in her book. Theater members or theater fans will find EYES LIKE STARS to be a home away from home; a great replica of the wonderful theater.
    • 3/5
      I had to read this book because of the cover. I love the art work they used and knew with a cover that awesome the book had to be amazing too, right? Well sort of. I did enjoy the concept and the majority of the storyline. I liked the ‘living’ theater idea, where all the actors in the plays were real or at least real to Bertie. The story setting is literally on a stage and we follow Bertie as she struggles to keep her place among the fantastical living cast of all of the plays ever held ...more I had to read this book because of the cover. I love the art work they used and knew with a cover that awesome the book had to be amazing too, right? Well sort of. I did enjoy the concept and the majority of the storyline. I liked the ‘living’ theater idea, where all the actors in the plays were real or at least real to Bertie. The story setting is literally on a stage and we follow Bertie as she struggles to keep her place among the fantastical living cast of all of the plays ever held at the theater. I loved the little fairies trailing Bertie around, the swashbuckling Nate, and the mysterious Ariel. However, I was not really a big fan of Bertie herself, and it is definitely harder to enjoy a book when you don’t really like the point of view it is told from. I often found myself just being ready for the story to be done. Some of the scenes were well written and amusing, but I didn’t really know what was going on most of the time because frequent ‘scenery changes’ as Bertie used her imagination. This might be my own fault for trying to read a book during final exams week. The writing was fun, but a little superfluous for my tastes. All in all I enjoyed most of the book and will eventually get around to reading the second one just so I can find out what happens with a loose-end they left unresolved.
    • 2/5
      Personal Response:I fully expected to like this book. What’s not to like? Magic, fairies, characters from famous plays, theater sets, beautiful cover art... Well it just didn’t happen. First, I hated the nickname Bertie. Ughh. The fairies, Bertie’s companions, are juvenile and their constant arguing is very distracting. There were too many characters to get to know, relate to and keep track of. I hate love triangles. The list goes on. The book does have a very original setting but it just never worked for me. Curricular/Programming Connections:Read with a fantasy book groupThe book contains characters from many different famous plays like Shakespeare’s the Tempest. So read some of those plays in conjunction with the book.
    • 4/5
      I don't remember why I picked up this book, but it was a weird, though cute, novel about a 17 year old named Beatrice. She was raised in a theater and must fight to stay there, and save the players. The novel starts out a little slow, but by the end, it's developed into a fascinating mystery.
    • 4/5
      I have get something off my chest. *takes deep breath* I bought this book for it's cover. I didn't even read the description first. This book takes place entirely in an enchanted theater ran by The Book. The Book is what bounds the Players to the roles they were born to play, and it domineers over the magical scene changes. 17 yr old Bertie is not a Player nor a crew member, but has called the Theater her home for the past 10 years, not knowing where she came from. Bertie and her companions, the four mischievious faires from A Midsummer Night's Dream and Nate, a minor pirate from The Little Mermaid, have been known to get into trouble. After a particularly bad incedent, it looks like Bertie's time in the Theater has finally come to pass. But Bertie has one final chance to prove that she can contribute: become a Director and sell out a performance. Of course, not everything goes smoothly as the Players become more and more unsettled with their given roles. Bertie, while kind of immature for a 17 year old, is strong and funny in her own right. How can you expect a girl who grows up with the most dramatic characters ever to grace the stage not to be colorful? And I love her choice of hair color. The fairies that follow Bertie around and join her in her antics are some of the funnest and funniest characters I have ever experienced. I want one for myself. I'll just have to remember to hide my Twinkies. Nate is a little dry, but sweet enough. I just hope Mantchev fleshes him out more. Ariel's name bothers me. I think of a red-haired mermaid. This made things difficult for me when the romantic tension was being built. The setting was easily the best part of the book, even though some times I had no idea what was going on. It's not a point of pride for me, but sometimes I couldn't follow the action. It seemed to jump from one point to the other without much of a bridge in between. I liked the book. Not as much as I could have, but I'm definitely glad that lush cover pulled me in. And the cover also helped in my visualization of Bertie and the fairies. Alexa, I agree with you. This book would be awesome as a animated film by Mr. Miyazaki. I will read the sequel when I have the chance. I'm looking forward to being drawn into such an imaginative world again.
    • 5/5
      I like this book if you are know your plays than you will know the people in this book. It is a really good young adult book. I just bought the 2nd book so I hope it is just as good! I'll let you know when I review that one.
    • 5/5
      The cover of this book is really what drew me into it. The girl on the cover is the main character in the story Bertie, and the three fairies are Cobweb, Peaseblossom and Mustardseed, the fairies from A Midsummer’s Night Dream. It took me a couple of chapters to get really sucked into the story because I felt a little lost at the beginning, but after that it really picked up. I love Bertie!! I love all her hair changes, her independence and her awesome fairies that follow her around. I also like all the Shakespearean references, being a huge fan of Shakespeare myself, I laughed whenever those references were tied in there. I have to say though, when I read a book, especially one with a love triangle, I usually have a clear cut guy that I want the girl to end up with (ex. Edward and Bella, Ash and Seth, Clary and Jace, or Faythe and Marc) so when this book started I thought I knew who I wanted Bertie to end up with, but now at the end of the book, I am not so sure. I don’t think I have ever felt like that before and I am not sure how Lisa is going to solve this love triangle I am eager to see how it unfolds. Another interesting part of this book is the Theatre itself . I love how the Theatre is almost alive and you come to see it as another character of the book . This is a light, fun read and if you love the theatre and a good love triangle, you should read this book. The sequel to this book Perchance to Dream comes out May 25th, so you won’t have to wait long!
    • 5/5
      Welcome to the Theatre Illuminata where things are not always what they seem. Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, affectionately known as Bertie, calls the stage home and her family....well, let's just say they are quite a cast of characters. All is going swimmingly despite chaotic moments that have her fingerprints all over them....until one day, the Theater Manager decides enough is enough. She must find a way to contribute to the house like no other, or out she goes. Whatever is a girl to do? Whatever indeed when you associate with the likes of pirates, fairies, and wind spirits. Set sail for adventure as Bertie discovers not only what the theatre means to her, but more about herself than she ever imagined...The writing style is very unique and the story line...well, I think we all would like to ability to call for a scene change from time to time at the very least. Full of imagination, creativity and a sampling of some of the great classics, quthor LIsa Mantchev contributes a unique addition to the YA genre. Can't wait to read the upcoming sequel.....happy reading!
    • 5/5
      First things first, I fell in love with the cover of this book. I saw it and it was love at first glance. So immediately I picked it up and was completely enraptured by the thrilling idea of a girl living in a theatre where all the characters of every play you have ever read, seen or heard of, are real. Where sound effects, lighting, and scene changes occur depending on the mood. Thus is life at the Théâtre Illuminata for Bertie.Bertie, with her bright cobalt blue hair, was this amazing character. She is a strong, smart, witty and really funny girl. I loved that she lived in the moment and had such zest and passion towards anything she set her mind to. Her sidekick fairies (the one's from Midsummer Night's Dream) were a hoot and utterly insane - I loved them and will do anything for my own!Bertie's story is one of grand adventure as she tries to not only find her roots, but also find a home. Oh, and did I mention that there is also a love triangle... I swoon for love triangles. To be quite honest I'm not sure how Ms. Mantchev is going to get herself out of that tight spot. Both men are handsome and hold their own ground. I can't wait to see how that all plays out - which will Bertie choose? On a side note, I was also fascinated with all the snippets we get of Shakespeare, not just a quote here or there, but the characters, from Lady Macbeth's bloodied hands to Ophelia's constant need to drown herself every few scenes... just thinking about it still brings a smile to my face.This book is one that you will feel as if you dove into the story headfirst and when it's done you'll almost feel dizzy over it's awesomeness and the sad reality that it is over. Not to mention, you'll be longing for the next installment, because even though this book answers many a question and it does have a definite ending, you know there is still much more to this story. Lucky for me, Perchance to Dream (the second in the series) will be out in a couple of months). I can't wait!All in all, Eyes Like Stars, guarantees great fun to be had by all who read it... my final say in the matter: "Standing Ovation" and a big "Whoop"!