Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Lisa Mantchev outdoes herself in this lush and exotic sequel to EYES LIKE STARS. In many ways it is quite different from the first book, but stunningly so, and I think will make readers gain a whole new level of appreciation for Lisa's writing.
If I could eat just one book, I think this would have to be it. In Lisa Mantchev's hands, words aren't merely lines and swirls of black on white: they come alive, playing with one another, dancing like fairies themselves. Lisa's writing really sets the tone and setting of PERCHANCE TO DREAM into a world that seems to always be dissolving and changing at the corners of our eyes.
All the characters you loved from EYES LIKE STARS come back in full force in this stunning sequel. Bertie may be the tip of the love triangle, but she's far from your typical YA heroine: she is spunky and independent, and would never consider giving herself up for love. We get to see a lot more of Ariel than Nate in this Theatre Illuminata installment, which is deliciously swoon-worthy in a sensual and dangerous way. And Bertie's encounters with new characters--Sedna, the Scrimshander, various vagabonds she meets along her journey (including the traveling circus)--are excellent additions to the series, each one an almost surreal section.
For those who enjoy incredibly beautiful writing and a unique cast of varied characters, Lisa Mantchev's books are not to be missed. Lovers of EYES LIKE STARS may be slightly jarred by the lack of backstory and the completely different change of pace and setting, but you just might also be fall under Lisa's writing spell, as I irrevocably am.
If I could eat just one book, I think this would have to be it. In Lisa Mantchev's hands, words aren't merely lines and swirls of black on white: they come alive, playing with one another, dancing like fairies themselves. Lisa's writing really sets the tone and setting of PERCHANCE TO DREAM into a world that seems to always be dissolving and changing at the corners of our eyes.
All the characters you loved from EYES LIKE STARS come back in full force in this stunning sequel. Bertie may be the tip of the love triangle, but she's far from your typical YA heroine: she is spunky and independent, and would never consider giving herself up for love. We get to see a lot more of Ariel than Nate in this Theatre Illuminata installment, which is deliciously swoon-worthy in a sensual and dangerous way. And Bertie's encounters with new characters--Sedna, the Scrimshander, various vagabonds she meets along her journey (including the traveling circus)--are excellent additions to the series, each one an almost surreal section.
For those who enjoy incredibly beautiful writing and a unique cast of varied characters, Lisa Mantchev's books are not to be missed. Lovers of EYES LIKE STARS may be slightly jarred by the lack of backstory and the completely different change of pace and setting, but you just might also be fall under Lisa's writing spell, as I irrevocably am.
Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed Perchance to Dream (Theatre Illuminata, Bk 2) on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Andrea for TeensReadToo.com
In PERCHANCE TO DREAM, all of the main characters from the first book are back - Bertie, Nate, Ariel, and my favorite, the fairies! But this time their story takes them outside of Thèâtre Illuminata and into the world.
They are on a quest to find Nate, who was taken by the Sea Goddess at the end of the first story. The Company uses Bertie's magic - for she is now the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and can write how their story is going to go. But she has to be careful, because what is written can happen in different ways.
Along the way, we meet several more characters, such as the Thief and Bertie's fathers. And while Bertie loves Nate, she is soon finding that she also has feelings for the air elemental, Ariel. But who does she love more? You'll have to read to find out!
This was a neat sequel to Lisa Mantchev's EYES LIKE STARS. I feel like this was slightly more of a love story and I enjoyed that. The book is so creative. The story and setting and action that this story brings into your head are so full of imagination and fun.
My favorite characters from the first book, the fairies, are back! And they are just as funny. I want my own little fairies to come provide comic relief for me!
PERCHANCE TO DREAM sets up the next book in the series nicely, and I can't wait to get to read it!
In PERCHANCE TO DREAM, all of the main characters from the first book are back - Bertie, Nate, Ariel, and my favorite, the fairies! But this time their story takes them outside of Thèâtre Illuminata and into the world.
They are on a quest to find Nate, who was taken by the Sea Goddess at the end of the first story. The Company uses Bertie's magic - for she is now the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and can write how their story is going to go. But she has to be careful, because what is written can happen in different ways.
Along the way, we meet several more characters, such as the Thief and Bertie's fathers. And while Bertie loves Nate, she is soon finding that she also has feelings for the air elemental, Ariel. But who does she love more? You'll have to read to find out!
This was a neat sequel to Lisa Mantchev's EYES LIKE STARS. I feel like this was slightly more of a love story and I enjoyed that. The book is so creative. The story and setting and action that this story brings into your head are so full of imagination and fun.
My favorite characters from the first book, the fairies, are back! And they are just as funny. I want my own little fairies to come provide comic relief for me!
PERCHANCE TO DREAM sets up the next book in the series nicely, and I can't wait to get to read it!
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed Perchance to Dream (Theatre Illuminata, Bk 2) on + 2527 more book reviews
This is the second book in the Theatre Illuminata trilogy by Lisa Mantchev. It was more wondrous and adventurous than the first book in the series, "Eyes Like Stars", I enjoyed it a lot. I got this book as an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) through the Amazon Vine program.
In this book Bertie has left the Theatre with Aeriel at her side. They are going in search of Bertie's sweetheart Nate (the pirate who was kidnapped by Sedna, the witch from The Little Mermaid). Bertie also hopes to find information on who her father is, after the strange news in book one that Ophelia is her mother. Along the way they will meet a myriad of crazy characters and Bertie will have to make a choice between Nate and Aeriel. Of course the three ever-present fairies accompany the party providing snarky comments and trouble throughout the story.
Many parts of this story are much better than "Eyes Like Stars", the first novel in this series. It was wonderful to be out of the Theatre and in the countryside. Mantchev did an excellent job coming up with quirky characters and a creative backdrop for her story. The writing is more polished than in the first book and the descriptions of things are decadent and lush; if a bit quirky sounding at times. There is a lot more action and adventure in this book which I enjoyed; I thought Mantchev did a great job with the action scenes too. If I had to give the strengths of this novel I would say that creativity and intriguing imagery are what Mantchev excels at.
This book is a fun read, the fairies provide a lot of humor. It is a sweet book that is light on violence and heavy on romance; by romance I mean the general romantic kind...full of sweet kisses, gentle cuddles, and beautiful descriptions the drip with jewels and glitter. Aeriel is a wonderful character and, as with the majority of the characters in this book, is very grey in nature...he is not good or evil but something in between. I did not envy Bertie at having to choose between Nate and Aeriel, both are excellent male leads that are intriguing and kind in different ways.
My least favorite part about this book was still Bertie. She does not whine as much as in the last book and her dialogue is a bit more mature. But she still comes off as helpless and a bit stupid at times. I was very frustrated when she couldn't figure out how to use the magic book...after making mistakes with it a number of times, she continued to word things poorly and make more mistakes. I guess I just like my heroines a bit more quick of mind. I also thought her reactions to things were very immature. Again this is a personal preference. I liked her better than in the first book, but I still don't like her all that much.
I also thought that Bertie's "magic" wasn't really defined all that well. It was a bit confusing how she needed the book to work magic, then later on she didn't. Much of the book has a dreamlike quality to it as we are tossed in and out of Bertie's "reality". Mantchev tried to make this clear, but it is a confusing concept and it could have been made a bit cleaner and clearer.
Overall though this is was a fun read. If you liked "Eyes Like Stars" you will like this book even better. Mantchev's writing style has matured, and her creativity is unmatched. She does an excellent job with imagery too. If I could just like Bertie better I would be thrilled with this book. I do look forward to reading the third book in this series!
In this book Bertie has left the Theatre with Aeriel at her side. They are going in search of Bertie's sweetheart Nate (the pirate who was kidnapped by Sedna, the witch from The Little Mermaid). Bertie also hopes to find information on who her father is, after the strange news in book one that Ophelia is her mother. Along the way they will meet a myriad of crazy characters and Bertie will have to make a choice between Nate and Aeriel. Of course the three ever-present fairies accompany the party providing snarky comments and trouble throughout the story.
Many parts of this story are much better than "Eyes Like Stars", the first novel in this series. It was wonderful to be out of the Theatre and in the countryside. Mantchev did an excellent job coming up with quirky characters and a creative backdrop for her story. The writing is more polished than in the first book and the descriptions of things are decadent and lush; if a bit quirky sounding at times. There is a lot more action and adventure in this book which I enjoyed; I thought Mantchev did a great job with the action scenes too. If I had to give the strengths of this novel I would say that creativity and intriguing imagery are what Mantchev excels at.
This book is a fun read, the fairies provide a lot of humor. It is a sweet book that is light on violence and heavy on romance; by romance I mean the general romantic kind...full of sweet kisses, gentle cuddles, and beautiful descriptions the drip with jewels and glitter. Aeriel is a wonderful character and, as with the majority of the characters in this book, is very grey in nature...he is not good or evil but something in between. I did not envy Bertie at having to choose between Nate and Aeriel, both are excellent male leads that are intriguing and kind in different ways.
My least favorite part about this book was still Bertie. She does not whine as much as in the last book and her dialogue is a bit more mature. But she still comes off as helpless and a bit stupid at times. I was very frustrated when she couldn't figure out how to use the magic book...after making mistakes with it a number of times, she continued to word things poorly and make more mistakes. I guess I just like my heroines a bit more quick of mind. I also thought her reactions to things were very immature. Again this is a personal preference. I liked her better than in the first book, but I still don't like her all that much.
I also thought that Bertie's "magic" wasn't really defined all that well. It was a bit confusing how she needed the book to work magic, then later on she didn't. Much of the book has a dreamlike quality to it as we are tossed in and out of Bertie's "reality". Mantchev tried to make this clear, but it is a confusing concept and it could have been made a bit cleaner and clearer.
Overall though this is was a fun read. If you liked "Eyes Like Stars" you will like this book even better. Mantchev's writing style has matured, and her creativity is unmatched. She does an excellent job with imagery too. If I could just like Bertie better I would be thrilled with this book. I do look forward to reading the third book in this series!
