The Little Bookworm

First 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. ( )

Its no secret that I love all things Shakespeare. I first fell in love with the Bard way back in the 4th grade when we went over some sonnets during our poetry section. As I was an avid reader even then I soon began looking for more of his sonnets and eventually moved onto his plays. At first, I didn't always understand what he was saying but I loved the ebb and flow of his words. So I kept plugging away at it until understanding came....it also helped that some of the books my mom bought me offered scene break downs and word "translations" in the form of footnotes to the text. So when I first heard about Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev I was excited. I loved the idea of a theatre where Shakespeares characters live and breathed and existed if but for a moment outside of the plays that he wrote about them.

I loved how all the different characters blended together and really brought not just Shakespeare but also the Theatre Illuminata to life. Bertie was simply delightful, a girl on the cusp of womanhood exploring and pushing her boundaries. Not tied to the Theatre like most of the players, but also unable to leave for lack of knowing anything else. Bertie is winsome and fun and I loved the trouble that seemed to follow her around....and I'm not just talking about those mischief making faires! Eyes Like Stars was such a fresh read. In a day when most new books seem to be rehasing the same plots over and over, Eyes Like Stars, breaks the mold. Yes there are old stories told here but they aren't told in the same old way. Mantchev takes various elements of all the Shakespearian plays and knits them together into one story. She breathes new life into characters that I thought I knew so well, that in some ways it was like I was meeting them again for the first time. And I loved that feeling of discovery. ( )

A truly great fantasy book not only transports you to some other world, it leaves you wondering how a person (the author) could possibly come up with all of that--and execute it so well. Eyes Like Stars was an example of this, possibly the best example of a book where I actually stopped and thought about how unique it was and how amazed I was with Lisa Mantchev since, probably, Harry Potter. I know a part of it was that it wasn't the vampire, faery, or witch fantasy book that can be unique but still has the characters we've seen.

Eyes Like Stars does have a few faeries, but they're characters from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' The rest of the characters are (save I think five) are all also characters from famous plays from Ophelia to Nate, the pirate from the 'Little Mermaid.'

While the saying might be that all the world's a stage, in Eyes, the stage is all of the world for the characters of the Théâtre Illuminata-they come when their call notices are posted on the board, they perform their scenes without need of rehearsal or script. They are the characters.

The only one not playing a role (or in charge of scenery, costumes or props) is Bertie: Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, the parentless girl left to grow up at the Theatre. The theatre and the characters are all she knows, but she's not an actress. She has no role.

Is she about to lose it all?

While I did love, love this book there was a itty bitty something that kept it from being a 10/10, perfect book. I still am not sure I've exactly put my finger on it,...some of me thinks it might have been that with all of the characters' it's hard to really emotionally connect to them in the beginning--but then the end makes me think otherwise.

I do realise that I'm not giving the best review here by saying that 'something' is missing from the book, but I don't want to just say how amazing and stupendoous it is and then say 9/10 with no explanation :)

I loved the writing of this book and the characters that were chosen to be in it. I probably should mention that while not knowing Shakespeare and plays (Midsummer, Ophelia, Macbeth, Hamlet, Little Mermaid, and a few others specifically) doesn't mean you can't absolutely enjoy the book, there are little things in the narrative that you'll get if you do know them.

I definitely recommend you go and buy the book-it's got and amazing cover, too...I can't wait to see what happens when the second book comes out. ( )

I was given the chance to read and review the ARC of this lovely story by the author herself, Lisa Mantchev. I'd been stalking Lisa ever since the first time my eyes meet the cover of this endearing book.Originality: 20!Characters: 20!Writing: 20!Setting: 10!Plot: 20!Passion: 9!Grade: 99/100!Beatrice Shakespeare Smith lives at Center Stage of the Theatre Illuminata. Her best friends are fairies! She crushes on a pirate, Nate, and an air elemental named Ariel. She butts heads with the Stage Manager and constantly feeds the fire between the Property Manager and the Scenery Manager. And within it all she's an orphan with Cobalt blue hair. She controls the written word. If she writes it, it happens.She is given the ultimate challenge. Sell out a show and receive a standing ovation or leave the Theatre forever. Is she able to get all the Managers and Players to work together to remake a play into something new? Will she survive an attack from a Sea Witch? And lastly, will she find out who her mother is?This book was just too much fun to read! Beatrice's character seemed like an average teenage girl with a very supernatural setting that she lived in. The other characters of this book were from the works of Shakespeare's plays. I found that I knew just about all of the characters, so I didn't have any issues understanding what was going on. However, I wonder if other people reading this book find themselves confused because they don't know what play the character originates from. That would be the only negative thing I could find about this book.The story was very original and complicated but it meshed well together. The setting and the plot were just outstanding. The creativity needed to write this book is unbelievable. Lisa did an amazing job putting it all together. And one of my favorite things about the written book is the typeface changes when Beatrice was writing the play lines. Amazingly well done.I gave the Passion rating a 9/10, because I honestly felt the passion between Beatrice and both male leads, Ariel and Nate, more so with Nate. However, since Beatrice is only a teenager I feel the passion was definitely there and it was very tangible; therefore, my resulting rating of a 9/10.Ultimately, this has got to be one of the funniest, creative books I have read in a very long time. ( )

Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com

Beatrice Shakespeare Smith lives in a theater. She's not an actress, but she knows every part. The Theatre Illuminata is the only home Bertie has ever know. But one mishap too many has the Theater Director determined to send Bertie on her way -unless she can prove that she is a valuable part of the Theater. Now, Bertie must fight for her home while unlocking the secrets of her past...

Ok, I'll try to control my gushing and fan-girliness over this book, but EYES LIKE STARS is amazing!!! This has to be one of the most creative, imaginative, beautiful novels I have read. I loved the setting of the Theatre Illuminata and the idea that all the players of every play lived in the theater and were able to be called upon whenever they are needed (and sometimes when they're not needed!).

Lisa Mantchev has managed to capture the magic of the theater in this stunningly written novel. I honestly can't believe this is her debut. All the characters are so richly drawn and detailed and I could hear various voices for everyone as I was reading. Everything was so vividly written, I could actually see the see the story unfolding as a play in front of me. The fairies offer fun comic relief, whereas the tension between Ariel and Bertie provides plenty of drama. The dialog is witty and snappy and lots of fun. This was a book that I literally had to tear myself away from and force myself to go to work and sleep - I never wanted to stop reading.

Shakespeare does play heavily into the novel, but you don't need to be a Shakespearean scholar to follow along and recognize the characters. Also, Lisa Mantchev does an excellent job filling the reader in on the important details of each part, without it losing the flow of the story. There are several plays and characters that make appearances throughout and discovering each one is part of the joy of reading this novel.

As someone who has been heavily involved in theater, I loved the subtle details about theater life that only theater people really and truly understand - the arguments over props vs. sets, the actor's egos. But even if you've never had any experience in a theater, there is sure to be something you'll love in EYES LIKE STARS.

I highly recommend this to all readers, even readers who typically shy away from fantasy. This didn't feel like a typical fantasy to me, so I'm sure it will attract even those who don't usually read that genre. I'm excited to see this will be a trilogy - I'm looking forward to reading more from this fabulous debut author! ( )