Eyes Like Stars

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 show more 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. show less

Book Review Act One

Haha. For some reason I thought it would be good to get into character before beginning the review for Eyes Like Stars. I will admit, I picked up the sequel in pure shallowness. I saw the cover and immediately took it home from the library. It wasn't until I got home that I realized it was Book 2. I have a policy against reading sequels before beginning installments. So I came up here, found the title of the first book...I admit I was still rather shallow. I went and found it at the library and brought it home to read...because it had a beautiful cover. I DID read the excerpt and all that good stuff, but I just had to give it a shot.

I was in awe the whole way through. The timing of this book is IMPECCABLE. I had show more read Hamlet prior to this, but we had actually just finished it in my English class. I thought that was a rather nice coincidence since the story was fresh in my mind, even though it is not necessary to know Shakespeare to appreciate this book. It just adds a little fun getting to see a different side of the characters people have been familiar with for centuries.

I loved the layout of the book. The extra fonts were gorgeous. The characters were so lovable. Bertie was such a delightful protagonist. She has so much spirit & spunk, Bertie is a really hard character to dislike. Sure, she loses her head in times when she shouldn't, but she's only human. I find her screw-ups to be quite amiable.

Lisa Mantchev has managed to create a cast of such wonderful characters. I honestly don't know whether I prefer Nate to Ariel or vice versa. I cannot wait to get started on [b:Perchance To Dream|7179686|Perchance to Dream (Théâtre Illuminata, #2)|Lisa Mantchev|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1317792140s/7179686.jpg|7652031]. I love the fact that Mrs. Mantchev decided to use book 1 as a sort of background story and continue with adventure as the series continues while still leaving bits of mystery to Bertie's past. This book was a pure delight. It left a sparkle in my eyes and a laugh in my heart. =) show less

An extremely creative fantasy that takes a lot of elements and weaves them together into an original, funny, romantic, magical story of one girl, one theatre, and a whole lot of Players.

Since she was little, Bertie Shakespeare Smith has lived in the Theatre Illuminata, a stage where the characters of every play ever written are not content to stay within the pages. Instead, the Players roam the Theatre, interacting with the staff and Bertie and setting the stage of Bertie’s own magical life. They are kept in check only by the laws of theater; scene changes, scripted lines, and an ancient tome containing all the plays that binds them to the Theatre Illuminata.

But when Bertie’s antics with the Players end with threats of being show more expelled from the theatre, she will need to come up with a plan to prove she’s worthy to stay in her beloved home. But it won’t be easy…

With references to the plays of Shakespeare and beyond used on nearly every page, this book pays loving and tongue-in-cheek homage to the world of theater and all its stories. The characters are only beginning to be developed here, but it’s so easy to get attached to them: the eccentric Managers of the various theatre departments, the mischievous and hilarious fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream that constantly accompany Bertie and steal every scene they’re in, the gentlemanly pirate Nate who has but one line in The Little Mermaid but remains a strong and caring companion, the mysterious and alluring wind spirit Ariel from The Tempest, and sighing Ophelia who wanders around looking for places to drown when not performing. And of course, Bertie, who despite the fantastical setting manages to be a fully real, slightly rebellious, fiercely determined, and proudly independent teen girl.

I laughed out loud, I got misty-eyed, I gasped at great twists, I read the whole thing at a brisk pace. There’s a wonderful hook at the end that makes me really want the sequel bad. Recommended to anyone who enjoys plays and wants to see them brought to life…literally. show less

Bertie has grown up in the Théâtre, a magical theatre in which the characters are real, the sets change with just a word, and The Little Mermaid set floods the stage with sea water. You never know what will happen, especially with Bertie around. She doesn't mean to cause trouble; she just has ideas that don't always end well. Like shooting the cannons and setting the stage curtain on fire. It could happen to anyone, right?

Bertie's friend/love interest, Nate summed it up very well.
"I can't keep my eye on ye every second o' th' day, so ye need something for good luck an' protection."
"Just what do I need protection from, pray tell?" Bertie set her fists on her hips.
"Mostly yerself."

The story is a whirlwind, full of fun characters and show more great dialogue. Bertie has to deal with the various theatre managers (stage, wardrobe, scenic, properties) who are constantly squabling about which pieces belong to which department, fairie sidekicks who are addicted to pie, and two men trying to win her heart. It's full of fun words such as "badinage" and "persiflage".

Bertie has to save The Book (and thus the Théâtre), stage a full-house performance of a new play, find her parents, rescue a friend, and figure out who she can trust and who's keeping secrets. Just a typical week for a 17-year-old. And it's the first in a trilogy, so she's not done yet! show less

This is the sort of book that I love to dive into and just revel in. It's got a brilliant, unusual, magical, enchanting setting and a strong, funny, active heroine. Bertie is a vivid character (and not just because of her Cobalt Flame hair). I love that she lives with such passion, that she has both strengths and flaws, and that she goes out there an makes things happen (though they may not always go the way she plans). And perhaps more than anything, I loved the Theatre Illuminata itself as a concept: this magical place where all plays (and all players) meet, where you summon a scene change to the Turkish Baths if you need to wash up, and where sound effects and lighting specials cue the mood.

As I was reading I was taking note of all show more the little turns of phrase and quips and things that spark out at me from the text. And after awhile I started to lose track because there were just so many of them. It was a real treat to read and savor.

Also, it has lovely, lovely food descriptions. I must admit that tasty food descriptions are one of those things that will always make me approve of a book. Even now I am craving buttered toast and French pastries and turkey with gravy. Not to mention a sip of Alice's Drink Me bottle.

I am already anticipating Book 2. Many mysteries were resolved in Book 1, but there's obviously a lot more to be discovered about Bertie, her friends, and the Theater itself. I am looking forward to finding it out!

*standing ovation* show less

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, show more 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. show less

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 Rating

Must Have: close to the Keeper Shelf, but I had some show more 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 STARS

Happy Reading! :) show less