Synopses & Reviews
From the critically acclaimed author of Eyes Like Stars
We are such stuff as 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 didnt 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 Thèâtres caravan, using Berties 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, Berties fatherand the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Berties dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, its 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 Goddesss lair?
Once again, LISA MANTCHEV has spun a tale like no otherfull of romance, magic, adventure, and fairies, toothat readers wont want to put down, even after the curtain has closed.
LISA MANTCHEV wrote her first play in fourth grade, and has been involved in the theater ever since. She lives with her husband, daughter, and their hairy miscreant dogs on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. Visit her online at www.theatre-illuminata.com.
Review
“The sequel to Eyes Like Stars, this is another rousing adventure of literary and theatrical whimsy, filled with sly twists and humorous moments. Berties continuing story deserves multiple encores and a standing ovation.” -Realms of Fantasy
“Mantchevs highly imaginative prose bursts with lush imagery and literary riffs, and the partys encounter with the Innamorati, a traveling circus inspired by Cirque du Soleil, enhances the books surrealism… fans of the first book will cry 'Encore!' as the ending sets up the third in the series.” --School Library Journal
"The pace is fast and furious, and the secrets to Berties intriguing heritage unfold satisfyingly, but its Mantchevs fresh, intelligent style that delights most… This fantastical romp—an absolute must for theater buffs—might stand alone, but itd be a pity not to start with the first.” --Kirkus Reviews Praise for Lisa Mantchev and Eyes Like Stars: “All the world's truly a stage in Lisa Mantchevs innovative tale, Eyes Like Stars. Magical stagecraft, unmanageable fairies, and a humourous cast of classical characters form the backdrop for this imaginative coming-of age.”—Suzanne Collins
“With an iron-willed girl hero whose magic is with words, and a universe that is also the ultimate theater, Eyes Like Stars is the most unusual fantasy Ive read this year! I recommend it to anyone who loves drama, strong girls, and rowdy faery folk!”—Tamora Pierce
“The delicious descriptions of the theaters strange powers are fascinating, the characters vivid, the dialogue smart and sassy, and Berties fiercely loyal fairy cohorts from A Midsummer Nights Dream bawdy and hilarious. . . . The palpable sense of urgency is also fueled by some well-staged romance, as well as by Berties quest to discover who she is and what shes made of. Brava! Encore!”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“Berties determined efforts to become invaluable form the basic plot in this wildly imagined adventure…Mantchev clearly knows theater from all angles, and she uses inventive play-within-play formats to create a tumble of multiple, even metaphysical narratives filled with delicious banter and familiar characters from the dramatic canon. Many teens, particularly those with some theatrical background, will look forward to the sequel suggested at the end of this bravely flamboyant and wholly original romp.”—Booklist
Review
“The sequel to
Eyes Like Stars, this is another rousing adventure of literary and theatrical whimsy, filled with sly twists and humorous moments. Berties continuing story deserves multiple encores and a standing ovation.” –
Realms of Fantasy“Mantchevs highly imaginative prose bursts with lush imagery and literary riffs, and the partys encounter with the Innamorati, a traveling circus inspired by Cirque du Soleil, enhances the books surrealism… fans of the first book will cry 'Encore!' as the ending sets up the third in the series.” --School Library Journal
"The pace is fast and furious, and the secrets to Berties intriguing heritage unfold satisfyingly, but its Mantchevs fresh, intelligent style that delights most… This fantastical rompan absolute must for theater buffsmight stand alone, but itd be a pity not to start with the first.” --Kirkus Reviews Praise for Lisa Mantchev and Eyes Like Stars: “All the world's truly a stage in Lisa Mantchevs innovative tale, Eyes Like Stars. Magical stagecraft, unmanageable fairies, and a humourous cast of classical characters form the backdrop for this imaginative coming-of age.”Suzanne Collins
“With an iron-willed girl hero whose magic is with words, and a universe that is also the ultimate theater, Eyes Like Stars is the most unusual fantasy Ive read this year! I recommend it to anyone who loves drama, strong girls, and rowdy faery folk!”Tamora Pierce
“The delicious descriptions of the theaters strange powers are fascinating, the characters vivid, the dialogue smart and sassy, and Berties fiercely loyal fairy cohorts from A Midsummer Nights Dream bawdy and hilarious. . . . The palpable sense of urgency is also fueled by some well-staged romance, as well as by Berties quest to discover who she is and what shes made of. Brava! Encore!”Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“Berties determined efforts to become invaluable form the basic plot in this wildly imagined adventure…Mantchev clearly knows theater from all angles, and she uses inventive play-within-play formats to create a tumble of multiple, even metaphysical narratives filled with delicious banter and familiar characters from the dramatic canon. Many teens, particularly those with some theatrical background, will look forward to the sequel suggested at the end of this bravely flamboyant and wholly original romp.”Booklist
Review
“The sequel to
Eyes Like Stars, this is another rousing adventure of literary and theatrical whimsy, filled with sly twists and humorous moments. Berties continuing story deserves multiple encores and a standing ovation.”—
Realms of Fantasy“Mantchevs highly imaginative prose bursts with lush imagery and literary riffs, and the partys encounter with the Innamorati, a traveling circus inspired by Cirque du Soleil, enhances the books surrealism . . . fans of the first book will cry ‘Encore! as the ending sets up the third in the series.”—School Library Journal
“The pace is fast and furious, and the secrets to Berties intriguing heritage unfold satisfyingly, but its Mantchevs fresh, intelligent style that delights most. . . . This fantastical romp—an absolute must for theater buffs—might stand alone, but itd be a pity not to start with the first.”—Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
From the critically acclaimed author of Eyes Like Stars
We are such stuff as 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 didnt 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 Thèâtres caravan, using Berties 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, Berties father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Berties dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, its 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 Goddesss lair?
Once again, LISA MANTCHEV has spun a tale like no other—full of romance, magic, adventure, and fairies, too—that readers wont want to put down, even after the curtain has closed.
Synopsis
From the critically acclaimed author of Eyes Like Stars
We are such stuff as dreams are made on.
Act Two, Scene One
Growing up in the enchanted Theatre 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 Theatre, 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 Theatre'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.
"
Synopsis
Following on the heels of Eyes Like Stars, the next book in Lisa Mantchevs Theatre Illuminata trilogy is equally fantastic and original—and very romantic!
Synopsis
Growing up in the enchanted Théâtre Illuminata, Bertie learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts—but she didnt know that she had a role to play, too. Now that shes discovered her own magic, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales. And shes ready to write her own story, outside the protective walls of Théâtre. But which way will her story go? Toward Nate, whos being held captive by the Sea Goddess, and loves Bertie dearly? Or should she write Ariel into her narrative? Hes by her side every day, and shes finding his charms so very hard to resist. . . .
About the Author
Lisa Mantchev is the author of the Theatre Illuminata series, including Perchance to Dream and Eyes Like Stars. She grew up in the small Northern California town of Ukiah. She wrote her first play in the fourth grade, and has been involved in theater ever since. She received two scholarships to study drama at the University of California, Irvine. She won the Chancellor's Award For Undergraduate Research in Drama her senior year while studying in the Campuswide Honors Program. After graduation, she taught English at the Lycée Internationale de Los Angeles and created their Drama After School Program. In between report cards and drafting scripts for Winter and Spring productions, she wrote fiction. Her first professional short fiction sale was in 2002, and her debut trilogy sold in 2007. Mantchev makes her home on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state with her husband Angel, her daughter Amélie and four hairy miscreant dogs. When not scribbling, she can be found on the beach, up a tree, making jam or repairing things with her trusty glue gun.