Synopses & Reviews
All her worlds a stageEnter Stage Right
Beatrice 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 Berties 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. Its the only home Bertie has ever known, and she has to find a way to save it. But first, theres the small problem of two handsome men, both vying for her attention. The course of true love never did run smooth. . . .
Review
“Lisa Mantchevs theatrical fantasy
Eyes Like Stars pits a plucky orphan, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, and her fairy attendants against the wiles of Ariel and a stuffy stage manager.”—
New York Times Book Review“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
“Electric . . . delicious . . . fascinating . . . vivid . . . smart and sassy . . . bawdy and hilarious . . . 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
“Mantchevs first novel feels dreamlike . . . underneath is a solid story about the search for happiness and identity. Inside jokes will delight drama club devotees . . . but this passionate debut should attract a broader readership as well.”—Publishers Weekly
Review
"An exuberant, adventurous tightrope walk over the stars."
—Lisa Mantchev, author of Eyes Like Stars
"Highly, highly recommended!"
—Elizabeth C. Bunce, author of A Curse Dark as Gold
"A book that reaches for the stars and provides a thrilling ride."
—Kirkus
"Reminiscent of the juveniles of old, Fagans story makes sci fi fun. Its loaded with wild coincidences and easily spotted inspirations (X-Men, Doctor Who), yet the underlying idea of valuing diversity, friendship, and self-esteem shines, carried by Fagans solid writing, appealing characters, and sprinkles of whimsy."
—Publishers Weekly
"Fagan delivers [her story] convincingly in Trixs brisk narration. Ultimately, and entertainingly, the big-top inhabitants end up seeming like artsy American high-school students, and a pitiful lamentation like 'I am the worst friend in the universe' for once doesnt seem like an exaggeration."
—Booklist
"Like many of Fagan's female protagonists, Trix is lovably flawed, and her often-misguided stubbornness is forgivable in light of her fierce loyalty and determination."
—Bulletin
Synopsis
All her world's a stage.
Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.
She's not an orphan, but she has no parents.
She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.
That is, until now.
Enter Stage Right
NATE. Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.
COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARD SEED, and PEASEBLOSSOM. Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. BERTIE'S sidekicks.
ARIEL. Seductive air spirit and Bertie's weakness. The symbol of impending doom.
BERTIE. Our heroine.
Welcome to the Theatre Illuminata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Theatre by The Book--an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family--and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.
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.
Open Curtain
Synopsis
The fantastic first novel in Lisa Mantchev's Theatre Illuminata trilogy
Welcome to the Theatre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. The actors are bound to the Theatre 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 Theatre. 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.
Synopsis
Behind the curtain at the Thtre Illuminata, the actors are born to play theirparts, and are bound to the Thtre by The Book--an ancient and magical tome ofscripts. Bertie is not one of the actors, but they are her family--and she isabout to lose them and the only home she's ever known.
Synopsis
“Magical stagecraft, unmanageable fairies, and a humorous cast of classical characters form the backdrop for this imaginative coming-of-age.”—Suzanne Collins
Synopsis
Rebel. Champion gymnast. Intergalactic traveler?
Trix can deal with being an orphan charity case at a snotty boarding school. She can hold her own when everyone else tells her not to dream big dreams. She can even fight back against the mysterious stranger in a silver mask who tries to steal the meteorite her parents trusted her to protect.
But her life is about to change forever. The Circus Galacticus has come to town, bringing acts to amaze, delight, and terrify. And now the dazzling but enigmatic young Ringmaster has offered Trix the chance to be a part of it.
Soon Trix discovers an entire universe full of deadly enemies and potential friends, not to mention space leeches, ancient alien artifacts, and exploding chocolate desserts. And she just might unravel the secrets of her own past—if she can survive long enough.
Synopsis
An action-packed, science fiction adventure for middle grade readers. Follow spirited orphan Trix from her snotty boarding school to the circus—and on to outer space.
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.