(Oct. 10) If I loved Graceling and The Hunger Games I L O V E Eyes Like Stars.
Lisa Mantchev has written a book that I think I’ll re-read multiple times throughout the years.
I have to say that the “reason” I bought the book was the cover. I’ve heard many people say similar things, and I’m sorry to be redundant, but for me it’s true. I went into my local bookstore and saw the cover, was drawn to it, thought it sounded interesting enough to buy, but didn’t. I went back again, and again, and again over I think a week and a half.
I mean LOOK at it! It is amazing. Blue hair, pert little nose, full lips, awesome top, the glowing fairies.The illustrator is Justin Chan, go check him out. livepage.apple.com He’s pretty amazing and I can’t wait to see what the cover of the second book in the series, Perchance to Dream, will look like.
Finally I bought the book and I think I had it read in a day or two.
The only thing that I can say negatively about it, and it’s not Lisa’s fault, is that I didn’t understand all of the “theatre speak” like the scene changes and who belonged to what play. Again, my fault. Not hers. BUT, that being said, it didn’t take away from the story at all. I think if you understand theatre you may have an edge in reading this, but it is easily accessable to all.
The main character is Bertie, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, and she rocks. She was funny and self-depricating but also strong and sweet. There is a bit of romance, a bit of a love triangle. Kind of. It’s hard to explain.
The fairies are the ones from A Midsummer Nights Dream, and they also rocked. They seemed to be pretty great to have around for comic relief, but you knew they also really cared about Bertie. I think Cobweb was my favourite.
I loved all of the characters and there are many, but you don’t get lost, you know who is speaking because each one has such a unique voice, I seriously loved them all. Well...maybe not the director, he has somewhat of an agenda against Bertie. And maybe Hamlet was a bit arrogant...Okay, let me change that...I loved most of the characters and felt what I was supposed to feel towards others by the way they are written. Of course I am Team Nate.
I want to live at The Theatre Illuminata. Really I do.
It is a well written, well rounded story. The intricate storyline, I mean seriously, my highest compliment, it was so different. So unique, it blows my mind that she came up with this story.
Blows my mind!
I thought, just the way the different plays are intertwined, how she incorporates how they are in the Theatre and why they are there and the “outside” world.
I’m so stoaked for the next book. I think, if I remember rightly, it’s June 2010. It is taking too long to come out if you ask me. Sorry Lisa, I know you are probably writing your little heart out.
Oh, and Lisa is really sweet, too. Which is always nice. She responds to every message I post to her on FB and Twitter, and she thinks my daughters name rocks, which it does. :D
So I love her for that. Plus, she’s saving me a seat next to her on the “author-ess” bench for when I get off my duff and join her. How nice is that?
I highly, Highly, HIGHLY, recommend this series. Go out and get one.
I can’t believe I almost forgot...if you are just visiting for the first time then this is where I post some of my favourite quotes that don’t give too much away.
“If you make me spill this stuff on the stage,” she said, “I’ll squeeze you until your heads pop off.”
Berie looked up at Nate through the blue fringe of her bangs. “Will you help me?”
He nodded, “With my last breath.”
“I might as well make the announcement to the entire Company. They don’t need to get it secondhand through the rumor mill.”
“That’s th’ spirit,” Nate said. “Now go an’...er...do whatever ‘tis ye plan t’ do.”
“Thanks, Nate. Truly inspirational.” Bertie tossed him the rest of her doughnut and absconded with the wooden crate from under the refreshment table.
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