Review Detail

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, the Théâtre Illuminata thanks you for your patronage and bids you welcome. Please put your hands together for their debut performance, EYES LIKE STARS!

All her world's a stage. She 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 has no lines of her own. Until now.

Meet Beatrice Shakespeare Smith. Her disastrous reputation precedes her throughout the Théâtre Illuminata, a magical place where the characters from every play ever written can come alive. Bertie has lived in the Théâtre for as long as she can remember and couldn't possibly imagine living anywhere else, but soon she may not have a choice. Bertie must prove her worth in the theater or be kicked out forever, at the very moment it needs her most.

This beautifully written work of art has come from the talented, charming, and slightly eccentric upcoming author Lisa Mantchev. EYES LIKE STARS captured my interest at first sight. I know that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but I was enchanted. The picture of blue-haired girl with fairies zooming around her appealed to my punk, fantasy-loving nature. Finally having my own copy, my fingers were itching with anticipation as I lifted the cover. With the very first sentence, EYES LIKE STARS stole my heart. The mental image of tiny fairies with wings zooming around on wires was the icing on the cupcake for me; it casts Mustardseed, Cobweb, Moth, and Peaseblossom from A Midsummer Night's Dream in a whole new light.

This novel is witty and entertaining in its colorful pirate-and-fairy language, obsession with sweets, a heart-pounding tango scene that left me speechless, and a plot that will have you riveted in your seat until you have finished. Not only will you love the charismatic dialogue, but also the enchanting cast of characters. From our leading lady and her merry band of psychotic fairies, to the sexy Ariel (an elemental from The Tempest), and the handsome Nate (a swash-buckling pirate from The Little Mermaid), who compete for Bertie's affection.

With its many twists and turns, EYES LIKE STARS is sure to give its audience a performance they will never forget.