Eyes Like Stars (Théâtre Illuminata #1)

Wonderful book! I loved how the author made all the characters interesting and understandable, even the ones who were bad. In the beginning of the book I hated Ariel, but even when I hated him I think I subconciously liked him, and as the book continued I grew to like him more and more. And now for the first time I am really truly conflicted in an almost bad way with who I want Bertie to end up with. Yes, I have debated with myself over who other characters should end up with, but never has it been as hard a decision as this. I love both characters in different ways and it is clear(at least now) that they both love her. I can't wait to read the next installment to see what happens.

Also I loved Cobweb, Peaseblossom, Moth, and Mustardseed. They were so funny and a great comic relief throughout the story. I wish I had four little fairy friends :P

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, 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.)

This book is stunning. So unique! The setting is truly another character, (And how awesome is it that there's a theater where all the characters from every play ever written hang out when they aren't on stage?), the heroine is eccentric, lonely, brave, and interesting, and the other characters all contribute something special to this fabulous debut. I don't think a review can truly do this book justice. It's intelligent, sophisticated, funny, and thoroughly plotted. Don't miss it!

Reader reviewed by LunaMoth

What a book!!
There are not enough words to describe how wonderful and unique this book was. Sure, in the begining you may be a bit confused (I sure was!) parts of the book read like a script and details parts of berties (Beatrices) past or others pasts.
Beatrice is a headstrong, witty and lovable main charactor, you will root for her, cry with her, and laugh with her throughout "Eyes Like Stars." That is not to say the supporting cast isn't as pleasant, I found myself hating Ariel the wind spirit in the begining and middle but by the end I was on his side. Same with Ophelia (have you noticed yet that all these charactors are from other plays?) she was a bit snarky in the begining but wonderful by the end.
Beatrice is supported by her ever faithful, funny and ever present fairy companions: Peaseblossom, Moth, Cobweb and Mustardseed. As well as the pirate Nate whom Beatrice has a sort of crush on.  All of the charactors presented in "Eyes Like Stars" has thier own personalities, some funny, some mean but all enjoyable.
The wording was fluid, though some words I did have to look up in my Kindles dictionary, it is an easy read and it isn't so deep that you end up scratching your head. 
The cover for "Eyes Like Stars" is one of the most beautiful ones i have ever seen (only seconded by the next book in the series "Perchance to Dream") the girl on the front is exactly how i would picture Bertie! though i did think the fairys on the front were moths (sorry guys!)
If you like fantasy, humor, magic, a bit of tradjety and a good clean read then pick up "Eyes Like Stars" you will NOT be dissapointed

Reader reviewed by Super Reader Girl





Wow.
What a unique story! Fans of the theater, of magic, and of mischievous
fairies, will LOVE this book. I loved Bertie (Beatrice Shakespeare
Smith)'s spunky personality - and her Cobalt Blue Flame hair. :) It
took me about 80 pages to be really hooked in the book, but once I was,
I kept reading to the end! Such beautiful imagery and creative
dialogue. SO fun!


It seemed a bit "Night at the Museum" meets "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and I loved it. I also ...more
Wow. What
a unique story! Fans of the theater, of magic, and of mischievous
fairies, will LOVE this book. I loved Bertie (Beatrice Shakespeare
Smith)'s spunky personality - and her Cobalt Blue Flame hair. :) It
took me about 80 pages to be really hooked in the book, but once I was,
I kept reading to the end! Such beautiful imagery and creative
dialogue. SO fun!


It seemed a bit "Night at the Museum" meets "A Midsummer Night's
Dream" and I loved it. I also loved the beautiful cover art! There are
still unanswered questions once "Act 1" comes to a close, and I'm
looking forward to reading "Act 2" (Perchance to Dream) to find out what happens next!


Thank you, Lisa Mantchev for a wonderful book!

Reader reviewed by Mariah

I was so excited to read this book! Because I love the theater and I
love books so this was the perfect mix. Lisa did not disappoint!

The
plot was very interesting and different combined with the funny dialog
with different plot twists made this book a great anytime read.

The
characters even though most were from other plays had different and
interesting personalities and senses of humor. Bertie was a great
heroine because she really wanted to stay and she was also very
innocent.

I really enjoyed this book and I think that even
though the book seems like mostly a girl book some guys would like it
as well! I cannot wait for the rest of the books in this trilogy!

reprinted here with author's permission

Reader reviewed by Lizzy

I participated in theater throughout high school, and I absolutely
loved it. I worked backstage (I can't sing or act), and I fell in love
with the people and the absolute chaos that is the theater. That's
probably part of the reason why I loved Mantchev's Eyes Like Stars so much. It reminded me of how it felt to be in the theater, surrounded by people who become a second family.

Bertie's
life is chaotic to say the least. She's grown up with constant scene
changes, without the knowledge of how she came to live in the theater,
and with the fairies from A Midsummer Night's Dream as her best friends. Needless to say, she gets into a lot of trouble.

The
characters in the book were great. Bertie was a strong, confident,
sometimes stubborn lead. She never took no for an answer, and even
during absolute chaos was able to improvise. The supporting cast was
what was most spectacular to me. Many of the characters were from
various different plays, and none of them seemed out of character. I
imagined that's just how they would act if they were living in the real
world (especially the fairies). I think I should also mention Ariel,
from The Tempest, who ended
up being my favorite character from the book. I was intrigued by his
character, then I hated him, I pitied him, and I loved him. I ended up
understanding his motivation to bring down the theater, and also saw
him grow as a character.

Fans of the theater will enjoy seeing
their favorite characters outside of their respective plays, while
other readers might be inspired to go read those plays to find out
more. I loved this book, and can't wait to read the sequel.

Reader reviewed by Crimin

**spoiler alert** Eyes Like Stars is probably the most unique
and fascinating books I've ever had the honor of reading. It had the
gall to capture me with the first sentence and hold me, unyieldingly,
as its prisoner until CURTAIN CALL.



Simple put, I loved everything from the magical Theater to
blue-haired Bertie to her fairy friends and to Bertie's romantic
interests -- swash-bucking Nate, in all his pirate glory, and
enthralling, not to mention dangerous, Ariel. Each scene painted itself
before my very eyes. And each character found a place in my heart.


I am sad that Nate was never returned, as I had prayed and hoped for his safe return the moment Sedna whisked him away.



But there are more books to this series, two more, I believe. So, I
pray, I might get my wish and see Nate once more. For Bertie's sake,
bring him home! (Yes. Bring him home is a total Les Miserable's reference~)

Reader reviewed by Adriana

Wow, this book definitely stands out from the rest I've read so far this year.  At first, I didn't know what to make of it, but then it clicked, and I totally got it. The story is very unique - Bertie (or Beatrice Shakespeare Smith) lives in the Theatre Illuminata, a magical place where all the plays of the world are put on, there are Players, sets, Managers, costumes, etc.... and Bertie has grown up there. Bertie's closest friends are these very humorous and lively fairies, as well as her protector and friend Nate (a pirate) and Ariel (the enticing, yet dangerous air spirit). When Bertie is asked to leave the theater, she has to come up with a way that she would be indispensable, and with the help of her friends she sets off to restage a play and turn herself into a director. Along the way she also learns more about where she came from, and there is a nice love triangle between her, Ariel, and Nate. There is a lot more than this, but you have to read it to find out. The story is extremely well-written, and the characters and settings literally come to life as you read them. I kept picturing all the action in my mind, and I could also imagine how everything sounded, and even how it felt and smelled. I recommend this one, not only to teens, but also to adults, it never felt forced or predictable - a great read and I can't wait for a follow up!!

Reader reviewed by Hillary

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.

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.

Eyes
Like Stars was a wonderfully written debut novel by Lisa Mantchev. I
finished this book in one sitting. It was nearly impossible for me to
put it down. I was unsure of it at first, but after hearing all the
great things about it, I had to try it.

The plot was really
great. It was exciting and eventful and flowed at the perfect speed
throughout the story. Lisa Mantchevs writing was perfect for this
story and she has officially become one of my favorite authors. I would
read anything she writes. Bertie was also a really wonderful character.
I loved her personality and determination. She was a really strong
character.

Also, the cover of this book represents the story so
well. I love the detail to it. The blue hair, the fairies, the
curtains. It definitely caught my eye. I couldnt imagine a better
cover for this book. It is really perfect and I love it.

Eyes
Like Stars was like nothing I have ever read before. I loved how
original it was. There are very few theater books (that I know of) in
the YA genre and I think that this one is going to make them
exponentially more popular. It was so unique and different. The plot
and characters are so wonderfully done that even if you dont like
theater or fantasy, youll still be sucked into the story.

Eyes
Like Stars is available now and you need to go out and buy yourself a
copy asap. It's really good and I'm sure you'll be just as excited for
the second as I am!