Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Re-Read? This is a book I definitely want to re-read. I believe it will only get better the more it is read.

Recommend? To anyone who has ever loved the Theatre or Shakespeare.

Release Date: July 7, 2009
Publisher: Feiwel And Friends/ ARC
Pages: 356

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 Théâtre 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 Théâtre 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

My Thoughts:

Eyes Like Stars was everything it promised to be and more. Growing up in a Theatre can be difficult-- especially when your bedroom is just a set! Our heroine, Beatrice(Bertie) Shakespeare Smith, has lived at the Theatre for as long as she can remember. All she knows is that she was dropped off as a young child and has lived there ever since. She is not an actress nor is she part of the staff; Bertie just lives at the theatre causing all sorts of havoc sometimes. But was her last stunt, one stunt too far? Will she be forced to leave the only home she has ever known?

Once you get going with this novel, and you are familiar with all the characters and who they are-- it's impossible to put down. Bertie is a headstrong heroine who doesn't take anything from anyone. She is creative and knows how to get what she wants. Her best friends are four Faeries from A Midsummer Nights Dream. Peaseblossom, the only girl, was my favorite! Though the boys are quite humorous with their violent tendencies. Nate, a Pirate from A Little Mermaid was really sweet--and also the source of Bertie's fondness. But I couldn't help but love Ariel, a wind spirit from The Tempest. There is a lot more going on with him then they show you.

There was nothing that I really disliked about Eyes Like Stars. There were a few pacing problems I thought, but nothing major. Just some minor confusion. And even that was cleared up pretty fast. I just loved the plot-- Now I wish I grew up in a theatre like Bertie!

Eyes Like Stars will be released on July 7th, 2009. Make sure to check it out! Up next-- An Interview with Lisa Mantchev!