The Tainted Poet's YA Book Review:

A YA book review blog for anything out of the ordinary-- Paranormal, Supernatural, Fantasy and Sci-Fi. Complete with Reviews, Interviews and Contests-- So stay and have a look!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

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!

21 comments:

  1. I've been interested in this one for awhile. I think I'm the only person who doesn't like the cover, though!

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  2. I loved this book also! It was so good ^^
    I cannot wait for the next one, but I guess that could take a while >.<

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  3. Nice review, Eli! The plot sounds interesting, and I like the idea of all characters being real. I'll have to check this out when it releases.
    I'm not sure I like the cover, either. The angle is really nice, and I like the background and the soft lighting, but it kinda looks like Final Fantasy to me. Her hair is really cool, though!

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  4. Great review! I want to read this one so bad!

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  5. Great Review!! I Can't Wait To Read This Book!!!

    xoxo
    RagDollVampGirl

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  6. Great review! It makes me want to read it even more. It just sounds so good. I can't wait to read it!

    It's being released the same day my sister is getting married. How cool is that?

    -Breanna

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  7. Awesome review! This book sounds absolutely amazing. I love the whole incorporation of Shakespeare!! <3 I definitely want to read this one now!

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  8. This book really does sound amazing. I added it first to my to-read pile a while back thanks to the cover, but learning more about what it is about makes me want to read it more. And when it gets a stunning review like you've written here - well I'm definitely reading it this summer, no matter what. :)

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  9. dashing pirates? Me gusta<3

    holy crapola, I want to read Bertie's storryyyyy.

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  10. I feel like one of the only people who hasn't read this. I'm glad you liked it.

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  11. Great review -- I'm impressed that this is a book that you definitely want to re-read -- you clearly liked it and I am adding it to my "got to get" list!

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  12. I keep hearing great things about this book!! I definitely want to read it! & I love that cover--so pretty! :D

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  13. Great review, well put. I cant wait to read it.

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  14. As a lifelong Shakespeare lover, I'm really looking forward to this book. Thanks for the review!

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  15. Thanks for such a great review. This book sounds fantastic and I can't wait to read it!

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  16. Awesome review. so excited for this book!!

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  17. What an interesting concept for a book - very original!

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  18. Looks like a really good book. Can't wait to read. Great Interview. =)

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  19. so, i have to say girl, that was a pretty awesome summary ^^ It actually sounds/looks like an awesome book!!!! =D

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  20. My favorite part about the description: that the four friends are the fairies from MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM! *squee*

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  21. I want this book SO much. Great review. :D

    - Katie
    readwhatyouknow[at]gmail[dot]com

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