Customer Reviews

Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Théātre Illuminata is the only home Bertie has ever known. It's a magical place where The Book, which contains every script written, resides along with countless players who are not born, but written into their parts. Bertie is an outsider, a human orphan, left at the mercy of the Theater Manager and raised by the players. But when her endless tricks and tomfoolery drive some at the Theatre Illuminata to the end of their ropes, Bertie is given an ultimatum: become uniquely useful, or get out. But there is much more at stake than Bertie ever realized...

One word comes to mind when it comes to Eyes Like Stars, and that is scintillating. Lisa Mantchev's debut novel positively sparkles. It is overflowing with all the elements that make up great reads: fabulous humor, a spunky, clever, and lovable heroine, four mischievous and amusing fairies, a dashing pirate, a pernicious villain, and a deep secret that could change everything. Mantchev structures the novel in an interesting and enjoyable fashion, using prose and drama styles to create a "play within a play" effect that keeps things interesting. Because the novel starts out briskly and doesn't really slow down, some readers may feel a bit confused at the very beginning of the novel, but its not long before things click into place perfectly. And even though Eyes Like Stars alludes heavily to Shakespeare's work, knowledge of Shakespeare and his works aren't required in order to enjoy this extremely clever, lively, and glittering read. As each page goes by, readers learn something new and delightful about the Théātre Illuminata, until at the very end it is impossible to let go of Bertie and her cast. This hilarious and quirky debut demands an encore!

Cover Comments: Stunning. This cover captures the eye! The fairies and are a really great touch, and the colors just perfect. I also really like the font both the title and the author's name and tagline are in. This cover is quirky, dramatic, and exciting, just like the book!

Let's start with THE mother or all disclaimers: I am actually related to the author.

Nepotism is an interesting thing; it's most likely what got me cast in two of my sister's plays growing up (considering I can't act my way out of a hat box) but it's not what's led me to review her debut novel: "Eyes Like Stars."

Reading "Eyes Like Stars" is a bit like seeing my sister's head explode on the page...only with caffeine and sugar infused fairies. I've had the benefit of reading several incarnations of "Eyes Like Stars" and the inevitable wailing began with me lamenting: "you cut the bit I liked!" That said the end result is one of the most imaginative, thoughtful and well, just plain amazing books that I've read in a really long time. I explain to my friends and colleagues that the book is about Bertie, an orphan growing up in a theatre surrounded by the most famous and notorious characters in every play ever written. When Bertie is told she must leave the theatre she is set on a path of proving her worth, not only to the Management, but herself and through the process learns the secrets of her past and the person she is going to become. Far more than a simple story though, Lisa creates a world that is visually acute. When I read the book I feel like I'm watching a play or movie; that I am Bertie in the thick of things, surrounded by miscreant fairies and caught between two very charismatic men. The story's vibrancy practically leaps from the page and using a device such as formatting flashbacks like a stage play is brilliant, not to mention completely original.

"Eyes Like Stars" is a smart read and is everything I enjoyed reading growing up (and to be perfectly honest, is still what I enjoy reading): vibrant characters, witty banter with a generous splash of sarcasm, a dash of romance and lots of sugar. The perfect recipe for a great read. If you enjoy reading books by Neil Gaiman, Frank Beddor, Tamora Pierce, and Diana Wynne Jones and love plays and acting, it's a good bet that you'll love this book!

Bring on the next book, Sis!

I wasn't looking forward to writing this review, because it would be hard to tamp down my enthusiasm.

This was exactly the book I wanted to read.

The word that kept coming back to me as I read it was effortless. The humor works perfectly, and the dialogue rivals Gilmore Girls--only it's a lot more genuine. The cast--and it is a large cast, since, you know, every character from every play lives in the Theater--was handled deftly, and even the minor characters shine.

I was worried when I started, afraid that worldbuilding could have weighted the manuscript down. That's the problem with coming up with something so unique, so fresh--most writers don't know how to make it work. I'm always terribly interested in the workings of the world in which characters I like live, but oftentimes it gets in the way of plot. Again, the word effortless pops up. Mantchev tells the reader just what they need to know to make the story viable--no more--and leaves the rest up to the imagination...or perhaps the next books in the series.

And the voice?

Oh wow, the voice rocks my socks. Glib but tinted with mystery, new but old, curious and straightforward, the contradictions only add depth and flavor to an already solid plot.

As for the characters, I fear saying much because their stories are so tightly woven that I might give spoilers. Trust me, you don't want spoilers. You just want to experience the magic that is this book.

And I think that's what's been missing from a lot of fantasy stories: real magic. But Eyes Like Stars has magic and so much more. Can't wait for the next installment to get here!

I have get something off my chest. *takes deep breath* I bought this book for it's cover. I didn't even read the description first.

This book takes place entirely in an enchanted theater ran by The Book. The Book is what bounds the Players to the roles they were born to play, and it domineers over the magical scene changes. 17 yr old Bertie is not a Player nor a crew member, but has called the Theater her home for the past 10 years, not knowing where she came from. Bertie and her companions, the four mischievious faires from A Midsummer Night's Dream and Nate, a minor pirate from The Little Mermaid, have been known to get into trouble. After a particularly bad incedent, it looks like Bertie's time in the Theater has finally come to pass. But Bertie has one final chance to prove that she can contribute: become a Director and sell out a performance. Of course, not everything goes smoothly as the Players become more and more unsettled with their given roles.

Bertie, while kind of immature for a 17 year old, is strong and funny in her own right. How can you expect a girl who grows up with the most dramatic characters ever to grace the stage not to be colorful? And I love her choice of hair color. The fairies that follow Bertie around and join her in her antics are some of the funnest and funniest characters I have ever experienced. I want one for myself. I'll just have to remember to hide my Twinkies. Nate is a little dry, but sweet enough. I just hope Mantchev fleshes him out more. Ariel's name bothers me. I think of a red-haired mermaid. This made things difficult for me when the romantic tension was being built.

The setting was easily the best part of the book, even though some times I had no idea what was going on. It's not a point of pride for me, but sometimes I couldn't follow the action. It seemed to jump from one point to the other without much of a bridge in between.

I liked the book. Not as much as I could have, but I'm definitely glad that lush cover pulled me in. And the cover also helped in my visualization of Bertie and the fairies. Alexa, I agree with you. This book would be awesome as a animated film by Mr. Miyazaki.

I will read the sequel when I have the chance. I'm looking forward to being drawn into such an imaginative world again.

lol oh my gosh this book makes me so insanely freakin happy. I saw it in B&N like, last week and literally gasped... i just knew... it would be all kinds of amazing.
*grins* i love when i'm right.
So, there is literally nothing i can find wrong with this book. Like, it just got bumped to my top 5 list (which... is like... impossible nowadays)
It's such the perfect blend of fantasy, stage, and all around awesomness.
Seriously i think i could go on an on.
Beatrice. What a superb character. Witty and charming and always has her head even when everything is falling apart (literally) around her.
Nate. a good solid character. really really liked him.
Ophelia. Definitely one of my favorites (but then, i've always really liked her in Hamlet as well)
OH! That too! I mean Shakespeare characters as well! It does NOT get better than that!! I had to read parts out loud to my mom and i never do that!
Ariel, ok first off. i love that name... i think 'the little mermaid' totally ruined it for a guy name which depresses me... but anyway! He was sooooooo amazing.. ah i feel like a fangirl right now...
And the faeries? The best comic relief out there? They were hilarious!
i'm babbling righ now, but I'm just so excited about finding this book.
*grins* i love this book. I think it's amazing =)=)=)

Gold Star Award Winner!

Beatrice Shakespeare Smith lives in a theater. She's not an actress, but she knows every part. The Theatre Illuminata is the only home Bertie has ever know. But one mishap too many has the Theater Director determined to send Bertie on her way -unless she can prove that she is a valuable part of the Theater. Now, Bertie must fight for her home while unlocking the secrets of her past...

Ok, I'll try to control my gushing and fan-girliness over this book, but EYES LIKE STARS is amazing!!! This has to be one of the most creative, imaginative, beautiful novels I have read. I loved the setting of the Theatre Illuminata and the idea that all the players of every play lived in the theater and were able to be called upon whenever they are needed (and sometimes when they're not needed!).

Lisa Mantchev has managed to capture the magic of the theater in this stunningly written novel. I honestly can't believe this is her debut. All the characters are so richly drawn and detailed and I could hear various voices for everyone as I was reading. Everything was so vividly written, I could actually see the see the story unfolding as a play in front of me. The fairies offer fun comic relief, whereas the tension between Ariel and Bertie provides plenty of drama. The dialog is witty and snappy and lots of fun. This was a book that I literally had to tear myself away from and force myself to go to work and sleep - I never wanted to stop reading.

Shakespeare does play heavily into the novel, but you don't need to be a Shakespearean scholar to follow along and recognize the characters. Also, Lisa Mantchev does an excellent job filling the reader in on the important details of each part, without it losing the flow of the story. There are several plays and characters that make appearances throughout and discovering each one is part of the joy of reading this novel.

As someone who has been heavily involved in theater, I loved the subtle details about theater life that only theater people really and truly understand - the arguments over props vs. sets, the actor's egos. But even if you've never had any experience in a theater, there is sure to be something you'll love in EYES LIKE STARS.

I highly recommend this to all readers, even readers who typically shy away from fantasy. This didn't feel like a typical fantasy to me, so I'm sure it will attract even those who don't usually read that genre. I'm excited to see this will be a trilogy - I'm looking forward to reading more from this fabulous debut author!

Reviewed by: Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen

Lisa Mantchev's Eyes Like Stars is about a young lady, Bertie, who is forced to make herself invaluable after she was asked to leave the Theatre Illuminata after a few mishaps on her part. Seen as a waste and as useless Bertie has to find a way to be truly important and therefore decides to become the Director for Hamlet redone in a new way. She is however warned that changes she invokes might not be the best idea and might tip the balance of the Theatre but alas Bertie is determined to stay and gets to work reworking Hamlet. When things start going wrong Bertie realizes just how much she values the Theatre and how much the Theatre values her. Bertie with the help of her trusted fairy friends learns the magic of the theatre Illuminata and the truth about herself.

Lisa Mantchev's characters are vibrant and full of life, funny and sticky sweet. They are not only clever, witty and funny but above all else they are truly unique. You spend page after page rolling iwht laughter or playing around with Mustardseed, Moth, Cobwed and Peaseblossom. I couldn't get enough of their hilarity. The setting -the Theatre Illuminta -is fantastic. A theatre is a place where real magic happens and true imagination lives and breathes, where anything CAN happen; and that is how the Theatre works.

I am finding I am at a lack for words to describe Mantchev's literary brilliance. Mantchev writes with real creative brilliance and each page is filled with wittiness, cleverness and just plain old fun. The characters dance to life with magic and wit; containing life unseen before in any book. This is imagination and creativity at its best. It IS imagination. A world so rich and magnificent that it sparkles out of the pages and fills me with smiles, laughter and utter intrigue.


I give this book a 98/100 A+
Characters- 20
Plot- 19
Writing- 19
Originality- 20
Re-Readability- 20

The Good: There are so many amazing traits about this book that if I can't even tell you about them without sounding too fangirly. And that'll make me look stupid and you'll probably not read the book. Which is an a freaking crime against nature!

Let's start with the plot. I can honestly say that I have never read anything like it before. So right off the bat, it's creative and unique! Sure, Eyes Like Stars is not the only book dealing with the theatre or Shakespeare or even characters from books coming to life, but it's how the author (Lisa Mantchev) made it her own that really captivated me.

On to the characters! Bertie is such a strong character, she just lept off the pages and commanded the reader's attention. She's not perfect, but you can't help but want to be her. Confident, quick on her feet, quirky, witty... Bertie is just a fantastic character! Although it's told in third-person, I really felt for Bertie. Whenever she triumphs, you can't help but grin. Whenever she fails, you can't help but worry and hope that everything will work out for her. And, whenever she makes up a new scheme, you can't help but root for her. No matter how flabbergasting it is.

And last but certainly not least, Ariel. Oh, Ariel, Ariel... WHY ARE YOU NOT REAL?? I-he, Oh my freakin' goodness... *drools* The reason why I love him so much is because he IS SO FREAKIN' COMPLEX! The moment you think you got him figured out, BAM! He does something that makes you reavaluate his whole character.

And the faeries, oh how I love them! They are just full of interesting quirks and the take the book to a whole new level. The book isn't always happy, but these clever characters make it so much more enjoyable with their wacky antics.

I could go on and on about how I loved Nate and his way of talking (another layer aded to this book!), how much I loved Lisa Mantchev's adaption of the Shakspearean characters, and how much I loved the rest of the characters (who are so distinct from each other!)... but I won't. If I talk about them anymore, you'll probably grow sick of hearing about them and might not read the book. So, I'll stop because this book is not to be missed!

The Bad: This is so weird, I cannot think of anything bad with this book! Nothing comes to mind, whether because it's really late and my brain is not functioning or the book is really that good.

Hopefully, you'll agree that it's the second opinion because that's how I feel.

Overall: Let's review, shall we?: Eyes Like Stars has an amazingly well-written, original, and enchanting storyline; is has hilarious, memorable, and vibrant characters; and a MUST READ anyone looking for the time of their lives.

Like I said before, I suggest you run- no, hijack a really fast vehicle of transportation and speed all the way to your nearest bookstore. You will not regret it, even if you do get arrested!

Grade: A+

Bertie isn't a fairy, but she lives in a world full of them. Bertie isn't an actor, but she lives in a theater. Bertie is different than everyone else, but yet she has lived contentedly for years in the theater (if not always causing some sort of trouble...), that is, until now. Her whole world is about to come apart because of a single book that is holding the whole theater together, however, the book becomes unbound because of one boy, Ariel, who longs to be free of the theater and feels that the other faeries should as well. Now, it is Bertie's mission to bring the theater back together and save the faerie community that she has grown to love. The question is, will she be able to do it in time?

Lisa Mantchev has truly put together a magnificent debut novel. It is beautifully written and the characters are so delightful to read about! The faeries are portrayed as quirky, naughty, fun, but yet intelligent. Plus, they looooooove sweets! The plot line and characters are very well developed and it is just a very interesting and unique story! I for sure suggest you to go out and buy a copy of this book! Congrat's Lisa on an amazing debut novel!

First published on: [...]

Lisa Mantchev throws you right into the world of the Théātre Illuminata. It's disorienting at first, until the rules governing Bertie's world become clear. I think it works well though, because it allows the consistency and detail of Mantchev's world to shine through.

I enjoyed this book when I read it. I loved the sweet romance of Nate and Bertie as well as the sexual tension between Ariel and Bertie. (She can have her cake and eat it too, right? Usually I know which guy I want to get the girl but I rather liked both options.) I loved that Mantchev developed Ariel's motivation, because it is the rare villain who can be convincing without a montive other that being evil for the sake of being evil. And it's what Ariel deserves, coming from THE TEMPEST. The play has some thorny moral issues that are only more confused by a post-imperialist reading.

But I love it even more since I've been reading the hideously detailed introductions to the Shakespeare plays for my class. (If you're using a college level text, like the Arden Shakespeare or Oxford World Classics, the introduction will be as long as the play itself.) These introductions spend quite a bit of time discussing staging. What the most famous versions were like, how things hanged as the interpretation changed, what changes are made to emphasized one or two themes of the play . . . it makes it so beautiful that Bertie decides her place in the Théātre Illuminata is as a director. The director's vision is vital to a performance. It keeps the play relevant, focused, and innovative.

The Théātre Illuminata faces more danger than that of Ariel's actions. Attendance is flagging. The characters mock Bertie since they all know their lines perfectly - but it's kind of terrible. They do the same performance every time. Variation gives plays vitality. It's only fitting for the spunky Bertie to direct.

In addition to delivering a great plot, Mantchev knows how to give enough answers to satisfy while leaving enough threads open to make the reader eager for Act II. I can't wait for more rescues and revelations, nor can I wait to see how the consequences of Act I unfold. And if you like the characters, I do recommend reading some Shakespeare. Especially A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, the sourse of Peaseblossom, Mustardseed, Moth, and Cobweb. It was my first Shakespeare experience, back in seventh grade. And it's a good one to start with because it's hilarious.

EYES LIKE STARS is a strong debut, and I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy. I also can't wait to see what Mantchev does outside of Théātre Illuminata. It's books like this that convince me a faerie on the cover is a sign of quality.