Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I by Lisa Mantchev

Title: Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I	Loved it	Graded
Author: Lisa Mantchev
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Elements: Theatre
Series: Book 1 of the Eyes Like Stars series

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

So I was having a pretty hard time writing a review for any of the books I've read for the 48 hour book challenge. Then I realised it was due to my excitement at finishing Lisa Mantchev's Eyes Like Stars. -.-

Here's the review before I go all Twilight fangirl on you.

Michievious, strong willed Bertie Shakespeare Smith has lived in the Theatre Illuminata for as long as she can remember. Her friends and family are the cast and crew of the stage. After one in a long run of miscreant doings, Bertie is asked to leave the Theatre. Now Bertie must prove that she belongs in the Theatre with the rest of them. But with only four days to "make an invaluable contribution", can Bertie do it?

I fell in love with this book so fast, it's magic. ;) This is one of the most imaginative and unique books I've ever read in all of my life. I loved everything about it: the setting, the plot, the characters (Oh, Ariel!). Every. Single. Thing.

It was hard to put down this book, and I found myself reading it as slowly as possible so as to absorb every nuance and emotion written. It's THAT captivating. It was lighthearted and just so much fun to read! The writing is fluent, witty and fast paced.

Bertie's best friends, the four faeries from A Midsummer Night's Dream, are just too cute! They complement Bertie well, supporting her without fail in everything she does and lifting her spirits up whenever she was down. I liked both Nate and Ariel, but I have to say I prefer Ariel much more.

It was nice to see different aspects of Shakespeare's characters. My only Shakespeare experience is the summarised version of Hamlet (about 25 pages?) so it was awesome to get to know more of his plays. I feel like a bard now! *nods sagely*

I think I'll stop with the gushing now. I need the sequel PRONTO. I'm aware that the book is on sale on July 7th. You, yes you, should definitely pick this up! Pre order it here!

As for me, I'm definitely picking up a copy or two (do they sell it in Singapore on 7th July? Must check.) and holding a contest if the response is positive. What do you think? Want it? Leave a comment. :P