Perchance to Dream (Théâtre Illuminata, #2)

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Perchance to Dream (Théâtre Illuminata #2)

by Lisa Mantchev (Goodreads Author)

3.97 of 5 stars 3.97 · rating details · 2,444 ratings · 357 reviews

Act Two, Scene One
Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn't know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and is determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AN...more

Hardcover, 341 pages

Published May 25th 2010 by Feiwel & Friends

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Jun 20, 2011 Amelia, the pragmatic idealist rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, ya-kids-teen, macmillan, own, mc-girl

I loved ELS, and I loved Perchance as well!

This story goes in a different direction from its predecessor: instead of the entire setting being within the Theatre, Bertie and Company take their show on the road, and therefore there’s more action driving Perchance, I think, and so it gave me an exhilarated, excited feeling as I was reading. There were so pretty interesting discoveries made over the course of the story, and so that was fun.

The romantic angle is more pronounced in Perchance, but (t...more I loved ELS, and I loved Perchance as well!

This story goes in a different direction from its predecessor: instead of the entire setting being within the Theatre, Bertie and Company take their show on the road, and therefore there’s more action driving Perchance, I think, and so it gave me an exhilarated, excited feeling as I was reading. There were so pretty interesting discoveries made over the course of the story, and so that was fun.

The romantic angle is more pronounced in Perchance, but (thank my lucky eyes like stars!) it never took center stage. There were other more predominant forces of the story, and for that I am especially grateful to the ever-talented author! I said this in Eyes, so forgive me if I sound redundant, but I really, really like Bertie! I just seem to identify with her, somehow, and so it was really nice to read about a character that I actually cared about! Sometimes, though, I wished she didn’t have to be quite so haughty, but she's someone I could relate to and she goes through a lot of the course of the story. I guess what I liked best about Bertie is her unwavering concentration: stuff gets thrown at her from all angles, and yet she never strays from her goal (in this case, to rescue Nate from the malicious Sea Goddess’ lair). Joining her on her journey are the hyper, food-frenzied Midsummer faeries! I love these little guys! Oh, and you too, Pease! These loveable sidekicks were hysterical and adorable from start-to-finish, and I just wish I had four little faerie pals, too!
I have to say, though, that while I liked Nate and Ariel equally in Eyes, but at the end of Perchance, I am now Team Ariel! I don’t fully trust him yet, and I’m sure there will be more revelations about him in Untitled Book Three (most of Perchance seemed to emphasize the search for Nate, and what he was going through), so I can’t wait to for more Ariel!

As always, I remain a big, GUSHING fan of Mantchev’s clever, witty writing style. She has an amazing talent for taking Shakespearean quotes and scenarios and weaving them seamlessly into her narrative – I even underlined all the references I saw.
A very well done sequel! Can’t wait for Untitled Book Three!
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Aug 14, 2010 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read and fell in love with the first book in the Théâtre Illuminata series, Eyes Like Stars, several months ago. I was a bit concerned about starting the sequel because I was a little hazy on the details of the first book. I needn't have worried; while you certainly want to read the first book first, book two is almost self-sufficient.

As Bertie, Ariel, and the four Midsummer Night's Dream fairies are off on an adventure outside the Théâtre; Bertie is desperate to rescue her sort-of-boyfriend,...more I read and fell in love with the first book in the Théâtre Illuminata series, Eyes Like Stars, several months ago. I was a bit concerned about starting the sequel because I was a little hazy on the details of the first book. I needn't have worried; while you certainly want to read the first book first, book two is almost self-sufficient.

As Bertie, Ariel, and the four Midsummer Night's Dream fairies are off on an adventure outside the Théâtre; Bertie is desperate to rescue her sort-of-boyfriend, the pirate Nate, and she also wants to discover the identity of the Mysterious Stranger who is her father. At the same time, she's maybe-a-little-bit falling for Ariel. She's also learning how to use her storytelling magic without accidentally doing anything dangerous, like lighting her fairy friends on fire.

So much of this book had me literally laughing out loud. I adored it. The comic relief, mostly in the form of the fairies but from other sources as well, is excellent. And I love, love, love all the literary references (the first line is "'It is a truth universally acknowledged,' Mustardseed said, flying in lazy loops like an intoxicated bumblebee, 'that a fairy in possession of a good appetite must be in want of pie," and it only gets better from there). But even through the lighthearted tone and the cheerfulness, there's a fair amount of danger and dark situations that definitely kept me turning the pages.

And the characters. Oh my goodness, the characters. Peaseblossom, Moth, Cobweb, and Mustardseed alone would be enough to keep me reading even with out all the other amazingness. Edible boyfriends and parodies about pie? Oh, yes. And Bertie is so sweet and so relatable - an awesome protagonist. And then there are the love interests. Nate and Ariel are both great characters (I'm Team Ariel, but that's me.) And all of the side characters are so much fun too. It's just spectacular.

My one complaint is that some of it was really hard to follow. While Bertie was experimenting with her magic, there were two or three places where I got really confused as to where she was and who she was with. But I think even that worked, because Bertie was confused a lot too. It made it difficult to keep up in places, but I still really, really loved the story.(less)

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Aug 27, 2011 Ashleigh Paige rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: the-decent-shelf-of-meh

Also appears on my blog,The YA Kitten!

Bertie's play at the Theatre Illuminata got a standing ovation just like she wanted, but she sets out with Ariel and her four fairy friend Mustardseed, Cobweb, Moth, and Peaseblossom so she can rescue Nate, the pirate Player she cares so much for, from Sedna's clutches. Bertie's gift to control words and make what she writes come to life isn't an easy gift and the outside world is no walk in the park. While Nate's soul haunts her dreams, Ariel is close by du...more Also appears on my blog,The YA Kitten!

Bertie's play at the Theatre Illuminata got a standing ovation just like she wanted, but she sets out with Ariel and her four fairy friend Mustardseed, Cobweb, Moth, and Peaseblossom so she can rescue Nate, the pirate Player she cares so much for, from Sedna's clutches. Bertie's gift to control words and make what she writes come to life isn't an easy gift and the outside world is no walk in the park. While Nate's soul haunts her dreams, Ariel is close by during the day and Bertie is torn between the two men in her life. As she approaches the lair of the Sea Goddess, Bertie's love and her magic may not be enough to save her or her friends.

Bertie and her friends don't have it easy this time around; like any teenager and especially one with powers she's just starting to figure out, Bertie makes a lot of mistakes and learns from them. Early in the book, she hardly knows how to use her word-magic without summoning something that could kill her, but experience teaches her how to do it right. Not everyone has perfect control the first time they use their powers; some of them have to work at it. My favorite character Ophelia may not have much of a presence in the book, but Bertie and the fairies make up for it with their growth and their actions as comedic sidekicks, respectively.

Through Shakespeare's fairies and the omniscient point of view, Perchance to Dream retains much of the humor is predecessor had even when the stakes are higher and the tone slightly (just slightly) darker. While I prefer the setting of the Theatre Illuminata, Mantchev did a great job of putting Bertie and her friends in the outside world to meet a wider variety of characters than just who is in a play.

I'm sure I'm supposed to like one love interest or another at this point because a major part of the books is the love triangle (I normally abhor books with a heavy focus on a love triangle, but I am occasionally forgiving if I like everything else enough), but I don't like Ariel or Nate very much. They both trick her into doing the same thing through different methods and that annoyed me so badly. Last time I checked, that's not how you make someone you love do that; you get them to fall in love with you too and it's done after a mutual, informed decision. By the end of the book, I was hoping an army of squirrels would come along to steal their nuts. (I apologize for that pun. I can't help it sometimes. Runs in the family.)

From the time Bertie steps through the portal to the time she arrives in Sedna's throne room, I was lost, especially the first time I read it. During my second read of the book, my feeling of not knowing what the heck was going on and of everything it could be, why is this stuff the trial someone has to pass to get to Sedna's lair was only slightly eased. Even by Theatre Illuminata standards, which I set very high due to the nature of the books, it was weird.

I've got three theories as to how it's going to end with Bertie, Nate, and Ariel. 1) Bertie rejects them both. I feel this would be best for her, but I know it won't happen. 2) Polyamory because if she loves them both equally and can't choose, maybe she won't have to. I wouldn't mind this because we hardly ever see something so different in YA, but I doubt it will happen. I'd put its chances at five percent. 3) One love interest dies, automatically pairing Bertie with the one that didn't die. This is what's most likely and I don't care much for endings like that. I like the heroine to make the choice, not fate or death or what have you.

Maybe one of my theories is right or maybe they're all wrong, but I'm eagerly awaiting So Silver Bright, the final book in the trilogy, to find out how Bertie grows from here and how it all turns out.(less)

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Sep 14, 2010 Miss Clark rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fairytale-fantasy-sci-fi-mythology, paranormal

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 2.5 stars

I still admire Lisa Mantchev's writing style and the wild, unabashed imagination that is bursting from every scene. It is a glorious, magical ride and the trickiness of writing stories is used to full advantage.

Bertie and Co. have left the safety and familiarity of the Theatre and are journeying on their own to rescue Nate from the sea-goddess Sedna. There is friction between Ariel and Bertie, as Ariel desires to win her affections, while Bertie is fixated on Nate. (More on the love tri...more 2.5 stars

I still admire Lisa Mantchev's writing style and the wild, unabashed imagination that is bursting from every scene. It is a glorious, magical ride and the trickiness of writing stories is used to full advantage.

Bertie and Co. have left the safety and familiarity of the Theatre and are journeying on their own to rescue Nate from the sea-goddess Sedna. There is friction between Ariel and Bertie, as Ariel desires to win her affections, while Bertie is fixated on Nate. (More on the love triangle later.) The faeries are as bawdy and happily vexatious as ever, adding levity to what at times becomes a tad too melodramatic. Several new members join the cast, not the least of which is the man-bird Mysterious Stranger, Bertie's father. Bertie's strange and frightening power over words causes many a mishap and a problem as she attempts to use this wordsmithing magic to help them on their quest. Writing things like "their stomachs grumbled" is all very well, but with Bertie it becomes reality and so their hungry bellies start complaining and, well, who wants their stomach to actually talk to you? Or, saying a bridge was "knife-thin" makes for an excellent description, but if it becomes real and you have to walk over it? Ouch. So, seeing that aspect of writing being played around with was fun, but the rest of the book confused or frustrated me.

We'll start with frustrated. The Love Triangle. Ugh. firstly, neither Nate nor Ariel are strong characters. I don't feel like I really know either or understand why Bertie would love them. Both of them are possessive of her and seem more interested in showing the other up than in caring about Bertie. Bertie cannot make up her mind between them and so is stringing them both along, kissing one and then trailing after the other. Yes, you can like two guys. Yes, you may not be sure which one you like better. But don't play them. Don't lead them on when you have no clue whatsoever. And Bertie herself is something of a bland character for all that she has this amazing ability and lives in this extraordinary world.

Now for confused. I know it is partially a result of the story being told in what amounts to a universe that is nothing more than the stage of a play and the play is influenced by what Bertie writes, thus scene changes and sudden shifts in place and person are as if no more than an author executing a rewrite or a transition might feel to her characters, but as a reader is is utterly bewildering. The swift shifts from one place to another make no sense because they are not explained and since we have no access to Bertie's mind, we don't know why it is happening and it made for a thoroughly difficult read.

So, I will be picking up the third book, So Silver Bright,in this series, as I am interested in what may come next for Bertie and Co., but I cannot say I look forward to it with glee. Still, you just never know.

Coming soon: So Silver Bright, Act III of the Théâtre Illuminata

The Curtain Goes Up (for the last time) Fall, 2011
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Feb 24, 2010 Leah R added it

The opening lines, a riff off Pride and Prejudice, are very funny; however, throughout the book I found the mischievous fairies more an annoyance than an actual contribution to the book's quality. Ignoring them, however, I thought that Bertie is a good character and Ariel is even more complexly drawn than the first book. There are many cute and clever lines, and the Scrimshander is an intriguing invention- he may have been my favorite part of the book.

However, the plot is very flawed- I kept sto...more

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Jun 08, 2012 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Firstly, many thanks to Lisa Mantchev and her publicist for sending me an ARC of this book. How I managed to put off reading Perchance to Dream for so long is beyond me! But I knew I would want to review it right away after reading it, so I made myself wait closer to the release date, which is next Tuesday, May 25th. Preorder your copies now, if you haven't already!

The verdict? I loved it! And I loved it every bit as much as I loved Eyes Like Stars, which is not always the case for me and sequel...more Firstly, many thanks to Lisa Mantchev and her publicist for sending me an ARC of this book. How I managed to put off reading Perchance to Dream for so long is beyond me! But I knew I would want to review it right away after reading it, so I made myself wait closer to the release date, which is next Tuesday, May 25th. Preorder your copies now, if you haven't already!

The verdict? I loved it! And I loved it every bit as much as I loved Eyes Like Stars, which is not always the case for me and sequels. We do read a darker tale in this book, but there are still plenty of crazy antics from my favorite fairies out of Midsummer Night's Dream to add levity and visions of sweets and treats galore! Seriously, if you don't want to eat a cupcake or pie after reading this book, I would be shocked. I adored the premise of the story--that what Bertie wrote about came to life, and usually in the most unexpected ways--it really made for an enjoyable read. You never know what will happen next! The plot doesn't really take a darker turn until a good way into the book, but it is not so dark that you become bogged down--we simply see another facet of Mantchev's ability to weave an incredible story.

Much of the story from Eyes Like Stars is resolved in this book, though there is certainly an opening for more many possibilities in the future. However, I did like the fact that I'm not totally hanging off the cliff after reading Perchance to Dream. :-) Mantchev's writing is just as enjoyable to read in this book--the words dance off the pages and paint a vivid picture right before your eyes. The dialogues are fantastic--particularly when they are devoted to the fairies and their quirky notions. Hands down, Peaseblossom, Moth, Cobweb and Mustardseed are some of the best sidekicks, EVER! Remember the name Henry... One of my favorite humorous asides in this book involves Henry. There is nothing like a book that makes me laugh out loud and re-read funny passages. And yet, as I already mentioned, this book isn't all fun and games--you really do go through a variety of emotions.

I firmly believe if you enjoyed Eyes Like Stars you will enjoy Perchance to Dream just as much. There's no "sophomore slump" with this book.(less)

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Apr 04, 2012 Natalie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-magic, young-adult

Probably a 2.5....I hardly know where to begin. I really liked the first book. I loved the focus on literary characters and all the Shakespeare references. It was whimsical and fantastic.

The second book jumps straight into the meat of the things. And all the issues I had with the first book were magnified in this one without any of the literary characters. It was confusing and hard to follow. I hardly knew what was happening most of the time. I can see how the writing has a certain sort of appe...more

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Mar 30, 2012 OpenBookSociety.com rated it 5 of 5 stars

Brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell

Perchance to Dream is the second installment in the Theatre Illuminata tales. Bertie has left the enchantment of the Theatre in order to rescue Nate. But she hasn’t gone alone, the irresistible Ariel and as always her four faithful fairy companions: Moth, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, and Mustardseed, have tagged along on the adventure. And true to form, they manage to get themselves in all sorts of wild and entertaining predicaments.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the four f...more Brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell

Perchance to Dream is the second installment in the Theatre Illuminata tales. Bertie has left the enchantment of the Theatre in order to rescue Nate. But she hasn’t gone alone, the irresistible Ariel and as always her four faithful fairy companions: Moth, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, and Mustardseed, have tagged along on the adventure. And true to form, they manage to get themselves in all sorts of wild and entertaining predicaments.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the four fairies. They are just too funny and oh so much fun to read! From their crazy antics and pranks to their outlandish sayings, you will find yourself laughing out loud throughout most of the book. One of my favorite parts is when Peaseblossom thinks she’s finally fallen in love, you won’t believe who she chooses! Cobweb, Mustardseed, and Moth are as always: crude, jokesters, and hungry! They manage to get themselves (along with Bertie and Ariel) into a heap of trouble when they come upon a wedding FULL of food. Oh boy!

A new character makes his way into Bertie’s adventure: Waschbar, the sneak-thief. Waschbar turns out to be just as clever as the fairies but with a good heart and better logic. He joins Bertie and her crew when Bertie uses The Book (the one that holds the origins of every Player) to help get her and the others out some dangerous trouble.

Bertie manages to get herself and her band of interesting sidekicks into a lot of trouble on her own. Still not use to being the Mistress of Revels, The Teller of Tales, every time she writes something new in The Book, something always seems to go wrong and turns everything topsy-turvy.

Ariel is still determined to keep Bertie safe (and all the while greasing on his charm and sexiness)– which Bertie finds herself drawn to more and more.

Even from the Sea Goddess lair, Nate is still very much alive in Bertie– well, in her dreams that is. Bertie’s guilt continues to magnify the more she dreams of Nate because he is fading, and quickly, there is only so much time left for her to save him.

Perchance to Dream was DELICIOUS, VIVID, AND HILARIOUS! Bertie is strong willed and stubborn and loyal– a beautiful heroine girls of any age will love to read and find a connection with.

If you haven’t read Eyes Like Stars and Perchance to Dream than you are missing out on two of the best young adult novels out there! Full of beautiful fantasy, rowdy characters, sassy lead heroine, and crazy antics– you will find yourself devouring every word of the Theatre Illuminata tales.(less)

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Mar 30, 2012 Johanna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Perchance to Dream
(Théâtre Illuminata Book #2)
by Lisa Mantchev

Genre: Fantasy | Paranormal Romance | Young Adult

Act Two, Scene One
Enter Bertie And Company

Setting: The world outside the Théâtre

Beatrice Shakespeare Smith (Bertie):
Our charming and talented heroine

Nate: A suave, swashbuckling pirate in grave danger

Ariel: A brooding, seductive air spirit whose motives remain frustratingly hidden

Peaseblossom, Codweb, Moth, and Mustardseed: These fairies are indispensable if you need help dispatching wi...more

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Jan 14, 2012 Sarah Kelsey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: elastic-reality, speculative-fiction, urban-fantasy, young-adult, fantasy

I recall a scene in Angela's Ashes where young Frank sits in a bathtub reading Shakespeare and likens the experience to having jewels in one's mouth. That's the way I feel when I read Bradbury. That's the way I felt reading this book. Some books I read, skimming paragraphs, clinging to a fast moving plot. This book is more like a walk in an enchanted garden; it's more pleasurable to slow down and savor the prose.

This is fantasy, and it's the kind of fantasy that requires the reader to keep one...more

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Dec 22, 2011 Charlie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, very-very-very-good, dat-cover-art, tear-jerkers

This book made me awestruck. Just completely awestruck. The writing was so beautiful, even more than the first I dare-say, and so original, it was just intoxicating. For me, this was the kind of book that I pulled all-nighter's to finish, I had it in my textbooks during class, and even while eating at the dinner table. It was that good.

Out of the trilogy, Perchance to Dream is definitely my favorite. It starts right where Eyes Like Stars left off, with Bertie seeking out to find not only Nate, b...more

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Aug 06, 2011 Gatorgal21 added it

It only took me about a year and a half to get into this book, I’m not sure why, but somehow I just couldn’t get past the first page. I finally did though, and I really liked it. Seriously, the crazy creative setting combined with the fierce and loveable Bertie, the hysterical fairies, and just the over all imagination in this story made an entrancing sequel. I loved the first one, and I thought this one lived up to it. Watching the chaos that ensues as Bertie and her entourage are set loose upo...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

The magical adventures of Bertie and the Theatre Illuminata continue in this charming sequel to Lisa Mantchev's Eyes Like Stars. This time, the stakes are higher, the mysteries are deeper and the romance is stronger. After discovering some of the secrets behind her origins and getting permission to continue living at the theatre, Bertie must find a way to understand the outside world and save someone very dear to her.

When Nate is kidnapped by the horrible Sea Goddess from The Little Mermaid, Ber...more

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Jul 01, 2011 Margaryta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-adventure, amazing-after-feeling, chapter-books, beautiful-art, favourite-books, great-fantasy-books, just-amazing, magic, reality-dramatic, romance, sea-creatures

This book was just beautiful.
The beginning of the book was a little bumpy because I thought it was dragging a little too long, so that's why it took me longer to read this book than I had expected.

But as soon as it got rolling the faster I began turning the pages, and the more interested I got in reading it.
The characters stayed the same as they were in the last book, which was what I loved about them so I wasn't disappointed.
Bertie's humor was light but still I continued to enjoy it. It wasn't...more

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Jun 21, 2011 Eisley Jacobs rated it 4 of 5 stars

In the first book, Eyes Like Stars, I was effervescently pulling for Nate and quite upset when Ariel was weaseling his way into Bertie’s life. The way it was written, no one should be okay with how Ariel was conning and seducing, let alone Bertie. But we accepted it.

Now in Perchance to Dream I find myself annoyed all over again on this topic. I find Bertie keeps making choices that are not following the likely-hood of her character regarding Nate and Ariel. Without giving anything away, it was s...more

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Feb 05, 2011 MaryBookSwarm rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved EYES LIKE STARS, the first book in the trilogy. The theater, the characters, the language. It was fresh and original and a blast to read. The theater, actually, was one of my favorite parts--it was a character in and of itself.

So, I was a little worried when some of the characters ventured out of theater, into the world. I did miss it but what a world Bertie and her friends walked into. Again, the setting becomes its own character, adding depth and layers to the story, driving the charac...more I loved EYES LIKE STARS, the first book in the trilogy. The theater, the characters, the language. It was fresh and original and a blast to read. The theater, actually, was one of my favorite parts--it was a character in and of itself.

So, I was a little worried when some of the characters ventured out of theater, into the world. I did miss it but what a world Bertie and her friends walked into. Again, the setting becomes its own character, adding depth and layers to the story, driving the characters, and even the action, in some parts.

Bertie's fumbling with her new-found magic and status as Teller of Tales made me laugh as it went terribly wrong, even when she was trying to do something as simple as conjure up food or light a fire. When she asks the fairies to kindle a fire? Oh, yeah. The poor fairies turn into little flying torches. Stop-drop-roll, fairies, stop-drop-roll. (Plus, the language is absolutely amazing--I love how Mantchev weaves a spell with her words, picking up threads of Shakespearean plays and other stories and intertwining them with her own story.)

As Bertie drags her fairy friends (Cobweb, Moth, Peaseblossom, Mustardseed, from A Midsummer Night's Dream) and Ariel (an airy spirit from The Tempest) after her friend and love, Nate (the pirate from The Little Mermaid), she begins to fall for Ariel, who loves her in his own way.

I wasn't sure about Ariel at first, mostly because I really didn't like him in ELS. He was a self-centered jerk who had the hots for Bertie. But he grew on me in PtD. He was sweet and kind and caring to Bertie, he put up with her antics and her obsession with getting Nate back from the Sea Goddess (well, it was her fault he was taken), and he tolerated the psychotic fairies.

It's a great love triangle, especially since one of the players (Nate) isn't even physically present in most of the book. Nate "haunts" her dreams (another little side-effect of Bertie's magic), while Ariel has her days. And Bertie loves them both. What's a girl to do with two hot guys?
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Dec 30, 2010 Karissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Theatre Illuminata trilogy by Lisa Mantchev. It was more wondrous and adventurous than the first book in the series, "Eyes Like Stars", I enjoyed it a lot. I got this book as an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) through the Amazon Vine program.

In this book Bertie has left the Theatre with Aeriel at her side. They are going in search of Bertie's sweetheart Nate (the pirate who was kidnapped by Sedna, the witch from The Little Mermaid). Bertie also hopes to find informatio...more This is the second book in the Theatre Illuminata trilogy by Lisa Mantchev. It was more wondrous and adventurous than the first book in the series, "Eyes Like Stars", I enjoyed it a lot. I got this book as an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) through the Amazon Vine program.

In this book Bertie has left the Theatre with Aeriel at her side. They are going in search of Bertie's sweetheart Nate (the pirate who was kidnapped by Sedna, the witch from The Little Mermaid). Bertie also hopes to find information on who her father is, after the strange news in book one that Ophelia is her mother. Along the way they will meet a myriad of crazy characters and Bertie will have to make a choice between Nate and Aeriel. Of course the three ever-present fairies accompany the party providing snarky comments and trouble throughout the story.

Many parts of this story are much better than "Eyes Like Stars", the first novel in this series. It was wonderful to be out of the Theatre and in the countryside. Mantchev did an excellent job coming up with quirky characters and a creative backdrop for her story. The writing is more polished than in the first book and the descriptions of things are decadent and lush; if a bit quirky sounding at times. There is a lot more action and adventure in this book which I enjoyed; I thought Mantchev did a great job with the action scenes too. If I had to give the strengths of this novel I would say that creativity and intriguing imagery are what Mantchev excels at.

This book is a fun read, the fairies provide a lot of humor. It is a sweet book that is light on violence and heavy on romance; by romance I mean the general romantic kind...full of sweet kisses, gentle cuddles, and beautiful descriptions the drip with jewels and glitter. Aeriel is a wonderful character and, as with the majority of the characters in this book, is very grey in nature...he is not good or evil but something in between. I did not envy Bertie at having to choose between Nate and Aeriel, both are excellent male leads that are intriguing and kind in different ways.

My least favorite part about this book was still Bertie. She does not whine as much as in the last book and her dialogue is a bit more mature. But she still comes off as helpless and a bit stupid at times. I was very frustrated when she couldn't figure out how to use the magic book...after making mistakes with it a number of times, she continued to word things poorly and make more mistakes. I guess I just like my heroines a bit more quick of mind. I also thought her reactions to things were very immature. Again this is a personal preference. I liked her better than in the first book, but I still don't like her all that much.

I also thought that Bertie's "magic" wasn't really defined all that well. It was a bit confusing how she needed the book to work magic, then later on she didn't. Much of the book has a dreamlike quality to it as we are tossed in and out of Bertie's "reality". Mantchev tried to make this clear, but it is a confusing concept and it could have been made a bit cleaner and clearer.

Overall though this is was a fun read. If you liked "Eyes Like Stars" you will like this book even better. Mantchev's writing style has matured, and her creativity is unmatched. She does an excellent job with imagery too. If I could just like Bertie better I would be thrilled with this book. I do look forward to reading the third book in this series! (less)

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Jul 14, 2010 Kate (VerbVixen) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Perchance to Dream (Theatre Illuminata Book 2)- Lisa Mantchev

Act I

Love triangles in literature are funny things. Inevitably, there is a love interest that you as a reader love more than the other; for instance, it results in being on either “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob.” Mantchev’s second book of the Theatre Illuminata series, Perchance to Dream, achieves what every other love triangle has not: I love both male love interests equally, just as Bertie does. There are no “OH my goodness, why do you...more

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Jul 12, 2010 Bethany rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, paranormal, humor, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Best opening ever, I swear. I love pie, and I love books, so...you know, amazing.

I'm not actually sure how I felt about this book. I read it in a weekend, and I've had some trouble finishing books lately, so I must have enjoyed it. I think it's fantastic that I still hae no idea how the love triangle is going to turn out; I've seen love triangles where the middle point is torn, but generally there's a constant leaning in one direction, so you can feel, at the end, like the triumphant romance was...more

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Jul 02, 2010 K rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library

Act Two is as fun as the first.

Bertie, Ariel and the fairies have left the Théâtre in the Mistress of Revels’s caravan with only the clothes on their back and a vague plan. She wants to rescue Nate and get the missing half of her story, How Bertie Came To The Theater, by finding her absent father. Ariel just wants to be free and the fairies are happy to be along for the ride (which includes pie, right?). Bertie soon figures out her mission isn’t easily accomplished in a real world that is nothin...more

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Jun 18, 2010 Tansy Roberts rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This second volume is the follow up to Lisa Mantchev’s delightful and surreal Eyes Like Stars, a YA fantasy set in the literal backstage of the Theatre Illuminata, a place so magical that all the characters of every play ever written can be found on the stage.

Bertie, the theatre foundling who has only just discovered the truth of half her parentage, is on a quest to save Nate, the man she loves. She has ventured outside the theatre for the first time in her life, accompanied by the elusively att...more This second volume is the follow up to Lisa Mantchev’s delightful and surreal Eyes Like Stars, a YA fantasy set in the literal backstage of the Theatre Illuminata, a place so magical that all the characters of every play ever written can be found on the stage.

Bertie, the theatre foundling who has only just discovered the truth of half her parentage, is on a quest to save Nate, the man she loves. She has ventured outside the theatre for the first time in her life, accompanied by the elusively attractive Ariel, and the boisterous Midsummer Night’s Dream fairies, to rescue Nate from the seawitch, armed only with a book and her new status as Mistress of the Revels.

As with Eyes Like Stars, the magic of this book is strange and unreliable. Bertie’s new powers enable her to write any event and have it come true, but it rarely happens in any predictable or desirable way. The world outside the theatre is strange and dark, and the ground is never completely solid under Bertie’s feet. Out here, she finally learns the truth of who her father is, and how she came to be abandoned parentless in the Theatre Illuminata. She is also, through their many adventures, challenged to prove her love for Nate, and to confront the feelings she also has for Ariel.

Ariel really comes into his own in this book as (for me) the most interesting character, but then I’m a total sucker for sad-eyed bad boys suffering from unrequited love. And, you know, it might not be all that unrequited after all… we can only hope!

The language of these books is lovely. Mantchev plays with vocabulary and Shakespearean quotations with obvious pleasure, tangling her characters up in linguistic games. Physical danger is all very well, but banter can conquer all! Well, banter and pie. As ever, the fairies steal the show every time Mantchev allows them on the page, dancing and carousing and eating everything in sight.

It is, of course, a middle book, with all that entails. It doesn’t quite have the original spark of the first one, or get a chance to resolve everything as I hope the third will do. But I can see people being able to read this and appreciate it without having read the first, as there is plenty of explanation as to where they are coming from. Still worth grabbing Eyes Like Stars first, though, for the full Bertie Shakespeare Smith experience.

The greatest weakness of this book is also its strength – it is the world of the Theatre Illuminata that is so important to the story, and being away from the theatre for the whole book makes it feel rather like padding. You know Bertie has to leave the theatre in order to understand it, but it’s hard not to feel like there’s something really important missing, especially as the “real world” feels rather less definable than the setting of the first book. Back to the Theatre Illuminata proper please, for Book Three!

Also, I have no idea how Bertie’s romantic situation will end up, but assuming that there is no option where Nate and Ariel run off together, I am firmly on the side of Team Ariel. Bah pirates. Yay fairies. That is all.(less)

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Jun 15, 2010 Literary Cravings rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lisa captured me with her imaginative fantasy world filled with interesting characters and an interesting plot that had me turning the pages to find out what would happen next to Bertie and her friends this time. In this second installment we find Bertie and her gang heading out of the theater and into the real world, broadening the landscape of the story and introducing new situations and characters into the story. We know from the ending of the first book that Bertie is on a mission to save he...more

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Apr 29, 2010 Zephfire rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was very blessed to receive an ARC of Perchance to Dream, I was eagerly awaiting the second instalment of Lisa Mantchev's Theatre Illuminata trilogy having read the first one, Eyes like stars and been captivated by it.
PTC does not disappoint, it takes our main cast on a road trip of discovery as they seek to reclaim one of their own, Nate the pirate, from the clutches of the evil sea witch, Sedna. En route they encounter perils set in a wild landscape, both the perils and landscape are in part...more I was very blessed to receive an ARC of Perchance to Dream, I was eagerly awaiting the second instalment of Lisa Mantchev's Theatre Illuminata trilogy having read the first one, Eyes like stars and been captivated by it.
PTC does not disappoint, it takes our main cast on a road trip of discovery as they seek to reclaim one of their own, Nate the pirate, from the clutches of the evil sea witch, Sedna. En route they encounter perils set in a wild landscape, both the perils and landscape are in part Bertie's making as she struggles to harness her word power as Mistress of the Revels.
It is a voyage of discovery for all our merry troupe, Bertie and the four fairies: Cobweb, Peaseblossom, Mustardseed and Moth with the ever alluring Ariel accompanying somewhat begrudgingly as Nate represents a rivalry for Bertie's affection. They meet various new and magical characters along the way and are joined on their journey by Waschbar the thief, claimer of unwanted things and his two ferrets who add to the general mayhem unwittingly (though sometimes intentionally) unleashed by the mischievous fairies.
There is a heart-warming sub-plot as Bertie gets some answers to her lost origins (which I won't spoil by telling you!), and it was nice to see Bertie develop and embrace her role as Mistress of the Revels. The plot weaves in and out leading to the unavoidable battle with Sedna to reclaim Nate, but Sedna does not surrender her captives easily and issues Bertie an ultimatum that could spell the end for her, Nate and Ariel, a situation that will resonate with a great many readers! But you'll have to read Perchance to Dream to find out what that ultimatum was!
This series is a joy to read, it's magical, bright, colourful, richly described and very funny. It has a language and character that I've found to be totally endearing and quite unique. Older readers will appreciate the dry humour and emotional sub-plots, younger readers will fall in love with the fairies and the sparkle of the stories. Sadly the stage lights have dimmed for another year for me as I now await the final swan-song of the series.
But dear Lisa Mantchev...stage centre please, and take a much deserved bow!
I'll be awaiting your encore! (and I bet it'll be made of shiny awesome!) hehe ;)

(less)

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Mar 23, 2010 Wicked Walker rated it 4 of 5 stars

Perchance to Dream gave me quite a wild ride! The creativity of the author is just amazing and keeps you guessing because you just never know where Bertie will take you next...or what she will write in her book! I enjoyed this book more than the first one because there was more dynamic between Bertie and Ariel (go bad boys!) and the introduction of new and interesting characters.

The characters are endearing, Bertie with her witty, save-the-world attitude, Ariel with his air of mystery but still...more

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Feb 11, 2010 Emily Duncan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I warn all who read further, this shall be part proper review and part fangirl-ish-ness. You have been warned, we may now proceed.
So, first off, this is my FIRST ARC REVIEW EVER! and not only is it my first, but it's also my favourite author's new book! There was a great deal of (albeit seat belt restrained) happy dancing when i received this ARC.
So, shall we begin? yes, let's.
When i found Eyes Like Stars the book prior to this one, i was ecstatic and certain that nothing could ever top it.
... t...more

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May 27, 2010 Ramie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, ya

Beatrice Shakespeare Smith AKA Bertie has set the stage for a new scene in her life... She's taking the play on the road, along with Ariel (who may or may not be the love of her life) and the fairies (who may or may not eat every word Bertie has). Our merry cast is, of course, on a mission to save Nate, the swashbuckling pirate (who may or may not be the love of Bertie's life), as he's been kidnapped by the Sea Goddess. If this doesn't make any sense to you, stop, and read the first book in this...more

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Apr 08, 2010 Shelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Perchance to Dream is a delectable read! I first fell in love with Bertie and the fairies in Eyes Like Stars, and after reading this one, I'm even more in love with them! They are characters like no others I've read; so funny, so charming, so full of life!

Bertie is such a strong-willed, bull-headed character, and I can relate. What's so fascinating about her is she's this way as a teenager. She sure seems to know her way around the stage, of which the world is her stage. Bertie left the theatre...more Perchance to Dream is a delectable read! I first fell in love with Bertie and the fairies in Eyes Like Stars, and after reading this one, I'm even more in love with them! They are characters like no others I've read; so funny, so charming, so full of life!

Bertie is such a strong-willed, bull-headed character, and I can relate. What's so fascinating about her is she's this way as a teenager. She sure seems to know her way around the stage, of which the world is her stage. Bertie left the theatre to rescue Nate. She's never been outside the theatre, so she's not quite sure how to go about things, but she knows she can write. She is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and her writing helps her create the stage she wants and needs to get to where she's going. Her writing doesn't always work out the way she plans though, and that tends to get her into trouble. But the trouble is the fun part! Will she ever make her way to Sedna's lair and Nate? Will she realize her true feelings for Ariel? Perchance, but only time will tell.

Did I mention that the fairies were my favorites? They add so much comedy to the story. I love how they are so food driven. You can get them to do anything for pie! Bertie relies on the faeries and they look out for her, but will she be able to make it own her own, without them there to be her conscience?

Lisa Mantchev is such a phenomenal writer! From the very first page, I was drawn back into the story, right where Eyes Like Stars had left off. Her writing is so different from other writers, so unusually compelling. She mixes words like the fairies would mix a pie...a little of this, a little of that, and when you put it all together, it is a tasty treat! There are so many words in this book that I want to go back and explore. When you read them, you want to say them out loud and hear the way they roll off your tongue. Many of them are delicious sounding to the ear! It's amazing how words can do that!

I can't say enough about this book; it is just an awesome read! Lisa, like Bertie, is a Teller of Tales, and this one is a Broadway hit! Bravo Lisa, Bravo!(less)

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Sep 22, 2010 Brenda rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was such a clever book, but it really fell short of my expectations. I loved Bertie being able to write into the book and have those things happen- how exciting is that? The story however was so confusing to me. It jumped from scene to scene, place to place. I was so often wondering- awake or asleep, bleeding or not, dead or alive? We never get to be inside Bertie's head to know what she really thinks or feels. The love triangle? Not so good. I wish I had reread the first book again because...more

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Dec 01, 2010 Lucas rated it 5 of 5 stars

The second installment in the Theatre Illuminata series picks up immediately where it left off in Eyes Like Stars after the identity of her mother was revealed and she learns how she came to be at the theatre. While Bertie is dealing with these revelations she and her merry band including Ariel and her 4 good fairy friends set out on a journey to find her pirate love Nate. Along the way she begins to learn just how strong the power of her words are creates many problems for herself, some funny a...more

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Nov 08, 2010 Renee rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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About Lisa Mantchev

When not scribbling, Lisa Mantchev can be found on the beach, up a tree, making jam,or repairing things with her trusty glue gun. Her short fiction has appeared in venues like Clarkesworld, Weird Tales, Fantasy Magazine and Strange Horizons. Her YA fantasy trilogy, The Théâtre Illuminata, is being published by Feiwel & Friends. Book One, EYES LIKE STARS, was released in 2009, the sequel PERCHA...more

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Books by Lisa Mantchev

Eyes Like Stars (Théâtre Illuminata, #1)

So Silver Bright (Théâtre Illuminata, #3)

Two and Twenty Dark Tales: Dark Retellings of Mother Goose Rhymes

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“Words are like the delicate stitches in the dress you wear, holding the fabric of the garmet together. Without them, the dress and the world are nothing but barren cloth” — 55 people liked it

“Apologize at once, or feel the wrath of my toothpick!” — 41 people liked it

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Perchance to Dream (Théâtre Illuminata #2)

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