Erin S. (nantuckerin) reviewed on 7/30/2010 + 158 more book reviews

For me, Eyes Like Stars was a nostalgic romp. I have a background steeped in the theatre, and urge other former stage rats to rush to the bookstore to pick up this wonderful novel. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

However, this book isn't only for former ingenues, stage hands and set designers. Anyone who can appreciate a beautifully written and completely original story should seek out Manchev's work.

In Eyes Like Stars, readers are introduced to Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, a 17-year-old who has lived her life in the theatre since she was abandoned there as a child. But Bertie doesn't just live in A theatre -- she lives in THE Theatre, a magical place home to all the Players ever written for the stage. Here, the Bard's Ophelia drowns herself every night and four mischevious fairies from A Midsummer Night's Dream are Bertie's faithful companions. Shakespeare fans, especially, will delight as these classic characters are humorously brought to life alongside pirates from The Little Mermaid, dangerous props from Alice in Wonderland and other treasures of the stage.

Unfortunately, Bertie is almost a grown woman, and a real person living among timeless and immortal written characters. Her imagination and tendancy to get into trouble concerns the Theatre Manager, and is also having an impact on the Players themselves, making some question whether a life contained in the pages of a script is enough. As Bertie struggles to find her place in the world -- and to discover a way to contribute to the Theatre and continue to live there -- she also discovers secrets about the Theatre, its Players and her own mysterious history -- and future.

I loved the originality of Eyes Like Stars, which is so fresh in a genre where so many stories and themes are recycled, rehashed and reinvented. I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like it. However, the characters (Mantchev's own creations, and those she borrowed from other genius playwrights) are the real stars here.

Readers will enjoy the love triangle between Bertie and Ariel -- a mysterious and charming air spirit from The Tempest -- and Nate, a rough-around-the-edges pirate from The Little Mermaid. Mantchev uses both characters to illustrate the possible directions Bertie could take in her life, as well as to add a nice element of romantic tension. The fairies were also a delightful addition to the plot. Their funny antics and dialogue provided wonderful comic relief in the great tradition of The Bard.

I'm so glad that this is only the first book in the Theatre Illuminata series -- especially sicne Act I concluded with a bit of a cliffhanger. I'll look forward to learning more about Bertie's future and her past (Daddy's identity, anyone?) in future novels. Thanks, Lisa Mantchev, for bringing classic theatre to today's YA audience. Even if readers don't have a love for the theatre when they start Eyes Like Stars, there's a good chance they might be intrigued enough at the end of the novel to seek out the original works and "meet" these wonderful characters again in their natural environments.

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