Eyes Like Stars
By Lisa Mantchev
Every now and then I will enter an online contest. Every now and then I win.
now showingReceiving an ARC of Lisa Mantchev‘s Eyes Like Stars was more of a gift than just a mere prize.
The writing is rich and textured, the world of the Theatre filled with memorable characters both new and known.
Beatrice Shakespeare Smith lives in the Theatre but she isn’t a Player like Ophelia, or even someone with a legitimate stage job like Mrs. Edith, the Wardrobe Mistress. Who Bertie is and what she can do is at the heart of the story with the story.
I spent my senior year in high school on the technical theatre team so many aspects of this young adult novel resonated with me. Ultimately, though, I love how the author uses language to fill my head with the wonders of the Theatre as seen through Bertie’s eyes.
When the Theatre Manager turned to exchange a long look with his colleague, the medallion took their every unspoken word and transformed them into rustling leaves. Within seconds, the office was a forest primeval, oak-aged secrets reaching their arms from floor to ceiling like a family tree.
The Stage Manager wove poison ivy words through the vision. “Don’t tell her.”
The above is from Chapter 8, but you can read Chapter 1 for free on the Théâtre Illuminata website.
I will warn you that Eyes Like Stars is Act I of the Théâtre Illuminata series, so while Bertie does achieve some resolution, there are still mysteries to be solved. Fortunately, Act II premiers in May 2010.
Title: Eyes Like Stars
Author: Lisa Mantchev
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends.
Pages: 356
Genre: YA, fantasy
ISBN-10: 0312380968
ISBN-13: 978-0312380960
Mar 23, 2010
Categories: reviews
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