Review of "Perchance to Dream"

"Perchance To Dream"
Lisa Mantchev


5

Pub. Date: May 25th, 2010
Pages: 352

Synopsis: From the critically acclaimed author of Eyes Like Stars

We are such stuff as dreams are made on.

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 determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

I was so excited to read this book and I can't believe that it took me so long to get to it! I really enjoyed this second installment of "The Theatre Illuminata" Series, I wasn't as in love with it as the first book, but Lisa Mantchev was able to create another magical book. I love how the series blends reality with the stage, blurring the lines, forcing the reader to go with whatever happens next. I really liked how the book was used in this book allowing for interesting scene changes and drama lots of drama.

I was happy to see that the fairies came out in full force again in this book and that the new characters were unique. Bertie continued to be the strong and stubborn female heroin I adored in the first book. Even though it might have been best for her to ask for help in some instances, I can't help but admire her self sufficient attitude. Even though Ariel's fury was subdued for much of the book, he did get a chance to show off in other ways and was an interesting character to follow through the story. I had my doubts about how I would feel about his role in "Perchance to Dream", but he definitely won me over. Lucky for you that I won't say more about the rest of the characters in the book because 1- I would probably go all fan girl and 2- I might accidentally let a spoiler slip.

I can't wait to see what Mantchev has in store in the next book; I have trouble imagining what new scenes she will create. Check out the series website for excerpts and the trailer of “Perchance to Dream”.