Perchance to Dream (Théâtre Illuminata, Act II)
by Lisa Mantchev
The stuff that 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. (goodreads.com – snipped for length)
Lisa Mantchev has done it again! Once more was I enchanted, enthralled and something else that starts with “en” that I can’t think of at the moment. The magical sequel to Eyes Like Stars did not disappoint and is yet another beautifully written fairytale that made me think of swirling ribbons of colours as I read each page.
I have read nothing like these books. Mantchev has the market cornered on unique, fairytale telling with a whole slew of literary references thrown in – mainly that fellow Shakespeare whose plays have always managed to both enchant and frustrate the hell out of me at the same time. There is something so magical and beautiful about the writing and story that just makes me hug the book every so often as I read it. I love it to pieces. I can’t even formulate coherent thoughts about the book because all I get while I read is FEELING and COLOURS that flow around me like ribbon or oil paints.
This book even had that Perfect Book Smell that the first one did and another amazingly beautiful cover. (Which by the way, I only noticed once I had finished the book that there’s a third person on the cover! I didn’t notice Nate there at all when I just saw the photo online!)
I will admit to being slightly confused at times the way the scene changed so often and the multitude of characters that came into play, but I got the gist of what was happening and after a few re-read paragraphs I didn’t let it slow down my reading of the story. Although I am not completely sure what Berti’s father is, or was, or is supposed to be and I don’t think I have a decent picture in my head of Washbar (er, there’s an accent in that name somewhere… on the a? I’m too lazy to go get the book from upstairs to check. Sorry. 
).
I’m also confused as to why Bertie is so hung up on Nate. I suppose because they have a history together and Ariel just sort of showed up in the first book as she was older? Not sure. Loving them both equally is an interesting take on things, heck, I’ve been in a similar situation in my life. I’m a little sick of Ariel though as the “I have to protect you!!!!! OMG!!11!!” guy and less of the bad guy. I liked him as a bad guy.
And of course the four faeries had me – and my husband! – laughing out loud once more! Especially the first page with “It was the best of pie. It was the worst of pie.” Considering my husband had just been going crazy over having bought pie at the farmer’s market this week I read him that and said “apparently you’re a Shakespearean faerie”. heh.
Acts of the Théâtre Illuminata
