Perchance to Dream

Guys, we're so terribly sorry this has taken so long, but both of us were taken hostage by the monster that is finals and the end of freshman year. Now, we're home and everything should go back to normal!

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?

from amazon.com

Beth says 4.99 Stars...

I love this series. Eyes Like Stars quickly won a spot on my favorites shelf, and this second installment doesn't disappoint. Mantchev takes a risk by leaving the familiar setting of the Thèâtre and literally taking the show on the road. It was the slightly stereotypical hero's journey and traveling of a second book in a trilogy. However, what could have been flat and boring was lifted into the realm of entertaining by the quick wit that permiates the novel. Literary allusions abound, and there's impressive hilarity for those well-read enough to understand the jokes. I didn't get them all, but when I did I felt a small sense of pride and had a chuckle.

The funniest part of the book was the fairies. From the very first page they had me in stitches whenever they appeared. There were some fun new characters who added to the dynamic, but I still missed everyone from the Thèâtre. Bertie grew as a person, and so did her relationships with both Nate and Ariel. I love that they went in different directions and weren't stereotypical. I'm interested to see how everything resolves in the final book. The different magics in that world were also significantly explored, and I'm waiting for more. Bertie's powers have begun to take a fascinating shape, and what the other different characters can do is intriguing was well.

Overall I really liked this book. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that there was just something little missing that would have made it amazing. I can't put my finger on it, but it was there in Eyes Like Stars and not in this one. However, the book is still fantastic. Mantchev proves that she has a singiature style that absolutely delights and avoids the pitfall of a terrible sequel. I'm thoroughly excited for the next book. This is a good continuation of the series and sets up what should be a hilarious thrill ride of a final act.

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