Perchance to Dream: Theatre Illuminata #2

Also appears on The Screaming Nitpicker.Bertie's play at the Theatre Illuminata got a standing ovation just like she wanted, but she sets out with Ariel and her four fairy friend Mustardseed, Cobweb, Moth, and Peaseblossom so she can rescue Nate, the pirate Player she cares so much for, from Sedna's clutches. Bertie's gift to control words and make what she writes come to life isn't an easy gift and the outside world is no walk in the park. While Nate's soul haunts her dreams, Ariel is close by during the day and Bertie is torn between the two men in her life. As she approaches the lair of the Sea Goddess, Bertie's love and her magic may not be enough to save her or her friends.Bertie and her friends don't have it easy this time around; like any teenager and especially one with powers she's just starting to figure out, Bertie makes a lot of mistakes and learns from them. Early in the book, she hardly knows how to use her word-magic without summoning something that could kill her, but experience teaches her how to do it right. Not everyone has perfect control the first time they use their powers; some of them have to work at it. My favorite character Ophelia may not have much of a presence in the book, but Bertie and the fairies make up for it with their growth and their actions as comedic sidekicks, respectively.Through Shakespeare's fairies and the omniscient point of view, Perchance to Dream retains much of the humor is predecessor had even when the stakes are higher and the tone slightly (just slightly) darker. While I prefer the setting of the Theatre Illuminata, Mantchev did a great job of putting Bertie and her friends in the outside world to meet a wider variety of characters than just who is in a play.I'm sure I'm supposed to like one love interest or another at this point because a major part of the books is the love triangle (I normally abhor books with a heavy focus on a love triangle, but I am occasionally forgiving if I like everything else enough), but I don't like Ariel or Nate very much. They both trick her into doing the same thing through different methods and that annoyed me so badly. Last time I checked, that's not how you make someone you love do that; you get them to fall in love with you too and it's done after a mutual, informed decision. By the end of the book, I was hoping an army of squirrels would come along to steal their nuts. (I apologize for that pun. I can't help it sometimes. Runs in the family.)From the time Bertie steps through the portal to the time she arrives in Sedna's throne room, I was lost, especially the first time I read it. During my second read of the book, my feeling of not knowing what the heck was going on and of everything it could be, why is this stuff the trial someone has to pass to get to Sedna's lair was only slightly eased. Even by Theatre Illuminata standards, which I set very high due to the nature of the books, it was weird.I've got three theories as to how it's going to end with Bertie, Nate, and Ariel. 1) Bertie rejects them both. I feel this would be best for her, but I know it won't happen. 2) Polyamory because if she loves them both equally and can't choose, maybe she won't have to. I wouldn't mind this because we hardly ever see something so different in YA, but I doubt it will happen. I'd put its chances at five percent. 3) One love interest dies, automatically pairing Bertie with the one that didn't die. This is what's most likely and I don't care much for endings like that. I like the heroine to make the choice, not fate or death or what have you.Maybe one of my theories is right or maybe they're all wrong, but I'm eagerly awaiting So Silver Bright, the final book in the trilogy, to find out how Bertie grows from here and how it all turns out.

Perchance to dream starts as Eyes Like Stars leaves off. Bertie has left the Theatre Illuminata with Ariel in search of a way to save Nate. Along the way, she finds her father and adventure she couldn't imagine.Bertie is still Bertie, sweet, reliable, snarky and just awesome. The faires are still funny and food-obssesed and Ariel is his usual self, though he has calmed down a bit and I found myself really, really liking him this time. Even the thief Waschbar and his two ferrets where likeable and i enjoyed thier antics.Just like with the first, there are moments whenyou may get lost or confused but it rights itself out pretty quickly. I think the oddest part was when Bertie found her father, his whole.. being, was just one big confusion. However, a helpful one.The landscape that is described is lush, vibrant and beautiful. From the land to the sky and sea, I felt like i was apart of the world Lisa Mantchev created. By the time Bertie reaches the lair of the sea goddess I had laughed, cried, gasped and cheered on Bertie and company. Bertie gains more confidence and skill in her powers and the end battle was truely amazing, I had a box of kleenex by my side the entire time.Perchance to Dream is a poetic and masterful piece of literary art. The characters, story, world and prose is just wonderful and put together so well. If you are a fan of unique storylines, then the Theatre Illuminata trilogy is right up your alley. Even if your not a fantasy fan, this is one not to be missed. Also, the cover is a simply gorgeous, all three books sport wonderful cover art and portray the characters and emotions of the books to a T.

Beatrice Shakespeare Smith AKA Bertie has set the stage for a new scene in her life... She's taking the play on the road, along with Ariel (who may or may not be the love of her life) and the fairies (who may or may not eat every word Bertie has). Our merry cast is, of course, on a mission to save Nate, the swashbuckling pirate (who may or may not be the love of Bertie's life), as he's been kidnapped by the Sea Goddess. If this doesn't make any sense to you, stop, and read the first book in this series ( Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I ) first! Along the way they'll encounter a new cast of characters - how could they not? They're no longer in the Theatre, after all, so they're in need of new actors.Will they find the way to the Sea Goddess's lair before it's too late? Will Bertie figure out which of the two she really loves? Will she realize just how powerful her words are and how to control them? Is there any cake in the world that can make the fairies cry uncle? You'll get answers to some of those questions in this book and in ways that are sure to entertain - I for one was seeing Cirque du Soleil in my mind as I read several chapters, only to find her thank them at the end of the book. I'm ready for more.

I have been dying to read the continuation of Bertie's story. Not only does this story have an original idea but it plays off a love triangle fairly well.The reason behind the four star rating though is that the story got a little confusing at times. The hardest parts were the dream sequences for me. While the style of writing was expressive and beautiful there was hardly a transition into a dream sequence. So occasionally I would have to go back a few pages to realize what was happening.The story picks off right where it left off in the first book, which was fantastic since I have a hard time remembering the endings of books. However, this sequel was very easy to follow that provided many surprises on the way. The growth of Ariel had me feeling for him and also rooting for his outcome. This book is definitely more focused on Ariel's part of the relationship with Bertie.So all in all this was a fantastic read that I finished in one day! Definitely going to start on the third one right away.

(Actually, I'd give this 3.5 stars, I just rounded up because 3 stars is a bit harsh.)I found this a bit of a scattered book. It started pretty good, with Bertie and company just having left the Théâtre and embarking on their quest/road trip to rescue Nate from the clutches of Sedna, the Sea Goddess. I was interested to find out how Mantchev was going to approach her very unique world with its odd magic system outwith the Théâtre. The ending was also well done, full of peril and danger. However, the middle was a bit bogged down in the love triangle between Bertie, Ariel and the mostly missing Nate and the previously mentioned magic system began to unravel in earnest at this point. As the Mistress of Revels, Bertie could write herself into, and fiddle with, as many scenes as she wanted. This could very well have been an easy get out clause for any situation but outside of the Théâtre, what Bertie writes didn't necessarily translate into what Bertie wanted, leading to constant chaos. Unfortunately, this constant chaos got a bit grating eventually.But look past that magical chaos and there was a wonderfully descriptive and imaginative book in amongst it all, full of colourful characters both old and new. From the four fairies, Bertie's little food obsessed companions, and the slightly overdramatic Ariel to the travelling circus and the mysterious Scrimshander, this book did not lack a fine array of characters. Bertie herself was my favourite, which is unusual as I don't usually favour main characters, as I find her to be a girl capable of standing up for and defending herself (although she did need to do this on a few more occasions in this instalment, methinks).I feel I must mention the love triangle. I am no fan of such things, as I mention in probably every review I write which features one, and here is no different. I've found it to be completely surplus to requirements in this series so far as it is a series that has so much going on already. Although I have absolutely no preference as to who Bertie decides to choose, as I like both Ariel and Nate, I'm secretly hoping she chooses neither just to be a bit contrary. Chances are rather slim though, I know this.I did eventually thoroughly enjoy reading Perchance To Dream but I feel that it was a book that you have to really make the effort to sit down and read. It did not take kindly to being dipped in and out of. It was a fun read and a bit on the strange side, so if that's your thing then do give this series a shot.