Perchance to Dream

Théâtre Illuminata #2

by Lisa Mantchev

Growing up in the enchanted Théâtre Illuminata, Bertie learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts—but she didn’t know that she had a role to play, too. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales. And she’s ready to write her own story, outside the protective walls of Théâtre. But which way will her story go? Toward Nate, who’s being held captive by the Sea Goddess, and loves Bertie dearly? Or should she write Ariel into her narrative? He’s by her side every day, and she’s finding his charms so very hard to resist. . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Magic, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Fairies

368 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2010

About the author

Lisa Mantchev is a temporally-displaced Capricorn who casts her spells from an ancient tree in the Pacific Northwest. When not scribbling, she is by turns an earth elemental, English professor, actress, artist, and domestic goddess. She shares her abode with her husband, two children, and three hairy miscreant dogs.

She is best known as the author of the young adult fantasy trilogy, The Théâtre Illuminata. Published by Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan,) the series includes the Andre Norton and Mythopoeic awards-nominated EYES LIKE STARS (2009), PERCHANCE TO DREAM (2010), and SO SILVER BRIGHT (2011.) Her Kindle #1 Bestselling young adult steampunk novel, TICKER, is available from Skyscape. Her near-future young adult collaboration with Glenn Dallas, SUGAR SKULLS, is forthcoming from Skyscape.

Her adult urban fantasy collaboration with A.L. Purol, LOST ANGELES, is now available on Kindle along with its sequel, LOOSE CANON.

Her first picture book, STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS, is now available from Paula Wiseman/S&S, to be followed by SISTER DAY! and JINX AND THE DOOM FIGHT CRIME.

Stay updated with all the fun and glitter at her author website: www.lisamantchev.com

or get your Backstage Pass by becoming a Patron: www.patreon.com/LisaMantchev

Reviews

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Words are like the delicate stitches in the dress you wear, holding the fabric of the garment together. Without them, the dress and the world are nothing but barren cloth.”

In this second installment of the Theatre Illuminata triology, Bertie and Co. have left the Theatre and for the first time since Bertie can remember she is truly on her own. With Nate trapped in the clutches of the evil sea goddess Sedna, Bertie and Ariel and her fairy companions have set out to rescue him and hope to find where Ophelia once lived and maybe even run into the Mysterious man that is supposedly Bertie's own father. Along their journey they meet a few new and interesting characters and even have a new recruit in their entourage who comes bearing unwanted gifts, meet Waschbar! I loved his character and his two friendly ferrets, Pip Pip and Cheerio! They not only fit right in with this lovely group of misfits, Waschbar just seems to belong here. This is a journey he might not have intended to be on, but once he is, it seems unlikely he could belong anywhere else.

“No more proper bed than a soft cushion of earth and the night sky for a coverlet.”

These books hold so much magic in them that its hard not to get swept away in the beautiful story being told. I love the imagery and the connection to the written word that is so creatively woven together with the theatrical theme that carries through the book. I love the lessons Bertie learns while out on her own. How she really didn't realize how good she had it in the Theatre Illuminata with endless buffets of food and convenient scene changes to her liking. But now on her own in the "real world" she learns not everything comes free and she really has to be careful what she wishes for, because not everything is as simple and straightforward as it seems.

Caught between the water and the sky, Bertie tried to stay grounded.

I really started to like Ariel now that Nate can't be there to be her swashbuckling hero, Ariel really stepped up to the plate and proves his love for Bertie in so many ways. If I were Bertie, I really dont know who I would choose between her two handsome lovers. Nate is who I originally thought she couldn't do without but now having seen just how formidable Ariel is and how much he is willing to risk to protect Bertie from harm, I really have a soft spot for him as well!!! And to make matters worse, Bertie doesn't have a clue who she likes the best either. So bring on the love triangle!!!

“There was no slipper, nor spinning wheel, nor true love’s first kiss. This was not a fairy tale with a happily ever after.”

I really have come to love these characters and this world and can't wait to see what happens in the end. I'm happy I decided to finally pick these up after sitting on my shelf for so long, they are sweet, and magical, and beautifully written. I give them two thumbs up!!!

Happy Reading :)

[Sanaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.5 Stars] I have so many thoughts about this book series. I've never quite read anything like it. Unlike the first book which is told almost entirely through dialogue, this sequel turns to more descriptive writing, partially to its benefit I think. The story is still fantastical and magical, sometimes confusing, fast paced, and extremely fairy tale like yet this second installment was even more enchanting than the first. It felt as if I was reading some kind of mystical play. Lisa Mantchev spins a very convincing story so long as you can suspend your disbelief pretty well.

I suggest this trilogy if you would like to read something unique, magical, fairy tale like, and do not mind taking things as they are and not having everything entirely explained to you. I'm almost sad that I only have one more book left in the trilogy, but I am intrigued to know how things will go because really I find this series completely unpredictable and a joy to read! This one isn't quite as funny or as much of a romp as the first one, but this one feels more like an adventure and more like a magical mystery or a dream. ALSO, the writing is just gorgeous.

[Edited to Add] I was reading one of the reviews below and I totally agree with them that Hayao Miyazaki would have a field day with these books. I think the problem most people have with them is that nothing is really explained and you have to take it like it is. You don't know what time period everything happens in or why certain things are the way they are, but you just go with it. A LOT like in Howl's Moving Castle because come on, that movie is amazing but so weird. Like why? So yeah. I really love these books and you will too IF it doesn't bother you that things are not necessarily explained...

[The Winter Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Alright, I managed to sit through the first book only because despite the jumbled mess of weak transitions, poor dialogue, unclear environment and inconsistant motivation, I enjoyed the overall aesthetics and stuck with it to see where it was going and hoped that the author would have grown by the second book. Sadly, it's still just as much as a mess as the first. I sat through the first one to try to give her the benefit of the doubt given that it was her first piece, but this is her second book and she should really be improving, and I see no improvment in her writing skill whatsoever. It's really the editor's fault though. Mantchev has created a great concept and beautiful imagery, but she fails to weave it together in any form of coherence. This is something the editor needed to handle. Had the editor actually done their job and helped sculpt this work into any semblance of cohesion, we would probably have a very imagintive and well thought out piece. Instead we are given a clutter of thoughts and ideas that fail to string together in an effective way.

Bertie is still an unlikeable character with her motivations changing at the drop of a hat. Ariel has now lost all his mystique and is boiled down and reduced to nothing more than an obsessed supernatural love interest. While I understand and can, to a point, appreciate what Mantchev is doing with the mix and matched script type and regular dialogue, it doesn't work and comes off as more distracting than anything else.

To be honest though, I was unable to get past page 18. I sat through the first book based on the aesthetically value appealing to me, but that alone is not enough to keep me for another book. The writing has not improved in any way, shape, or form and Bertie is just as unlikeable as she was in the first book. I can't see any reason to keep reading. It's a shame because I like the idea and I truly wanted to love this book, but I can't. It's just too poorly written for me to enjoy.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating 2.5

WARNING: ranting and spoilers ahead (lots of it)




Ah, *sigh*, what happened here!? What is this mess?

I loved Eyes Like Stars ... and yes, I know that often the second book in a trilogy wanders aimlessly, I was prepared for that...

... what I was not prepared for was ... that Bertie, after growing up, and leaving her self-centered conduct in the first book, looses all sense and sanity and makes decisions that are barely fit for a five year old. Once her attitude can be taken as cute every-teen-has-acted-like-that behavior, but twice ?! (I don't care for fast amends at the end... not this time around).

Second thing, the damn love triangle ... more insufferable than in the first book. Every time Nate the possessive pouty pirate appeared I wanted to throw the book or crush it. I know that he saved her from Sedna in the first book, and that she feels obligated to save him (still don't get what she sees in him), but Bertie keeps from the others the fact that she can communicate with Nate, and continues making stupid decisions one after the other to save him (and no, she doesn't ask advice, not once... because, Bertie knows best) ... and let's not forget that her "worthy" love interest isn't concerned for her safety, on the contrary he manipulates her in a marriage bond (stupid Bertie doesn't realize it till the end, and even then she doesn't care much) and throws fits of jealousy because of the air elemental Ariel. I want to mention that Nate the pirate in this book is technically dead, and no he doesn't say "be safe and happy Bertie, even if with Ariel, he cares for you, he'll keep you safe"..... no, no, no, no, no, he cheats her into marriage, with a blood bond and forced love confession... "Say you love me, even if you don't mean it, just once I beg you, it's just words...." Bleh. I want to throw up. Is this supposed to be romantic?

Ariel is no angel, he is tricksy, he does some stupid stuff too, but only because Bertie leaves him with the illusion that she loves him, and when he discovers he has been taken for a ride, he joins the club and plays dirty too.

Bertie on her part sighs after Nate but doesn't mind kissing Ariel. More or less like in book one, but as I said, once I can chew up the immature behavior, but twice!?

The other quip I had with the book is the world-building. I didn't care much for it in the first book because they didn't set foot outside the Théâtre. It was a little confusing as is stated more than once that Bertie wears jeans and mary janes most often than not, but then at the premiere night the audience was brimming with noblesse ... a Viscount, a Duke , a Marquis, a Baron, a Marchioness and some-such, and they arrived in carriages.

In book two we are finally outside ... and everything is still unclear. The troupe carriage is pulled by mechanical horses, at one point they board a train whose interior reminded Bertie of a "old-fashioned soda parlor"
The rest of the book they mostly rode through the countryside on cobbled roads, passing (if I'm not wrong) through one village (well, a hamlet).
I read many reviews where people complained about the world-building .... never comprehended what they complained till now.

There were new characters .... but I didn't care much for them.

Maybe I should mention that in this book Bertie meets her father ... and more than once, during her tantrums throws rocks and stuff at him. Just charming.

Well, as you could have guessed ... I'm not reading book three. Two and a half stars ... and I'm giving this much only on the account of the four fairies (and occasionally Ariel).



The End

[Miss Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved ELS, and I loved Perchance as well!

This story goes in a different direction from its predecessor: instead of the entire setting being within the Theatre, Bertie and Company take their show on the road, and therefore there’s more action driving Perchance, I think, and so it gave me an exhilarated, excited feeling as I was reading. There were so pretty interesting discoveries made over the course of the story, and so that was fun.

The romantic angle is more pronounced in Perchance, but (thank my lucky eyes like stars!) it never took center stage. There were other more predominant forces of the story, and for that I am especially grateful to the ever-talented author! I said this in Eyes, so forgive me if I sound redundant, but I really, really like Bertie! I just seem to identify with her, somehow, and so it was really nice to read about a character that I actually cared about! Sometimes, though, I wished she didn’t have to be quite so haughty, but she's someone I could relate to and she goes through a lot of the course of the story. I guess what I liked best about Bertie is her unwavering concentration: stuff gets thrown at her from all angles, and yet she never strays from her goal (in this case, to rescue Nate from the malicious Sea Goddess’ lair). Joining her on her journey are the hyper, food-frenzied Midsummer faeries! I love these little guys! Oh, and you too, Pease! These loveable sidekicks were hysterical and adorable from start-to-finish, and I just wish I had four little faerie pals, too!
I have to say, though, that while I liked Nate and Ariel equally in Eyes, but at the end of Perchance, I am now Team Ariel! I don’t fully trust him yet, and I’m sure there will be more revelations about him in Untitled Book Three (most of Perchance seemed to emphasize the search for Nate, and what he was going through), so I can’t wait to for more Ariel!

As always, I remain a big, GUSHING fan of Mantchev’s clever, witty writing style. She has an amazing talent for taking Shakespearean quotes and scenarios and weaving them seamlessly into her narrative – I even underlined all the references I saw.
A very well done sequel! Can’t wait for Untitled Book Three!

[Kayla Silverss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great sequel.. I'm so in love with the atmosphere of this series.

[Iris]

DNF at 55%.

Wow. I'm so disappointed. I really liked the first book, but this one just isn't working for me.

I do really like the characters. or some of them at least.

But it's not enough. This book has none of the whimsy of book one. It completely lacks in the magic that I so loved. Instead it's boring, all over the place, and convoluted.

This book is made up almost entirely of writing in a magical book, traveling, more traveling, a really cringey love triangle between two guys that are waayyyyy too old for her, traveling, and more traveling. And did I mention traveling?

ARRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHH!

Yes, I adore the fairies, but this series has simply lost it's charm, and I cannot force myself to read another page.

[Miss Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I still admire Lisa Mantchev's writing style and the wild, unabashed imagination that is bursting from every scene. It is a glorious, magical ride and the trickiness of writing stories is used to full advantage.

Bertie and Co. have left the safety and familiarity of the Theatre and are journeying on their own to rescue Nate from the sea-goddess Sedna. There is friction between Ariel and Bertie, as Ariel desires to win her affections, while Bertie is fixated on Nate. (More on the love triangle later.) The faeries are as bawdy and happily vexatious as ever, adding levity to what at times becomes a tad too melodramatic. Several new members join the cast, not the least of which is the man-bird Mysterious Stranger, Bertie's father. Bertie's strange and frightening power over words causes many a mishap and a problem as she attempts to use this wordsmithing magic to help them on their quest. Writing things like "their stomachs grumbled" is all very well, but with Bertie it becomes reality and so their hungry bellies start complaining and, well, who wants their stomach to actually talk to you? Or, saying a bridge was "knife-thin" makes for an excellent description, but if it becomes real and you have to walk over it? Ouch. So, seeing that aspect of writing being played around with was fun, but the rest of the book confused or frustrated me.

We'll start with frustrated. The Love Triangle. Ugh. firstly, neither Nate nor Ariel are strong characters. I don't feel like I really know either or understand why Bertie would love them. Both of them are possessive of her and seem more interested in showing the other up than in caring about Bertie. Bertie cannot make up her mind between them and so is stringing them both along, kissing one and then trailing after the other. Yes, you can like two guys. Yes, you may not be sure which one you like better. But don't play them. Don't lead them on when you have no clue whatsoever. And Bertie herself is something of a bland character for all that she has this amazing ability and lives in this extraordinary world.

Now for confused. I know it is partially a result of the story being told in what amounts to a universe that is nothing more than the stage of a play and the play is influenced by what Bertie writes, thus scene changes and sudden shifts in place and person are as if no more than an author executing a rewrite or a transition might feel to her characters, but as a reader is is utterly bewildering. The swift shifts from one place to another make no sense because they are not explained and since we have no access to Bertie's mind, we don't know why it is happening and it made for a thoroughly difficult read.

So, I will be picking up the third book, So Silver Bright,in this series, as I am interested in what may come next for Bertie and Co., but I cannot say I look forward to it with glee. Still, you just never know.

Coming soon: So Silver Bright, Act III of the Théâtre Illuminata

The Curtain Goes Up (for the last time) Fall, 2011

[Bry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure what happened here. The first book was so good! So so good! But this one just...completely feel flat for me.

Bertie was actually annoying me in this book and to be honest I can't even figure out why. To me some things that were so obvious was a mystery to her, and her emotions didn't always make sense to me. Ariel never convinced me of his goodness. I did believe in his love for Bertie but I didn't buy that he was any less selfish than in the first book. I believed one of the other characters take on Ariel - that he would give his life for Bertie, but that didn't mean Bertie wouldn't die alongside him.

One issue with the book though was the vague segways. Bertie would float back in forth between reality, dreams, and the otherworld. And the actions and consequences from each would bleed into the others so it all becomes reality yet isn't. Another issue, was the love triangle. The conclusion of it was just such a cop out to me. But maybe that is just because I think one is more worthy than the other. Usually I do like the bad boy but not this time. I just don't trust the bad boy this time.

Anyways, this book just wasn't for me. I do still want to read the 3rd book though. Hopefully I will enjoy it much more.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and fell in love with the first book in the Théâtre Illuminata series, Eyes Like Stars, several months ago. I was a bit concerned about starting the sequel because I was a little hazy on the details of the first book. I needn't have worried; while you certainly want to read the first book first, book two is almost self-sufficient.

As Bertie, Ariel, and the four Midsummer Night's Dream fairies are off on an adventure outside the Théâtre; Bertie is desperate to rescue her sort-of-boyfriend, the pirate Nate, and she also wants to discover the identity of the Mysterious Stranger who is her father. At the same time, she's maybe-a-little-bit falling for Ariel. She's also learning how to use her storytelling magic without accidentally doing anything dangerous, like lighting her fairy friends on fire.

So much of this book had me literally laughing out loud. I adored it. The comic relief, mostly in the form of the fairies but from other sources as well, is excellent. And I love, love, love all the literary references (the first line is "'It is a truth universally acknowledged,' Mustardseed said, flying in lazy loops like an intoxicated bumblebee, 'that a fairy in possession of a good appetite must be in want of pie," and it only gets better from there). But even through the lighthearted tone and the cheerfulness, there's a fair amount of danger and dark situations that definitely kept me turning the pages.

And the characters. Oh my goodness, the characters. Peaseblossom, Moth, Cobweb, and Mustardseed alone would be enough to keep me reading even with out all the other amazingness. Edible boyfriends and parodies about pie? Oh, yes. And Bertie is so sweet and so relatable - an awesome protagonist. And then there are the love interests. Nate and Ariel are both great characters (I'm Team Ariel, but that's me.) And all of the side characters are so much fun too. It's just spectacular.

My one complaint is that some of it was really hard to follow. While Bertie was experimenting with her magic, there were two or three places where I got really confused as to where she was and who she was with. But I think even that worked, because Bertie was confused a lot too. It made it difficult to keep up in places, but I still really, really loved the story.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Eyes Like Stars, I had to go out and buy the sequel, Perchance to Dream. I'm glad I did!

Perchance to Dream has all of the charm of Eyes Like Stars, but with more action, more romance, and more character development. The slightly slow beginning that was one of the few complaints I had with the first book wasn't a problem in the second.

As I stressed in my review of Eyes Like Stars, Lisa Mantchev has a truly unique way of writing. I'm absolutely in love with her writing style. You can't really understand what I mean unless you've read the book yourself, but I assure you, it's awesome!

Once again, the literary references were wonderful and well-placed. The four faeries: Peaseblossom, Moth, Mustardseed, and Cobweb, were adorable. They provided comic relief in all the right places, and they had several one-liners that had me literally laughing out loud (and getting some strange looks from my family).

I loved that the triangle between Ariel, Nate, and Bertie was more developed in Perchance to Dream. I really like both boys, but I'd have to say that, as of now, I'm definitely Team Nate. I like Ariel, but I think he's more selfish and self-centered than Nate. And in my opinion, Nate's more of a unique character. Ariel is more of the stereotypical seductive, drop-dead gorgeous, slightly dangerous, type.

The only problem I had with Perchance to Dream was that a few of the scenes were a bit confusing, especially those that took place on the journey to Sedna's lair. At times, it was difficult to distinguish between dream and reality, which muddled up the flow of the book a bit. This wasn't a major problem, but it was noticeable.

Other than that, I really enjoyed Perchance to Dream, and I can't wait for the publication of the third book in the series!

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why I read this: I really enjoyed the first one and wanted to read more about Bertie and her adventures.

Plot: I have to be honest here. This book felt scattered to me at times. The setting was hard for me to picture. Otherwise, it was the usual rescue adventure with obstacles caused by mystical forces. The whole setting felt surreal and I couldn't seem to focus on what was going on and then suddenly they were moving on to something else. It was kind of a trip.

Characters: Okay, why can't Ariel just be the bad guy? I feel like he should be, but he isn't - it's just how Bertie reacts to his "love" for her. Okay, less venting about Ariel versus Nate.

I cannot really connect with Bertie. I think the problem is I can't see her background clearly in the books and how it's made her into who she is. I don't understand her. Why does she push Ariel away? Why is Nate the one she runs after to save? I'm not quite clear of her motives and then the sudden father figure entering the stage threw me off and it felt awkward and really weird all at once. I do love the fairies - they crack me up and keep me fairly sane throughout the whole adventure. They are constant in their love for food and constant bickering and insanity. Definitely my favorite characters.

Relatability: I can relate to the fairies, but I feel like the other characters aren't as real. There's nothing quite human about them besides emotions and I need some basis in reality to really connect. I'm sure people involved with theatre would understand this novel more, especially with the scene changes and play-writing.


Cover Commentary: Gorgeous. I may buy it just to have it next to Eyes Like Stars, which I enjoyed more than the sequel for some reason.

[Leah G]

The opening lines, a riff off Pride and Prejudice, are very funny; however, throughout the book I found the mischievous fairies more an annoyance than an actual contribution to the book's quality. Ignoring them, however, I thought that Bertie is a good character and Ariel is even more complexly drawn than the first book. There are many cute and clever lines, and the Scrimshander is an intriguing invention- he may have been my favorite part of the book.

However, the plot is very flawed- I kept stopping while I read and saying, "But that doesn't make any sense. Why couldn't Bertie simply do [obvious, easy action:] instead of [weird, complicated, stupid action:]- oh, because then the book would have ended two pages later." I also wished Nate, Ariel's pirate rival for Bertie's affections, would have had more personality as he did in the first book. Ariel's development seems to have been at Nate's expense, unfortunately. The book's ending is abrupt and, I felt, something of a cop-out.

All that aside, this book can be very enjoyable, particularly for younger readers (although it's probably better if they know Shakespeare plays well in advance of reading.)

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the interest of full disclosure, I'll say that Lisa is a friend of mine.

But even she wasn't, I'd be a fan of her writing because it's among some of the most inventive storytelling on the YA market today. I adored Eyes Like Stars and Perchance to dream has every bit of the magic with plenty of romance, bawdy fairies, and one girl’s quest to discover her place and purpose. Utterly enchanting from first line to last!

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forgive me if this review isn’t as clear, eloquent, or cohesive as I’d like. I have a cold and am having a little trouble concentrating.

Also: there are no spoilers in this review.

Eyes Like Stars left readers at the mercy of a crossroad--which would Bertie chose: Nate, the salted and sun-bronzed pirate from The Little Mermaid, or Ariel, the mysterious and alluring wind spirit from The Tempest? With Nate kidnapped and taken to Sedna’s lair deep under imaginatively dark and murky waters, Bertie, encouraged by his return to the Théâtre Illuminata, takes Ariel and her fairy friends with her on a caravan ride to The Outside to rescue Nate. The question remains: will she fall for Ariel along the journey and forget about Nate or will she do the impossible and rescue her beloved pirate from a place where only the dead live?

You may remember, I wasn’t too keen on the romance between Ariel and Bertie. She should, I thought, be with Nate. He never manipulated her; he’s steady where Ariel is mercurial; dreamy and burly instead of elusive and dependent on magical charms. It’s undeniable that both stand at opposing sides, polar opposites that war for Bertie’s attention. The two were largely a most welcome distraction while Bertie began her search for her real parents and ultimately became entangled in what has always been Bertie’s story.

The romance is only one part of Perchance to Dream. Lest we forget Bertie’s other mission--to discover her father and bring him back to Ophelia--Mantchev introduces a dark and mysterious figure with a haunting past and secrets buried beneath a curious façade. Romance and revelations aside, Perchance to Dream delivers everything else you’ve come to expect from pastry connoisseur Lisa Mantchev and--dare it be possible--even more. The fairies were, as always, charmingly obsessed with their stomachs, but who can blame them? Like its predecessor, Perchance to Dream is a glittering explosion of pastries and color, magic, an impressive array of ornamental finery, costumes, stage sets, extraordinary periphery characters, and food. Did I mention the food? I never thought a generous reminder every now and then of dessert or dinner would actually make me hungry, but it did--and I’m not too big on the sweets. I even went out and bought a glazed donut to celebrate (I kid you not)!

The fairies aren’t the only comedic relief. The tension between Ariel and Nate makes for testosterone fueled jabs and egotistical quips at each other’s expense. The boys lose their usual composure as often as they try to save face in front of Bertie. Nate snarls; Ariel sweats. Perchance to Dream is worth the read, if only in part to watch the boys split themselves into equal parts sweetness and seduction, envy and brooding. Although Nate is still my favorite, Ariel makes a fine contender. Before I go on I must tell you that Bertie does makes a decision that answers the burning question: Nate or Ariel? No, I’m not going to reveal the answer. You’ll just have to read the book to find out!

In addition to the goodies we’ve come to expect, Mantchev outdoes herself with richly imaginative scenes so vivid and abstract it’s impossible to rely solely on her descriptions to take you far away into another dimension--a little imaginative thinking on the part of the reader is sometimes necessary. It’s these scene, I’m afraid, that may turn more reluctant readers away. Bertie’s dream-sequence-realities and scrimshaw-induced visions clash against the vividly chaotic Caravanserai into an almost overwhelming display of ideas and visual stimulation. It might be too overwhelming, too much stimulation for a reader that may stumble in the landscape Mantchev fills with troupes and troubadours, gilded cages, feathered ladies, enchanted gardens, and layered realities.

For those that brave the adventure, there might be something that, if possible, heightens the experience. I don’t usually recommend music to accompany a text; people have such different tastes that any one song or album could ruin the atmosphere created by the author. In the spirit of Bertie’s adventure, I think it’s pretty safe and following the magical and haunting spirit of the scene to recommend Loreena McKennitt’s “Caravanserai” while reading that particular chapter. The music is as achingly beautiful as the drama, as enchanting as the scenery, and lingers with echoes of desire and bittersweet memories. It complements Mantchev’s lush descriptions well, I think, without detracting from the emotion and beauty of the scene.

As beautiful and imaginative as most of the book is, there is also a dark side lurking around the last 100 pages involving swords, seawater, and sojourns into the wickedly possessive--courtesy of Sedna’s cruel manipulations. I could go into detail, but I won’t. Bertie proves herself to be a courageous protagonist. Her confidence grows throughout the story as she becomes comfortable asserting herself--asserting her story. She forges her own path, claiming the future she wants and pursuing what’s become important in her life. Perchance to Dream is the next evolution in Bertie’s life: some areas become clear, others are left messy. Life is never easy and it’s not always black and white, but Bertie bravely faces everything surrounded by good friends and tasty delicacies. She’s well nourished.

I feel lucky that Lisa Mantchev was gracious enough to pass my information on to her publisher so I could read this ARC before the official summer release. Both Perchance to Dream and Eyes Like Stars were a lot of fun--especially because they’re loaded with random (contextually appropriate) quotes and references from Shakespeare’s plays. It’s an extra perk that you can test your knowledge to see which lines are from what plays, said by whom. I only recommend that you not read this while on cold medication. Mantchev’s prose is already so whimsical you might start hallucinating nonexistent performers and exaggerated interpretations. Otherwise, you should be fine.

Thank you Lisa Mantchev and the lovely folks at Feiwel & Friends!

[Peach Fuzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the writing in this one more, less relying on dialog and more focus on description. Some of the lines in this were really nice and I loved all of the quotes and references to other plays scattered in, it add an extra layer of drama. I feel as though my biggest problem is still the pacing, it feels as if it's jumping to the next part so quickly. And somehow her powers have become pretty much limitless. But ya know, don't think too hard into it.
Does this trilogy end with Bertie in a poly relationship? 🤔 (The only realistic way I think this should end tbh) guess we'll find out next time!

[Ley Saulnier · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review for Eyes Like Stars, the precursor to Perchance To Dream, was brief, flighty, and not a true approximation of how I feel about this series. Yes, I said Eyes Like Stars is the novel all young adult authors should aspire to. After reading Perchance To Dream, I feel I should elaborate.

Lisa Mantchev has a beautiful, intricate writing style, infused with quotes and jargon from her wealth of theatre knowledge, all without losing her own personal edge. Dialogue is witty and sharp, and she achieves a wonderful balance: the sense of familiarity with the characters offsets the mysterious world filled with infinite possibilities.

There is another balance kept, too: the comedic moments offset the devastating tragedies. The first chapter alone is a fantastic example of the humorous side of Perchance To Dream, wherein the Fourth Wall is broken through and the fairies prattle on about pie. Meanwhile, you will encounter at least two shocking revelations throughout the novel, and grow even closer to a character you might not have had any sympathies for in the past.

As a genre novel, Perchance To Dream rips apart all conventions. I am not usually a fan of high fantasy — which I suppose the Théâtre Illuminata series is — but Lisa Mantchev bends the rules of genre, creating something breathtakingly original and fantastical, yet still modern. Everything is colourful, brilliant, larger than life, and just a touch hallucinogenic. A Baz Lurhman/Tim Burton lovechild, dark and radiant all at once, whirling at such speed it’s hard to keep up.

It is my genuine opinion that the protagonist, Bertie, is one of the most powerful female characters in young adult fiction. She has an inner strength that she comes to realize over the course of Perchance To Dream, continuing her evolution from spunky, dye-hard theatre misfit. She is no weakling, no coward, and does not require the aid of a love interest to save her life every five pages — nor does she require a significant other to make her interesting. She can carry the novel quite well on her own.

After a year without her, it was spectacularly refreshing to meet Bertie again. Reading Perchance To Dream returned to me my faith in young adult novels, and reminded me why I read this genre. Now, if you pardon me, I need to mourn the loss for another year, until book three is published ...

[Zephfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very blessed to receive an ARC of Perchance to Dream, I was eagerly awaiting the second instalment of Lisa Mantchev's Theatre Illuminata trilogy having read the first one, Eyes like stars and been captivated by it.
PTC does not disappoint, it takes our main cast on a road trip of discovery as they seek to reclaim one of their own, Nate the pirate, from the clutches of the evil sea witch, Sedna. En route they encounter perils set in a wild landscape, both the perils and landscape are in part Bertie's making as she struggles to harness her word power as Mistress of the Revels.
It is a voyage of discovery for all our merry troupe, Bertie and the four fairies: Cobweb, Peaseblossom, Mustardseed and Moth with the ever alluring Ariel accompanying somewhat begrudgingly as Nate represents a rivalry for Bertie's affection. They meet various new and magical characters along the way and are joined on their journey by Waschbar the thief, claimer of unwanted things and his two ferrets who add to the general mayhem unwittingly (though sometimes intentionally) unleashed by the mischievous fairies.
There is a heart-warming sub-plot as Bertie gets some answers to her lost origins (which I won't spoil by telling you!), and it was nice to see Bertie develop and embrace her role as Mistress of the Revels. The plot weaves in and out leading to the unavoidable battle with Sedna to reclaim Nate, but Sedna does not surrender her captives easily and issues Bertie an ultimatum that could spell the end for her, Nate and Ariel, a situation that will resonate with a great many readers! But you'll have to read Perchance to Dream to find out what that ultimatum was!
This series is a joy to read, it's magical, bright, colourful, richly described and very funny. It has a language and character that I've found to be totally endearing and quite unique. Older readers will appreciate the dry humour and emotional sub-plots, younger readers will fall in love with the fairies and the sparkle of the stories. Sadly the stage lights have dimmed for another year for me as I now await the final swan-song of the series.
But dear Lisa Mantchev...stage centre please, and take a much deserved bow!
I'll be awaiting your encore! (and I bet it'll be made of shiny awesome!) hehe ;)

[Wayward Skyril · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this book a solid four.

The characters- oh the characters!- are just so loveable! Everybody is unique and interesting and has his own personality to which he sticks unfalteringly.




Alas, they were the only great thing about this book.

The plot was good and fine, but the story was just.. so utterly confusing. Most of the time I was extremely unclear on what was going on. Was this real? Something Bertie was imagining? Is she dreaming? Or is the world in which she dreams somehow... real? What? Is she hallucinating or are these things really happening? As much as I tried, I could not keep a grip on what was real and what was fake or magic or hallucination or whatever else.



However, as I said, I just love the characters. As scared as I am at the decision Bertie's going to have to make, I'd rather know it than go on wondering; therefore I will certainly be reading book three.

[K.M. Weiland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The major con of this book can be summed up in one word: manic. The pacing and the plot feel like they’re on a Chinese bullet train. But the prose and the imagery is beyond stunning. Bertie’s romantic triangle is a bit annoying and undeveloped, but I’ll be reading on just for more of the word candy. And the fairies.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

utterly wowed by mantchev's imagination,
storytelling and prose. Eyes Like Stars was
one of my top five reads of 2009 and the
sequel did not disappoint. Perchance to Dream
has every element you would want in a story,
and Ariel, whom i adore. Team Ariel! =D

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: "It is a truth universally acknowledged," Mustardseen said, flying in lazy loops like an intoxicated bumblebee, "that a fairy in possession of a good appetite must be in want of a pie."

Premise/plot: Bertie Shakespeare Smith has left the Theatre. Accompanying her are her best fairy friends (Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed) and her love interest, Ariel. Bertie is on a quest to save Nate, her other love interest. Nate was kidnapped by Sedna, the Sea Goddess, in the first book in the series Eyes Like Stars. But she's also on a quest to find her father. Bertie grew up not knowing WHO her father or her mother were. Now that she knows who her mother is, she wants to find her father too. She'd LOVE to find her father and convince him to return with her to the Theatre. But wanting something doesn't make it happen. Wishes don't work like that--even for a young woman realizing her own power. Bertie has a gift, a talent, with WORDS. This adventure-packed book has more misadventures than anything else. But Bertie is persistent...

My thoughts: Perchance to Dream was published a year before ONCE UPON A TIME premiered in 2011. Both Eyes Like Stars and Perchance To Dream have a very OUAT feel to them. Bertie is essentially THE AUTHOR. (This story line was from 2015). I suppose this observation is neither here nor there--it just is.

I liked Perchance to Dream. I love the characters in this one. I am very much Team Ariel. I am. It's not that I dislike Nate, but, he's just not the one for Bertie. In my opinion. I have a love/hate relationship with love triangles. I can't help that.

Quotes:

"Words are like the delicate stitches in the dress you wear, holding the fabric of the garment together. Without them, the dress and the world are nothing but barren cloth." (172)
"I thought I had the chance to win your heart, but there's no way to compete against the idea of a man, something you've built up into a terrible fancy in that imagination of yours." (190)

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

the prose makes it very hard to follow, especially because it's just prose with no explanation of why anything is happening

[Tansy Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second volume is the follow up to Lisa Mantchev’s delightful and surreal Eyes Like Stars, a YA fantasy set in the literal backstage of the Theatre Illuminata, a place so magical that all the characters of every play ever written can be found on the stage.

Bertie, the theatre foundling who has only just discovered the truth of half her parentage, is on a quest to save Nate, the man she loves. She has ventured outside the theatre for the first time in her life, accompanied by the elusively attractive Ariel, and the boisterous Midsummer Night’s Dream fairies, to rescue Nate from the seawitch, armed only with a book and her new status as Mistress of the Revels.

As with Eyes Like Stars, the magic of this book is strange and unreliable. Bertie’s new powers enable her to write any event and have it come true, but it rarely happens in any predictable or desirable way. The world outside the theatre is strange and dark, and the ground is never completely solid under Bertie’s feet. Out here, she finally learns the truth of who her father is, and how she came to be abandoned parentless in the Theatre Illuminata. She is also, through their many adventures, challenged to prove her love for Nate, and to confront the feelings she also has for Ariel.

Ariel really comes into his own in this book as (for me) the most interesting character, but then I’m a total sucker for sad-eyed bad boys suffering from unrequited love. And, you know, it might not be all that unrequited after all… we can only hope!

The language of these books is lovely. Mantchev plays with vocabulary and Shakespearean quotations with obvious pleasure, tangling her characters up in linguistic games. Physical danger is all very well, but banter can conquer all! Well, banter and pie. As ever, the fairies steal the show every time Mantchev allows them on the page, dancing and carousing and eating everything in sight.

It is, of course, a middle book, with all that entails. It doesn’t quite have the original spark of the first one, or get a chance to resolve everything as I hope the third will do. But I can see people being able to read this and appreciate it without having read the first, as there is plenty of explanation as to where they are coming from. Still worth grabbing Eyes Like Stars first, though, for the full Bertie Shakespeare Smith experience.

The greatest weakness of this book is also its strength – it is the world of the Theatre Illuminata that is so important to the story, and being away from the theatre for the whole book makes it feel rather like padding. You know Bertie has to leave the theatre in order to understand it, but it’s hard not to feel like there’s something really important missing, especially as the “real world” feels rather less definable than the setting of the first book. Back to the Theatre Illuminata proper please, for Book Three!

Also, I have no idea how Bertie’s romantic situation will end up, but assuming that there is no option where Nate and Ariel run off together, I am firmly on the side of Team Ariel. Bah pirates. Yay fairies. That is all.

[Christy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perchance to Dream is the follow-up to the incredibly unique fantasy book Eyes Like Stars.

In this second installment, we find Bertie, Ariel and the fairies in a caravan on their way to save Nate from the Sea Goddess. In their travels they come across some interesting characters including a sneak, thief who joins them on their journey.

At one point the band of merry travelers end up on the Immamorati train, which, to the best I can describe, is a traveling circus train. This was my favorite part, the part where I just wanted to jump through the pages of the books. I have this thing with trains, and this train just sounded amazing, I would not have wanted to get off. Here is Bertie's first impression as she stepped inside:

Stepping inside, she was reminded of an old-fashioned soda parlor or, at least, the Théâtre's version of one: all ribboned-striped cushions, silver paint, etched mirrors, and white wrought-iron benches.

...pausing occasionally in their gleeful capering to sniff the air, which smelled faintly of caramelized sugar and vanilla, as though some unseen person was baking waffle cones.

Where can I find this train?

I found the creativity in Perchance to Dream had been kicked up a notch from the previous book. I had to reread a few sections, especially in the action sequences, but I felt that that was just because of my lack of fantasy reading. I don't seem to catch on to fantasy as much as other genres. Nonetheless, I loved this book and devoured it in two days.

I loved how Bertie is starting to find herself. She looks as herself as not just a daughter or a love interest by the end of the book. And the book ends with Bertie wanting to continue on, to fulfill a promise, rather than head back to the Théâtre.

I can't wait to read the next book and hope that the whole love triangle thing gets worked out; I'm not a big fan of those.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best opening ever, I swear. I love pie, and I love books, so...you know, amazing.

I'm not actually sure how I felt about this book. I read it in a weekend, and I've had some trouble finishing books lately, so I must have enjoyed it. I think it's fantastic that I still hae no idea how the love triangle is going to turn out; I've seen love triangles where the middle point is torn, but generally there's a constant leaning in one direction, so you can feel, at the end, like the triumphant romance was meant to be. I'm thinking that Bertie's either going to end up alone (Rory Gilmore/Team Bella Goes to College FTW), or Ariel and Nate are going to see through the veil of hostility and fall in love so that a Happy!Stable!Threesome ending rules the day. Or, um. That might not happen, but I'm not gonna lie, that's what I always hope for in a love triangle, so that would be the best thing ever.

What was I on about? Oh, right. Anyway, it was no doubt a beautifully written book, and definitely unique and different from anything I've read recently. It was confusing and dream-like, and it made me feel muddled and hazy, which is exactly how Bertie felt, so I imagine that's--well, darn, this was a really well-done novel, now wasn't it?

All righty, I've decided. I liked it, hoo boy, I liked it more than I thought I did before I, er. Thought about it? I think it was difficult, coming off of Shug, where I identified super-strongly with the protagonist, because I don't really identify with Bertie, which makes it hard for me to LOVE these books. But they're still darn good.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perchance to Dream picks up right where Eyes Like Stars let off. Bertie is traveling with Ariel and the faeries to rescue Nate. At first, it's a bit disorienting because of the high fantasy aspect, and unless you read Perchance to Dream immediately after finishing Eyes Like Stars, it may take several pages before you're accustomed to the setting and the interesting way Lisa Mantchev weaves her story.

I definitely liked this book better than the first one, (and I loved the first one), because I was used to the world and the characters. When reading Eyes Like Stars, I would sometimes get confused as to what was going on or who was what. But with Perchance to Dream, it was all clearer, and I was able to enjoy the story more.

I'm also firmly Team Ariel, so I enjoyed spending more time with him in this book. He's just so darn lovable, I don't understand how anyone could not love him! Oooh, Ariel...

The plot is even more intense and endlessly twisting. There are many revelations about Bertie and her past. One of the great things about the way Lisa Mantchev writes is that the real and unreal are blended so seamlessly that sometimes you have to wonder what's really going on in the story.

If you read Eyes Like Stars and even so much as remotely liked it, then most definitely pick up Perchance to Dream. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

[Krystle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of sparklies! And shiny, and glitzy! Did I mention the shiny? Oh, YEAH!

If there’s one thing this book has it’s the PRETTY! Do you see that cover? Droolicious gorgeous. The inside layout and design? Eye candy everywhere! You aren’t going to be bored with this book, there’s just too much stuff to look at and admire.

This book is lots of fun. There’s so much adventure and action compared to the previous book and now we get to explore some more of the fantastical world we just brushed in the first one. We get to delve into and discover Bertie’s background and how this affects and changes her. It sure surprised me with some of the plot twists.

I have to admit I was lost for lots of it concerning names, people, and events that happened because I didn’t really remember anything from the first book. But that’s alright; I managed to get by without that much trouble.

The love triangle in here sure is different. She takes the traditional tropes of it and increases it tenfold so we get such crazy and delicious tension all over. I have to admit that I like Nate a lot better than Ariel, the scheming wind element. He doesn’t seem that nice to me and is quite a bit selfish.

A short review but I can’t really say more.

[Gatorgal21]

It only took me about a year and a half to get into this book, I’m not sure why, but somehow I just couldn’t get past the first page. I finally did though, and I really liked it. Seriously, the crazy creative setting combined with the fierce and loveable Bertie, the hysterical fairies, and just the over all imagination in this story made an entrancing sequel. I loved the first one, and I thought this one lived up to it. Watching the chaos that ensues as Bertie and her entourage are set loose upon the world was fun. And I do mean chaos by the way, Bertie’s new powers with words and the fairies aggressive appetites together are almost comical in their disastrous effects. And, of course, there’s a love triangle. I’m sure you already know who you like best, so I’m not going to say anything more about that and influence you in any way, but for someone who usually detests love triangles and the drama they create, this one wasn’t half bad. So, a spunky heroine, comic relief up to your ears, a dangerously attractive traveling companion, a swashbuckling pirate, a fantastic quest, and some amazing new characters all come together in a pretty cool way. This is not one you’re going to want to sleep through.
Reviewed by Kathryn Taylor

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Act Two is as fun as the first.

Bertie, Ariel and the fairies have left the Théâtre in the Mistress of Revels’s caravan with only the clothes on their back and a vague plan. She wants to rescue Nate and get the missing half of her story, How Bertie Came To The Theater, by finding her absent father. Ariel just wants to be free and the fairies are happy to be along for the ride (which includes pie, right?). Bertie soon figures out her mission isn’t easily accomplished in a real world that is nothing like a play. She falls back on her newfound power wielding a pen mightier than any sword, but it’s tricky when her choice of words is more lyrical than precise.

Thankfully, this book isn’t as crowded as the first. While we get to see more of Bertie, Ariel, and even Nate, I don’t know that they make any more sense to me (especially comparing them to how they appeared in the first book). This would normally be a nonstarter, but that’s not the case for this series. It’s very unlike anything else I’ve read, visual in the extreme. I might not be greatly invested in these characters, but I’m happily distracted from that by the fantastical movie playing out in my head.