Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

I give this book an enthusiastic 5 stars, 2 thumbs up, what-have-you!! I was absolutely floored.

When the book started out, I admit I was a little confused as to what was going on, but once I realized the Theatre Illuminata is actually a magical place, I understood how so much could go on and happen at a moments notice. I was a few hours into reading when this dawned on me, although if I really understood that to start with I would have enjoyed the beginning a bit more. No worries though! It did a very nice job at redeeming itself from it's early confuzzlements. This book follows the story of Bertie. She was left so-to-speak at the doorstep of the theater as a young child and she struggled to make her world livable within the theater.

She made friends, most notably the four troublesome fairies. On a side note, I loved the fairies, they were every bit as annoying and lovable as I imagined they could be. Bertie had a growing attraction for Nate, a pirate from The Little Mermaid but the mysterious Ariel has other agendas for Bertie and the theatre as a whole. When Bertie's entire existence at the theatre is threatened, she steps up her game to become a director. Many things go wrong and in the end she and her friends set off to rescue a member of the theatre.

Honestly, I cannot wait until the next one arrives on bookshelves. Even though I bought the book on the day it was released, I put it off, thinking I'd be able to draw out a good thing. I wish I had read it earlier, it was just too good! But not in a bad way, never.

Ms. Mantchev, keep 'em coming. To be honest, I think that the original idea of a trilogy could be very easily made into a full-length series! I would love to see more and more and more of Bertie and the rest of the gang.

Anyone out there who has read any Shakespeare or seen any plays in a theater that you found unforgettable, anyone who has read a fantasy book, anyone in general. You. Have. Got. To. Read. This. Book. I cannot recommend it more!