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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Well that was a roller coaster.
And I'm still unsure whether it was a good roller coaster or a bad one. Let it be known, I highly enjoyed So Silver Bright and I think it was the best, and probably only, way to have ended the trilogy. However, that didn't make me happy about certain aspects of it.
This wonderfully, bittersweet, gorgeous, enchanting book caught me be surprised. I was not prepared for what took place within the beautiful covers of So Silver Bright. Bertie matured and grew into a strong woman who learned to make tough decisions, even if it meant she had to live with regrets.
Mantchev certainly did not make it easy for our heroes to survive their journey, despite the magic that flowed through the world Bertie and Co. struggled to survive. At any given moment they would find themselves penniless, foodless(much to the fairies dismay!), and on the run from brigands, trying to outrace a sea goddess, or calm down an angry fire dancer. But throughout these struggles they managed to have a jolly good time and grow.
One thing that always amazed me about the Theatre Illuminata Trilogy and Lisa Mantchev's writing was I loved Nate and Ariel almost as equally as Bertie did. And while I have a soft spot for Ariel, I still loved the relationship Nate and Bertie had. [spoiler]Even so, when Ariel was freed I found myself teary eyed, I did not want him gone forever! But I still couldn't be overly sad, because it made Bertie(and subsequently mine) choice easier. And to be honest, I think Nate and Bertie are adorable together.[/spoiler]
The ending was perfect. That is all I can say, despite some annoyances throughout the book(mainly with pacing and a strange arrangement plotwise), it ended perfectly.
Also, being the dancer I am always putting songs to the stories I read.I have decided to start including one of these songs with each of my reviews, just for fun. Sometimes the song fits perfectly with the characters or the story, and other times it fits in a more roundabout way that makes sense to me. The song for So Silver Bright is a bit of a mix of the two, it is "What the Water Gave Me" by Florence + The Machine. Obviously we have the ordeal with the sea goddess Sedna, fitting it waterwise, as well as the themes of the book involving making tough decisions, making exchanges, trying to save those you love. But the main thing that made me choose this one was the melancholy mood that permeates the song. It could have been about nearly anything but with the mood I would have chosen it, I felt it fit with the book, especially the end.
I suppose that is all I have to say, except for...
"I've words enough when the Bard's run out."
And I'm still unsure whether it was a good roller coaster or a bad one. Let it be known, I highly enjoyed So Silver Bright and I think it was the best, and probably only, way to have ended the trilogy. However, that didn't make me happy about certain aspects of it.
This wonderfully, bittersweet, gorgeous, enchanting book caught me be surprised. I was not prepared for what took place within the beautiful covers of So Silver Bright. Bertie matured and grew into a strong woman who learned to make tough decisions, even if it meant she had to live with regrets.
Mantchev certainly did not make it easy for our heroes to survive their journey, despite the magic that flowed through the world Bertie and Co. struggled to survive. At any given moment they would find themselves penniless, foodless(much to the fairies dismay!), and on the run from brigands, trying to outrace a sea goddess, or calm down an angry fire dancer. But throughout these struggles they managed to have a jolly good time and grow.
One thing that always amazed me about the Theatre Illuminata Trilogy and Lisa Mantchev's writing was I loved Nate and Ariel almost as equally as Bertie did. And while I have a soft spot for Ariel, I still loved the relationship Nate and Bertie had. [spoiler]Even so, when Ariel was freed I found myself teary eyed, I did not want him gone forever! But I still couldn't be overly sad, because it made Bertie(and subsequently mine) choice easier. And to be honest, I think Nate and Bertie are adorable together.[/spoiler]
The ending was perfect. That is all I can say, despite some annoyances throughout the book(mainly with pacing and a strange arrangement plotwise), it ended perfectly.
Also, being the dancer I am always putting songs to the stories I read.I have decided to start including one of these songs with each of my reviews, just for fun. Sometimes the song fits perfectly with the characters or the story, and other times it fits in a more roundabout way that makes sense to me. The song for So Silver Bright is a bit of a mix of the two, it is "What the Water Gave Me" by Florence + The Machine. Obviously we have the ordeal with the sea goddess Sedna, fitting it waterwise, as well as the themes of the book involving making tough decisions, making exchanges, trying to save those you love. But the main thing that made me choose this one was the melancholy mood that permeates the song. It could have been about nearly anything but with the mood I would have chosen it, I felt it fit with the book, especially the end.
I suppose that is all I have to say, except for...
"I've words enough when the Bard's run out."
For more reviews, check out http://vivaladolcevita14.blogspot.com/
Dayum, this book was amazing! Admittedly, I felt like it dragged a bit in the middle, but everything else was completely fantastical! I loved reading about Bertie and her continuing adventures, fulfilling her promise to her mother/Ophelia, learning the final pieces about her past, and coming to terms with her two loves. The last quarter of the book, man I was just on the edge wanting to know what was going on, shocked at the twists Lisa Mantchev pulled out. I'm serious guys, the ole eyes were bugging for that last quarter. I think it's safe to say that the last quarter made this book for me. It just blew me away utterly. Ugh the plot was so good, and Mantchev tied everything up so well too. Yes the end was open ended in one way, but she tied all of the important plot points up and left the end to your interpretation. I will miss this series terribly.
Bertie seriously grew up in this book! She matures so much in the best way, and grows and becomes such a full and even richer character. She ends the novel older, wiser, and just all around better. She learns more about herself, and I love how that affected her maturation and her growth, and again she still maintained some of her trademark Bertie-ness. Ariel, wow. He really made me love him in this book. He was just, I can't even explain it. I swooned so much over him, and his arc just made my heart wrench in place. Nate was still his lovable self. I adored him, but Ariel stole the fricking show up in here. The other characters, like Waschbar (sp?), the Scrimshander, etc all got great development, Waschbar really taking some space in my heart.
Damn, Lisa gripped the hell out of me in this one. She takes you on such an epic journey, I loved it. She is just brilliant in my book, and I can't wait to read more from her.
Dayum, this book was amazing! Admittedly, I felt like it dragged a bit in the middle, but everything else was completely fantastical! I loved reading about Bertie and her continuing adventures, fulfilling her promise to her mother/Ophelia, learning the final pieces about her past, and coming to terms with her two loves. The last quarter of the book, man I was just on the edge wanting to know what was going on, shocked at the twists Lisa Mantchev pulled out. I'm serious guys, the ole eyes were bugging for that last quarter. I think it's safe to say that the last quarter made this book for me. It just blew me away utterly. Ugh the plot was so good, and Mantchev tied everything up so well too. Yes the end was open ended in one way, but she tied all of the important plot points up and left the end to your interpretation. I will miss this series terribly.
Bertie seriously grew up in this book! She matures so much in the best way, and grows and becomes such a full and even richer character. She ends the novel older, wiser, and just all around better. She learns more about herself, and I love how that affected her maturation and her growth, and again she still maintained some of her trademark Bertie-ness. Ariel, wow. He really made me love him in this book. He was just, I can't even explain it. I swooned so much over him, and his arc just made my heart wrench in place. Nate was still his lovable self. I adored him, but Ariel stole the fricking show up in here. The other characters, like Waschbar (sp?), the Scrimshander, etc all got great development, Waschbar really taking some space in my heart.
Damn, Lisa gripped the hell out of me in this one. She takes you on such an epic journey, I loved it. She is just brilliant in my book, and I can't wait to read more from her.
I was actually scared that this book wouldn't have a happy ending. The last fifty pages were so nerve-wracking, and I think I almost had a heart attack. Luckily, everything turned out relatively okay. A perfect (ish) ending.
I liked the new places Bertie and her friends got to visit in this book, like the Distant Castle and the outside of the Théâtre. New characters were introduced, like Varvara and the Queen, both of which I wish there was more of. I really enjoyed this book.
(SPOILER)
Regarding the romance: I wanted to be able to say "we knew from the silver hair who Bertie would end up with." Unluckily, I guessed - and hoped - inaccurately, like I usually do (*frowny face*). I was pretty much bawling by the end, when she had to set Ariel free; I really really REALLY wanted him to at least stay in the picture, if not as Bertie's lover then as a friend or something. After that I was pretty much just trying not to throw the book at the wall.
The end of the book - and the series - was okay, though, even if I didn't get the ending I wanted. I'm very glad I read this series.
I liked the new places Bertie and her friends got to visit in this book, like the Distant Castle and the outside of the Théâtre. New characters were introduced, like Varvara and the Queen, both of which I wish there was more of. I really enjoyed this book.
(SPOILER)
Regarding the romance: I wanted to be able to say "we knew from the silver hair who Bertie would end up with." Unluckily, I guessed - and hoped - inaccurately, like I usually do (*frowny face*). I was pretty much bawling by the end, when she had to set Ariel free; I really really REALLY wanted him to at least stay in the picture, if not as Bertie's lover then as a friend or something. After that I was pretty much just trying not to throw the book at the wall.
The end of the book - and the series - was okay, though, even if I didn't get the ending I wanted. I'm very glad I read this series.
Instinctive reaction: Nate can go choke
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Okay, fine. Real review: I’m actually glad I spoiled myself for the end of this one because I think I would have been even less happy if certain developments had taken me by surprise.
The plot is often haphazard, the main character is sometimes insufferable, and the main conflicts of this book (both external and internal) didn’t really work for me. And that ending!!
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Okay, fine. Real review: I’m actually glad I spoiled myself for the end of this one because I think I would have been even less happy if certain developments had taken me by surprise.
The plot is often haphazard, the main character is sometimes insufferable, and the main conflicts of this book (both external and internal) didn’t really work for me. And that ending!!
Bertie (Beatrice Shakespeare Smith) thought her quest was almost finished, but now she has to find her father, stop the Sea Witch from her plotted course of revenge, keep her mother from going insane, and save the Theatre Illuminata from it’s strange double existence. Good thing she has lots of friends to help her.
Once I figured out that this was the third in a series, it made a lot more sense. A good choice for elementary kids who read above their grade level.
Once I figured out that this was the third in a series, it made a lot more sense. A good choice for elementary kids who read above their grade level.
I loved this so much! Lots of Nate just like I hoped. I always a joy to read to a friend. So much happens in such a short span of time! Absolutely love it!
Wonderful ending that I'm happy with & hoping for more.
Wonderful ending that I'm happy with & hoping for more.
Lisa Mantchev created a very beautiful and imaginative world with the Theatre Illuminata trilogy and So Silver Bright was a great ending to the story. After freeing Nate from Sedna the Sea Queen, Bertie now wants to take her father back home to her mother Ophelia, nut he's disappeared. Regardless, Bertie is still determined to reunite her family along the way we get the same magical creatures and journey that began in [b:Eyes Like Stars|3817859|Eyes Like Stars (Théâtre Illuminata, #1)|Lisa Mantchev|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312231039s/3817859.jpg|3862155].
I thought this was a wonderful ending to the story. Everything gets tied up, and even though it's sort of an open ending, the outlook is positive. Bertie has always, in my opinion, been a very strong female character. Even when she's afraid she doesn't let her fear take her over and keep her from defeating her foes.
This series is one that needs to be read very carefully. The changing scenery can sometimes be there and gone in a flash and if you're not paying attention the reader could get lost, but overlla it's completely worth it because everything is so very descriptive and fresh. I've not ead another series like this one before and they all need to be read through in order to tie everything together.
As for the romantic element, I guess some would say it was a cop out. Bertie doesn't really have to make the choice as much as the choice is made for her, but in this case I think that's the way it had to be and I think Mantchev did a great job figuring it all out. It just seemed right at the end.
This will defintely be a series that I come back to again and one that I highley recommend to readers who are looking for something a little different. I'm a little sad that it's over, but again a play is told in three acts and this is the end.
I thought this was a wonderful ending to the story. Everything gets tied up, and even though it's sort of an open ending, the outlook is positive. Bertie has always, in my opinion, been a very strong female character. Even when she's afraid she doesn't let her fear take her over and keep her from defeating her foes.
This series is one that needs to be read very carefully. The changing scenery can sometimes be there and gone in a flash and if you're not paying attention the reader could get lost, but overlla it's completely worth it because everything is so very descriptive and fresh. I've not ead another series like this one before and they all need to be read through in order to tie everything together.
As for the romantic element, I guess some would say it was a cop out. Bertie doesn't really have to make the choice as much as the choice is made for her, but in this case I think that's the way it had to be and I think Mantchev did a great job figuring it all out. It just seemed right at the end.
This will defintely be a series that I come back to again and one that I highley recommend to readers who are looking for something a little different. I'm a little sad that it's over, but again a play is told in three acts and this is the end.
This is not a stand-alone book, do not read it before the other two like I did. I found it very confusing, and the parts that tried to be whimsical just felt annoying.
I had been waiting for this book for so long...finally got it and read it. Brilliant! This style of writing has a name, but I can't quite remember what it is...that the world it is written in, magic happens but is never explained. That Bertie can look through some gold binoculars and get transported to where she is looking at; where flames turn into the release of a trapped soul. Well whatever kind of writing it is, it's certainly unique, even if at some times it is a little hard to follow along to.
All in all, it had a good ending. Bittersweet might be the correct way to explain how I felt when I reached the climax. It was sort if inevitable, but I kind of half guessed, and half dreaded that it would end the way it did. But it was good.
The fairies cracked me up, as usual. :D and Ariel...he is just amazing, can't get enough of his element.
All in all, it had a good ending. Bittersweet might be the correct way to explain how I felt when I reached the climax. It was sort if inevitable, but I kind of half guessed, and half dreaded that it would end the way it did. But it was good.
The fairies cracked me up, as usual. :D and Ariel...he is just amazing, can't get enough of his element.
A fantastic mix of "Alice in Wonderland", Shakespeare, and "The Little Mermaid", but with a great twist all its own. Spellbinding to say the least, it may not be my favorite but it holds its own against books others might compare.