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x_librarian's review
3.0
First, I think Mantchev uses amazing imagery. Her writing is poetic. Most of the time I loved that, but every once in a while I had to stop and re-read sections because I couldn't figure out what was real and what was a metaphor.
I found the plot for this book a bit more disjointed than the last one. The scene changes were a bit abrupt for me, although it might have been because I decided to rush through the book in two days.
Ultimately, I love Mantchev's writing style and enjoyed her fantastic world-building. Perhaps in the future, I'll try to read a little slower.
I found the plot for this book a bit more disjointed than the last one. The scene changes were a bit abrupt for me, although it might have been because I decided to rush through the book in two days.
Ultimately, I love Mantchev's writing style and enjoyed her fantastic world-building. Perhaps in the future, I'll try to read a little slower.
stephxsu's review
5.0
Lisa Mantchev outdoes herself in this lush and exotic sequel to EYES LIKE STARS. In many ways it is quite different from the first book, but stunningly so, and I think will make readers gain a whole new level of appreciation for Lisa’s writing.
If I could eat just one book, I think this would have to be it. In Lisa Mantchev’s hands, words aren’t merely lines and swirls of black on white: they come alive, playing with one another, dancing like fairies themselves. The book is chock-full of wordplay and descriptions so rich you just want to roll them around and around on your tongue. Lisa’s writing really sets the tone and setting of PERCHANCE TO DREAM into a world that seems to always be dissolving and changing at the corners of our eyes.
All the characters you loved from EYES LIKE STARS come back in full force in this stunning sequel. Bertie may be the tip of the love triangle, but she’s far from your typical YA heroine: she is spunky and independent, and would never consider giving herself up for love. We get to see a lot more of Ariel than Nate in this Theatre Illuminata installment, which is deliciously swoon-worthy in a sensual and dangerous way. And Bertie’s encounters with new characters—Sedna, the Scrimshander, various vagabonds she meets along her journey (including the traveling circus)—are excellent additions to the series, each one an almost surreal section.
For those who enjoy incredibly beautiful writing and a unique cast of varied characters, Lisa Mantchev’s books are not to be missed. Lovers of EYES LIKE STARS may be slightly jarred by the lack of backstory and the completely different change of pace and setting, but you just might also be fall under Lisa’s writing spell, as I irrevocably am.
If I could eat just one book, I think this would have to be it. In Lisa Mantchev’s hands, words aren’t merely lines and swirls of black on white: they come alive, playing with one another, dancing like fairies themselves. The book is chock-full of wordplay and descriptions so rich you just want to roll them around and around on your tongue. Lisa’s writing really sets the tone and setting of PERCHANCE TO DREAM into a world that seems to always be dissolving and changing at the corners of our eyes.
All the characters you loved from EYES LIKE STARS come back in full force in this stunning sequel. Bertie may be the tip of the love triangle, but she’s far from your typical YA heroine: she is spunky and independent, and would never consider giving herself up for love. We get to see a lot more of Ariel than Nate in this Theatre Illuminata installment, which is deliciously swoon-worthy in a sensual and dangerous way. And Bertie’s encounters with new characters—Sedna, the Scrimshander, various vagabonds she meets along her journey (including the traveling circus)—are excellent additions to the series, each one an almost surreal section.
For those who enjoy incredibly beautiful writing and a unique cast of varied characters, Lisa Mantchev’s books are not to be missed. Lovers of EYES LIKE STARS may be slightly jarred by the lack of backstory and the completely different change of pace and setting, but you just might also be fall under Lisa’s writing spell, as I irrevocably am.
juliettechihyu's review
1.0
Read this book if you LOVE BEING CONFUSED
Seriously, though, I had no clue what was going on half the time. The author does a brilliant job of not explaining anything. There is no world building (what time period are they in and where are they?!) and there's so many unexplained scene transitions and powers. Are we supposed to just take for granted that bird people and sea goddesses are the norm in their world? But they mention things like Shakespeare so...they're in our world? What?? What is going on???
Seriously, though, I had no clue what was going on half the time. The author does a brilliant job of not explaining anything. There is no world building (what time period are they in and where are they?!) and there's so many unexplained scene transitions and powers. Are we supposed to just take for granted that bird people and sea goddesses are the norm in their world? But they mention things like Shakespeare so...they're in our world? What?? What is going on???
michalice's review
2.0
Review from Much Loved Books
Perchance to Dream is the second book in the Theatre Illuminata Series, Eyes Like Stars being the first book.
I absolutely loved Eyes Like Stars and couldn't wait to make a start on Perchance to Dream.
While Eyes Like Stars is based in the Theatre, Perchance to Dream sees us following Bertie and company on the hunt for Nate and picking up a few extra people along the way. It also delves in Bertie's history and ability more, so when I finally got round to reading Perchance to Dream I found myself really struggling to get to the next chapter.
I turned pages and read chapters hoping the next part would get more interesting, and although near the end of the book in the last few chapters when it picks up I wasn't impressed.
The journey to find Nate was too long and arduous and only the jokes off the Fairies had me laughing. It felt like too much information was trying to be carried across to the reader and we had no time to sit and relax with the characters.
I loved Eyes Like Stars, but only "liked" perchance to dream. When So Silver Bright is released I will still buy it, but only because I have travelled this far with Bertie, that by not reading it I would never find out what happens in the end.
Perchance to Dream is the second book in the Theatre Illuminata Series, Eyes Like Stars being the first book.
I absolutely loved Eyes Like Stars and couldn't wait to make a start on Perchance to Dream.
While Eyes Like Stars is based in the Theatre, Perchance to Dream sees us following Bertie and company on the hunt for Nate and picking up a few extra people along the way. It also delves in Bertie's history and ability more, so when I finally got round to reading Perchance to Dream I found myself really struggling to get to the next chapter.
I turned pages and read chapters hoping the next part would get more interesting, and although near the end of the book in the last few chapters when it picks up I wasn't impressed.
The journey to find Nate was too long and arduous and only the jokes off the Fairies had me laughing. It felt like too much information was trying to be carried across to the reader and we had no time to sit and relax with the characters.
I loved Eyes Like Stars, but only "liked" perchance to dream. When So Silver Bright is released I will still buy it, but only because I have travelled this far with Bertie, that by not reading it I would never find out what happens in the end.
ladygeekface's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book. The only reason I didn't give it a higher rating is some parts were rather confusing.
sqeeker's review
3.0
- Another amazing cover!!
- Not as fun as the first book, but it has a riveting ending, and I enjoyed it.
- Most of the book feels like the characters are wandering around lost, and they never know what to do.
- Bertie is kind of a jerk in this book. She is mean to everyone. Part of me doesn't blame her for some of it, but she could try to be more pleasant.
- I no longer hate Ariel. I think he is just misunderstood, and I find him quite charming now.
- I really liked the power of words idea in the whole book. Bertie has to be careful about what she says and writes. It is a good lesson for everyone.
- The love triangle is more prominent in the second book, and I still don't like it. I do like all the characters though. I just don't like that Bertie has to decide. Love triangles frustrate me.
- Not as fun as the first book, but it has a riveting ending, and I enjoyed it.
- Most of the book feels like the characters are wandering around lost, and they never know what to do.
- Bertie is kind of a jerk in this book. She is mean to everyone. Part of me doesn't blame her for some of it, but she could try to be more pleasant.
- I no longer hate Ariel. I think he is just misunderstood, and I find him quite charming now.
- I really liked the power of words idea in the whole book. Bertie has to be careful about what she says and writes. It is a good lesson for everyone.
- The love triangle is more prominent in the second book, and I still don't like it. I do like all the characters though. I just don't like that Bertie has to decide. Love triangles frustrate me.
waywardskyril's review against another edition
3.0
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.
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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.
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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.
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.