Review: Perchance to Dream (ARC) by Lisa Mantchev

 Title: Perchance to Dream

Author: Lisa Mantchev

Hardcover: 384 pages

Published: May 25, 2010

Reading Level: YA

My copy: Traveling ARC Tours

My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (taken from Goodreads):

The stuff that dreams are made on.

Act Two, Scene One

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

Once again, LISA MANTCHEV has spun a tale like no other—full of romance, magic, adventure, and fairies, too—that readers won’t want to put down, even after the curtain has closed. 

My thoughts...

Perchance to Dream gave me quite a wild ride! The creativity of the author is just amazing and keeps you guessing because you just never know where Bertie will take you next...or what she will write in her book!  I enjoyed this book more than the first one because there was more dynamic between Bertie and Ariel (go bad boys!) and the introduction of new and interesting characters.  

The characters are endearing, Bertie with her witty, save-the-world attitude, Ariel with his air of mystery but still loving towards Bertie, Nate with his loyal, loving devotion...and we cannot forget the faeries that love sweets more anything else.  The drama and action is non-stop taking you from the theater on an adventure to save Nate and meeting some very interesting people on the way...one being Bertie's long-lost father.

This series is unlike any book I have ever read...the way in which it was written and the dramatic flair of the characters makes it quite memorable.  I will say, this book will not be for everyone, but if you are looking for something different, pick up the first in the series, Eyes Like Stars and give it a chance.  Once you get into this style of writing I think you will enjoy this series!

Thank you Traveling ARC Tours for making this book available for review before it is published!