Perchance to Dream (Theatre Illuminata Series #2)

by Lisa Mantchev

Overview

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. . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312675103
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	08/16/2011
Series:	Theatre Illuminata Series , #2
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Lisa Mantchev is the author of the Theatre Illuminata series, including Perchance to Dream and Eyes Like Stars. She grew up in the small Northern California town of Ukiah. She wrote her first play in the fourth grade, and has been involved in theater ever since. She received two scholarships to study drama at the University of California, Irvine. She won the Chancellor's Award For Undergraduate Research in Drama her senior year while studying in the Campuswide Honors Program. After graduation, she taught English at the Lycée Internationale de Los Angeles and created their Drama After School Program. In between report cards and drafting scripts for Winter and Spring productions, she wrote fiction. Her first professional short fiction sale was in 2002, and her debut trilogy sold in 2007. Mantchev makes her home on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state with her husband Angel, her daughter Amélie and four hairy miscreant dogs. When not scribbling, she can be found on the beach, up a tree, making jam or repairing things with her trusty glue gun.

Read an Excerpt

“Perhaps I can appeal, then, to the romantic nature of our situation.” Without moving, everything about Ariel reached for her. “The open road, the veil of night drawn over the world, us living as vagabonds.”

Usually, Peaseblossom played the part of Bertie’s tiny little conscience, but this time, she issued the requisite Dire Warning to herself:

Don't think about how close he is, or the fact that all you'd have to do to kiss him is tilt your head. Think of Nate . . . .

“If you’re done with whatever fierce internal argument is creasing your forehead—” Ariel's low laugh undid the knot she had tied on her resolve. A bit of his wind pushed her nearly into his lap, and their lips met.

Bertie's brain fogged over until the fairies’ collective noises of disgust recalled her to her senses. Pulling away, she muttered, “Vagabonds don't wear crinolines.”

Editorial Reviews

The sequel to Eyes Like Stars, this is another rousing adventure of literary and theatrical whimsy, filled with sly twists and humorous moments. Bertie's continuing story deserves multiple encores and a standing ovation.” —Realms of Fantasy

“Mantchev's highly imaginative prose bursts with lush imagery and literary riffs, and the party's encounter with the Innamorati, a traveling circus inspired by Cirque du Soleil, enhances the book's surrealism . . . fans of the first book will cry ‘Encore!' as the ending sets up the third in the series.” —School Library Journal

“The pace is fast and furious, and the secrets to Bertie's intriguing heritage unfold satisfyingly, but it's Mantchev's fresh, intelligent style that delights most. . . . This fantastical romp—an absolute must for theater buffs—might stand alone, but it'd be a pity not to start with the first.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Gr 8 Up—Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, Mistress of Revels, takes her show on the road in this rousing sequel to Eyes Like Stars (Feiwel & Friends, 2009). Abandoning the enchanted Théâtre Illuminata to rescue her beloved pirate Nate from watery doom in the lair of Sedna the Sea Goddess, the 17-year-old embarks on the journey accompanied by four feisty fairies and seductive Ariel, air spirit from The Tempest and Nate's rival for Bertie's heart. By turns perilous and comedic, the tale rolls along at breakneck speed as the troupe encounters danger and delight, negotiating predicaments with magic and wit. The fairies' constant clamor for pie adds hilarity as Bertie explores the extent of her magical powers, untangles her origins, and meets her father, the brooding bird-man Scrimshander. Mantchev's highly imaginative prose bursts with lush imagery and literary riffs, and the party's encounter with the Innamorati, a traveling circus inspired by Cirque du Soleil, enhances the book's surrealism. Although the lack of backstory may leave readers new to Bertie in the dust of confusion, fans of the first book will cry "Encore!" as the ending sets up the third in the series.—Joyce Adams Burner, National Archives at Kansas City, MO

School Library Journal