Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev

Blurb

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?


Theatre Illuminata Act 2

Yet another amazing novel. I nearly pounced on the mail man when it arrived at my door!

This picks up just were the first book finished as Bertie, Ariel, Peaseblossom, Moth, Mustardseed and Cobweb all leave the theater in search of Nate - of course meeting up with all sorts of characters along the way - because after all, nothing is simple is it. 

Once again all of the characters burst from the page and the fairies were always there for the laugh-out-loud moments when things threatened to get a little serious.

The wonky love triangle of the first book is no longer wonky but SOLID as Bertie finds herself with both Nate and Ariel in love with her. This situation does lead to a rather funny scenario (or maybe it's just me and my ability to be easily amused at the expense of others) Poor girl - 17 years old and with 2 husbands....Hmmm who am I kidding I don't even have a boyfriend :). But really, couldn't one of them have bad breath, black teeth, pimples and a horrible personality! It would make deciding on which one I like better far easier. But no. They are both so nice, and they both care for Bertie and want to keep her safe...Awwww. 

The whole book was almost like living a dream with strangenesses and bizarre scenarios ready to pounce at you from all sides - which I thoroughly enjoyed because I couldn't predict where the story was going to go next.

I can not wait for the third (boo hoo hooo - weeps hysterically and laptop begins to send of sparks - whoops not good)  book. 

Once again 5/5

(And another fabulous front cover - they are just sooo beautiful)