*intro music plays*
QUIET! QUIET, PLEASE!
--- people scurrying everywhere ---
Places everyone, places!
You there!
What do you think YOU are doing?
No interruptions when the players are about to take the stage!
Grab a seat and enjoy the show....
...because this is one show stopping ending you don't want to miss!
Hiya fellow book-a-holics!
How goes your reading week thus far? Mine, it's hurting...for some more reading time that is. Busy week with WAY to much work (not complaining...well, not exactly) scheduled, but it is what it is and we make the best of it all, right? Who's with me?
*looks at YOU*
_taps foot waiting for your response of agreement_
- aww, there it is -
Yesterday was officially "Talk Like a Pirate Day". By whom was it started? Well, I'm certain Google would uncover this mystery in a jiff, I'm not curious enough at this moment to check so feel free to do so at your leisure while I spin a tale of a book I recently finished (as in a day or so ago) and simply can't keep to myself. It all begins two acts ago (okay, two books ago) with a young girl named Beatrice Shakespeare Smith; long name...unusual girl, but with MUCH story ahead of her. We are introduced to her in Eyes Like Stars (catch up with my review by clicking here), learn to love her for who she truly is in Perchance to Dream (instant flashback granted...just click here), and finally see her come into her own amidst some rather trying scenes in....today's book of choice....
Theatre Illuminata, book 3:
So Silver Bright
by
From the author's site...
...and so begins the third and final installment (~tear~) of the fabulous Theatre Illuminata series. We've a love triangle to navigate (when you pick up the book, do me the favor of having a laugh at the passage on or about page 11) that is thrown into even greater chaos by the sea witch out to end wreak her revenge on the one that tried to do her in (though Bertie had every right in my opinion...hmph!). The stakes are high for one and all...but the true colors of the ever chameleon like Bertie will be on display by books end.
Oh Bertie. Your fellow players act their parts in your play of plays complete with hilarious antics, banter and pie eating episodes...but the true thread of your costume is laid bare when it comes to your happily ever after. Your heart gets you in more trouble than it seems worth at times and yet you try, try again to set things right. The best part? With each failed attempt, you learn something new about the plot you are trying to interpret as well as yourself.
The Mistress of Revels, the Queen of the Forrest, the Teller of Tales...all fancy wrappings for who you truly are....Beatrice Shakespeare Smith; a force to be reckoned with, with or without mask, glitter and bows. Your true value is not your looks, the tales you can spin with the lilt of your tongue nor the uncanny way that you've captured the hearts of both air (Ariel, sigh) and sea (Nate, sigh), but the grace and strength with which you manage it all and despite those obstacles, persevere toward your own happily ever after. It may not be easy, but when is the starring role EVER a piece of apple pie with ice cream on the side? (Okay, Moth...stop editing my review!)
All those prizes worth winning are more often than not hard fought for and whilst your audience may wish you a peaceful journey, the treasure of your triumph is that much sweeter when viewing all you came through along the way. So brava Bertie, cast and crew (and Ms. Mantchev, for without your brilliant mind we would've never met this colorful band of merry makers)! Take your final bow and enjoy the applause from a thousand hands clapping though you shall never hear them, trust me...the noise would rival that of a thousand ships launching as well as that sudden gust of wind you are currently reveling in.
Would I recommend this book to you fair readers? Well now, that simply depends on you, now doesn't it? Do you like enchanting writing that taps into your imagination and sets free the theater-esque persona hidden within? Do you like adventures of the sword AND the heart? Do you like mischief and mayhem and sweet treats of all varieties? Do you like butterflies in the pit of your stomach and an ever changing array of hair and wardrobe changes, each more magnificent than the last? If you answered yes to any, all, or even your own set of questions (far be it from me to restrict you to my questions alone), then I suggest you seek thee out a bookstore post haste and begin (or continue, as the case may be) your journey beyond the cover. But please, do hurry....the curtain is about to rise on the next performance and EVERYONE knows the Stage Manager is not one to be trifled with.
ARC for review courtesy of the magnificent author, Ms. Lisa Mantchev (*throws rose on stage*) and the great folks at Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of MacMillan. (THANKS!) This book celebrated it's bookish birthday one week ago today so be on the look out for it on a store shelf near you. For more information on the series as well as the chance to gaze at the gorgeous cover art, check out the Call Board at the official website, where both cast and story come to life in a whole new dimension. To see what the author is currently up to, visit her blog, or follow along on Twitter. (I know I do and we had a particularly fun conversation yesterday about pirate cupcakes and a tasty server and...oh, um...sorry.... ^_^)
I leave you with this final question in parting....for those that HAVE read the series whether some or all, WHO would YOU choose, if given the chance? Nate or Ariel?
Until next time...happy reading!
Things are never easy for Beatrice Shakespeare Smith. Something's happened to the Théâtre Illuminata, putting the only home she's ever known in limbo. Her mother's sanity is fraying under the strain, her father has vanished and an angry goddess is out for revenge. Bertie is caught between her duties and her dreams, just as her heart is torn between Ariel and Nate. But hope glimmers in a Distant Castle, and if Bertie can put on the performance of her life, maybe she can win the magical boon that may save them all.
