bookwyrm_kate's review against another edition
4.0
Now this is how YA fiction should be!
There were some elements I adored, and others that I felt I've outgrown a bit, but what an enjoyable, thoroughly original tale! I was in love with the majority of characters being pulled directly from Shakespeare's plays and interacting with each other. It felt like a mad dream. I listened to the audiobook, which I was surprised to discover had a full cast of voices. I liked the ease of character recognition from the cast (knowing who is speaking before the "said so and so"), but also felt that the voices made the characters much more cartoonish than I would have read them. Bertie especially, at 17, I think I would have read her lines as "spirited," but the young actress made her sound petulant.
Voices aside, it was absolutely priceless to see Lady Macbeth arguing with Gertrude, Ophelia constantly dripping wet (but often also, the voice of reason), Ariel as such a swoon-worthy spirit, and a whole universe in a theater.
I thought a few details seemed out-of-place, but couldn't dwell on them while listening, so I just got caught up in the story. I feel like this would have been a favorite book of mine if I'd read it at 14 or so, but I wouldn't have gotten all of the character references at that age, so read now (at 30) it was bittersweet.
Also, I feel as though I HAVE to reread the Tempest and Midsummer Nights Dream, just to see the characters with new eyes!
There were some elements I adored, and others that I felt I've outgrown a bit, but what an enjoyable, thoroughly original tale! I was in love with the majority of characters being pulled directly from Shakespeare's plays and interacting with each other. It felt like a mad dream. I listened to the audiobook, which I was surprised to discover had a full cast of voices. I liked the ease of character recognition from the cast (knowing who is speaking before the "said so and so"), but also felt that the voices made the characters much more cartoonish than I would have read them. Bertie especially, at 17, I think I would have read her lines as "spirited," but the young actress made her sound petulant.
Voices aside, it was absolutely priceless to see Lady Macbeth arguing with Gertrude, Ophelia constantly dripping wet (but often also, the voice of reason), Ariel as such a swoon-worthy spirit, and a whole universe in a theater.
I thought a few details seemed out-of-place, but couldn't dwell on them while listening, so I just got caught up in the story. I feel like this would have been a favorite book of mine if I'd read it at 14 or so, but I wouldn't have gotten all of the character references at that age, so read now (at 30) it was bittersweet.
Also, I feel as though I HAVE to reread the Tempest and Midsummer Nights Dream, just to see the characters with new eyes!
paperbackjedi's review against another edition
4.0
This was a wonderful mix of theater and fantasy with everything you need for a good read. Suspense, action, Shakespearean quotes, faerie folk, dashing pirates, a seductive air spirit, a plucky heroine. Great read.
roseice's review against another edition
2.0
Eyes like Stars is a charm-chocked, silver-brushed mess. It's a story related quite beautifully; pretty descriptions of pretty things, light and silver and the enchantment of theatre. But it reads like a lovely, mysterious dream given story form for the author's own keeping. It reads like a story not meant to be shared, because it is strange and awkward and difficult to understand the majority of the way though. For all its beauty, I didn't care about what was happening, I didn't care about the characters, the antagonists, or the theatre itself. This one definitely seems hit or miss.
If a story is a woven piece and the events all thread, then the threading was unappealing, and the weaving of events and characterization left much to be desired. As a writer, there are stories you write for only yourself, then there are stories you share, and for me this novel was meant to be the former. That doesn't mean others can't enjoy them, but the author, in the end, will likely always favour it above the rest.
If a story is a woven piece and the events all thread, then the threading was unappealing, and the weaving of events and characterization left much to be desired. As a writer, there are stories you write for only yourself, then there are stories you share, and for me this novel was meant to be the former. That doesn't mean others can't enjoy them, but the author, in the end, will likely always favour it above the rest.
colorcrystals's review against another edition
5.0
This book was an amazing blend of classical theatre and the modern world. It was exciting, well-written, and very intriguing. Bertie is a sassy and independent heroine who faces a very difficult challenge, keeping her place in the only home she's ever known. Helping her are Nate, a pirate, and a few very mischievous fairies. I personally cannot wait for the next book of the series!
linguana's review against another edition
2.0
That was probably the most meh book ever. I didn't care about any of the characters, the protagonist is a mean bitch, the plot is a mess, and nothing makes sense.
Add to that glaring anachronisms and weirdly contrived dialogue and you've got a pretty lame book.
I don't think I'll read the rest of the trilogy, even though this was at least a quick read.
Add to that glaring anachronisms and weirdly contrived dialogue and you've got a pretty lame book.
I don't think I'll read the rest of the trilogy, even though this was at least a quick read.
little_red_dragon's review against another edition
4.0
I loved, loved, LOVED this book! It's incredibly original, the protagonist is fiery, and the characters are entertaining. (especially Moth, Mustardseed, Cobweb, and Peaseblossom, the fairies who only ever worry about food). It's a fun, entertaining, and quite quick read. If you like adventure, magic, and a little romance with a liberal dose of humor thrown in, you'll love this book.
tehani's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this - the unusual style worked really well and I could see this being used to great effect as part of an integrated study unit on theatre or Shakespeare!
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
Bertie and her four fairy friends are a laugh a minute. I can't count all the times I snickered (going commando!) while reading this book.
I really enjoyed reading about the "awakening" of Bertie to herself: what the theater is, her relationship with Nate and Ariel, and what her own power in the theater can be.
I was left a little confused about the time period/world outside the theater, especially at the end when patrons started turning up. I also think the change of Hamlet in Ethiopia to the story of Bertie's coming to the theater was a bit too glib. However, in the end, it is the characters of Nate and Bertie and the four Shakepseare fairies that won me over.
Can't wait to find out what happens next.
I really enjoyed reading about the "awakening" of Bertie to herself: what the theater is, her relationship with Nate and Ariel, and what her own power in the theater can be.
I was left a little confused about the time period/world outside the theater, especially at the end when patrons started turning up. I also think the change of Hamlet in Ethiopia to the story of Bertie's coming to the theater was a bit too glib. However, in the end, it is the characters of Nate and Bertie and the four Shakepseare fairies that won me over.
Can't wait to find out what happens next.