In Mantchev's first book, Eyes Like Stars, I came to love Bertie and company. The book was whimsical and filled with magic--and not just because the Theatre itself was a magical place. There were serious moments, especially as Bertie uncovered the secret of her birth and unraveled her feelings for both Ariel and Nate, but more often than not Mantchev gave us a fun, entertaining thrill.

Perchance to Dream is also full of magic and wonder, though with Nate's life on the line, her own heritage at stake and Ariel acting more than friendly, seriousness holds a greater place in this story. Bertie grows up, she matures and she better understands that actions have consequences. In Eyes the law of cause-and-effect were kind of muted due to the Theatre's magic, but out in the 'real world', Bertie learns that food doesn't just appear at random, that people are not like players in a play--they do unexpected things and expect things from you.

I don't blame Bertie for her confusion over what she feels for Ariel and Nate. Ariel is very persuasive and he's there with her (though its not Nate's fault he's not physically there). I found Nate's commentary to be the most amusing, he didn't let something like being incorporeal get in the way of making fun of Ariel. It was very bad form of both guys to trick and connive Bertie into choosing one over the other. Since Eyes she has shown an uncertainty over who is for her, which ended up being a good thing but I won't say why.

Did this answer questions? It did and didn't. We learned more about Bertie's father, about her mother's life outside of the Theatre and about the kind of world Bertie lives in. The 'real world' is still more magical than real, but I suspect that's just as well. I can't imagine that the Fairies would have as much fun in our world. By the end of the novel Bertie is given a new mission and we the readers are given a new adventure to anticipate.

So dear readers, as Bertie exits stage left and the curtain closes, let's await this intermission with bated breath! ( )

Super cute! An interesting progression of an interesting story. ( )

DNF at 55%.

Wow. I'm so disappointed. I really liked the first book, but this one just isn't working for me.

I do really like the characters. or some of them at least.

But it's not enough. This book has none of the whimsy of book one. It completely lacks in the magic that I so loved. Instead it's boring, all over the place, and convoluted.

This book is made up almost entirely of writing in a magical book, traveling, more traveling, a really cringey love triangle between two guys that are waayyyyy too old for her, traveling, and more traveling. And did I mention traveling?

ARRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHH!

Yes, I adore the fairies, but this series has simply lost it's charm, and I cannot force myself to read another page.

Bertie!
More funny fairy shenanigans, a love triangle to kill all love triangles, since it's also a kind of element triangle, an angry sea goddess who's all mixed up in out heroines familial problems (who saw THAT coming?) and a journal where words go wrong.
another love story, between myself and this book.
Ariel is my love. ( )

A whirlwind of luscious prose and gorgeous images. And there's a circus!

I appreciated that the love triangle wasn't just about "which boy do I belong with" (or worse, to) as in some books/movies, but also made her ask "what is mine? who am I, myself?"

I look forward to seeing how it all wraps up in the third installment of this delightful series.