As an avid follower of the series, I was very excited to finally read So Silver Bright but I have to say I was a little disappointed. The actual ending itself is not bad; the story wraps up rather nice and tidily. And I was glad to see Bertie undergo some character growth towards the end, becoming something more than the rambunctious, snarky adolescent she was in the first and parts of the second book (don’t get me wrong, I like Bertie very much, but when she’s constantly snapping at those around her you start to wonder how they can keep their patience). Something that really bothered me throughout the series though was the messy storytelling, which I found especially evident in this last book. It was not so much of a problem in Eyes Like Stars, where there were unexplained details that were excusable or later expanded upon in Perchance to Dream. But for So Silver Bright, my experience can be summed up as “Strange Things Keep Happening And I Don’t Know Why”. Some events felt like they happened simply for the sake of happening, or there were so many ideas at play that it just ended up being one chaotic conglomeration. Even after reading the entire series, I still do not have a clear idea as to how Bertie’s magic or the magic in this story world works. Bertie sometimes seemingly summons new magic from nowhere, and often when it is convenient to the story. These things made the book tiresome and sluggish to get through. However, Mantchev’s descriptive and flowery writing style is something to admire. Her words are beautiful and play on the reader’s senses to create strong imagery. And despite the problems I pointed out, her cast of colourful and engaging characters kept me reading. I must also applaud her creative resolution of the love triangle because it was not so much as Bertie choosing one person in favour of the other, but a matter of circumstance and doing what is best for those you love. I may not be completely satisfied with the series, but I am glad I stayed for the ride and I look forward to more of Mantchev’s work in the future.

So Silver Bright is the conclusion of the Théâtre Illuminata series and did Lisa ever end it perfectly. Bertie gets an in depth look at her past which helps her along her journey backs to the Théâtre. As always the fairies make the story – I love them soooo much. The triangle between Nate and Ariel continues the two men egg each other on which creates lots of humorous. I could feel the jealously radiantly off of them Lisa wrote it so well. I felt bad for Bertie in some parts of the book because the boys did make her feel horrible. Stupid boys always having to make think complicated for us girls. I don’t want to give too much away but if you have liked the previous 2 books you will love book 3 and I think its the best ending ever for any series I have ever read. I wasn’t mad for once over decisions made I was actually happy about them all. I may have done a happy dance.

I was dissapointed with the last installment of this series, mainly because of the main problems that should have already been wrapped up, came back again. This is not always a bad thing, but it felt like the second book all over again and it was a little boring. I was again dissatisfied with Bertie's character development because she has yet to grow up and rise to the occassion, again. *SPOILER* Sure, she defeats the bad guy, and finally chooses her man, but it felt very hollow and empty. She only chose the one she did, because the other got fed up with the way she kept on going back and forth between them.*SPOILER END* I personally felt that this series could have ended with Eyes Like Stars, however, I did enjoy reading Perchance to Dream; this book, not so much.

I won a copy of So Silver Bright via the Great Fairy Hunt contest: http://lisamantchev.livejournal.com/375875.html#cutid1 (My entry is the first one) Dear Lisa Mantchev, You are one of my absolute favorite authors. You are right up there on the top of my list and there you shall stay forever. It all started in 2009, when I received a copy of Eyes Like Stars for Christmas. Let me tell you that I demanded someone get it for me. I begged, kicked and screamed. The cover art drew me in and the prose sealed the deal. The wonderful fantasy The Theatre Illuminata The romance Sigh, it all turned me into a helpless victim. I quickly fell for Nate, Cowbweb, Moth, Mustard Seed and Peaseblossom, not to mention Bertie, who I've always commended for her unique choice in hair color. I'd spent many a night re-reading Eyes like Stars in high anticipation to Perchance to Dream's release. Then it came, the long awaited release date in 2010, and I dove into it the day of it's official on sale date. I was mesmerized with the feature of Ariel and Nate on the cover, though Nate wasn't exactly what I pictured, and I couldn't wait to find out how the love triangle would develop. I fell for Ariel. I didn't mean to but I did. I'm all for the hot pirate but Ariel, in his own odd way, tugged on my heart strings and turned me into jelly. Curtain closed. You had announced that So Silver Bright would be the final novel in the Theatre Illuminata series. I shuddered in fear and dreaded the end of what I loved so much. For one that would mean no more Ariel, since you know....I loves him to death! In So Silver Bright you made me laugh, scream in absolute anger, sigh, swoon and blubber like a new born baby (not to mention temper tantrum like a kid in their terrible twos). As I further made my way through the novel my heart sunk deeper and deeper, knowing that this would be the end and knowing that somehow things might not end up the way I wanted. They didn't but I wasn't disappointed. In fact I was happy because of the surprises that waited for me. In the end I want to thank you for a trilogy that captured my heart right from the beginning and I look forward to your future projects which I have no doubt will surpass the awesomeness that is the Theatre Illuminata. Many delicious cupcakes, Mocha PS. I demand my very own Cupcake Temple, just saying!