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aleciahatfield's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
a very charming read with lots of adventure and whimsy! the characters are very interesting and keep you reading, and i loved how all of the different subplots weaved together in the end. i also loved the relationship between the main character and the star. it was a gradual development over time with a satisfying (although bittersweet) end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Sexual content, and Death
classicsandcatnaps's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Sexual content
emmajewish's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I went in not knowing what to expect, and it was lovely to listen to! I felt like it was more of a childrens/YA book...minus the brief (but descriptive) sexual content. The love interest dynamic was a bit forced. But you can suspend disbelief with it being fantasy, I think.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Slavery, and Sexual content
krystyne88's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
So far nothing has even come close to Coraline. But I still did enjoy Stardust. I was thoroughly entertained. The writing was bit misogynistic at times and certain things have not aged well. Like I hate when male authors go into great lengths sexualizing female characters and then just describe eye colour of male characters.
Also the ending felt incomplete.Like why did the witch just accept defeat in the end? She was so badass like a few chapters ago. It felt out of character for her.
Also the ending felt incomplete.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Misogyny
aksmith92's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A cute little adult fairy tale!
The Setup: Most of the novel follows Tristran Thorn, a mere 16 or 17-year-old boy who inevitably falls in absolute love with some random neighborhood gal. While walking with Victoria Forrester, said random neighborhood gal, he desperately wants to kiss her, or marry her, or something. He'll take anything! She declines any and all of those things, though, of course, because she's a propah lady! However, after they both see a shooting star seemingly fall in the distance, Victoria states if Tristran goes to find the star and brings it back to her, he can have what he wishes. Tristran sets on a quest to find this star to get the gal!
We watch as Tristran ventures beyond the wall of Wall (yes, the literal town he lives!) to fairie land, somewhere with loads of mythical and exciting creatures and beings. He meets a small hairy fellow, a couple of witches, an entertaining captain of the skies, a unicorn, and thelovely witty fallen star Yvaine. Along the way, he learns a lot about himself, meets some interesting (and sometimes deadly) beings, and even learns a little bit about his own past. It's quite an adventure!
What I Liked: Neil Gaiman has a way of writing. It's a little bit like Yoda-speak but more tolerable and enjoyable. I've read some of Gaiman's graphic novel works, and he has a beautiful way with words. I loved the prose and PLOT! The plot was just lovely. Gaiman has a very profound talent for turning myths and legends into complex and intriguing fantasy plotlines, and this was no different. I fell along for the ride with Tristran and Yvaine and thoroughly enjoyed all their obstacles and encounters. Additionally, it was sometimes quite funny, and I laughed out loud in some parts. Overall, this was a fun book. It was reminiscent of a cozy fantasy, except there was some violence and death, and the stake was relatively high. So, in reality, it was not. However, it did have many of those vibes throughout the novel. I found Tristran to be a ding dong, but he was supposed to be, which made the story believable.
What Didn't Work: As much as I enjoyed the premise, even if it was based on a silly little love story, I felt the character development was pretty lacking. I know this book wasn't necessarily about the characters. It was so clear that Gaiman's strength was in his storytelling and retelling of the myth(s). I appreciated that! However, I had a very challenging time connecting with the characters, leading me to not care about their own character stories. The love story (not the one you're probably thinking!) was just alright to me, even if, at times, the banter was semi-funny. Additionally, I felt the 85-90% mark was a little bit rushed, and the characters didn't have time to express feelings, but the end was fitting and pretty interesting.
Overall, I took this book at face value. Gaiman did an excellent job retelling myths and conjuring up a well-rounded story. I enjoyed myself and plan to read more of his work.
The Setup: Most of the novel follows Tristran Thorn, a mere 16 or 17-year-old boy who inevitably falls in absolute love with some random neighborhood gal. While walking with Victoria Forrester, said random neighborhood gal, he desperately wants to kiss her, or marry her, or something. He'll take anything! She declines any and all of those things, though, of course, because she's a propah lady! However, after they both see a shooting star seemingly fall in the distance, Victoria states if Tristran goes to find the star and brings it back to her, he can have what he wishes. Tristran sets on a quest to find this star to get the gal!
We watch as Tristran ventures beyond the wall of Wall (yes, the literal town he lives!) to fairie land, somewhere with loads of mythical and exciting creatures and beings. He meets a small hairy fellow, a couple of witches, an entertaining captain of the skies, a unicorn, and the
What I Liked: Neil Gaiman has a way of writing. It's a little bit like Yoda-speak but more tolerable and enjoyable. I've read some of Gaiman's graphic novel works, and he has a beautiful way with words. I loved the prose and PLOT! The plot was just lovely. Gaiman has a very profound talent for turning myths and legends into complex and intriguing fantasy plotlines, and this was no different. I fell along for the ride with Tristran and Yvaine and thoroughly enjoyed all their obstacles and encounters. Additionally, it was sometimes quite funny, and I laughed out loud in some parts. Overall, this was a fun book. It was reminiscent of a cozy fantasy, except there was some violence and death, and the stake was relatively high. So, in reality, it was not. However, it did have many of those vibes throughout the novel. I found Tristran to be a ding dong, but he was supposed to be, which made the story believable.
What Didn't Work: As much as I enjoyed the premise, even if it was based on a silly little love story, I felt the character development was pretty lacking. I know this book wasn't necessarily about the characters. It was so clear that Gaiman's strength was in his storytelling and retelling of the myth(s). I appreciated that! However, I had a very challenging time connecting with the characters, leading me to not care about their own character stories. The love story (not the one you're probably thinking!) was just alright to me, even if, at times, the banter was semi-funny. Additionally, I felt the 85-90% mark was a little bit rushed, and the characters didn't have time to express feelings, but the end was fitting and pretty interesting.
Overall, I took this book at face value. Gaiman did an excellent job retelling myths and conjuring up a well-rounded story. I enjoyed myself and plan to read more of his work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Animal death, Death, Slavery, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment
caitrisriding's review
medium-paced
3.5
This was nothing like I expected it to be honestly.
There was some more graphic things in this that caught me off guard. It still had such a whimsical interesting magical world that was fun to read about.
I’m not gonna lie I was confused by things through a good bit of the book, but I loved how it all wrapped up and wove the storylines together at the end. The ending definitely brought it up half a star for me because it was so well done.
Some very pretty and also funny quotes in this book also. I enjoyed it pretty well, but it was also so weird😂
There was some more graphic things in this that caught me off guard. It still had such a whimsical interesting magical world that was fun to read about.
I’m not gonna lie I was confused by things through a good bit of the book, but I loved how it all wrapped up and wove the storylines together at the end. The ending definitely brought it up half a star for me because it was so well done.
Some very pretty and also funny quotes in this book also. I enjoyed it pretty well, but it was also so weird😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
isxelle's review against another edition
<b>DNF 52%</b> 140 <i>pages</i>
there's no one i really liked in this book and i quite frankly found it boring. tristran's idiocy was grating on me too. i have heard a lot of ppl describing this as whimsical but uh i didn't see it.
this is just not for me and im trying to stop forcing myself to read books that i don't like, especially if i haven't invested money in them. this was a book club book, and i gave it my best shot.
there's no one i really liked in this book and i quite frankly found it boring. tristran's idiocy was grating on me too. i have heard a lot of ppl describing this as whimsical but uh i didn't see it.
this is just not for me and im trying to stop forcing myself to read books that i don't like, especially if i haven't invested money in them. this was a book club book, and i gave it my best shot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
toastyghosty13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I decided to listen to this as an audiobook this time around. This is already one of my favorite stories and it was actually more enjoyable listening to Neil Gaiman read it himself. Since he wrote the book, he read different lines and characters in tones and accents than how I normally read them. It made the story a bit more lighthearted, and also made me tear up more at the end than I normally do. I love this book and I am so glad I was able to hear it read to me in the way the author intends because it really does transform how you perceive it. If you like old fairy tales, I implore you to read this!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
themoonshoes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
very different from the movie but the plot beats are still there. dialogue fluxes between quick and witty and horribly old and slow but idk if that’s a gaiman thing or a book thing. there’s a lot going on, which makes some of the movie decisions to streamline the story more understandable. book-yvaine is sooo so funny she is certified blorbo from my books
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
probablytoolate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Death, Murder, and Animal death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Alcohol, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury