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fayettejill's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jordypin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jmrprice's review against another edition
4.0
Characters real and imagined - or are they? What exists as reality or fantasy may just depend on where you are.
Perhaps fairy tales for grownups are just long overdue.
Bonus in that Neil Gaiman narrates the audiobook.
Perhaps fairy tales for grownups are just long overdue.
Bonus in that Neil Gaiman narrates the audiobook.
kyajreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wish I had enjoyed this more. Unfortunately, it felt like each plot point was cut short, and the conversations that I felt needed to happen just didn't happen as characters seemingly just know or just accept information at face value. The ending was bittersweet - common for tales of Faerie, so I'm not displeased about that - but the (fairly major) loose ends were conveniently tied up in barely 2 pages, feeling rushed and dull. However, this translated so well into the film, and I could see it playing in my head up until the last 50 pages where the film had deviated. Maybe I just prefer Gaiman's writing when it's put to screen?
marzersstrandy's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A little hard to follow, but that is with all Neil Gaiman books. :)
a_morrill's review against another edition
5.0
Rarely say this, but I liked the movie better. Still worth the read, love anything Gaiman does.
malliexreads's review against another edition
5.0
Whimsical and full of magic mystery from the very beginning, this book captured my attention entirely. Absolutely everything was wonderful about this novel; the characters were fun and the plot was interesting.
The story follows Tristian Thorn as he as sent out on a quest to find a fallen star to win the hand of the women he deems as the most beautiful in his village. Tossed into the faerie world, he comes across many interesting characters, some friendly and some dangerous. Readers follow along as Tristan goes from a child to a man as he discovers many truths along the way. Anyone interested in the fantasy genre would certainly enjoy it.
The story follows Tristian Thorn as he as sent out on a quest to find a fallen star to win the hand of the women he deems as the most beautiful in his village. Tossed into the faerie world, he comes across many interesting characters, some friendly and some dangerous. Readers follow along as Tristan goes from a child to a man as he discovers many truths along the way. Anyone interested in the fantasy genre would certainly enjoy it.
patnpending's review against another edition
4.0
Cute read, read like a fairy tale with a fun mix of characters that weave in and out
ladyhippolyta's review against another edition
5.0
Stardust is a fast-paced, beautifully-written love story, set in Neil Gaiman’s magical world of Faerie. It is the tale of a young man, Tristran Thorn, who vows to retrieve a fallen star in order to win the heart of his love, the beautiful Victoria. Yet the road to true love doesn’t run smooth as the fallen star is not a lump of rock, but a living, breathing girl, who defies Tristran at every turn. The star, Yvaine, is hunted by witches determined to eat her heart (and gain everlasting beauty).
Gaiman is well known for his quirky and visceral stories, but it is with Stardust that he truly steps out of the realm of the ordinary. The world of Faerie is rich and vibrant, juxtaposed with the restrained and dull Victorian England that Tristran lives in. It bursts with fascinating colours, intoxicating descriptions, and vivid details, dragging the reader into the centre of the world and refusing to let go. Details of how the world of Faerie works, with its fantastical creatures and magic, are left vague, but Gaiman has a confidence in his writing that makes it lived in and textured, and feels as real as his descriptions of England.
In some ways, this novel is immediately comparable to the cult classic novel and film The Princess Bride and there are many similarities: sword fights, murderous princes, magic, and true love. The primary difference is that while The Princess Bride is tongue-in-cheek, the world of Stardust is deadly serious. It is a land that is wondrous and beautiful, grotesque and twisted, and definitely not for children. Faerie itself is personified by the unicorn who helps Tristran and Yvaine; it is ethereal and magical, but its grisly fate speaks about the gritty realism at its root.
The main failing, if you can call it that, of Stardust is that, while it is full of adventure and romance, there is nothing complex or overly emotional, the characters undergoing very little in terms of character development. In fact, for those who have seen the wildly popular film directed by Matthew Vaughn, the character arcs in the book are disappointing in comparison; in particular, Tristran does not undergo as dramatic a transformation. However, while the movie draws upon widely used stereotypes, such as Sienna Miller’s spoiled and flirty Victoria, the book relies instead upon more realistic and less dramatic portrayals.
Stardust is unabashedly fantastical and romantic, and the label of adult fairy tale may immediately turn people off. However, from the beginning, the flowing prose pulls you along with the characters, making this novel an incredibly accessible and enjoyable read.
Gaiman is well known for his quirky and visceral stories, but it is with Stardust that he truly steps out of the realm of the ordinary. The world of Faerie is rich and vibrant, juxtaposed with the restrained and dull Victorian England that Tristran lives in. It bursts with fascinating colours, intoxicating descriptions, and vivid details, dragging the reader into the centre of the world and refusing to let go. Details of how the world of Faerie works, with its fantastical creatures and magic, are left vague, but Gaiman has a confidence in his writing that makes it lived in and textured, and feels as real as his descriptions of England.
In some ways, this novel is immediately comparable to the cult classic novel and film The Princess Bride and there are many similarities: sword fights, murderous princes, magic, and true love. The primary difference is that while The Princess Bride is tongue-in-cheek, the world of Stardust is deadly serious. It is a land that is wondrous and beautiful, grotesque and twisted, and definitely not for children. Faerie itself is personified by the unicorn who helps Tristran and Yvaine; it is ethereal and magical, but its grisly fate speaks about the gritty realism at its root.
The main failing, if you can call it that, of Stardust is that, while it is full of adventure and romance, there is nothing complex or overly emotional, the characters undergoing very little in terms of character development. In fact, for those who have seen the wildly popular film directed by Matthew Vaughn, the character arcs in the book are disappointing in comparison; in particular, Tristran does not undergo as dramatic a transformation. However, while the movie draws upon widely used stereotypes, such as Sienna Miller’s spoiled and flirty Victoria, the book relies instead upon more realistic and less dramatic portrayals.
Stardust is unabashedly fantastical and romantic, and the label of adult fairy tale may immediately turn people off. However, from the beginning, the flowing prose pulls you along with the characters, making this novel an incredibly accessible and enjoyable read.
poissillion's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No