A review by steveatwaywords
The Sandman Vol. 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman

dark inspiring tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I was one-and-the-same time awed by Gaiman's ambition and also disappointed in the results. Obviously the story will evolve or continue in future volumes, but the gathering of the world's gods to bargain for the rights to Hell felt rather sketched and formulaic. The real decision
was this time taken from Dream completely; nothing in the end relied upon him at all
, and that's more than disappointing--it's kind of a narrative cheat. Maybe he just needs more space than the medium allows; maybe it's not in him (and I'm including American Gods, the Asanti brothers, and others here). Either way, the size of the tale demands a commensurate effort in character and theme. And somehow, the story of the little kid at the school was the most compelling and memorable....
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