REVIEW: Stardust (Neil Gaiman)
Author: Neil Gaiman
My rating: 3/5
Premise: Life moves at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall—named after the imposing stone barrier which separates the town from a grassy meadow. Here, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the beautiful Victoria Forester and for the coveted prize of her hand, Tristran vows to retrieve a fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. It is an oath that sends him over the ancient wall and into a world that is dangerous and strange beyond imagining.
I grew up with the film Stardust and probably knew it by heart before I read the book. Sadly, this is one of the rare occasions where I prefer the film to the book. The book is definitely more adult than the film, which I didn't expect. The ending of the book I felt was a bit lame. The good guys tell the baddies they can't get what they want and the bad guy goes "fair enough". I love the idea and the adventure, but I feel like the film fleshed things out better and made it more exciting. Overall, an enjoyable yet slightly disappointing read - although I may be biased! If you've never seen the film, then maybe try the book first!