Stardust

This tradition-style fairy tale follows a young man named Tristan Thorn on his quest to retrieve a fallen star for the woman he loves. In a small village in England runs an enormous wall which gives the village its name of Wall. There is a gap in the wall which is guarded night and day by the villagers, preventing anyone from crossing to the mystical other side where the land of Fairy lies. However, every nine years a market his held in the field on the other side of the Wall where people from both sides can come together.

Tristan is attempting to win the heart of the most beautiful woman in the village, Victoria Forester. He finally has his chance when they witness a falling star and strike a bargain that if Tristan brings back the star to Victoria she will give him whatever he desires. Giddy with hope, Tristan starts off on his journey into the mysterious land beyond the wall. He makes fast friends with a little hairy creature who gives him a magical candle which allows him to walk a mere four steps to the location of the star.

Little did he know that the star was really a beautiful, though difficult woman. A dying king had enchanted a gem to determine which of his sons would retrieve it, becoming his heir and the King of Stormhold. The enchanted gem rose into the sky and struck a star, making her fall from the sky. Due to the beliefs of her people the star must now carry the gem until someone asks her for it.

This is a good story but the tradition style of it means that it doesn't allow for deep characters or character development. In many novels you read about what a character is thinking or feeling but not in this one. You read about what they are doing and in rare instances, it talks about how they are feeling but not often. Due to this, I found I liked the novel less than I could've.

Even so, it was a good read, a fun fairy tale with witches, flying ships and magical creatures.

Reader reviewed by an_d

Stardust is pitch-perfect.  Period.   The story flows nicely and pulls you in very quickly.  It's somewhat of a fairy tale, but at the same time, it's very adventurous and romantic.  Neil Gaiman weaves tales that will twist your imagination and pull you in.  You will feel like you've stepped into his magical world.  It's a quick and easy read and I highly suggest it for reluctant readers.  

Reader reviewed by sara

this stroy starts out inn a little town by the name of Wall.  Tristran is madly in love with a young woman named victoria and would do anything to win her heart.  In order to marry victoria he makes a deal with her,  he will go and retrieve a fallen star.  To get to this fallen star tristran has to get through a gap in a wall thats gaurded 24/7 close to his town.  The place across from this wall is not of our world it has magic and many other new things for tristran to discover.  he also discovers the truth about himself along the way.  a good romance and fantasy novel. 

Reader reviewed by Booked Books

Love fairy tales as a child but believe you're too old for them? No worries. Neil Gaiman delivers a spectacular adult fairy tale in Stardust. This isn't the typical fairy tale with simple and predictable plot twists. Gaiman manages to conjure a spellbinding story though admittedly, it isn't exactly suitable for children. Once you get past the mature stuff, it really is a fantastic read.


When Dunstan Thorn crossed the Wall and visited the Faerie Market in order to purchase a gift for his lover, Daisy, he never would have predicted that he would fall in love with a beautiful, gypsy slave. Still, he did, and she ended up giving birth to his son, Tristan Thorn.


Years later, good-natured Tristan grew up and fell in love with beautiful Victoria Forester. In order to win her heart, he sets out to find a star that had fallen in Faerie. Upon meeting the star, he realizes that stars take on the form of humans in Faerie. Unfortunately, he also realizes that he is not the only one who's searching for the star.


What I loved about this beautiful fantasy was that it was thrilling (despite the fact that it was a fairy tale) and humorous at the same time. The characters are so complex, well-defined, and charming that I became absorbed in them. Every part of the novel was necessary for the ending, though you don't know it until you reach the end. Gaiman's style is so natural yet deep and effective. I have to say that this is one of the best books I've ever had the pleasure to read.


reposted from: booked-books.blogspot.com