Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Release Date: February 1, 1999
Pages: 196
Rating:💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

At the dawn of the Victorian era, life moves at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall. Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the beautiful Victoria Forester, but Victoria is as cold and distant as the star she and Tristran see fall from the sky one evening. For Victoria's hand, Tristran vows to retrieve the star for her. It is an oath that sends the lovelorn boy over the town's ancient wall and into a world that is dangerous and strange beyond imagining...

I wanted to love this book so much. I wanted it to sweep me off my feet, and lift me up to the stars, but it didn't.

I grew up obsessing over the film that came out of this movie. Every year I would watch it on my birthday, mouthing along to the characters lines. I loved every single one of the characters, and they became like a second family to me. If I had a bad day, Stardust would go on. If it was raining outside, Stardust would come out. No matter what, my film of choice was always Stardust.

So when I discovered it was a book I was over the moon. My favourite film in book form? I could hardly wait to read it.

But then it just didn't deliver. And it most certainly wasn't the books fault. There was piracy and intrigue, adventure and witchcraft, daring and cunning. For the most part, it was actually a pretty great story. It's quite short so you'd be able to fly through it in no time, and there is enough humour to keep you entertained when there is no action going on.

So why did I only give it 3 stars? Well, it wasn't my film. The entire time I was just waiting for certain bits of the story to happen. I was waiting for the pirates, or the witches, or the fight scene and because I knew everything that was about to happen, the suspense was lost on me. I kept on looking for bits of the film which didn't happen in the book and getting confused when there were scenes happening that didn't happen in the film.

Yes, my love for the film did ruin my  reading experience a little bit. But I still had a great time reading it, and Neil Gaiman's writing was able to teleport me straight to the world where Wall is. I just wish I'd discover the book before the film.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, or wants a simple introduction to fantasy. I also think it would make a great bedtime story, and I wish I'd been read to sleep with this book. Just make sure to read it before you watch the film! (although definitely watch the film)