Stardust by Neil Gaiman

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Title: Stardust

Author: Neil Gaiman

Genre: Fantasy

Length: 238 pages

Published: 1999

Publisher: William Morrow & Company

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) In the sleepy English countryside at the dawn of the Victorian Era, life moves at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall--a secluded hamlet so named for an imposing stone barrier that surrounds a fertile grassland. Armed sentries guard the sole gap in the bulwark to keep the inquisitive from wandering through, relaxing their vigil only once every nine years, when a market fair unlike any other in the world of men comes to the meadow. Here in Wall, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to beautiful Victoria Forester. But Victoria is cold and distant--as distant, in fact, as the star she and Tristran see fall from the sky on a crisp October evening. For the coveted prize of Victoria's hand, Tristran vows to retrieve the fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. It is an oath that sends the lovelorn swain over the ancient wall, and propels him into a world that is strange beyond imagining.

But Tristran is not the only one seeking the heavenly jewel. There are those for whom it promises youth and beauty, the key to a kingdom, and the rejuvenation of dark, dormant magics. And a lad compelled by love will have to keep his wits about him to succeed and survive in this secret place where fallen stars come in many guises--and where quests have a way of branching off in unexpected directions, even turning back upon themselves in space and in time.

Neil Gaiman works his unique literary magic in new and dazzling ways in "Stardust, a novel that will shine in the heart and memory far beyond the turning of its final page.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

Tristran is half-human, half-faerie. Raised in the human world, he doesn't know that his mother is really only his step-mother and that his true mother is a faerie trapped by a witch. One night, he begs of the one girl he loves to kiss him and she will not. Nor will she marry him. However, when they see a star fall to the east, she promises she will give him anything he desires if he brings her the star. With barely a thought, he promises to do just that.

Thus begins his journey to find the star and bring it to the girl he loves. He gets some unlikely help, finds the star, and finds a lot of danger. For more than just Tristran are searching for the star. An evil witch seeks to take her heart to extend the lives of her and her sisters. Two princes seek the star, for she holds the key to one of them gaining the throne.

This was an excellent fantasy story. A coming of age story which holds danger, love, and friendship. I really enjoy reading Neil Gaiman's books, and Stardust definitely did not disappoint. Tristran and Yvaine are both lovable characters. I'm definitely going to have to check out the movie which was based off this book and see if it does the story any justice.

You can purchase Stardust through Amazon in either hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Stardust? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.