Stardust

Stardust
Neil Gaiman
Published by HarperTeen, 2008; ISBN 0061689246
Recommended reading age: Teen, Adult

Summary:
For such a short novel, Stardust contains a ridiculously large number of plotlines. First, and most importantly, there’s Tristan and his quest to retrieve a fallen star. Although he has to cross the wall into Faerie (which, incidentally, is forbidden), he believes the adventure will be worth it. His success will result in the beautiful Victoria’s hand in marriage. However, a trio of witches is also after the fallen star. Unlike Tristan, who means only to retrieve the star, the witches intend to destroy it and so regain youth and beauty. Also unlike Tristan, the witches know that the star is actually a living, breathing “person.” The star, named Yvaine, begins the book as a whiny burden for Tristan. However, her beauty (and Tristan’s compassion) definitely sets the stage for potential romance.

Neither Tristan nor Yvaine realize that a group of princes is also chasing the star—though for a different reason than the witches. Yvaine was knocked from the sky by a jewel which belongs to the rightful Lord of Stormhold. One of the princes must find the jewel and claim the throne. Tristan must get back to Victoria with the star; the witches must find the star while her heart is still fresh; the princes must find the star before she crosses the wall with the jewel. A combination of adventure, romance and fantasy, Stardust is a true imaginative success.

Review:
I must admit to being a bigger fan of the movie than of the book. I adore the dark and quirky humor belonging to Tim Burton; but I find Neil Gaiman’s brand of humor to be a little too dark and a little too bitter. When Yvaine falls from the sky in the movie, she is certainly unhappy. And yet, I never grow tired of her. In the book, she immediately swears at Tristan and whines for much of the book. The characters never get as full-fleshed as they do in the movie, and book-Yvaine never quite grew on me. Gaiman certainly created a great story, and any fans of his style are sure to love the novel. I simply preferred Matthew Vaughn’s version. I’d recommend this book to fans of Gaiman, fantasy lovers, and fans of The Princess Bride.