Review: Stardust

By M.J. Moores on June 8, 2014 • ( 0 )

Stardust

Author: Neil Gaiman

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Highly Recommended Reading.

Genre: YA/Fairy Tale/Fantasy/Adventure/Romance

When is a star anything but ice, dust, and gases? When it gets knocked out of the sky by a topaz heirloom necklace, destined to settle who the next ruler of Stormhold in the land of Faerie will be. Yvaine, the star, is sought by many: the living sons of Stormhold, a coven of witches, and a half-faerie boy on a quest to prove his love. When this boy, Tristran, promises to bring the fallen star to the girl of dreams he learns of his true lineage – his father once passed into the realm of Faerie in search of his own heart’s desire. The race to find Yvaine is on, but what does the fair Yvaine have to say about the matter?

This is another story I was introduced to via film prior to learning that it’s first inception was a book. After falling in love with the movie, I sought out a copy of the book knowing that my instincts with The Princess Bride were just as strong as those now leading me toward Stardust. I could immediately see that the potential of the story was only touched on with the movie. I wanted to experience it all, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Gaiman takes readers on a wild romp through a land teeming with magic and greed. His employment of the dead sons of Stormhold as a type of Greek Chorus throughout the book gives readers an enjoyable change in perspective, with a dark twist of humour. But I was disappointed that this device wasn’t used more often. It brought a modern twist to the ancient choral idea that touched the dramatist in my heart and the goofy kid who loves to laugh.

Just like Goldman’s The Princess Bride, the book Stardust allows readers to revisit those places in our hearts that delight in pirates, faeries, evil witches, cruel Lords, and true love. The message most will walk away with revolves around knowing and understanding our heart’s truest desire(s). In this age, where it’s difficult to find something to believe in, the world of fantasy which Gaiman brings to life offers readers an escape from our mortality to look at these ideals from a perspective outside ourselves – and have some fun along the way.

My only regret with this novel, aside from wanting to see the Chorus of the Dead more, is the treatment of Tristran and his heart’s desire – the romantic aspect of the story. His transformation at the end of the book feels almost rushed and his character remains more two-dimensional and stereotypical than I would have liked. Several of the other main and supporting characters show a depth and breadth of emotion and growth that Tristran just never reaches. That being said, I will never say no to reading Stardust a third, fourth, or fifteenth time.

Review by M.J. Moores, OCT. Author. Editor. Freelance Writer.