4 Stars - I recommend if you like fantasy novels, beautiful writing, and stories that are not sugar coated. Gaiman is a wonderful writer!

This book follows Tristran Thorne as he journeys from boy to man in search of a fallen star (a gift for his bride-to-be). In order to find it he must cross the wall into the realm of faerie, and weather all that he encounters there. To his surprise the star is not a star, but a woman, and he is not the only one in search of her.

I have been meaning to read this book for a while, I love the movie, (you guys know I don't watch first a lot!) and when my friend Rachel let me borrow it I was really excited. I instantly loved the way Gaiman writes, he painted a gorgeous picture of wall, faerie, and all of the characters. Some of the pieces that were different than the movie I enjoyed, other parts I did not like as much. It was a little more bittersweet or sometimes more brutal than I would have imagined. There's a bit more gruesome violence, mention of prostitutes, etc. which was not in the movie, and was a bit unexpected. That's ok I suppose, and more realistic I guess. We're not talking GOT level or anything, I just hadn't imagined it would exist at all. The last part of the book also felt a bit rushed to me. Where as a lot of the first part across the wall was very drawn out. Some of the differences in plot I liked more, others I liked less. Overall I enjoyed the movie more, but am glad to have read one of his books finally. I look forward to reading more. :)

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A tough one, beautifully written... But more bittersweet than I'd hoped. Still pondering.