Click here for free online dating advice!
| Review Summary |
In the village of Wall, on the border between the 'real' world and Faerie, there lives Tristran Thorn, a bored and discontented farmer's son who dreams of adventure. When he makes a rash promise to retrieve a fallen star for the woman he loves, it sends him into Faerie on a journey more difficult and more dangerous than he bargained for. For he is not the only one who seeks the star. Others search for it as well... and they do not take kindly to competition.
Emma, Resident Scholar
|
Tristan Thorn is the son of a human and a magical creature from the land of Faerie, though neither he nor anyone else knows it. Every nine years, guards at the hole in the Wall allow people and magical creatures to pass through, for the Faerie Market. To win the love of beautiful Victoria Forester, Tristran goes through the wall and deep into the land of Faerie to retrieve a fallen star. Though simply related, in the style of a fairy tale, this marvelous story has several plotlines that parallel and interweave, involving witches, a unicorn, the fallen star (which turns out to be female), and the many sons of the dying 81st Lord of Stormhold (who are all killing one another off for the privilege of becoming the 82nd; some are already ghosts before the story begins). Gaiman avoids many of the cliches of the fantasy genre and fashions a charming, delightful, yet wise tale.
David Loftus, Resident Scholar
|
This book is written so that it reads like a long fairy tale. It begins with the story of Dunstan Thorn, but this is all really the story of his son, Tristan. Tristan is only half human, but he doesn't know that. His mother comes from beyond the Wall, and Dunstan could've loved her and chose instead to live a more normal life in the town of Wall. Tristan knows only that Victoria Forester is the most beautiful girl in the world. Although it's fairly obvious Victoria isn't interested in him, he believes that he will win her hand in marriage if he brings her the star they saw fall. In order to find it, he has to go beyond the Wall (something no one in his town has ever done). During his journey he meets many strange and often frightening beings and discovers that the star isn't quite what he thought it was.
Melissa Cookson, Resident Scholar
|
When Tristan Thorn makes a ridiculous promise to bring back a fallen star for the object of his affection, he has no idea what his journey outside of the normal human world will really cause. Jumping suddenly into the world of the faerie, he encounters many friends and enemies who help to learn about love, himself, and the secrets of his past that will lead him on to rule in a land that he can trully call home.
Jennifer, Resident Scholar
|
Tristan is sent to a magical world to capture a fallen star, but it turns out to be harder than he thought.
Emily M, Resident Scholar
|
I really enjoyed this book. The teen in this book goes looking for a fallen star for his lady love and finds much more than he thought.
Sue Wipperling, Resident Scholar
|
| Detailed literary breakdown of Stardust |
|---|
| Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
New movie search (click here) New book search (click here) |
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 23.3%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 36.7%
Tone of book
- very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- part earth & part fantasy world
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- an adult (general)
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story
Yes
Plotlets:
- exploring a wondrous planet or phenomena
Romance
Yes
Tech./$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- magical artifact
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Human/magical couple?
Yes
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- a teen
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- magical being
Age:
- long-lived adults
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- can change shapes
- can cast all sorts of spells
Eccentric:
Yes
- eccentric
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Terrain
- Mountains
- Forests
Earth setting:
- 20th century
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
|
|
