It sounds bad, but the movie is sooo much better. While it's not horrible, the book just seemed "hollow", like Gaiman was more concerned over trying to tell a dull fairytale instead of showing it to the reader. I usually love stories that read like traditional fairytales, this one just did not work. The characters are never developed, the plot is unfocused and the love story is disappointing. Watch the movie instead.

I had watched the movie when I hadn't even heard of the story and so I read the book. I was not disappointed. It is a really lovely story and full of magic. I highly recommend it.

A sweet fable, although being used to reading fantasy with long descriptions, the lack of detail about the trip was a bit disappointing. Still, I recommend it to fantasy fans for it's wonderful writing, and lessons.

Fun twist on a traditional fairytale fantasy story with added bits of sex and gore and snark. Quite different from the movie. It kind of peters out at the end. No big battles or confrontations; it's more a story about heart-- metaphorically and literally.

I love Neil Gaiman!! And I loved this book, it was so sweet and very enjoyable.

I loved it from the opening paragraph. Neil Gaiman has taken fantasy down to it's simplest form - the fairy tale. This book is short and sweet and will be enjoyed by any adult who appreciates the artistry of a well written fairy tale.

I enjoyed this story and the writing, but overall I like my fantasy to have a little more depth.

After being completely hooked on his books for younger audiences, this was the first of Neil Gaiman's adult books that I read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, devouring it in two sittings! Gaiman has a way of taking classic tales and fables and putting just the right spin on them, with wit, darkness, and just the right doses of sex and blood. This fantastic tale of a young boy on an incredible journey to retrieve a fallen star for the lady he believes he loves will keep you flipping pages fast enough to give you whiplash, wrapped up with an ending that is perfectly satisfying without being hokey or cliched. Definite must-read for fantasy fans!

i'm confused because the description says it is nothing like the movie but the comments say it is the same. which is it? because i liked the movie and the plotline but the blurb for this book sounds really dull. also does anyone know what it says on the cover? i tried zooming in but it just went all pixely.

Liked the movie a lot, so went to read the book. I agree with others that the movie was better, but the book treated certain parts of the story better. I enjoyed his style and descriptive writing ability.