Amelia's Book Room: Stardust

One of my books for October was Neil Gaiman’s Coraline. Since then, I’ve investigated his other works, and fell in love with Stardust.

In this fantasy romance, Tristran Thorn has fallen in love with the prettiest girl in the village of Wall, Victoria Forester. However, she’s reluctant to return his feelings. One night, when pleading that she marry him, the two see a star falling across the sky. Tristran quickly vows to cross the wall (after which the village is aptly named), into forbidden territory, and retrieve the star for Victoria.

She agrees, promising that if he brings it back, she’ll do anything for him, even marry him. Little does Tristran know that this quest will take him into the strange land of Faerie, and that the star, which he presumed to be a rock, is in fact a young woman.

And Tristran isn’t the only one after the star—three witches mean to capture the girl and eat her heart, which will return to them their youth and beauty. Also unknowingly in search of her are the sons of the late Lord of Stormhold, who will do anything to gain the topaz of Stormhold and become the eighty-second Lord.

Gaiman’s unique style and dry humor makes this romance a fun and interesting story that will pull you in from the start. I’ll warn you, though, this isn’t your average children’s fairy tale. It contains occasional strong language and adult themes, but overall it’s an amazing book.

You can read my review of Coraline here. They recently made a Stardust movie, starring Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Peter O’Toole and Claire Danes.

Now, it’s nearing the end of 2008; everyone’s making resolutions and “Best of 2008” lists… Well, I have a question for you guys. What was your favorite book that you read in 2008? Happy new year, and here’s hoping it’s a great one!