As far as the characters went I was happy to notice that most of them were nice, even good people/beings most of the time. While the story does have its share of people the reader doesn’t want to succeed, in the end even the oldest Lilim, the star’s greatest enemy, nobly acknowledges her loss when it becomes obvious she will not win. A refreshing thing even if a bit improbable outside a fairy tale (but, since this is a fairy tale… :P )

I really liked the world the author has created: a world with girl-stars, unicorns, ships floating on air and travels made faster by magic candles. Also, I was happy to notice some of the details — such as the fact that the seven brothers’ names were the Latin words for First, Second, Third and so on. Or this:

Dunstan paused in front of a stall covered with tiny crystal ornaments; he examined the miniature animals, pondering getting one for Daisy Hempstock. He picked up a crystal cat, no bigger than his thumb. Sagely it blinked at him, and he dropped it, shocked; it righted itself in midair and, like a real cat, fell on its four paws.Then it stalked over to the corner of the stall and began to wash itself.

What I liked most: The writing style. Very accessible (just like a fairy tale is supposed to be) and yet with beautiful imagery at times. To give but an example, I very much liked the way the ghosts of the killed brothers talked, but their voices were heard as nature sounds by the living (the rustle of leaves, the cry of a distant bird, etc).

I have also very much liked this part, near the end (possible spoiler):

“Well,” he said. “Mother certainly seems to be doing an excellent job of reigning.”

“Just as you,” she told him, tartly, “would do every bit as well, if you took the throne.”

“Perhaps,” he admitted. “And it certainly seems like it would be a nice place to end up, eventually. But there are so many places we have not yet seen. So many people still to meet. Not to mention all the wrongs to right, villains to vanquish, sights to see, all that. You know.”

And then they go and write the Mother a note that I think to be the best note ever (in the circumstances, of course): Have been unavoidably detained by the world. Expect us when you see us.

What I liked least: Nothing, I loved it on the whole.

Recommend it to? Anyone who enjoys fairy tales :)

Written by the same author:
American Gods
Coraline
Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett)
The Graveyard Book
Neverwhere
Snow, Glass, Apples

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