STARDUST By Neil Gaiman

Published : 1998
Pages : 194
Overall Mark : 9/10

Tristran Thorn is madly in love with Victoria Forester, who he thinks is the most beautiful girl in the village of Wall, so when they witness a shooting star falling from the sky and landing in the magical realm of Stormhold he agrees to go in search of it and bring it back to her in return for her hand in marriage. However, when he finds the star, he discovers that it has taken human form as a young woman called Yvaine, and that a coven of witches are after the star so that they can eat her heart and rejuvinate their youth.

This novel, also available as a graphic novel, is probably the best modern fairy tale I've read in a long time. The characters are rich and vibrate and the scenarios are original and come together in a brilliant medly of twists. The ending is both happy and sad, so there's something for everyone in this wonderful tale of love, betrayal, and evil.