Nothing like I am used to reading from Neil Gaiman. I always enjoyed his YA books, and this is one of his more adult books, so I wasn't sure how it would turn out to be. It is definitely an entertaining book. I liked it but I expected more. The story proposed is interesting, with gods fueled by belief and the new gods representing modern concepts, but for some reasons I thought it would have more action, and it took me a long time to hook me.
Even so, I would recommend it, the story is very well written, and the ending is incredible. ( )

I had to stop listening to this one, because of the content.

However, I decided it that it was instructive for myself to keep these ones in my list, but marked as DO NOT READ. ( )

Cool concept but could have been much better with different writer / style. ( )

I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. The plot was nebulous, and I struggled seeing any symbology. Everything seems mysterious, and then boom the character figures things out. I thought based on the title and description, that the target audience would be teens or young adults, but I found the content to be more mature than that.

Still, it is well written, so even though I didn't like some things about it, I found the writing itself entertaining. ( )

I had a quick look at the TV show and very quickly decided that i wanted to read the book instead, and i'm rather glad i did.   I absolutely, totally enjoyed 'Stardust', which was the only one of Neil's books i'd read before, so i was hoping i was in for another super reading treat with this.

So, suffice it to say, i still have no idea what the TV show was like, and having read the book i really have no interest because the book is so good i just don't want to spoil the memory of a great story.   But i'll most certainly be reading more of Neil's books though.

This book really has just about everything going on in it.   There's a dark satirical edge to it, a murder mystery thing, a love story, folklore, lots of action, lots of gods and goddesses and other mythical creatures, and many other things besides.   How Neil managed to tie it all up into one complete story is outstanding writing to say the least.

What struck me most about it was the dark satirical edge that i found within it.   How so many modern countries are turning their backs upon the old ways and enslaving themselves to modern ideas and ideologies.   The continuous tension between those that would hold us back and those who would drive us forward, and the battles that happen when one or both push it too far.   Yes, we all see it played out in the political realm every day, conservatives v modernisers, but underlying all of that is the beliefs and ideals of everyone in society and who gets to control and dictate them.

And in the middle of it all is our protagonist, Shadow.   What a character.   He's thrown into this world of gods and goddesses as each side attempts to attract him to their school of thought.   Just like the political classes, the corporatocracy and religions as they all attempt to enslave us into their ideologies and use us in their battles for ultimate power.

So yeah, super duper read.   It's a big, big book but well worth the time. ( )