I was first introduced to Mr. Gaiman's work when I was given a copy of Sandman to read by my now ex. I greatly enjoyed it. I also enjoyed Mirrormask and Stardust (both movies he helped to write.) As for an actual book this was the first plunge...

My reactions are mixed. Given it was written for a younger audience...it may prejudice my views some. The settings were interesting. An old english cemetery, predominantly, was interesting. The main charachter was well portrayed. The secondaries I felt were left a little too vague. The surrounding story and backstory were really underdeveloped in my opinion. The ending too abrupt. I felt the book just ended too abruptly. True their is room for a sequel, but...it just ended.

On a five star scale I'd give it two stars. One for originality, and another for setting. Aside that, the underdevelopment of side characters and the way it ended I cannot give it more.

In the end pick it up from your local library, but don't waste your money on it.