How To Grow Your Geek: Parenting and More!

Hey guys,
I still have a bad chest cold, but I am still able to give you news on great books to read. This one I am sure everyone knows the story of, or at least has seen the very funny movie that was based on it. But this book is a little different, as all books are from movies. This book brings the novel to life, and really pulls the reader in.

Stardust – the Graphic novel.
A book review by Darcy Low

Stardust is set in the English like village of Wall. It is a quite and humble place. Cobblestone streets, hardy and good people; and then there is the wall that is the border between our world and the world of fairy and gives the town it’s name. The wall itself completely cuts off access with the exception of one small place where there is a gap. The villagers have for centuries set two men from the village to guard this gap at all hours, to make sure no one goes in and nothing goes out. every nine years, though; there is a market day where the gap is open to anyone and the people of our world can cross over and see the wonders of the fairy realm and bring back all manners of magic items and trinkets. The system has worked out very well, with very little trouble for all the years.

In the fairy realm is the Castle of Stormhold, where the dying monarch reigns, his sons all are vying to take over when he goes; all using various ways to see that this comes about. Killing off their own brothers in the process. With only a handful of the brothers left, the old monarch calls them to his bedside telling them all that his time is nearly up but he is less than thrilled with his sons and would rather get rid of the thing that symbolizes the house of stronghold. In his last act, he hobbles to his balcony, the highest point in all the castle and flings it up into the sky. As it falls out of sight, a star can be seen falling as well from the heavens.

The Lilim are three old witches that were once queens themselves of the magic kingdom and could weld great power,but time has robbed them now of their power and their beauty. The only thing that can restore that for them is the heart of a fallen star. Which they happen to see that faithful night. It is decided that one of the sisters will take the last remaining magic candle and seek out the star, taking her heart and returning. So that the sisters powers can be restored and they will become great once more.

Tristan Thorne is a young boy who lives with his father and stepmother in the village of wall, he is hopelessly in love with a popular girl called Victoria. One night he gets up the nerve to proclaim his love for her, promising her everything he owns if only she will be his. Victoria is a stuck up, full of herself type of person though. And tell Tristan he is foolish. But Tristan is not giving up that easily and when he too sees the falling star, he vows to travel to the ends of the earth in search for it, to bring it back to her in order to win her heart. Victoria thinks he is mad, but of course agrees; thinking he will never do such a thing; and by morning he will see just how foolish he is being.

We all know of course he didn’t do that, that would make for a very short book right? He goes home and tells his parents of his plans. His mother tries to talk him out it of course, but his father takes on a different view. He lets Tristan go off on his journey, giving him two items; a magic black candle for use in long journeys and a small glass flower. Saying that the last holds magic, and Tristan will know when the time comes to use it. He also give him a knowing look, when seems odd at the time.

Tristan sets off and meets a lot of strange creatures and beings, some helpful some not at all. But once he finally finds the fallen star, it is not at all what he was expecting. Instead of a cooling piece of space rock,what he finding instead is a beautiful; hurt young woman. With golden hair that seems to shine on it’s own and her temper at being a fallen star and being “captured” by bumbling Tristan is pretty white hot and shows no sign at all of cooling.

Now the race is on as Tristan has to journey back with the hurt star on foot to wall, having used up all of the magic candle. Plus having never been away from home before he has to learn to forge for food and protect both himself and the star from harm. Something he has never done before and makes him have second thoughts of his plans for turning over the star to Victoria. After all, she is a being and quite beautiful.

The witch of course is looking for the star as well, for her own evil plans. Coming close a few times and killing or enslaving people that get in her way. (A note for parents, there are a couple pictures that might scare kids, some bloody images and few graphic thing involving a Unicorn. This witch is pure evil.)

The last remaining two sons of the dead lord of Stronghold are also trying to claim the throne and their story becomes part of Tristan and the star’s. In ways you will never guess at until the end.

The story itself is classic. Filled with plot twists, adventure, dark dealings and love. But what I love about this version is the artwork though out. It is all done in water color and either takes up a page, (sometimes two.) Or is on a page along with the text of the novel. Each one really brings the story out and I just love how the characters are represented for us. The book also come with a long blue ribbon that the reader can use as a bookmark. Which I thought was a really cool idea.

But there is more. At the very back of the book you will find line drawings and sketches along with pictures of porcine statues of the main characters. I guess these were made by the artist for reference, not really sure. But they really look cool.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough guys, it is just so pretty. It is one of my favorites and one I proudly have on my self now. It is put out by Vertigo press and is available on places like Amazon and Powell Books. So seek this one out for sure.

Oh one last note, I might have done a review on this before or maybe it was the movie. I am not real sure. I do know dad read it and called it in a long time ago. Hey it’s summer, you are going get reruns. hehe.

See you laters and happy reading!

Darcy