Fantasy
Stardust
A young man in an English village that borders the fairy realm promises to bring his beloved a fallen star. When he finds it, the star is a woman, and a witch and a pair of rival princes are also hunting for her.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1999
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Format
- Book 1 of 3 in Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess' Stardust
Read this if you want a short, charming fairy tale for grown-ups with a bit of romance and wit.
Skip this if you want a darker, more serious fantasy or find the fairy-tale tone too light.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Stardust
- What is Stardust about?
- A young man in an English village that borders the fairy realm promises to bring his beloved a fallen star. When he finds it, the star is a woman, and a witch and a pair of rival princes are also hunting for her.
- Who should read Stardust?
- Read it if you want a short, charming fairy tale for grown-ups with a bit of romance and wit. Skip it if you want a darker, more serious fantasy or find the fairy-tale tone too light.
- How long and how fast is Stardust?
- It is a medium-paced, short read, first published in 1999.
- Does Stardust have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence.
- Can I borrow Stardust for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Stardust; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Stardust?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Princess Bride, The Night Circus, The Last Unicorn.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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If you loved Stardust
-
The Princess Bride Another fairy-tale adventure for adults and children that mixes romance with dry, affectionate humour.
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The Night Circus A more elaborate, dreamy fantasy romance with a similar sense of enchantment.
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The Last Unicorn
Another quest-shaped fairy story with a wistful ending and a lyrical style.
Fantasy
