hstapp's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first sandman series I've really enjoyed. It is another cycle of short stories, but they are better done and more interesting than previous attempts. The Necropolis section was the least interesting. There are multitudes of stories in this one and the stories lag and grow a bit tiresome in the middle, The beginning and end sections are good though.
eliseabril's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
codey_spartan's review against another edition
3.0
Gaiman sure loves stories. The only thing he loved more than stories is telling them. He does go overload in this volume that a chapter had a story within a story within a story. For a series titled Sandman, it has a lot of volumes that have nothing of him. Individually, brilliant and interesting stories on their own. But one doesn’t go to a James Bond movie and not be served Bond on the screen. Bring the dream King back.
charlibirb's review against another edition
4.0
The weakest book in the series so far. It was still good, but was a little piecemeal, and I've been enjoying the linking stories of the other books. Not as much linked up here except the story about Farie, and a few characters here and there appearing.
billd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I keep saying this but I can't get enough of Neil Gaiman's Sandman graphic novel series. The Sandman, Vol. 8: Worlds' End is the 8th collection of stories in this excellent series. I think it's winding down but more research might be needed on my part. As far as I can tell there is a 9th and 10th collection! I'll sort that out.
So... The Worlds' End is an inn in a sort of hinterland. People arrive there from other 'dimensions / Earths' and wait out Reality storms. Brant and Charlene are co-workers, not really friends. Charlene persuades Brant to drive with her to Chicago and he agrees. It's June but as Brant is driving through the night a snowstorm hits them and he crashes the car. As he struggles with Charlene through the woods and snow, he ascertains a building, the aforementioned Worlds' End.
A Centaur takes Charlene off for first aid treatment. The rest of the 'guests' are telling stories. What else is there to do? The Worlds' End is kind of a Canterbury Tales where the various story tellers are all in the same location. The graphic novel consists of seven individual tales, although some of the tales themselves have more tales within. Neat, eh?
In one, the story teller finds himself in a city within his own city. How does he get out??? A faerie tells a story of his adventures in the city on the plains. A young 'boy' tells a sea adventure, his tale of his voyage from India to Aden. There is a story taken from an old DC comic, Prez, which features 18 year old Prez Rickard becomes the youngest President in American history, his struggles with Boss Smiley and what happened later.
There is a story set in Necropolis, a city where people bring their dead for burial. There are 5 types of bodily disposal, burial, through fire, through water, mummification and finally air burial. In this story, the 3 necrophiles each tell stories related to their craft.
It's such a neat concept and every story is fascinating. Dream, aka The Sandman, makes a couple of appearances but it's the story tellers that hold center stage. Dream's sister, my favorite character, such a beautiful person, makes appearances as well. The Worlds' End is on the cusp of worlds and really seems distinct from the worlds created by Dream and his family. I repeat, such a great series! (4.0 stars)
So... The Worlds' End is an inn in a sort of hinterland. People arrive there from other 'dimensions / Earths' and wait out Reality storms. Brant and Charlene are co-workers, not really friends. Charlene persuades Brant to drive with her to Chicago and he agrees. It's June but as Brant is driving through the night a snowstorm hits them and he crashes the car. As he struggles with Charlene through the woods and snow, he ascertains a building, the aforementioned Worlds' End.
A Centaur takes Charlene off for first aid treatment. The rest of the 'guests' are telling stories. What else is there to do? The Worlds' End is kind of a Canterbury Tales where the various story tellers are all in the same location. The graphic novel consists of seven individual tales, although some of the tales themselves have more tales within. Neat, eh?
In one, the story teller finds himself in a city within his own city. How does he get out??? A faerie tells a story of his adventures in the city on the plains. A young 'boy' tells a sea adventure, his tale of his voyage from India to Aden. There is a story taken from an old DC comic, Prez, which features 18 year old Prez Rickard becomes the youngest President in American history, his struggles with Boss Smiley and what happened later.
There is a story set in Necropolis, a city where people bring their dead for burial. There are 5 types of bodily disposal, burial, through fire, through water, mummification and finally air burial. In this story, the 3 necrophiles each tell stories related to their craft.
It's such a neat concept and every story is fascinating. Dream, aka The Sandman, makes a couple of appearances but it's the story tellers that hold center stage. Dream's sister, my favorite character, such a beautiful person, makes appearances as well. The Worlds' End is on the cusp of worlds and really seems distinct from the worlds created by Dream and his family. I repeat, such a great series! (4.0 stars)
alimarvels83's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kami5's review against another edition
4.0
For a bunch of relatively unknown characters, their stories throughout were well thought out and fun to read. A welcome return from the previous disappointment.