laurehhn's review against another edition
2.0
Man, I hated this one when I first read it 10+ years ago during my initial read through of the whole series, especially coming right after Season of Mists, which is when I finally started to really get into the series -- my favorite parts of The Sandman have always been when it's focused on the Endless, and myth and legend, and gods and goddesses.
And I still don't care for this volume after this most recent re-read. At least it's short I guess. It's more of a little spin-off, side story than part of the main plot line. Dream is barely in it.
And even before I had the language and knowledge that I do today, Thessaly and her exclusion/dismissal of Wanda always bothered me.
And I still don't care for this volume after this most recent re-read. At least it's short I guess. It's more of a little spin-off, side story than part of the main plot line. Dream is barely in it.
And even before I had the language and knowledge that I do today, Thessaly and her exclusion/dismissal of Wanda always bothered me.
willowblack09's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
liaapperley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
cappuccino_yuki_teddy's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.5
karlk's review against another edition
3.0
Having not finished the entire series, the transition to Barbie's story felt jarring and out of place. I expect some of these characters might come back in future volumes? I'll read and find out... Neil still has enjoyable moments and well executed dialogue, but overall the story felt like it spun its wheels a bit.
Do want to add that I loved Wanda and seeing a transgender character was a great.
Do want to add that I loved Wanda and seeing a transgender character was a great.
fistofmoradin's review against another edition
5.0
5 books in and Gaiman is still setting up stories within stories that lead to more stories and connect to all the stories before.
mimosaeyes's review against another edition
2.0
So, I really like Thessaly and want to find out more about her. But she's only a supporting character here, and I just don't think Barbie is interesting enough to be the protagonist of a whole arc.
As for Wanda... She deserved so much better, okay? I cried real tears in the last few pages, but I can't help but feel that her death is unnecessary - what does it add to the thematic concerns? Nothing.
More to the point: Wanda's death is troubling. And no, I'm not going to mark this as a spoiler, because I think it counts as a content warning. Let me be clear: a trans female character dies in this volume after getting left behind because according to the actual moon, she's not really a woman. And I don't really see how this plot point contributes to the story as a whole.
As for Wanda... She deserved so much better, okay? I cried real tears in the last few pages, but I can't help but feel that her death is unnecessary - what does it add to the thematic concerns? Nothing.
More to the point: Wanda's death is troubling. And no, I'm not going to mark this as a spoiler, because I think it counts as a content warning. Let me be clear: a trans female character dies in this volume after getting left behind because according to the actual moon, she's not really a woman. And I don't really see how this plot point contributes to the story as a whole.
beholdtheanimals's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars, rounded up. As many people have noted, this isn't perfect in its portrayal of trans people, but reading Neil Gaiman's own statements on "A Game of You" made me feel a bit better about how much I love this (sad af that Wanda, absolute darling, ended up dead even if her portrayal with Death is utterly perfect). Apparently it's also not one of the most beloved Sandman titles, which is bizarre to me--I'm so here for the fairytale weirdness coupled with extreme darkness (will I ever tire of stories about adults and the ghosts of their inner childhood worlds? As an adult who kinda hasn't changed much since they were little, NOPE), and it doesn't hurt at all that it's set partly in my favorite city on this planet.
Also, had a little giggle at "Murphy". I see what you did there with your gaunt pale Goth not-a-God, Neil Gaiman, and my inner Bauhaus fan approves.
Also, had a little giggle at "Murphy". I see what you did there with your gaunt pale Goth not-a-God, Neil Gaiman, and my inner Bauhaus fan approves.