Rating: 
Summary: Exceeded my expectations
Review: I can't add much at all to all the previous reviews. I can say that I enjoyed the book, and that I had high expectations for the book based on what I had heard. The story and illustrations exceeded those expectations. The story is ultimately sad, and, thus perhaps, more "true-to-life". It is a book I shall keep for a long time and re-read and re-read. If you do not like this book, then you either had extrememly high expectations (unreasonable?), or are looking for something that you will probably never find.
Rating: 
Summary: Did you know?
Review: I found this book while searching for Yoshitaka Amano's illustrations. One of the most notable of living Japanese illustrators, he is still much under-represented in American publications. This is truly a shame, for many are completely unaware of the flowing grace and color of his images. He has a great breadth of style, subject and media, including theater design and stained glass work among his many credits. He is equally at home doing echoes of old Japanese and Chinese prints as he is with bright colors and Impressionism. This is part of what makes 'The Dream Hunters' a treasure.Neil Gaiman, of course, is much better known here, and in Europe. His 'Sandman' series, of which this technically a part, has achieved a certain legendary status among graphic novels, and such novels as 'Nevermore' and 'American Gods' have proven that he was a writer worthy of respect. The story here is a derivative of a little-known Japanese legend called "The Fox, The Monk, and the Mikado of All Night's Dreaming." This Gaiman retells, placing his own creation, Morpheus, as The King of Dreams. The tale is about a young Monk living in an isolated temple, who makes a great impression on a fox who lives nearby. She gradually comes to love the monk, but always maintains her distance. One night, she overhears a group of creatures discussing the plans of their master to kill the monk in his dreams. Determined that the monk should live, she sets out to save him. The ensuing story is both touching and unique. And Amano's illustrations rest gemlike within it. The volume is sumptuously printed, and really deserves a slipcase. Suffice it to say, it will occupy a treasured place on my shelves. Both a love story and a teaching fable, it stays in the mind for some time. In the end, you will agree with the King of All Night's Dreaming: "Lessons were learned. Events occurred as it was proper for them to do. I do not perceive that my attention was wasted."
Rating:
Summary: The Realm of the Fox
Review: I found this book while searching for Yoshitaka Amano's illustrations. One of the most notable of living Japanese illustrators, he is still much under-represented in American publications. This is truly a shame, for many are completely unaware of the flowing grace and color of his images. He has a great breadth of style, subject and media, including theater design and stained glass work among his many credits. He is equally at home doing echoes of old Japanese and Chinese prints as he is with bright colors and Impressionism. This is part of what makes 'The Dream Hunters' a treasure. Neil Gaiman, of course, is much better known here, and in Europe. His 'Sandman' series, of which this technically a part, has achieved a certain legendary status among graphic novels, and such novels as 'Nevermore' and 'American Gods' have proven that he was a writer worthy of respect. The story here is a derivative of a little-known Japanese legend called "The Fox, The Monk, and the Mikado of All Night's Dreaming." This Gaiman retells, placing his own creation, Morpheus, as The King of Dreams. The tale is about a young Monk living in an isolated temple, who makes a great impression on a fox who lives nearby. She gradually comes to love the monk, but always maintains her distance. One night, she overhears a group of creatures discussing the plans of their master to kill the monk in his dreams. Determined that the monk should live, she sets out to save him. The ensuing story is both touching and unique. And Amano's illustrations rest gemlike within it. The volume is sumptuously printed, and really deserves a slipcase. Suffice it to say, it will occupy a treasured place on my shelves. Both a love story and a teaching fable, it stays in the mind for some time. In the end, you will agree with the King of All Night's Dreaming: "Lessons were learned. Events occurred as it was proper for them to do. I do not perceive that my attention was wasted."
Rating:
Summary: Gaiman\Amano...A dream come true.
Review: I really can't say enough good words about this book. It's written extremely well, and sticks very true to the Japanese style setting. Just so everyone knows...it's not exactly a comic book, but it is illustrated wonderfully. Amano has been my favorite artist since Final Fantasy 3.The art in this book ranges from abstract expressionism to beautiful pictures of the main characters. This just proves Amano is a master of all styles... This book is a MUST have for anyone with taste. (= ]
Rating:
Summary: an inadequate comment from Japan
Review: I'm a big Amano-san fan.This book reminds me of Koizumi Yakumo's(aka Lafcadio Hearn) horror tales.Amano-san and the Sandman made a pleassant(??)combination!
Rating:
Summary: A rich and elegant addition to your Sandman collection.
Review: If you loved the way Gaiman told "Tales in the Sand," "The Hunters," and "Ramadan," this book is a must for Sandman collectors. Gaiman and Amano, an absolutely stellar partnership, each lend an astonishingly poignant perspective to this Japanese folktale. Rich with subtlety and evocativeness, with laudably appropriate references to the Sandman series. The artwork shows an exotically elegant side to Dream. Please read this and begin to see what is exquisite, in beauty and in pain, about utter devotion and unconditional love.
Rating:
Summary: welcome back to classic Gaiman!
Review: It is good to see that Gaiman settles into his comfortable and familiar style right from the very first few pages. This Japanese morality story suits his peculiar literary lilt. It is the confluence of Gaiman's skills and Amano's visual treat that sets this book apart. However I find Amano's choice of colours on some illustrations harsh and assaulting to the eyes. The Sandman 10th anniversary poster is still my choice as an apt visualization of the Lord of Dreams noble, aloof but sometimes ambiguous nature. Amano's work and textile decor has parallels in the work of Gustav Klimt. Dream Hunters is definitely another step in the evolution of Amano's work as found in Tales of the Genji.
Rating: 
Summary: Amano in top form, Gaiman not so.
Review: Neil Gaiman has a problem with the long form -- he gets dry and often a little bland and boring. While "The Dream Hunters" is strung together on Japanese folklore, at times it almost seems glanced over. Put simply, Gaiman's work is much better suited to just dialogue, as his descriptives get weighty and, quite often, pompous. Some works, like "Good Omens" in which he collaborated with Terry Pratchett, it's virtually unnoticeable. On others, like the incredibly overwrought "Neverwhere," it brings the flow to a near dead halt. Amano, on the other hand, provides nothing but grace and beauty. I have been a fan of Amano's work since seeing his artwork with the "Final Fantasy" games. It is a shame that he chooses not to do panel work, as I feel his work would translate excellently to that format. Still, Amano-san's mind is made up and we will have to enjoy what work of his we can get. "The Dream Hunters" isn't bad; it's simply not stunning either.
Rating:
Summary: Another Excellent Story
Review: Personally, I was dissapointed that this book was not told in traditional comic fashion (a technique he has not utilized since the Sandman series itself ended several years ago). However, DREAM HUNTERS is an excellent addition to the Sandman mythology; though it is not quite substantial enough to constitute an "Eleveth Volume" of the story (it is more approximate to one comic-sized issue). This is a moving story, which works on several levels; it is complex, with many details all the more exciting when caught, yet is simple, as a folk tale should be. This story reminds of previous Sandman tales, especially "Dream Of A Thousand Cats," "Ramadan," and "The Kindly Ones," sharing several dramatic parallels with each. After reading this story, I found myself immediately turning back the book to page one to begin again. Vintage Gaiman, DREAM HUNTERS should not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Old story. New telling. This is what The Sandman is about
Review: Roger Zelazny points out in his introduction of the Books of Magic, that the method of the the storytelling that counts. Instead of giving us another Sandman comic, Gaiman has told this new tale in a wonderful illustrated prose style. Gaiman's research is stunning, and Amano's artwork fits the series very well. It was strange to see a Sandman book without Mckean.
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