This was my second time attempting to read this book. I don't know what it was about it but it took me a lot longer to start liking it than other Gaiman books. Although it is as carefully crafted as other Gaiman books, I did not get the same feeling I usually have when reading his stories. For the most part I did not actually care about Shadow, or Laura, or the fact that there was a war on the verge of happening. The characters felt hollow, and I could not get myself to feel for them like I usually do. (For example, in Stardust I was cheering for Tristran the whole time and in Coraline I was terrified for her and desperate for her to beat the other mother.) It was not until the very end of the story (which, granted is usually my favorite part of his novels, when you see all the parts coming together) that I actually felt myself liking this book. For it to be considered one of his best books by a lot of people I know, I had a lot higher expectations for American Gods.I would give it 3.5 stars if I could.
3 stars for the majority of the book and 4 for the ending.