Bear in mind that my rating is meant to reflect my personal enjoyment of a book, not its quality. This is an excellent book, just one that didn't blow me away. The plot is intriguing (if slow), and is laced throughout with insights about America, what Americans worship, and how worship lends power to the worshipped. It was a bold and ambitious undertaking on Gaiman's part to write a book that reflects so often on American culture, and I think he did a good job of it. I particularly enjoyed the mystery of the town of Lakeside and the way that particular story line resolves.