I'd have to say this is an enjoyable romp, but not Gaiman's best. So while I criticise here, bear in mind I'm Gaiman fan and i know how good he can be so this is largely me wanting it to live up to his own high standards a little more. In his introduction Gaiman mentions he had arguments with his editor about the number of jokes he put in, and I suspect I agree with his editor. I enjoyed it more once the story got going but before that point I found the gag rate a bit distracting. It's all still very good and wonderfully inventive though, obvs.