As I read the book now times and grandiose place, I can not help the film compare to some degree with this. Clear should be that a film of this length can never constitute a 800-page book in all its facets. The selection of scenes was carried out in my opinion wisely. The story is traceable to a large extent even without the knowledge of the book, even if one certainly feels at the beginning a bit thrown into the deep end. By shortly everything seems of course a bit rushed and in some situations, you might think as a non-expert of the book "What are you doing now ?!" when Jared in one moment a certain grudge against Wanda / Melanie cherishes and next already kissing. This has of course rushed and makes the whole unfortunately a bit implausible, but I think on the screen would have better can not solve. The choice of actors is made in my opinion very well. Unlike eg Twilight characters were there times not so far removed from those in my imagination. Melanie / Wanda and Ian were very good for me met, Jared, however, I would have not so presented "milchbubihaft" - Since it can certainly argue about it, finally with something everyone has their own idea. I for one would have liked a bit of variety in the field of male actors, are for me just everything Milchbubis and therefore to keep only a limited set well apart. The setting has been chosen well in my opinion - and here it is true on the whole, in line with my imagination. The difference between the city of souls and the lives of people can be seen without taking the life in the cave into ridicule.
The only major complaint I have is the synchronization failed in my eyes. In German, especially Melanie and Wanda sound incredibly dull, indifferent, so not at all close. Those who know the book but know that Melanie and Wanda very well over time to show understanding for each other and the relationship is far from being as cool as it comes across in the film. I can not say whether the voices convey emotions better in English, I personally find but also irrelevant, because really you should be in German capable of determining the hinzukriegen.
Conclusion: For me it's unusual times not completely failed to see a movie after reading the book. The approaches in this film are very good and would not the sauschlechte synchronization, which makes the whole now times much emotionless, than it actually is, the film might even get 5 stars.