It is quite different but most of the scenes are very similar to the films scenes. I am happy that it wasn't made into the film though and we got the film we have.
But then some scenes felt so dark and bleak I wished they had made it into the film instead of some we did have like originally Kirsten (Yeah not Kristen) slashed her own wrists due to not being able to handle the dreams which is what got her institutionalised.
The dream warriors themselves were very very different and unfortunately didn't have enough time to develop into lovable characters instead just having a few mediocre deaths. The only death worth anything was Joey's death. (Sorry minor spoiler there, if you haven't read this or seen the film.)
Only Nancy, Kirsten and of course Freddy were worth any of their ''screen'' time.
Despite my displeasure of the novella, I do still wish for the film that they kept Freddy the way he was in the book. No one liners, a few wise cracks but not the comedic creature he has now become. (There were comedic moments in general though). He was dark and sadistic in the book with a much more feel of how he was in the original 'Nightmare On Elm Street' he was also a lot more perverse and drools, a lot.
Either way it was still worth a read and it is included in a book of Nightmares 1 - 3 but I'm glad it was through vouchers I purchased the book and not really my money. But then it might make it up in reading the first and second stories, shame I mainly bought it to read the 3rd as I heard it was so different from the film. Obviously now I know different.
In all I would have to give the original 'Nightmare On Elm Street Part 3: The Dream Warriors':
5/10 Dead Children.
If it had more subplots and character development it would have ended up being a much higher score. No no, not like the film. Just with more happening.