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Sunshine

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'Sunshine' by Robin McKinley is an urban fantasy novel set in a world where magic, vampires, and demons coexist. The story follows Rae Seddon, also known as Sunshine, a young baker whose life takes a drastic turn when she is kidnapped by vampires. The book explores Sunshine's journey of survival, friendship with a vampire named Constantine, and her discovery of her own unique abilities. The narrative delves into a dystopian world filled with mythical creatures, highlighting Sunshine's growth and resilience in the face of danger.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Sunshine being relatable and Constantine offering complexity, supported by a cast of interesting secondary characters.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by a stream-of-consciousness approach that delivers rich descriptions, though it can sometimes lead to pacing issues.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Sunshine, a baker, who is kidnapped by vampires, leading her to discover her own magical heritage and build an alliance with an unexpected companion.

Setting:

The setting is a richly imagined alternate universe that combines elements of urban life with supernatural and magical themes.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, starting slowly with narrative exposition but gaining momentum towards the story's climax.
Monday evening is our movie evening because we are celebrating having lived through another week. Sunday night we lock up at eleven or midnight and crawl home to die, and Monday (barring a few nationa...

Notes:

Sunshine is a novel by Robin McKinley that features a unique take on the vampire genre, depicting vampires as scary and predatory rather than romanticized.
The protagonist, Rae Seddon, nicknamed Sunshine, is a baker who enjoys making cinnamon rolls and has a strong sense of normalcy in her life before being kidnapped by vampires.
The world in which Sunshine is set combines elements of urban fantasy with post-apocalyptic themes, including a war called the Voodoo Wars between humans and supernatural beings called Others.
The story features a complex relationship between Sunshine and a vampire named Constantine, which develops through shared struggles and an uneasy alliance.
Despite having a romantic subplot, Sunshine is not centered around romance, and the relationship between Sunshine and Con is more about growth and understanding than typical young adult tropes.
McKinley mixes humor with darker themes, offering a balance of light and serious moments, which adds depth to the narrative.
The book was published in 2003, predating the popular Twilight series, and it is often praised for its originality and depth compared to other vampire novels.
Readers appreciate Sunshine's first-person narrative style, which captures the protagonist's thoughts and feelings, although some find it overly verbose.
Sunshine has been described as a blend of elements from both Beauty and the Beast and classic vampire stories, creating a fresh and intriguing narrative.
The vampires in Sunshine do not have the traditional aesthetic associated with modern vampire romance; instead, they are described as being more grotesque and inhuman.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Sunshine include themes of abduction, violence related to vampires, and potential gore.

From The Publisher:

From award-winning and national bestselling author, Robin McKinley, comes this dark, sensual vampire fairy tale. "A gripping, funny, page-turning, pretty much perfect work of magical literature."-Neil Gaiman

There hadn't been any trouble out at the lake in years. Sunshine just needed a spot where she could be alone with her thoughts for a minute. But then the vampires found her . . . Now, chained and imprisoned in a once-beautiful decaying mansion, alone but for the vampire, Constantine, shackled next to her, Sunshine realizes that she must call on her own hidden strength if she is to survive. But Constantine is not what she expected of a vampire, and soon Sunshine discovers that it is he who needs her, more than either of them know.

Ratings (52)

Incredible (17)
Loved It (17)
Liked It (9)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (4)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (129):

Read It (54)
Want To Read (55)
Not Interested (20)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
11 months

So fun, the characters made sense

 

About the Author:

Robin McKinley has won various awards and citations for her writing, including the Newbery Medal for The Hero and the Crown and a Newbery Honor for The Blue Sword. Her other books include Sunshine; the New York Times bestseller Spindle's…

 
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