Sunshine by Robin McKinley Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Sunshine
Book Review: A departure from the norm
Summary: 3 Stars
For some McKinley fans, this book comes as something of a shock. Masterfully rendered, as always, it keeps the reader hooked to the last page. On the other hand, it's much more "adult" than any of her other works, with the possible exception of "Deerskin." Containing some pretty graphic sex scenes and more profanity than has been her norm up until now, I wouldn't recommend "Sunshine" for your young teen, or more conservative older readers (like myself). I'm giving it three stars, because it's McKinley, but I personally won't read it again -- and I've read all of her others more than once, even "Deerskin." However, if you're a fan of vampire lit, knock yourself out -- you'll probably love this book.Book Review: A great book (even though too much detail)!
Summary: 5 Stars
A wonderful, moving story wrapped in too much extraneous detail. It keeps going off on annoying tangents, with long paragraphs giving way too much detail about the heroine's everyday life at the bakery where she works. It still gets 5 stars in my book, though, simply for the beauty of the core story, which is still resonating in my mind several weeks after reading it. I didn't want it to end! Robin McKinley somehow has the ability to connect with readers on a subconscious emotional level, in the manner of folk tales and legends. I feel that her book Deerskin is one of the best books I have ever read.Book Review: A little bit of sunshine
Summary: 5 Stars
I would actually give this book a 4 1/2 for tone, but 5 for everything else. It wasn't a book without flaws. The tone of Sunshine was sometimes jarring, sounding like an older woman...although I suppose that some women in their 20s can sound like they are having a midlife crisis in their mid-twenties, I guess. Especially if they are in danger of being killed by vampires or their own confusing powers!McKinley went a different direction with this novel, but I liked it. It was a strong novel, a bit fluffy, but not written just for the sake of horror or romance. McKinley fleshes out an amazing dream-like world--she's sets up a world that is sly, funny, romantic, and dangerous.
I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book, especially since I read the mixed reviews beforehand. I meant to wait to check it out from the library, but someone bought it for me as a Christmas present. I loved it, and I'm going to keep it. It was a fun romp, and it made me smile. However, if you are interested in being introduced to McKinley's books I suggest start with her classic retellings *Beauty* or *The Outlaws of Sherwood Forest*. This one doesn't appear to be universally liked by everyone, even McKinley fans.
Book Review: A rich taste of . . . cinnamon and blood
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read many fictional and nonfictional (folklore) stories on vampires and vampirism. I found this to be a wonderful book to read. McKinley's writing is always lush and captivating. She doesn't just write one action sequence after another; she writes of the world in which the action takes place and where consequences are complicated. The pace tends to be a bit slower than most modern reads, but my feeling is why rush a good thing. I know that McKinley doesn't tend to do sequels, but I really hope she is planning one or more for this novel because I want to know more about Sunshine, Con, Mel, Sunshine's Grandmother, her mother, and almost everyone else who was providing Sunshine with her "moral/spititual" support.Book Review: A wealth of background brings this world alive
Summary: 5 Stars
Robin McKinley has been one of my favorite authors since I read her first version of Beauty in 1978. I wasn't enchanted with "Water -- Tales of Elementals," but "Sunshine" shows she is back with a vengeance. Her story line is lush, full of the kind of details about commonplace things in the world that make you feel it is real. Her characters are believable -- you can imagine a cinnamon roll maker asking the questions that Rae does. I recommend this book for its depth and the odd little quirks that I keep finding as I reread it. Definitely worth reading.