Sunshine by Robin McKinley Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.89 You Save: $16.06 (67%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.26 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Sunshine
Book Review: A welcome change for McKinley
Summary: 4 Stars
It seems as if almost everyone who is a McKinley fan hates this book. Maybe everyone is expecting more characters like Aerin or Harry from her Damar series, or the flowery prose in her fairy tale retellings. Frankly, I'm happy to find neither of these in "Sunshine." Don't get me wrong, I love McKinley. I think she's a fabulous writer who creates great characters and great settings. Many people have argued that "Sunshine" has neither. I feel it has both, but in a manner completely different that what we're used to from the author.This book grabbed my attention as soon as I saw it. McKinley + vampires = pure heaven for me, and so I snatched it right up, not caring what it might be about. I was completely shocked to find a book set in a "normal" setting. The lead character, Rae, makes no pretense of being special; right from the start she informs the readers that she barely graduated high school, and she has no passion in life for anything besides baking. Her boyfriend is more of an afterthought in her daily life, and she has no career aspirations. I actually enjoyed reading a story where the lead character wasn't anyone special. In fact, when Rae finds out she has powers, she actively denies trying to use them if she doesn't have to simply because she enjoys her normal, ordinary life. For me, it was much easier to relate to a character just floundering through life, going day to day rather than living on a grand, epic scale.
I found the combination of everyday life and the unexplained supernatural fascinating. Many things aren't explained thoroughly, but I enjoyed this treatment as it a) leaves room for sequels (which I'd like to see) and b) kept me more interested in reading the whole way through. I don't mind the "X-Files" tone of the SOF, and I don't mind the fact that the heroine is by all means NOT a hero. And honestly, what I REALLY enjoyed was the significant lack of the overwraught prose McKinley sometimes brings to her books. (I felt the language in "Rose Daughter" bogged down the story so much that it took me over a year to read it completely.)
If you're looking for the same epic fantasies that McKinley has crafted in books prior to "Sunshine," then this isn't the book for you. But if you're looking for something different, and if you're looking for a protagonist who acts more like a human rather than a hero, and if you're looking for a story with a dark, creepy underbelly, then this very well may be right up your alley.
Book Review: A wonderful book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a wonderful adult novel that brings to mind the world of Charles de Lint were magic exists in a very urban locale. The story of Sunshine is exceptional and the landscape well thought out. If you read this book expecting references to a more traditional fantasy world it would be a disappointment. For me, the only disappointment will be if Robin McKinley does not to write a sequel to this novel which is called for throughout the story.Book Review: A wonderful new take on an old theme
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was so engrossing that I gave up a few nights of sleep ti finish it, and when I did sleep I continued the story in my dreams. It was slightly disturbing how close her world is to ours. I have not read any other books by Robin McKinley/ I am an avid reader of anything to do with vampires, werewolf, witches etc. My favorite is Laural K Hamilton. This is very different from her work, not outright erotic, but it is intriguing as it is.
I am wondering if she intends to write about this Post Voodoo war world again. I could see many interesting stories taking place there. I'd like to know more about the Wardmaster, Queen of Pain and the Blue demon as well as Mel. they did int seem finished. Although the story stands alone, its Sunshines story, I see wonderful possibilities for the other characters.
I will admit I wanted something to happen between Con and Sunshine, but my imagination is good enough and McKinley left the ending set up perfect for me to fill in the blanks, as well as for a sequel, though it definitely does not need one. This book is definitely a good read and I will be recommending it to my fellow vampire readers.
Book Review: Addictive
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been a fan of Robin McKinley's works for a relatively short time. And, my only regret is that it takes longer for her to write them than it does for me to read them. Sunshine is no exception. Well, that is inaccurate: Sunshine drew me in deeper and longer than a book has in a long time! (Last time was Dragons in the Waters by Madeline L'Engle!) I think the story of vampires and others among us in a setting that is the same and yet different is a wonderful hook. I hope to be caught up by another of her wonderful stories -(no pressure)- soon!
This is a story that combines science fiction, fantasy, and sex ("romance" is too pale pink and lavender of a description for the honest descriptions of lust) into an action tale with a heroine to do the rescuing and to bake some mighty fine cinnamon rolls as well.
Book Review: Amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read almost all of Robin McKinley's books, and she is a master of her art. This book is very different from her others, but in no way of less quality. In fact, it is much more detailed and sophisticated than her others. It is extremely well written. It seems to start off a little slow, but it picks up right away, and gets you hooked. I have not read a book in a long time that I couldn't put down, and I could not put this down. It is an excellent piece of story-telling, and reccomend it to anyone who likes McKinley, vampires, and/or sticky buns (read and you'll know).