A small-town baker uses her magic to confront a post–vampire apocalypse world in this award-winning fantasy Neil Gaiman called “pretty much perfect.” Although it had been mostly deserted since the Voodoo Wars, there hadn’t been any trouble out at the lake for years. Rae Seddon, nicknamed Sunshine, head baker at her family’s busy and popular café in downtown New Arcadia, needed a place to get away … place to get away from all the noise and confusion—of the clientele and her family. Just for a few hours. Just to be able to hear herself think.
She knew about the Others, of course. Everyone did. And several of her family’s best regular customers were from SOF—Special Other Forces—which had been created to deal with the threat and the danger of the Others.
She drove out to her family’s old lakeside cabin and sat on the porch, swinging her feet and enjoying the silence and the silver moonlight on the water.
She never heard them coming. Of course, you don’t when they’re vampires.
Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sookie Stackhouse will cheer for this tough and quirky heroine. In Sunshine, which won the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature, McKinley has a vampire novel that is “a smart, funny tale of suspense and romance” (San Francisco Chronicle).
more
Well written, great character development- a great escape from the craziness of reality
One of those books that you desperately want there to be a book two because the story is so good you don’t want it to stop. The heroine is so well described and her feelings, thoughts and actions were both realistic and surprising. She’s just a regular person but rises (like her pastry) to the situation with strength and determination.
Well worth the time to read.
I loved this book. It takes a very normal scenario and then adds in vampires and magic.
I absolutely loved this book! After the glut of so many vampire tales written with the same plot, characters and endings it was so refreshing to read Robin McKinley’s story. I believe it was written before Twilight and I can’t believe it took me so long to discover, but I’m ever so happy that I did. Like almost all her other novels it’s charm is her characterizations and wit. I hated putting this book down to take care of all life’s little chores because it meant leaving the cozy little world she created. I had to immediately download her other novels and was not disappointed in any of them.
One of my favorites of all time! A truly unique twist on vampires and magic. Robin McKinley’s writing pulls you in and creates a narrative that’s original and unlike any other author I’ve read. An absolute must-read for fantasy/paranormal fans.
Too long, character building was weak.
I thoroughly enjoyed the setting. The book definitely leaves open the possibility of sequels, but doesn’t try to cheat by using a cliffhanger. My only caveat is that the angst level of the main character is through. The. Roof. Yes, there are traumatic circumstances, but jeez, chapter after chapter of depression. It was a little much. That said, I’d still like to see more of these people.
Sunshine is my #1 most recommended book, and my own copy is much dog-eared and creased.
I’m usually not a fan of vampire books, but this one is really good.
This is one of the stories I have collected in all of its forms and have reread again and again since discovering it. Sunshine and Connie’s meeting and subsequent relationship is one that leaves me contemplating it long after I have finished. In a post-apocalyptic world where magic and monsters are real, I found all the human foibles are still around; prejudice and a craving for power amongst them. Sunshine has to come to terms with who she thought she was, who her mother wishes her to be, but mostly her struggle is with who she is. While Sunshine is the central figure, the surrounding characters are not to be dismissed.
Audiobook: Clear and smoothly read.
Wish there was more
This novel came out in the early 2000s, but it’s still fresh. I re-read this book a few months ago (listened to it on audiobook) and I’m still thinking about it. If you’re looking for an original vampire novel, read Sunshine.
This is one of my favorite vampire stories ever written. Unlike any other. Do yourself a favor and read this immediately!
Sunshine is a fantastic read, if for no other reason than that the main character is absolutely wonderful. But there are other reasons too! The compelling plot, the richly-built world, and Robin McKinley’s immersive style all combine for a classic must-read.
I like Robin McKinley in general, and I liked this book. There was a truncated sex scene in it that was crude and seemed out of place and I didn’t like that, but i did like the rest of the book, although I like Chalice better.
There’s LOTS of vampire books out there. I’m not a vampire fan per se, but I enjoy those that offer an interesting world, and characters I can like/love/loathe. I thoroughly enjoyed Sunshine. It’s a great little book, with interesting characters and I would recommend this to anyone who wants a sweet, somewhat quick read, that’ll leave you smiling at the end.
Very fun read that had fun characters. Not predictable
Best vampire novel I have read and I have read a few hundred. Nobody writing today is a better wordsmith than McKinley. This book is set in an alternate (I hope) Earth and makes magic and vampires seem so plausible. While I am a huge fan of L. Hamilton in fire I’ll grab my copy of SUNSHINE.
Sunshine is one of my favorite books. I have read and reread it many times. I highly recommend it!
This is an amazing little one off story, by that I mean there’s no sequel and although the idea could be stolen elsewhere I don’t think anyone will write it as well as Robin McKinley. I Love this book; its fun, the characters are all so very human (or not, haha) and the story doesn’t drag, you’ll live the life of the main character while she goes through this harrowing ordeal.