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
Not the usual vampire shtick.
This is not your average vampire tale. I could relate to the protagonist and was rooting for her all the way. I couldn’t wait to see how she would make everything right, or at least as alright as possible in the world the author has created.
I’m looking for more by this author.
Robin McKinley has been one of my favorite authors ever since I was first handed The Blue Sword as a young teen. This particular book puts a twist on vampires that I’ve not seen elsewhere.
I love this book because the main character Sunshine who works at a bakery attracts a vampire after being chained to him in a building. They begin to slowly appreciate each other as she discovers her Light magic and give into their desires one after another. It’s beautifully written, very haunting, and often has a “tragic” air to both the characters. I would recommend it for adult readers only since some of the themes are a little graphic.
Is there another?
I love this one! Interesting to see how many other books used it as inspiration.
Even if you are not a fan of Vampire reading, Sunshine is worth reading. Has heart, quick humor, action while you are hoping for good to happen.
This book has a different view of vampires. It starts slowly but the build between the action scenes is believable.
I wished there was a sequel.
Really good
I want to see more of Con and Sunshine. This book felt like it was 2nd in a series. Like you missed a whole lot of stuff. I had to check in the middle of reading
I enjoy all if Robin McKinley’s books they are fun
Yes, it’s a vampire story, but it avoids cliches. The world is both unique and accessible. The title character’s journey is a wonderful metaphor for how traumatic events change and shape us into people we didn’t know we wanted to be.
Truly loved this book!
I hate stream of consciousness writing. That’s what this is. Though probably the most realistic vampire book ever (if there could be such a thing) I was not a fan. I’ve loved her other stuff so slogged through it. All I can say is interesting experiment, McKinley. Not for me. I prefer The Blue Sword.
Robin McKinley is an author who never disappoints. The writing is always top notch, and Sunshine meets all expectations for a great story. I’m not all that into vampire tales, but McKinley’s talent will make any topic readable and will draw you in to a beautifully written tale.
I read a lot of shape shifter and vampire stories. I read a lot of paranormal romance. and this was just a beautiful read. I like this young woman who recognizes that she has power of her own. She takes what she has been shown and let’s it fly and helps to save the vampire and her world. There was only the emotions of the heart that let her know she was bigger than just her experience. I really enjoyed this tale. This book was a bookstore pick, an employee at my local bookstore, had read it, enjoyed it and wrote a review and placed it on the shelf next to the book. I was perusing the book shelves looking for something to read and I saw the review. I read it and picked up the book and read the first page and got pulled into the story. A lot of us who have read this book wished there was a sequel but the writer has her own worlds to build and I am grateful that she birthed this story for us who like this genre. Yes the vampire had his own light and a soul worth saving and his own peculiar grace came shining through. I am better for reading this book.
I tend to shy away from vampire stories because there are so many that are really bad (I almost said “that suck” but the pun made me wince} but I adored Robin McKinley’s “The Hero and the Crown” and “The Blue Sword” (which are straight fantasy), so thought I would give “Sunshine” a try. I was so glad I did, it’s one of the best Urban Fantasy novels I’ve ever read. It’s a stand-alone novel, and while I’d LOVE a sequel (and the ending certainly allows for one), Ms. McKinley has written a priceless post declining to write one, for reasons I believe most writers would completely understand. Broke my heart but it’s hilarious, and you can check it out here if you’re interested: robinmckinleysblog.com/2008/12/02/there-is-no-sequel-to-sunshine/
Not your typical vampire novel. Very engaging and well written. I highly recommend this book
Robin McKinley’s worst book. You can’t compare someone to a rotting mushroom and then expect him to be believable as a romantic interest.