Search - Sunshine

Well written vampire story set in a world with magic handlers and monsters. I read many reviews that compared this to Buffy The vampire Slayer, but I didn't think this story was anything like Buffy. I guess people will use that comparison for anything with vampires and a female protagonist.

This really stands out for me in the stories I've read in this genre. The prose was top notch and this didn't feel like just another vampire story with too many chicks in black leather and sexy, vampire, man candy.

This was very good. I loved Sunshine's dry sense of humor, loved the ambiance, loved all the details about life since the Voodoo Wars... The story was exciting and interesting, and I enjoyed it very much! For fans of the author, the little homages to Beauty and the Beast were fun, too. And what a different voice for McKinley! She really has great range - I'm impressed!

My only complaints are that this might have gotten a little long through the middle, and I want to know more about Con! Specifics! And while we're at it, I want Sunshine's recipes too.

Fans have been plaguing McKinley for a follow-up novel, but so far she's maintained that she has no idea if she'll write another or not. She says she goes where her muse takes her, and to date she hasn't been steered in that direction. I'll be in line for another book should she write one!

All in all, very good, nifty atmosphere, and I liked the characters. Highly recommended!

After reading all the positive reviews, I was really looking forward to Sunshine. But it just didn't work for me. It was a labor for me to get through the story. The world building and overwhelming rambling details never came together. After I read the last sentence, I was beyond frustrated. So much of the book felt...pointless. The "idea" of the book was brilliant. The "execution" didn't work for me. As a reader, I just didn't click with McKinley's voice.

Rae Seddon, nicknamed Sunshine, lives a quiet life working at her stepfather's bakery. One night, she goes out to the lake for some peace and quiet. Big mistake. She is set upon by vampires, who take her to an old mansion. They chain her to the wall and leave her with another vampire, who is also chained. But the vampire, Constantine, doesn't try to eat her. Instead, he implores her to tell him stories to keep them both sane. Realizing she will have to save herself, Sunshine calls on the long-forgotten powers her grandmother began to cultivate in her when she was a child. She transforms her pocketknife into a key and unchains herself--and Constantine. Surprised, he agrees to flee with her when she offers to protect him from the sun with magic. They escape back to town, but Constantine knows his enemies won't be far behind, which means that he and Sunshine will have to face them together. A luminous, entrancing novel with an enthralling pair of characters at its heart.

One of the best books I have ever read! I'm a die hard vampire novel fan so I didn't think I would like it when I first picked it up but once I started I couldn't put it down. I know I've read it five or six times by now... It's that good(no wait, not good...EXCELLENT!!!)

To say this book is slow or Buffy-esque is to grossly mischaracterize this book.

To put it quite simply, I was blown away by this book. I actually found the pacing a good change. It is clearly defined into acts. I really enjoyed the level of detail of what was going on with Sunshine. I felt as if I were a secret passenger inside of her mind taking the ride along with her.

So yes, I was straining to read faster but not because I was bored. Just because I was so into the story I could not wait to turn the page and read more more more.

Really great stuff. NO way am I listing this copy. Find your own! :)

Enjoyable but somewhat longish tale featuring a woman who comes into extraordinary powers after she is abducted by vampires.

Sunshine is an amazing book that left me stunned. It is not perfect but the level of writing and character development are leagues above many of the vampire/fantasy novels out there. The heroine is strong and intelligent but still feminine. The story builds as the reader discovers with the character her hidden abilities. Sunshine is the standard by which I will judge all vampire/fantasy novels.

I really enjoyed this book. Generally, I only read vampire books if they are good vampires (like Hannah Howell's). I only read this one originally because it was the only reading material available and I was having withdrawals. Now I own it and re-read it.

The tone of this book is unique. The feel is of someone wryly, and somewhat reluctantly, telling you about something that happened that turned their life upside down and yet, they can't quite be sorry it happened and at the same time they kind of wish to return to life before they knew so much.

There are some gruesome word pictures, but nothing too awful and about what you would expect when dealing with the undead. This is not a romance. This is not any fairy tale I have ever heard. It is a wonderfully told story that takes you along for the ride.

Liked it!

From Amazon:
Rae Seddon, nicknamed Sunshine, lives a quiet life working at her stepfather's bakery. One night, she goes out to the lake for some peace and quiet. Big mistake. She is set upon by vampires, who take her to an old mansion. They chain her to the wall and leave her with another vampire, who is also chained. But the vampire, Constantine, doesn't try to eat her. Instead, he implores her to tell him stories to keep them both sane. Realizing she will have to save herself, Sunshine calls on the long-forgotten powers her grandmother began to cultivate in her when she was a child. She transforms her pocketknife into a key and unchains herself--and Constantine. Surprised, he agrees to flee with her when she offers to protect him from the sun with magic. They escape back to town, but Constantine knows his enemies won't be far behind, which means that he and Sunshine will have to face them together. A luminous, entrancing novel with an enthralling pair of characters at its heart. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Randi's review
My roommate insisted I read this book. Honestly I could not get into it. It seemed to drag on and on and the whole Romance with Others genre was getting old for me. I really did not enjoy this book.

This book was great! I've read it 3 times. I wish the author would write more about this world.

Semi-enjoyable. I had so much more hope for this book. I found so much of it long and drawn out and it was a chore to get it finished. That being said, I did enjoy the premise. I thoroughly agree with whoever said that just because it's a vampire story and there is a female protagonist it shouldn't be compared to Buffy. Totally different vibes.

A great book! Highly recommended for all Anita Blake fans!

I was highly disappointed by Sunshine. I had heard this was another take on the story of Beauty and the Beast, but if your looking for a romance, this isn't it. Yes there is some flirting/interaction between Sunshine and Con, but not exactly what I would call a love story, even in the general sense, especially considering the fact that Sunshine has a boyfriend throughout the entire book.

The writing was really slow in parts and I don't think that Con's character was developed enough. It was almost a chore to get through the middle of the book. Also, the ending of the story left me unsatisfied as I still had so many questions. I just could't get into this book.

Loved it.

I sometimes enjoy books about vampires...this one was no exception. I liked it....I'll be looking for more of her work.

It started off well, but after a while it got too confusing. The attempt at worldbuilding came too late. After a while, I no longer cared what happened to these people.

Great read!

not impressed with this book. couldn't even finish it. the story is good i am sure, but all the details drive me crazy