Sunshine

ISBN: 0-425-19178-8 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com

Excellent fantasy novel featuring a somewhat altered reality, this book features a very likable and solid protagonist, very well drawn supporting cast, and enough fighting and magic to keep a reader on his toes.

Reviewed by David on November 01, 2003 (rev. 1)

Genre: Fantasy (Vampires, Alternate Reality)

Synopsis: Nobody calls Sunshine by her proper name—her nickname was given for her joy in sunlight, and largely reflects her personality. The young woman works as a baker in a popular cafe, in a world recovering and still bearing wounds from the Voodoo Wars. A world like ours, and yet different in many ways by the ever-present taint of non-humans.

The most feared Others are the Vampires. So powerful and deadly, that few people attacked by them survive to tell the tales.

Sunshine's peaceful and lively existence is shattered when a walk in the woods plunges her into the worst danger of her life. But even in the midst of darkness, Sunshine's heart is strong.

Full Review: This is, as far as I know, McKinley's first foray into contemporary vampire-flavored dark fantasy, the subgenre popularized by Hamilton's Anita Blake series. This book reminds me even more of Harris's Dead Until Dark and the other Sookie novels.

But McKinley certainly brings her unique and remarkable style and skill to the subject. Sunshine's first-person narrative subtly reveals a world more exotic than most vampire novels; her circle of friends are portrayed with detail which comes out slowly but with great intensity.

Sunshine's suffering is portrayed lightly and almost indirectly, although vey effectively for all that. The reader is filled with compassion without being overwhelmed with either angst or graphic imagery. A few of the scenes are described with surreal touches, giving Sunshine's world an occasional fringe of myth or fairy tale.

This book is excellent, and excels in creating likable characters. While the plot is wrapped up, the world clearly calls out for a sequel. McKinley is not known for sequels; in this instance one hopes that she will make an exception.

Overall: 7; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 7; Style: 7; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 6;

ISBN: 0-425-19178-8 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com