Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Title: Sunshine

Author: Robin McKinley

Publisher: Speak 2010

Genre: Vampire

Pages: 416

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

There hadn't been any trouble out at the lake in years. Sunshine just needed a spot where she could be alone with her thoughts for a minute. But then the vampires found her . . . Now, chained and imprisoned in a once-beautiful decaying mansion, alone but for the vampire, Constantine, shackled next to her, Sunshine realizes that she must call on her own hidden strength if she is to survive. But Constantine is not what she expected of a vampire, and soon Sunshine discovers that it is he who needs her, more than either of them know.  Originally published as an adult novel, but now in YA for the first time, Sunshine is an alluring and captivating vampire story - one that will ensnare fans of paranormals everywhere.

Back when I first read the book in 2012, I had this to say: “

This novel....  um wow!  The one word that kept popping into my head throughout: Atmosphere.  I haven't read any book lately that evoked such atmosphere.  I loved it!  McKinley puts us right inside of Sunshine's head.  We connect with her right away.  We remember past events, but always at the right time.  We feel every emotion she's feeling.  I especially loved the times when she was confused.  We were confused right there with her.  The writing was confused, but yet still readable.  We see the world through Sunshine's eyes.  Overall the effect is quite brilliant.

It took me awhile to get through this book; not because I was struggling to stay interested, but quite the opposite.  I was so connected with the story and characters that I didn't want it to end.  I was scared at what we might find out.  Don't worry everything worked out in the end...  well in a way.  This book has made me add McKinley to my authors to explore.  I have a feeling this might end up on my Top 10 Books of 2012 list.

Upon rereading, I feel exactly the same way. I absolutely love this book!

Next up on the TBR Pile:

Beauty by Robin McKinley

Title: Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

Author: Robin McKinley

Publisher: Harper Trophy 1978

Genre: Fairy Tales

Pages: 247

Rating:   2 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Semi-Charmed Challenge -- Pair of Antonym Books; Telling Tales; Support Your Local Library

How I Got It: Library Loan

A strange imprisonment

Beauty has never liked her nickname. She is thin and awkward; it is her two sisters who are the beautiful ones. But what she lacks in looks, she can perhaps make up for in courage.

When her father comes home with the tale of an enchanted castle in the forest and the terrible promise he had to make to the Beast who lives there, Beauty knows she must go to the castle, a prisoner of her own free will. Her father protests that he will not let her go, but she answers, "Cannot a Beast be tamed?"

I am disappointed.  To be fair, I have always had issues with the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale.  Why does Beauty love the Beast?  I understand that the Beast must make someone fall in love with him so that the curse can be broken.  But why does she love him?  All he's done is take her from her family and then try to "care" by giving her books and clothes.  Blah!  For that matter does the Beast even love her?  He could be using her to break the curse, but drop her the minute it's done.  And there lies my issue with the fairy tale.

This retelling is the same except for the first third.  I had high hopes.  The first third is spent with Beauty and her family.  They are wealthy, they lose the wealth, they try to make a name for themselves in a small town.  Interesting story.  And then Beauty goes to the Beast's castle and everything falls into place.  I was bored. Just bored.  I am regulating this fairy tale to the bottom of the barrel.

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Title: Sunshine

Author: Robin McKinley

Publisher: Speak 2010

Genre: Vampire

Pages: 416

Rating:  5/ 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampire; Mount TBR

How I Got It: I own it!

There hadn't been any trouble out at the lake in years. Sunshine just needed a spot where she could be alone with her thoughts for a minute. But then the vampires found her . . . Now, chained and imprisoned in a once-beautiful decaying mansion, alone but for the vampire, Constantine, shackled next to her, Sunshine realizes that she must call on her own hidden strength if she is to survive. But Constantine is not what she expected of a vampire, and soon Sunshine discovers that it is he who needs her, more than either of them know.  Originally published as an adult novel, but now in YA for the first time, Sunshine is an alluring and captivating vampire story - one that will ensnare fans of paranormals everywhere.

This novel....  um wow!  The one word that kept popping into my head throughout: Atmosphere.  I haven't read any book lately that evoked such atmosphere.  I loved it!  McKinley puts us right inside of Sunshine's head.  We connect with her right away.  We remember past events, but always at the right time.  We feel every emotion she's feeling.  I especially loved the times when she was confused.  We were confused right there with her.  The writing was confused, but yet still readable.  We see the world through Sunshine's eyes.  Overall the effect is quite brilliant.

It took me awhile to get through this book; not because I was struggling to stay interested, but quite the opposite.  I was so connected with the story and characters that I didn't want it to end.  I was scared at what we might find out.  Don't worry everything worked out in the end...  well in a way.  This book has made me add McKinley to my authors to explore.  I have a feeling this might end up on my Top 10 Books of 2012 list.