Sunshine (novel)

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Sunshine is a fantasy novel written by Robin McKinley and published by Berkley Publishing Group in 2003. Sunshine won the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature in 2004.

[edit] Plot summary

The story is set in the future, after a war between regular human beings and "the others"--mysterious creatures including vampires. Rae "Sunshine" Seddon, the heroine of the novel, is abducted by vampires and confined in a ballroom with Constantine, a vampire who has been shackled there by other vampires to die of hunger and exposure to sunlight. Rae uses her emerging magical powers to rescue both of them. She is shocked that she survived an encounter with vampires and even more shocked at the tentative partnership she slowly forms with Constantine. Sunshine learns about her magical ability, wonders what kind of friendship can exist between two indiviuals whose races are bitter enemies, and, finally, works with Constantine to thwart a terrible threat to their city.

[edit] Characters

Rae "Sunshine" Seddon: A young woman who works as the baker at a coffee shop called Charlie's Coffeehouse. She goes by Rae Seddon, but her real name is Raven Blaise. Her father, who her mother left when Sunshine was small, was part of a powerful magic-wielding family.

Sadie, or Mom: Sunshine's mother. She is married to Charlie and also works at the coffee shop.

Charlie Seddon: Owner of Charlie's Coffehouse and Sunshine's stepfather.

Constantine: A vampire held in captivity by the same vampires that captured Sunshine. He is somehow different than the other vampires (exactly how is never revealed in the book, although it is clear it has something to do with his eating habits, as the setup with Sunshine is clearly meant to make him drink from and kill her), but he is able to go out in moonlight which most vampires his age cannot.

Mel: The chef at Charlie's and Sunshine's boyfriend. He has a mysterious past about which much is implied, but nothing explained. He is heavily tattooed with wards, which can be dangerous and used to be part of a motorcycle gang. He is probably some sort of magic user. He and Sunshine have a comfortable "don't ask-don't tell" policy.

Miss Yolande: Sunshine's landlady who turns out to be a wardkeeper.

Beauregard ("Bo"): Sunshine and Constantine's mutual enemy. He is a vampire and Constantine's contemporary, and runs a large gang, which is how he captured Sunshine.

[edit] Sequel

Many perceive the ending of the novel as open for a sequel. McKinley, when addressed about the prospect of a sequel to Sunshine, answered: "I'd love to write more about Sunshine — I know quite a bit about what happens to her — but it's not up to me. If you want to nag someone, find the mailing address of the Story Council and nag them to send me the sequel."