Sunshine (novel)

"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.

Plot summary

The story is set in an alternate universe, after a big war between regular human beings and the "Others"--mysterious creatures including vampires. Rae "Sunshine" Seddon, the pastry-making heroine of the novel, is abducted by a gang of vampires and confined in the ballroom of an abandoned mansion with Constantine, a vampire who has been shackled there by the other vampires to slowly die of hunger and exposure to sunlight. Rae uses her all-but-forgotten (and strong!) magical powers to effect an escape. She (and everyone else) is shocked that she survived the encounter with vampires, but she is more shocked that she chose to save Constantine as well (something she doesn't tell anyone else). Sunshine begins to embrace her magical ability, is coerced into working with the "Special Other Forces", wonders what kind of tentative partnership can exist between two individuals whose races are bitter enemies, and, finally, works with Constantine to overthrow their mutual enemy, a powerful vampire who runs the gang that entrapped them.

Characters

Rae "Sunshine" Seddon: A young woman who works as the baker at a coffee shop called Charlie's Coffeehouse. Born 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 coffeehouse.

Charlie Seddon: Owner of Charlie's Coffeehouse 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 and Sunshine have a comfortable "don't ask-don't tell" policy.

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

Pat: The SOF ("Special Other Forces" or "Sucker Cops") agent to whom Sunshine is closest (several of them are regulars at the coffeehouse). He's 1/4 demon, but keeps this a secret, as it would cost him his job - but the SOF, it's revealed, is riddled with partbloods. SOF really hate vampires.

Aimil: librarian, long-time friend of Sunshine's. It is revealed that she's been part time with the SOF for 20 months. Also a partblood.

equel

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."