( 7 reviews )
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Posted: Mar 25 2009
I found Sunlight and Shadow by chance. I read it in a day, I was so captivated. Of course, it's not very long, so that isn't difficult. But I literally could not put it down. The writing is strong and simple and elegant. The characters are believable, which is sometimes hard to pull off in a fantasy/fairy tale. I recommend this charming book to anyone who is in the mood for good reading and excellent writing. Cameron Dokey has quickly become my favorite writer, and Sunlight and Shadow is one of my favorite books.
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Posted: Dec 24 2007
While as always well written and entertaining as ever, don't read this book expecting it to be just like the opera it is based on. Several character names and personalities have been changed to suit the authors needs and style, and the acutall opera base is only three chapters long. The book though is an interesting with a happy ending that is expected, though the scenes taking place in Hell are a bit rushed and grow a little boring. I thought the most interesting part was the begging before the prince enters the picture. Over all, a pretty good book.
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Posted: Sep 2 2007
I have to admit, I was skeptical when I picked up this book. I don't really like romances, and I wondered if I'd be bored. I figured I'd read a chapter and put it down. I was sure wrong about that. Cameron Dokey's got an amazing way with words and how she weaves them together: It's magical and the story flows together brilliantly. I just couldn't get over how likable she made the characters: ALL of them, not just the "good guys." The "bad guys" are not all bad, nor are they hopeless, and problems are resolved in interesting ways. I couldn't tell you who my favorite character is (though I lean toward Lapin, who is Mina's best friend and defender, player of the bells.) They have depth and their feelings are interesting, not dull or run-of-the-mill, and these characters do not have any yawn-ish conversations, either. The story is fun and easy to follow, but it's not simple, as in predictible. In order to prove his love, Prince Tern (how cool of a name is that?) agrees to "Boss of the Day" Sarastro's conditions of a very interesting set of trials: And Sarastro's daughter, Mina goes with him. Ever wonder how mourning doves came to be? Clever Cameron Dokey tucks this into the trials that Tern and Mina endure. I won't give away anything about the ending other than to say it is very satisfying, on more than one level. I will definitely pick up another Once Upon a Time book by Cameron Dokey!
