Customer Reviews

Veronica (Sunfire No. 18)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was not one of my favorite Sunfire books. The main character, Veronica, was too self-centered, especially at the begining. During the attack on pearl harbor, all she worried about were her two boyfriends. When she heard of a great tragedy, the sinking of the ship one of her boyfriends is on and the deaths of most of the sailors, all she cares is about her boyfriend, not the other innocent people who died. A dissapoinment.

Series review:

The Sunfire Romances are an interesting specimen of books, especially if read from a feminist point of view. There are several rules in place for the construction of a Sunfire book: the protagonist is a young woman, who celebrates her sixteenth birthday during the course of the story. She lives in a turbulent period of time in American history (examples include the World Wars, the American Civil War, the Salem Witch Hunts, etc) and during the course of the story is approached by two handsome and appealing suitors, forming complicated love-triangles. At the end of the story she has reached maturity and found happiness in the arms of the man best suited to her.

These books sound older than they actually are; they were in fact published for the first time in the 1980's, well after the feminist revolution. Therefore it is refreshing to find that these young girls' stories are not solely defined by their quest to find `true love'; often the social conditions and hardships of life take centre stage as the protagonist struggles against moral decisions and the backdrop of the historical crisis going on around her. And although the stories *do* usually end with a kiss, it is always the young heroine's decision as to which beau she will eventually spend her life with. As such, the Sunfire romances are a delicate blend of feminism and femininity: the girls are all domesticated and beautiful; and yet are never reduced to mere prizes to be won by the most worthy suitor.

Book review:

This particular installment is set during World War II, taking place in Hawaii at the time of the bombing of Pearl Harbour, dealing with the immediate and long-term aftermaths. Veronica is the daughter of a naval captain who is called into duty as America joins war, whilst his wife and daughter are left in leaderships roles amongst the community. Jane Claypool Miner does a fine job in creating the atmosphere of war - from the bloodshed and tears of the initial attack, to the exhaustion and paranoia that follows (particularly directed toward the Japanese community). Particularly good is the surrealism of the moment when Veronica goes to a neighbour's house for help after the bombing, only to find they have no idea what's just occurred. Veronica practically grows up over night, and - as is always the way - the war brings out the best in some people, and the worst in others.

Every Sunfire Romance has the protagonist torn between two love interests, and the two boys in question for Veronica are Mike, her Hawaiian classmate and Philip, a worldly sailor. Veronica is fond of Mike, but is flattered by the attention that Philip bestows upon her - but when the war endangers both of them, she knows she only has a limited time with both of them to decide who she truly loves. In my opinion, the best Sunfire Romances are those that present two worthy suitors to the protagonist who has a truly difficult decision to make in choosing between them that keeps the reader guessing - "Jessica" is a good example of this. "Veronica" doesn't deliver on this account. Not only is it obvious who Veronica will end up with early on in the book, but one of her boyfriends is thoroughly unlikeable. Plus, there's the cover art: what girl would ever choose the baby-faced blondie on the right over the drop-dead gorgeous guy on the left?

Either way, the romance of the story takes a backseat to the more personal toll that the war has on Veronica, from her initial reaction to the bombing of Pearl Harbour, in which she finds herself the driver of an ambulance, to the more long-term effects, in which she throws herself heart and soul into the war effort. The most touching relationship of the book is between Veronica and her mother, who initially comes across as cold and snobby, but shows her true colours when the war calls her into action. The bond between mother and daughter takes precedence before Veronica's love interests.

I was surprised at other reviewers' responses that they found Veronica spoilt and stuck-up - I honestly didn't pick up on this during the course of the story, in fact I found that her two defining qualities were very worthy: her steadfast loyalty to friends of differing ethnicity and her determination not to be rushed into a relationship that she wasn't ready for. Although it is not one of my favourite Sunfire books, it's a vivid look into a tiny portion of World War II and one of the lives that lived through it.

Veronica is a young 15 year old girl placed during the time of the bombing at Pearl Harbor. I love Sunfire books, and I thought it would be especially good, because I enjoyed the new movie that came out a few weeks ago. Yes, Veronica is a spoiled girl who usually gets what she wants, but she's also young, so she has a lot to learn. She had a lot of spirit throughout the whole book, and it gave it a more exciting perspective.

One of the reasons I gave this book three stars, and not five, was because from page four, I knew who Veronica would end up with. Knowing the history of the Pearl Harbor bombing gave away the ending, but it was still fun to read.

Apart from some clumsy info dumps (though couched in the context of Veronica being very proud and knowledgeable about Hawaii), this was a book with solid characterization. Her conflict between Mike and Phillip didn't seem to be the usual fickle fare in many other Sunfires. There were solid reasons why she was attracted to both men and eventually chose one above the other. And the finale was a bit uncertain - there was no final clinch between she and her choice, but the dream of it when the war would allow them to be together again. So all in all, a unique entry to the series that I've read so far.

In the beginning, Veronica starts off spoiled, but through the book, we see her grow and change. I highly recommend the book.

Veronica is the only Sunfire book I did not like. It was all about a selfish, spoiled girl and I hated it. She did not even think about anyone but herself. It was very dull and not very romantic at all.