Customer Reviews

Dark Shadows : Angélique's Descent

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The first book in the long-awaited DARK SHADOWS series is here and it's worth the wait! Actress Lara Parker, the original Angelique, writes an intriguing, erotic tale of betrayal, occultism and secrets with the first family of Collinsport in a time long ago. I won't say I'm a die-hard fan, but I do know Angelique's story was one of the few things that captured my attention about this series (and which continues to intrigue me). Parker's writing style is lush and fluid, with an amazing ability to capture the essence of the actors who played those fantastic characters every DS fan has come to love (or hate, as the case may be). I've read some of her work before (she contributed to INNOVATION Comics' DS comic book series) and I was pleased -- she's outdone herself here with this excellent first novel of a (hopefully) long series of DS novels. Don't be afraid of the dark -- try this one!

Only a Scorpio or the woman who originally played the central character of the deranged witch, Angelique, on the original Dark Shadows soap opera could have written this fabulously demented story of mad revenge - and, happily, Lara Parker is both.

The first half of this novel is invented out of whole cloth by Parker, since the supernatural soap opera never delved that deeply into Angelique's beginnings in the late 18th century, and is surprisingly clever and interesting. Angelique is taken from her nature-healing mother by her cane plantation-owning father in Martinique, who correctly surmises that if he can convince the slaves his young daughter is really the voodoo goddess Erzulie - when she is in reality, of course, nothing but his own mouthpiece - he can get them to do anything he wants, and bear increasing hardships. Angelique, however, has a genuine knack for true witchcraft, which manifests itself over time and ultimately foments an uprising of the very slaves her evil father wished to subdue.

The second half of Angelique's epic story is already familiar to fans of the series, though they will no doubt enjoy reading Parker's well-written rendition of it: Angelique escapes the chaos of Martinique, becomes personal maid to the spoiled young French society darling Josette Dupres, and falls in love with wealthy adventurer Barnabas Collins - who, after a passionate affair with Angelique, ends up betrothed by circumstance to Josette, initiating an increasingly ugly vendetta-by-witchcraft that ultimately costs both Barnabas and Angelique their lives.

Parker is not the most polished of writers - she is an actress, by profession - but her style is smooth and easy, and the story is well thought-out, well told, and genuinely exciting and fascinating. It's also surprisingly well researched, only off on one or two minor historical points that are really of no consequence.

Hopefully, this series will continue - and, if it does, hopefully Parker will write another. This book is currently out of print, but is well worth searching out, both for fans of the original series and for fans of Anne Rice-style supernatural/historical romances.

I truly expected this book to be bad. However, I was surprised at how entertaining it actually is. Lara Parker, who played Angelique, sets out to tell the story behind Angelique's fall and her relationship to Barnabas Collins. What could have easily been a cheap attempt at a romance novel is rich with history and facts on the colonial period on Martinique. Angelique's origins have mythological overtones, influenced by the beliefs of voodoo. She tells the through the eyes of the residents of Collinwood Manor as they read Angelique's unearthed journal. Parker has a firm grasp of the character, instilling traits that will appeal to both men and women. She does a brilliant job of plotting out the story in a gothic fashion, seamlessly weaving in elements of the supernatural. The narrative is rich with details and descriptions of colonial Martinique, plantation and life on the high seas. Parker never allows the narrative to get bogged down with the details, allowing the story to unfold at a good pace. It is epic, grand, and in many ways transcends both series and previous novels. ANGELIQUE'S DESCENT is an uncommonly entertaining read that fans and newcomers alike can applaud. A fabulous book to read on the beach this summer. However, be careful not to get so caught up that you get a sunburn.

I loved the Dark Shadow soap opera when I was in college. This lovely book brought it all back. Angelique's descent into evil is an erotic tale of love, jealousy, obsession and horror. At times over written and descriptive, the story takes her from an innocent child to the adult seductive witch. Her encounters with Barabas Collins are both sweet and violent. I enjoyed the book very much. I recommend it for all Dark Shadows fans. Those that have not seen the series will still enjoy the book but may find a few looses ends in the conclusion as it leads into the series.

It was nice to finally read something new about two of the most important characters in DS. Parker does a nice job of setting atmosphere and filling in some of the internal components of Angelique. However, the book took too much time during Angelique's early years without using this background information to inform her motivation in later years. What was it about these experiences that made her drawn to Barnabas or made her so vengeful in the actual story line of the soap? Likewise, Parker should have spent more time on the latter years (pre the story line seen on TV - when A & B first become intertwined) in a more substantial way. Nonetheless, it was a fun read and I look forward to having a go at the latest DS novel. It's great to see some new material about some wonderfully fun characters.

This book is a fantastic read! If you are a Dark Shadows fan (which I am), and even if you're not, you will enjoy this book. Lara Parker's writing style is quite impressive; the book is well written and true to the original characters of the Dark Shadows series. As I read the book I was transported right back to my teen years, when I would rush home aferschool to watch Dark Shadows. Angelique and Barnabas were as real to me in this book as they were years ago. This book is a real trip down memory lane! But it! I hope there will be many more books to follow in this new Dark Shadows series.

"Dark Shadows" fans have been anticpating this book for a LONG time. It's been 26 years since the last DS novel, and Lara Parker delivers book that was worth the wait. Angelique's Descent picks up where the series left off, sort of. Barnabas is cured, Angelique is a memory, and a measure of peace is evident at Colllinwood. This all changes when Barnabas finds Angeliuque's diary. Parker skillfully weaves her story back and forth between events in the present, to the untold story of Angelique's past and the genesis of the triangle between Barnabas, Josette, and Angelique.

The book is compelling. Parker obviously researched the superstitions and customs of the slave culture of Martinique. At times one almost feels as if she is writing an historical novel; the settings and characters seem so real. More importantly, the reader can empathize with Angelique and understand her motivations. On TV, she was the witch you LOVED TO HATE. Rarely did the viewer truly sympathize with her. In her book, Parker evokes compassion for the abused child who strikes back the only way she knows how.

If the book has a flaw, it might be Parker's choice to start the series with Barnabas cured of the vampire curse. It might be hard for those unfamiliar with the show to comprehend that this story is partly about a guy who USED to be a vampire. Those who vaguely remember the show might be disappointed that Barnabas is not what they remembered him to be.

This is not an overwhelming obstacle. The meat of the book takes place in the past anyway. Fans of fantasy and gothic horror would enjoy this book regardless of whether or not they watched the show. Parker was careful to keep the plot self contained. Essentially, she is beginning the series anew. So sit back, relax and enter the world of Dark Shadows!

Penned by Lara Parker, who played Angelique on the original daytime soap opera, DARK SHADOWS, the novel, ANGELIQUE'S DESCENT is a must for fans of the eternally rerun series. The book is not without problems. At times, Parker's breathless prose leaves the reader wondering exactly what the author is trying to capture. The book is part research paper (all the ingredients of Caribbean voodoo are simply vomited onto the page by the author), part bodice-ripper (the sex that was very subverted in DARK SHADOWS is far too overt here to remain faithful to the story), part vampire novel (not too much vampirism), and part "local color" (regarding the use of vernacular for dialogue that at times is alternately hilarious and stereotyped). The plot is predictable, with the few twists foreshadowed so obviously by the author that it would take a truly inexperienced reader to miss them long before they come. Angelique's eyes change from sea-green to aster-blue...not exactly the same color, but I am nit-picking. The book is a quick read, albeit not totally satisfying for the DARK SHADOWS fan. What is the Collins Estate without the Old House? Why in heaven or hell's names would Barnabas Collins--the vampire Americans came to love to hate to love--burn down the mansion? Barnabas and Julia's relationship is certainly believable. Parker's handling of dialogue with regard to pre-existing characters is exceptional. Finally, the plantation where Angelique is held captive by her "father," Theodore Bouchard, also foreshadows Angelique's life at Collinwood (and conjures up images of Val Lewton's eerie film, I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE). While I was not overwhelmed by the novel, I was truly thankful that the book appeared in print after long-discussed plans by Pierson et al at Dan Curtis Productions. The ending is predictable, but certainly leaves room for a sequel that will be as anticipated as this first outing. Like the series' beginning, the book is uneven; however, like the series, I believe the series of novels will quickly find its own "dark Camelot" where reality need not intrude to break the spell of DARK SHADOWS.

Bravo, Lara Parker! You have given "Dark Shadows" fans a real treat: a well-researched, well-written and engrossing tale about the character you made famous on daytime television, the bewitching Angelique. The novel, which is in the best tradition of the historical romantic fiction of Daphne DuMaurier and Dorothy Eden, stands on its own as a valid, plausible work. Ms. Parker infuses her characters with an intriguing eroticism that could only be hinted at on TV 30 years ago. The author delves deep into the world of Afro-Caribbean history and religion, which are central to Angelique's story. If fault is to be found with the book, it is this reader's aversion to the use of rather florid, purple descriptions of the characters' romantic encounters. These "bodice-ripper" scenes detract from the otherwise fine quality of the writing. Additionally, the last chapters are rather abrupt in their narrative, and one feels rushed to the book's conclusion. Nevertheless, Ms. Parker is to be lauded for her inventive twists on this seemingly familiar tragedy. Highly recommended to both "oldtimers" and new fans of the series.

I must I say was taken aback by Lara Parker's extraordinary writing abilities. Besides having done some solid research on several subjects - she shines in her ability to use words in a very magical way. I especially like the opening Sumerian myth and the allusion to this same myth in the finale of the closing chapter - only a scholar would incorporate such detail! Very well done - strong in all areas.