Customer Reviews

Angelique's Descent

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book is so good I couldn't put it down. You wouldn't even have to be a Dark Shadows fan (I am of course) to enjoy this book. My daughter is now reading and she can't put it down either. This book should have gotten more publicity. Lara Parker is an excellent writer and I hope she will continue to write books of this same genre.

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.

Angelique's Descent was a great book. I liked how it showed Angelique's motivations and how she became a witch. The book is very true to the DS series, and it is full of detail about Martinique and what is what like for Angelique. You can't stop reading it once you put it down. I am only 16, and my mom got me hooked on watching Dark Shadows only 3 years ago. Angelique is my fav character, and this book by Angelique herself is awesome!

I must 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.

To all those fans who remember the classic 60's television program, here is a book that answers some of the perplexing questions from the earlier plotlines. Specifically, why would Barnabas Collins throw away an impending marriage to a desirable and beautiful society woman for what we thought was a night of passion in Martinique? What happened specifically between him and Angelique? How did Angelique come up with all those powers? What would lead her to be the precursor of Glenn Close's character in Fatal Attraction?

Ms. Lara Parker (who played to role of Angelique in the series) does a fairly surprising good job with what I assume is her first novel.

Great piece of work could not put this book down. I am a long time Dark Shadow's fan and purchased this book at a Dark shadow's festival.

Wow!!!! I absolutely loved this book! I could not put it down. Dark Shadows fans out there, you have to read Angelique's Descent. It answers all your questions about Angelique before she came to Collinwood. I don't want to give anything away, but all I can say, is...Lara Parker is an extraordinary writer!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to read more of her books.

"Anqelique's Descent" is a "Dark Shadows" masterpiece! It is a novel that hypnotized me and enthralled me until the very end. Reading it made me feel as though I were on the exotic paradise of Martinique with Angelique Bouchard experiencing her emotions and predicaments. Lara Parker reveals a story revolving around the characters of Angelique, Barnabas and Josette that was not depicted in the original "Dark Shadows" series. For a devout Dark Shadows fan learning this story can be as exhilarating as slowly devouring a succulent bon-bon! Parker's telling of this story completely challenged my previous feelings about the character of Angelique-the villainess everyone loves to hate! Her masterful descriptions of Angelique's youth and the island of Martinique stir fierce passion. For a true fan another fascinating aspect of this novel is that you get to hear descriptions of the characters through the guise of the actors that played them as they are described by Lara Parker(the actress that was up close and on the set nearly thirty years ago). For the most part, the novel sticks to the plot of the original series (although minor deviations can be noted). Parker also throws in some delicious and surprising plot twists, which further seal a fan's conclusions about the character of Angelique. If you are a Dark Shadows fan or just someone who enjoys fantasy and passionate novels do not let this be the novel that got away! Not only is Lara Parker a talented and beautiful actress she is a brilliant writer!

Filled with all the romance and mystery that made the original series such a hit with fans, Angelique's Descent delivers! One can almost hear the chilling Dark Shadows soundtrack and see Ms. Parker's hypnotic blue eyes! This tale of a woman scorned fits in so perfectly with the storyline of the original series, one might wonder if Sam Hall himself were a contributor. I cannot wait for Ms. Parker's next tale of Collinwood's savior and tormentor.

I've loved Dark Shadows since I was ten and, along every other kid I knew I watched it every day!

This book is interesting because it tells the story of Angelique's childhood on Martinique and what happened in her life before she came to Collinsport.

I am an actual real-life Witch and the things that Angelique does aren't even close to what we do. We are bound by the Wiccan Rede to "Harm None," and I don't think she ever cast a circle when she did a spell! We also don't worship, or even believe in, Satan.

This is a great book, but highly innacurate about Witchcraft. She will always be, in my opinion, the most interesting of all the Dark Shadows characters and I never liked Josette much anyway! What a spoiled brat! How Barnabas could ever have chosen Jossdette over Angelique...go figure!