Rating: 
Summary: A Great Dark Shadows Fix!
Review: It was so great to get back to Collinwood - my favorite small town. A great read, and sure to inspire more romantic musings on the lives of the Collins family.When is the next one out?! Please say there's more to come!
Rating:
Summary: A Return To The Saga
Review: It was so great to get back to Collinwood - my favorite small town. A great read, and sure to inspire more romantic musings on the lives of the Collins family. When is the next one out?! Please say there's more to come!
Rating: 
Summary: Note to Harper: "More, please!"
Review: Let's hope that Lara Parker's words in her introduction to this great book are true: that there are many more stories to come. When I last heard, Harper had committed only to Ms. Parker's ANGELIQUE'S DESCENT and this book which is, with all respect to Ms. Parker, much superior to the first. Authors Rainey and Massie have taken the best aspects of the series (suspense and romance) and given them an updated point of view, while still apparently setting the story in 1968. A cameo by Chris Jennings whets the appetite for more appearances by other familiar characters in books to come. The "revelation" about Victoria Winters did seem to be somewhat tacked-on (and will hopefully be more fully dealt with in a future book), but, to true fans of the show who are aware of at least one interview given by Alexandra Moltke, can hardly come as a surprise. My only regret was the absence of Julia Hoffman, but given the theme of the book, her appearance may have been too much of a complication for the authors to deal with. Harper should take note of the lucrative paperback franchise of Star Trek novels and, true to Lara Parker's words, give DS fans old and new more great novels such as this.
Rating:
Summary: Another Fun Return to Collinwood
Review: Mark Rainey and Elizabeth Massie do an excellent job bringing the wonderful Collins family back to life once more. This combines many of the original major characters (Vicki Winters, Barnabas Collins, Carolyn Stoddard) and introduces a very interesting new character as well - the very compelling Rathburn. I enjoyed both of the recent Dark Shadows novels (the other being Lara Parker's "Angelique's Decent"), but of the two I liked this one best. The background for the Rathburn character was especially interesting. I was also happy to find that a good part of the action occurs at Collinwood rather than in a remote location. A great read for DS fans old and new.
Rating:
Summary: Another Fun Return to Collinwood
Review: Mark Rainey and Elizabeth Massie do an excellent job bringing the wonderful Collins family back to life once more. This combines many of the original major characters (Vicki Winters, Barnabas Collins, Carolyn Stoddard) and introduces a very interesting new character as well - the very compelling Rathburn. I enjoyed both of the recent Dark Shadows novels (the other being Lara Parker's "Angelique's Decent"), but of the two I liked this one best. The background for the Rathburn character was especially interesting. I was also happy to find that a good part of the action occurs at Collinwood rather than in a remote location. A great read for DS fans old and new.
Rating: 
Summary: Too little collins
Review: Sorry guys. The people at harper's blew this one. After introducing Barnabas in a brief chapter, he then disappears for 150 pages! If Thomas Rathburn (who?) intrigues you, buy this book. If you want Barnabas Collins and the rest of the Collins family, read an old "Marilyn Ross."
Rating:
Summary: THE LEGEND RETURNS!
Review: Thank The Darkness, DS is back! After nearly 30 years and an abortive "updated" TV series a decade ago, we finally have pure DS back again! These new novels are far superior to the 32 "Gothic Romances" published by Paperback Library from 1967 to 1972 during the series run on TV. New plots, expanded characterization, Gothic-punk horror of the new age but still basically DS! Read this one (and the first, ANGELIQUE'S DESCENT) to re- enter the world of DARK SHADOWS--or become a new convert!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, if somewhat ill-focused.
Review: The authors are to be commended for their convincing detail about the Collins Family. (In that regard, they surpass Lara Parker's effort, which had one embarrassing lapse.) Another plus: they've worked into the novel a surprising number of "in jokes" that fans of the original series will no doubt pick up on and enjoy. That said, however, I found this novel somewhat wanting a fixed point of view. While the characterization of Thomas Rathburn was compelling, it came at the expense of the character of Barnabas -- and this seemed insensitive to the reader, who had every reason to expect the novel would more prominently feature the Collinses. For all his angst, Barnabas remains an elusive guy to write about. I'd certainly like to see future works by these authors in the DS-genre, but I hope that they'll focus on Collinwood's primary inhabitants.
Rating:
Summary: Long Live the Shadows!
Review: This book is superb, from the story line to the Dark Shadows details that fans know and love. A new character/vampire comes to town and stirs up an already bizarre place with his own agenda and desires. Barnabas, Victoria, Carolyn and David all figure prominently in this tale of Shadowy treachery, love, passion, and hate. A must read for DS lovers, and even for readers who would like to get into the mysterious world of Collinsport!
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the first book, but still recommended!
Review: This second book is more about angelique's machinations behind the scenes, as she attempts to destroy Barnabas Collins by bringing in a strong rival vampire, Rathburn, to steal Victoria Winters away. Rathburn realizes what is going on, and joins forces with Barnabas to get Angelique. A bit rambling at times, and one wishes for more of Barnabas, but a good book overall. By the way, there are some in-jokes for series fans: The Pennock Supper Club (actor Chris Pennock was on DARK SHADOWS); "Mr. DiCenzo, the lawyer" (assistant producer George DiCenzo); and "Gordon Collins" (Gordon Russell was one of the writers). There may be more...
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