Rating: 
Summary: Parker masterfully recreates the world of Dark Shadows
Review: "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!
Rating: 
Summary: Literate, entertaining historical/romantic/occult fiction.
Review: 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.
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Summary: A Must-Buy Book for DARK SHADOWS Fans
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Literate, entertaining historical/romantic/occult fiction.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful escape for fans of the "Dark Shadows" TV series!
Review: Lara Parker, who played the witch, Angelique, so brilliantly on the TV series, "Dark Shadows," has written a riveting and exciting novel about the character. From Angelique's frightening and supernatural childhood in Martinique, to her arrival at the foreboding Collinwood mansion in New England, the reader is held spellbound. Ms. Parker presents Angelique as a sympathetic yet flawed character, and this is one of the elements that makes the novel so interesting. Tracing Angelique through a series of harrowing and heartbreaking events, the reader is able to see what led this character to choose the path that she did, opting to use witchcraft and black arts in an attempt to procure the love of the one man she desired, Barnabas Collins. Fans of the TV series, especially, will enjoy reading this book, as it recreates many of the events from the show, but also adds unexpected twists and turns. The story, written from Angelique's point of view, will certainly keep any lover of fiction interested. I look forward to the next novel from Lara Parker with great eagerness.
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Summary: Introducing....Angelique
Review: From 1967-1971, Lara Parker starred as the beautiful blond witch, Angelique, in the gothic soap opera "Dark Shadows." In Parker's first novel, the story of how Angelique became a witch is unfolded. The book begins in 1971, when Barnabas Collins finds the diary of the very woman who loved yet cursed him. The diary takes the reader back to the 1770s, when Angelique was a child in her native Martinique. It was during this time that Angelique was transformed from an ordinary youth to one who had extraordinary powers. This suspenseful, horrifying, and eroti book will enthrall anyone who loved the series, and will serve as an introduction to those readers who have yet to see an episode of "Dark Shadows." I can't wait to see what Lara Parker writes, be it "Dark Shadows" related or not.
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Summary: Dark Shadows Lives!
Review: Reading this one felt like watching the old show, but with even more detail.There is another book on the horizon by Lara, but when? Anyone know?
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Summary: lara parker nails it in a bewitching way
Review: the novel angelique's descent is one of the years surprises yes it is true she is one of the stars that stared in the original series so she only could tell it ms. parker writes beautifully as she looked on dark shadows and she even attends the yearly festivals she answers all the questions that most d ark shadows fans would like to know about her from when her father sold her to her mother's death to the first meeting of barnabas, this is a must read for all of her fans and fans of dark shadows. fans will be waiting in much anticapation for her next dark shadows novel,for me i cant wait to,as i was one of those kids that couldnt wait to get home from school to see what would happen next ms. parker helped the show to be fun as she does in her novel i recommand "angelique's descent " to all you will be delighted to her book.
Rating:
Summary: well written - highly entertaining
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Magical writing combined with solid scholarship
Review: 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.
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