I have read all nine Angelique books in a row, it took me 2 weeks and now I am stuck awaiting their triumphant entry into Quebec. Please, if there is any kind soul of a translator out there in "bookland", we must go on reading the impossible traumas of this adventuress and intimate of kings and beggars. I am half in love with the Count de Pyrac myself, and cannot decide either which dress Angelique should wear upon her arrival in that glittering city, Quebec, among the nobles and notables of the French court and Indian hierachy. Is Piksarett still guarding his captive. Is the Jesuit father really after Angiligue's downfall? Will the King ever see her again? I want each and every person who can inform me about Angelique's further adventures to contact me ASAP. RAIN

Wonderful reading. I have read all 9 books in the Angelique series and desperately waiting for the English translation of the other books written by Anne Golon. The books are all very gripping so please lets have the others soon.

This is the final book in the Angelique series to be published in English. After having vanquished the Duchess de Maudribourg in "Angelique and the Demon," Joffrey and Angelique decide to face up to the ghosts of their past by journeying to Quebec. This is a daring move, as it puts them back within the territories of King Louis XIV and in the city already known to harbor potentially deadly enemies bent on their destruction. Clearly this book is setting the stage for that struggle, and the scene is well placed by its finish. Unfortunately, that is where the story ends, at least for the English language reader. For that reason, I rank it as the least strong book in the series, since the reader is left hanging, unable to complete what has become a fascinating story. This is not, by any means, meant to say that the book isn't outstanding in its own right. Indeed, the story has been continued by author Anne Golon. At least three other books in the series have been written but never translated into English. Roughly translated titles, in order of appearance, are "Angelique in Quebec," "Angelique,the Path of Hope," and "Angelique's Victory." It is the fervent wish of myself and others that these final books eventually be translated into English and that the entire series be reissued in order that this great historical fiction series will not be lost to future readers. That would be a crime!

This is only one of the "Angelique" books in the series consisting or 9 or 10 books. It is an excellent series for women or teenage girls who like a good book without all of the trashy "quick reading" books and series out there. Just a good old fashioned read. I have a couple of copies of each of the books, the last one I have is "Angelique and the Ghosts", there may have been one or more written after that title. I have the original paperbacks I bought in 1973, as a teenager myself, and find myself re-reading this series once every other year or so

I was born in Russia but now I am living in the United States. I am sure that my decision to go to the New Woirld was partly influenced by Angelique. During 25 years , since I was 13 , I have read and re-read dozens of times all available books about Angelique. She is my friend, my sister. When melancholy and depression visit me I read Angelique Et Son Amour (Angelique In Love) or Countess Angelique (in Russian translation it was Angelique In The New World) which are my favorite. Power of her love, her strength and faith in happiness encourage me a lot. I never feel alone because I have Angelique. And her husband, Joffrey de Peyrac. Any woman dreams to be loved by such a man even if in her most bold dreams , does she not?

I wish one day there will be movies made after these incredible novels . But not like those old movies with Mochelle Mercier. Her Angelique was beautiful but empty,and Rober Ossein, as Joffrey de Peyrac, did not fit a role a bit (I think Timothy Dalton would be much better in that role).

I love you, Angelique. Live forever.

This is one of the most well-written books I've ever read and certainly one that you'll remember long after you finish. The characters come alive in your imagination and your heart. You find yourself wondering why, even after all those years, Angelique doesn't feel the true identity of Rescator. The author's descriptions and pace put you right in the book with the characters. I'm an voracious reader and will read most anything..once. I've owned two copies of this series (through "Ghosts")and have read them all at least a dozen times. I'd truly love to obtain translated copies of the remaining novels.

Of the first 5 books in the Angelique series, this is my favorite, because it portrays so many different facets of human nature. This book ravishes you with emotion, especially referencing to Philippe, as well as Luis XIV, both of them being so desperately needy. This book is riveting in its accounts of the court of the Sun King, the the plotting and scheming, the power plays, the decadence and the glory. Each scene grabs you and holds you as you breathlessly read on, hoping the book will never end.

I loved the first part of the book. The Golons have an incredible talent for incorporating historical and fictional characters. The reign of Louis XIV is my favorite period in history and thus I was eager to see how he and other members of his court were portrayed. The King's portrayal was wonderful and very true to his character. Angelique's interactions at the Court were very well written and the intrigues were in the spirit of one of my favorite novelists, Alexander Dumas. However, not everything worked. Philip's transformation came a little bit too quick and without much explanation. His infatuation with Angelique was apparent in the first book but he seemed to have mellowed in the middle. This change came too unexpectingly and overcame him completely. What happened to the gradual and slow change in emotions, so masterfully done with Angelique's feelings toward Count de Peyrac in the first book? Of course, Philip is a different character who is quite complex but the Golons did not capitalize on his complexity. The ending was a little bit weak but very rewarding for the fans of the series. The first part is tramendous. The rest has a few bumps but is still great. It is better than "The Road to Versaille" but not as good, on the whole, as the first book.

As there is no provision for Angelique and the Sultan (or Angelique in Barbary as it is known in some English translation versions)to be reviewed separately, I have decided to enter it in this section as it is the sequel to Angelique and the King. At the end of that book, Angelique decides to pursue an unknown destiny - she has part of the key to the lock, but not all of it ... at the start of Angelique and Sultan she discovers ever more tasty morsels. Well, actually those morsels are for us the reader - eager to know more, but even with the surprises and little hints that we get we are still left with not a bowl of water to quench our thirst, but a colander with the water slowly yet inexorably seeping away! Aaaah! yes, it's all worthy of a scream of frustration - the desire to know more, the carrots being dangled. Then peace and tranquillity dawn once more, the authors weave their magic by taking us away from the frustrations and thrusting us into the peaceful and romantic nature of calm sea waters and blissful colours and smells emanating from the mysterious near-east - until that is the new adventure begins. We have to put our clues on hold and follow the madness with which our heroine has become entangled - we fear only for her safety, everything else can wait. But we get a few more clues at one point - clues which are so obvious we decide not to set too much store by them as they are obviously red herrings! This book, like its successors, speeds you along wanting to get to the next chapter of this overwhelming adventure that has a long way to run yet.

This book is by far the "darkest" one in the series, but that is not to say that it is less fascinating. After her incredible escape from the slavery and the Sultan's harem, she returns to her homeland, only to find out that to be pardoned by Luis the XIV, she would have to give up all that she still held dear, including her integrity. In turning her back to Luis, and the Court she gave up what most would not; wealth and power. Having had left the king and the court, she is again thrown into a maze of suffering, violence and poverty. Her life is almost unbearable, but not over. Here again, like a spell, the Golons have weaved an incredibly deep and touching story, full of passion, and misery, and hope. Vive la Angelique!

To say this book is all about rape, pillage murder and derring-do would be putting it down unmercifully. The fact that there is such a mixture of these components makes it a fascinating if disturbing read. As with the rest of the series, I am re-reading this book with as much anticipation as the first time round - I expect it's my age - but I was convinced I knew the books inside out and on re-reading find that I have forgotten many of the subleties the authors weave so skillfully. As usual this chapter of the series has left me spent emotionally - the book spans between 3-4 years, and even reading it as fast as I did I could feel that time-span. No, not because time was dragging but because if all those events had taken place in the week it took me to read the book, then firstly the reader would sneer and say it's not physically possible and secondly it would not have made the dramatic impact intended. Another facet of the authors magic is the moving around of the central character in as many diverse situations as is possible, raising to unimaginable heights and frightening lows with the knowledge that she is as sure-footed as the cat which proverbially lands on its feet. The first book of the series spanned Angeliques formative yesrs, in Road to Versailles there was a much shorted time-span of 1-2 years, in King the action lasts for several years, in Sultan barely a year and in this book we are looking at 3-4 years. Funny, each book is about the same length in pages! This book also shows an entirely different facet to Angeliques character - her utter and absolute vulnerability. Up to yet, she has been invincible, despite everything or perhaps in spite of everything that she had previously undergone. Here she experiences the worst degradation a woman can undergo and loses her greatest remaining treasure, her son and heir to the Plessis estate, in the worst possible circumstances. In his place she is delivered of a bastard daughter who reminds her of everything that is worst in life - does she reject her? Yes, of course she does, it's a gut reaction - it's human nature, but less than a week later, our heroine rescues this child and despite all the contradictions going on around her and all the reasons for not wanting to bond with this reminder of her shame, Angelique takes to her child with abandon and allows her to become a part of herself in a way she had never been able to achieve with her sons. From Poitou rebel to Puritan servant Agelique dons the mask of anonimity until a series of chance mishaps bring her face to face with Desgrez - the man from the past. I do admire how the authors manage to bring back previous characters as if they had just left the room to run an errand. At the start of this book we are re-acquainted for a short while with a playmate of Angeliques - Valentine, now a miller, at the end we come across not only Desgrez but also the mystery pirate - Rescator. And so to the teasing part of the book - I mentioned at the end of my review of Angelique and the King that she had bitten the hand that tried to feed her - she has managed in this book to elude the king - although there is a delicious moment in the heat of battle when she sends him a message saying "Trifle wishes to be remembered kindly" - how about that for rubbing salt into wounds? Revenge tactics with Rescator are not so easy - she cost him a pretty penny in Candia (Angelique and the Sultan/Barbary)- and it is him she has to seek out to help her and her friends to escape. Rescator the enigmatic, agile as a monkey (now where have I read that before? -surely when Joffrey was fighting a duel for her and his agility was remarked on in spite of his terrible diability). Rescator who hides his face ("they" reckon because he has terrible scars - now where have I read that before?). Rescator who favours wering black - OK not much of a clue. Rescator who is known as a Sorceror (now where have I heard that before? - who was it who was burned at the stake as a Sorceror?). Rescator who walks without a limp and is sure-footed on the boards of his ship - oh bother, doesn't that just throw the whole equation out of the window - it doesn't add up does it? The voice is pretty disappointing too, apparently it is very gravelly. but what about the sarcasm? the cutting thrusts, the knowledge and curiosity he has about this woman who is destined to meet him again - Osman Faraji said so - and he was a seer. OK - so, I'm about to read the next stage of this heady and intoxicating series - nothing is going to stop me now .... how about you?

This is only one of the "Angelique" books in the series consisting or 9 or 10 books. It is an excellent series for women or teenage girls who like a good book without all of the trashy "quick reading" books and series out there, as well as we are now discovering, many men enjoy the series as well. Just a good old fashioned read. I have a couple of copies of each of the books, the last one I have is "Angelique and the Ghosts", there may have been one or more written after that title. I have the original paperbacks I bought in 1973, as a teenager myself, and find myself re-reading this series once every other year or so.

The nice thing about going away for a few days, when you know you don't have to do anything specific, is that you find plenty of time to read. Well, I did - and over the last 5 days I have been able to indulge myself in both parts of this book and am two-thirds of the way through the next. Angelique and Joffreys adventures in the New World are still somewhat unknown territory for me. I say this, because I've always read the books in sequence as they were published, so the first book has been read several times over, the second one time less etc. etc. until I get to the New World adventures. At the time of publishing (after so long a wait!) I was so excited when they started appearing on the bookshelves,that I plunged straight into them without re-reading the earlier ones. Maybe that is why on re-reading "Temptation" I was astounded to realise how much I did not recollect about the personal interaction of all the characters. It gave me greater insights into their personalities and I felt the relief of spring coming after that snowed-in winter in Wapassou. There is a hidden and insiduous malevolence in this chapter of the series, which on first reading may not become immediately apparent. In later books, it manifests itself more dominantly, but here, as Angelique and Joffrey seek to establish some security amongst themselves and those about them - the nightmare to come is just beginning to unfold. It starts with a few "misunderstandings" - a lack of communication or too much of it - that seems perfectly natural - in particular knowing the stubbornness of our heroine when she is on a "mission". In this case to return, to her only living relatives, a child captured and sold to the Indians. Overcoming obstacles that have been placed in her path, Angelique finds herself detained by the mysterious pirate called "Gold Beard" - a man seemingly more mysterious than Joffrey in his days as Rescator. Gold Beard turns out to be another "blast" from Angeliques past (I shan't give anything away for readers who may not yet have come this far with the series but are responding to these reviews)and although his original mission was to the detriment of Angelique and Joffrey, their personal bonding from experiences shared actually makes him their ally. Once again, the authors have skilfully woven in an idea (the return of a character long believed to have ended his link with their story)which may otherwise have seemed incongruous. I know that in later books (those not translated into English), this thread reappears again and I, for one, am more than delighted to be re-acquainted with more than one character from the original series ..... These books are also a little different as they span but a "seasonal" time, Countess deals with the season of Winter, Temptation the refreshing Spring and Demon (as we will discover in due course) takes place in the Summer. The first series dealt with various time spans, "King" being the lengthiest as it took in several years, but the New World series fascinates inasmuch that so much can happen in so short a time in the quest for peace and happiness. This book is an incredible insight into so many complex situations. Sit tight, read without interruption, lose yourself in its splendour and opulence - let yourself be a little frightened too, because you need to steel yourself for what more is to come.

Hardly a moment to gasp as Angelique launches herself across 17th Century Maine, propelled by misinformation and separated from her beloved husband into peril - indian ambush, capture, escape, shipwreck, encounters with buccaneers, and finally an old flame from the past.

In spite of resisting temptation - just -, Angelique finds herself estranged from her husband through treachery and plots by her enemies. But character and true love overcome the obstacles, only for a new and dangerous development at the end of the book to put a fly in the ointment and leave the reader hanging out to find out what happens next.

Yet another masterpiece.

I just loved reading this book. A true mixture of history, adventure and romance! The characters are very well defined psychologically. A jewel in its genre!

Shakespeare said it first, Aldous Huxley borrowed it and wrote a fantastic (in its literal sense) novel - Angelique is about to experience all the wonders that the New World has to offer. At last, after all this time the Count and Countess Peyrac have the opportunity of being together as man and wife, last experienced by them for so short a time in Book 1 (Marquise of the Angels). So should this therefore be the happy ending to the tragic separation they experienced when Angelique was a young woman of 20 just beginning to realise what life was all about? It would have been nice to think so, but the authors' are not yet ready to conclude the story (thank goodness for that!). This book starts deceptively, it heralds the safe arrival, across the treacherous ocean, of a united family. Wife finds husband, husband finds new daughter, mother re-united with sons, one of whom she thought dead. The makings of happiness of a delirious nature - it doesn't last long, there would be no story if it did. First of all, there is the matter of 2 adults who have not seen each other for 15 years needing to re-establish a norm. Too many pre-conceived ideas that have not yet been explained. Then there is a child whose past is not clearly defined, but for the sake of the mother who is devoted to the child Joffrey de Peyrac accepts this independent being, so desperate for a father, as her own. Florimond, used to his mothers' ways has no problem in adjusting to having both parents around him for the first time in his life and becomes a great leveller. Cantor is a different bag of mashings, he remembers the mother he loved dearly but cannot reconcile his perception of her behaviour towards the father he meets on reaching adolescence - it begs the question, why did Joffrey never tell him of their life together. (Or did he?). We move on to experience the wonders of the New World in vivid description, colours jump out of the printed page, smells surround the reader, the joy of experienceing this virgin land is very personal. Whilst re-reading this book I watched a film called "Tecumseh: The Last Warrior" - about the man who was the last native american warrior to put up a challenge to the British authorities. As I watched the film, I thought "I've seen all this somewhere before" - I realised I was watching pictures of what had been so accurately described by the Golons in "Countess Angelique" - I had no idea that anyone could describe anything so vividly that ones own imagination creates an image never seen before. I had experienced the untouched land of the Americas before seeing it in pictures on a screen. But, not all is new - the sinister undercurrent of the Old World manifests itself from a distance and hearsay - a Jesuit, a man unknown to them is waging his own private persecution of the Peyracs, the circle is complete. Now, not only do the Peyracs have to fight to survive in the most literal sense, hostile natives, the long, long winter and the loss of their meagre supplies - but also the invisible menace of the Inquisition. Plenty of food for thought and more "trailers" of things to come as references are made to what is happening in Quebec, morsels of information about kidnappings and the build-up of relationships with the Chieftains who will in due course play a large part in their lives - the adventure continues apace and I for one am glad to be part of it - long may the story continue. I especially look forward to meeting old and new characters as the Wampun continues its extraordinarily complex pattern.

The early part of Angelique's adventures in the New World, this is a book of two halves - the first a tale of treachery and deception, and how Angelique and Joffrey escape certain death at the hands of the Iroquis after being blamed for the death of their chiefs, the second their struggle to survive the winter, trapped far from home with rapidly diminishing supplies in an icy winter.

The counterplay of dramatic action followed by the psychology of a small group of people closeted together under extreme privation shows Anne & Serge Golon's mastery of all aspects of the thriller. But read the prior books first.

A wonderful tale of love, endurance and commitment.

Whereas "Angélique in Love" ended the first part of Angélique's story - that of her loss, search for, and reconciliation with her beloved husband, Joffrey de Peyrac - this book begins what I consider a whole new story. Having found each other following a decade and a half of separation, the couple must begin a new life together in the American wilderness. Not only does Angélique find herself having to struggle against hostile Indians and murderous elements, but also the superstitions haunting the uncharted country she must now call "home." Her happiness at having found once again the love of her life is at once jeopardized by the fact that she is taken for a beautiful demon whose coming is prophesied by a clairvoyant nun. She soon finds herself the deadly enemy of the fanatic Jesuit priest, Father d'Orgeval, and in a mystical struggle for survival. Once again, Anne Golon proves herself to be the supreme mistress of storytelling at its best.

I'm only 15 yeras-old but I really enjoy reading. I've read some great books (like The Mist of Avalon; or one of Agatha Chritie's mistery) but this one really caught my attention. It was recommended by mother and I truly liked it. Not only this one, but the entire series of Angelique. It has a great story and it's well written. What a great life this Angelique had!! Really exciting! So, I strongly recommend for you to read, not only this one but entire series. Believe me, it's worth it!

Wow! Angelique books are totally brill! I remember I fell in love with the cover of the original Pan edition of Angelique in Revolt, but didn't buy it when my mum said it was only part of a series. Now I buy Angelique books whenever I see them, and I have thirteen copies of that book alone; since it's important to read it in all the different languages to pick up on the subtle nuances that might be lost in different translations. Isn't it cool in the first book when she's handed the poisoned drink?! Anyway - The Road to Versailles is quite gruelling going, cause it's the one where she has to live rough on the streets of Paris. I totally agree that "romance" is an absurd word to describe a book such as this, since the quality of subterfuge and all the business with her joining the Thieves cult at the Court of Miracles had more in common with a spy thriller or something. The only problem is that sometimes they're really badly written. Angelique and the Sultan was a bit of a pile of pants by comparison with the others - that is, with regard to psychology and poetry in the narrative. Especially in the Danish version. Anyway. Cool.

The first Angelique book, Marquise of the Angels, left fiction's most intrepid heroine penniless, without a name or a friend, and with two small children, one a new-born.

This gripping book details her humiliation and surrender to the degradation of the Paris underworld, her search for revenge on those who killed her beloved husband, and her determined and relentless climb out of the gutter. Determined to find a better life for her children, Angelique uses every weapon in her armoury to survive, then to escape poverty and hopelessness to find a new place in the dangerous, unjust and ruthless streets on 17th century Paris.

Undoubtedly the greatest series of books ever written

I've just discovered the Angelique series(reading Angelique in Barbery just this minute) and I cannot believe such a brilliant series is out of print in the USA! Angelique:The Marquise of Angels is the first book of this series, and is about the childhood and first marriage of one of literatures greatest heroines, Angelique. The copy I read was actually an old library copy of it, and it was titled Angelique and combined this book and Road to Versailles as one. The Angelique books are excellent historical fiction and both Golons(Anne and Serge) were born storytellers. The Marquise of Angels is my favorite book of the series so far. Its really brought to life a time period I knew very little about, 1600s France. This book has everything. Intrigue,suspense,romance,action,wonderful historical detail,great and memorable characters, the works. I also love how Golon brings to life historical figures. Theres so many memorable scenes in just this one book, my favorite scene is probably Angelique and the poison(I won't give it away!) Like another reviewer has said, it is definitly a very cool scene. I just can't understand why these books are out of print, they are quality fiction! Theres 63 reviews for this book on Amazon, alot of books that are in print don't get that many! And all of them are positive five star reviews too! I know they did put the first 2 books in print again a few years ago, as special large print editions but alot of people(myself included) don't like large print. If only they would put the whole series out again(regular print) and get the last three books translated, I'd be a happy camper...

I ran into this book one afternoon at my grandmother's place (she and my aunt kept talking about how great the series was and I never paid much attention to them). That day I was so bored that I decided to take a look at it. To my surprise I LOVED IT, I couldn't stop reading and even took it to work. It is wonderfully written, the Angelique character is very well constructed, the story is believable and the historical background of XVIII century France is magnificiently portrayed. I've just finished Angelique and the Sultan (Indomable Angelica, in Spanish), the fourth in the series and I'm dying to read the next ones but my granma lost them! I looked them up at AMAZON but they're out of print... still, I placed the order and i'm hoping they find them for me. Mr. Publisher: Please reprint them!

I have never been much of a reader, yet I find it hard to put this book down. Angelique is exciting at every turn of the page. I am trying to read it slowly because I know that the remaining books are very hard to find. I have searched several used book stores because the rest of the series are no longer in print. Please note publishers, that everyone who has written a review of these wonderful books give them 5 stars! I feel alive through a beauty named "Angelique" thanks to Sergeanne Golon, AKA Serge and Anne Golon, a wonderful husband and wife writing team of the 1950's and 60's. Please publish the rest of these wonderful books!

I read this and most of the other books in the series many years ago and loved them. Angelique and The Demon is a great read, but by no means the best of them. However, I did enjoy the continuing development of the good versus evil theme, although I thought the end was predictable. Ambroisine was a particularly evil character along with her cohorts and in spite of reaching the end of the book I couldn't believe they were really dead. I can't find the rest of the series, but I believe it finished as the Peyracs were about to enter Quebec.I would love to know if there were any further adventures.

I have waited a long time to review this book, because since first reading it I have remembered it's power, even stranglehold on my imagination. Even on re-reading the series several times over, whilst waiting for the next book to appear and the first time I read this one, I have always wanted to return to it again and again. Why? That's a very difficult question to answer. When the series first moved to the New World, I marvelled at the break from the old established traditions, the way the reader is led to admire the infancy of an untouched and unsullied continent. Wherever the Old World goes, it brings misconceptions and prejudices with it, never leaving the mistakes behind. Here, a group of people realise that all that has to be left behind them to survive - but it's the Old World that does not want to let go of them , it wants its traditions to follow and to continue playing havoc with the new! Refreshingly, it is the Peyracs and their people who bow to the new traditions and fit in with them - but of course that makes them even greater outcasts and villains in the eyes of the Old World - isn't it funny how the "new" is always condemned by the old. When I first read this book many years ago, I didn't even know what a cat was - except that the next door neighbours (when I was a child) kept on giving birth to kittens - happily I have become more enlightened in my more mature years and am infatuated with every type of cat that exists and fantasy ones such as those painted and drawn by Louis Wain and others. I cannot abide cruelty to any animal or any unnecessary slaughter - so why bring this up? In the Demon the reader is introduced to a kitten which decides his only hope of survival is with Angelique - she accepts the responsibility for this tiny scrap of life. Anyone owning, knowing or loving cats will appreciate the way the author(s) have captured that special intimacy between a cat and a human being that it trusts. The cat (as yet unnamed) creates a different vision of perceptions between man (or woman) and itself, Cantor's Wolverine is only ever described for what it is - a glutton and wild. The cat in those times (particularly the ignorance shown by the Inquisition) would still have been perceived as a witch's familiar - so, did Angelique make a mistake taking it on? Of course not, the animal sensed the difference between the good human being and the malevolent one, because that is just what Ambroisine de Madribourg was - malevolence itself. So finally the vision of the Demon of Acadia was coming to life - we first heard about it in the Countess Angelique. The character is marvellously portrayed - look around you today - is there someone where you work who constantly gets people at odds with each other? Yes, you recognise the sort, well here Ambroisine weaves her lies and contraditions with such apparent ease that every other character must be a gullible clod. Not so, anyone who can artfully set brother against brother (and remember which lies they told to whom) has to be very confident they will never be caught out - but the time comes to everyone and bit by bit her lies became unravelled simply because Angelique was prepared to stand up to her. Angelique herself does not know where she got the strength from, but the reader will be happy to know that she does prevail. But this is only one of the obstacles that are overcome and even then one is left wondering about the last of the unholy triumvirate - Sebastian d'Orgeval - when will he finally come into the picture to continue the damnation of either Angelique and Joffrey or of himself .........

The eight volume of this series just keeps you wanting more and more! This volume in particular is both haunting and exhilarating!