Rating: 
Summary: close but no doll
Review: I absolutely ADORED the origional Valley of the Dolls! It was trashiness at its best. I, sadly, cannot say the same for this long awaited sequal. Some reviewers have griped that there was too much liberty taken with with the timeline, and although it might be true, in all fairness, the auther explains this before the book is even started. My complaints focus on the writing and liberties taken with the characters. I find it vary hard to believe that a 20 year old, Anne--who in the origional was able to land a job and an apartment in a single day--could end up years later guiliable enought to think Neely has changed and that they could actually be friends agian. It's sad to see Anne fall for the same tricks over and over--it doesn't do her justice. The way Neely is represented is easy to understand, but again, very sad. Her character has evidently not changed a bit from the sixties, and although she adds the excitment to the book, it's just the same ol' same ol'. And LYON!!! Give me a break. I don't want to spoil this for those who have not yet read the novel, but there is no way in HELL he could have possibly ended up with who he does. The most confusing part of this read, though, is the ending. After all that work, Anne finds happiness in someone exactly as womanizing as Lyon? I don't think so.
In short, this novel is a page turner and definatly hard to put down, but I wished I would have just let the characters of Valley of the Dolls rest in peace with Jackie.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertained and Dazzled - but not as Good as the Original
Review: I began reading Shadow of the Dolls with a very open mind, knowing, of course, that no book could ever replace the original's humor and tone. I was mostly right, although this is a story that continues to be interesting, even years after the original book. Ms. Lawrence does an excellent job of updating the plot (although the ages are somewhat misleading, even though she admits in the forward that some liberties were taken) and transforming these memorable characters for the next generation of readers. Those loyal to the original "Valley of the Dolls" will long for the wit and biting sarchasm of that legendary volume, while new readers will revel in the way these characters intertine and mature over the course of the novel.I recommend this book for light, summer reading, and just can't help wondering who will be cast in the movie - not IF there is a movie, but WHEN there is a movie.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed bag of nuts
Review: I bought and re-read Valley of the Dolls right before I bought the sequel so I could continue smoothly into the storyline of the characters. I must say, it was strange to have them jump into the modern world from 30 years earlier. But it was not just that...some of the characters did not ring true to their former selves in the previous VOD. Anne, for instance, becomes nasty at times and vindictive - I could NEVER see her saying some of the comments that the sequel has her saying. And I do not think Susann would have had Lyon's character playout the way he does. However, living in south Florida and reading this in the summer by the water, it was a fast, non-serious read and nice to find out what ended up happening to the characters. If you want the creative, smart, fun, "before-its-time" storyline of Valley of the Dolls, then look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Neely and Anne are back and better than ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I enjoyed the first novel so much, that of course I really looked forward to the sequel. I don't think the book was very good. It's too much like Scarlett, in which the sequel to the phenomenal original just doesn't cut it. The book may have been better if it was written by Jacqueline Susann, but I think Rae Lawrence should have done what Alexandra Ripley didn't, and just leave a phenomenon the way it is.
Rating: 
Summary: okay, but don't expect much
Review: I enjoyed the first novel so much, that of course I really looked forward to the sequel. I don't think the book was very good. It's too much like Scarlett, in which the sequel to the phenomenal original just doesn't cut it. The book may have been better if it was written by Jacqueline Susann, but I think Rae Lawrence should have done what Alexandra Ripley didn't, and just leave a phenomenon the way it is.
Rating:
Summary: Shadow was just ok
Review: I feel like the only person on the face of the earth that hasn't read, "Valley of the Dolls" - yet. I read that "Shadow" was a good read and it wasn't necessary to read "Valley" first. I wish I had but I don't know if it would have changed my mind. Perhaps their's, Anne and Neely, is just not my life style and I couldn't relate to the characters. I just borrowed "Valley of the Dolls" from my library. I'll see if this is better and if it makes "Shadow of the Dolls" better.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Sequel!
Review: I have read many mixed reviews about this book and people should lighten up. It's a very fun read. I must admit that I just read Valley Of the Dolls a few months ago and loved it. So this book came out just in time for me. It is hands down the best sequel I've ever read. For the uber Valley enthusiasts, no it's not as good as the orginal but it isn't supposed to be. I couldn't put it down. It was great revisiting Anne, Neely, Lyon and the rest and to see where their lives have gone. If you don't take it too seriously and have fun with it, this book is great. Let's remember that the original, albeit a great book, will not go down in history as a great work of literature. It was meant to be a fun, bitchy poolside kind of novel and the sequel is just the same.
Rating:
Summary: Shadow of the Dolls or Ho Hum
Review: I must admit I was anxiously awaiting a sequel of sorts of the Neely O'Hara/Anne Wells saga. I thought this would be it but let's be realistic - Rae Lawrence is NO Jackie Susann. Also, I found a misprint - Kevin Gilmore in the original Dolls is listed as Kevin Gillian in Shadow......However, it was fun to read about Neely, Anne and Lyon Burk again - even the addition of the offspring was kind of fun. I felt melancholy when Jennifer North was mentioned - if you're looking for a great sequel to a fantastic book - this is NOT it.
Rating:
Summary: The Time-Warped Sequel Was a Bit of a Let-Down
Review: I really enjoyed the original Valley of the Dolls - for a light, fun, smutty fun-type book it was one of the best. I was really disappointed because the author chose to change the timeline. The first book ended in something like the late 60's. The sequel picks up the same story twenty years later - with no time break. (The characters go to bed and wake up the same age 20 years later?) In fairness, the author warns the reader of this in the beginning of the book. I just thought that the story didn't translate well through the time warp. Part of what makes the original book so enjoyable are all the references to a glamourous age of cinema, starlets, Broadway and the sexual stereotypes of domineering males. The times have changed and the story doesn't flourish in the sequel's new era. I think it would have made a better original book, with the names changed, than a sequel. On a positive note, I thought Rae Lawrence's writing style was consistent with the original book and the story was entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible; couldn't wait to put it down
Review: I really loved the Valley of The Dolls. It was a novel that you could just NOT put down; a real page turner. This story on the other hand is very boring. Nothing to hold the reader's interest. I was especially offended by the Ted Turner/Jane Fonda comparison. I doubt that that was part of Jaqueline Susann's original outline. I also felt that the reappearance of Gretchen was a little far fetched as well.
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