Rating: 
Summary: Good read as fiction but disappointing credit to researchers
Review: When I first picked up this book on recommendation from various sources, I didn't know it was based on the Templar / Grail myth. The world of shadowy yet powerful secret societies and multi-layered codes created by Dan Brown is no doubt fascinating, I could scarsely put the book down. As a suspense novel, it is an exciting ride that will have you cradling the book by your bedside lamp til dawn. However, about 3/4 into the book I started having reservations about his work... since I already know of the alternative history of the Holy Grail, I was disturbed by how little he gives credit to actual researchers who paved way for his own success. Yes, the book is categorized as "fiction", but if the entire idea of Da Vinci having a coded message in his paintings is practically ripped from the first chapter of The Templar Revelation by Lynn Picknett, you'd think he would mention it more than just including it in a character's library. ...P>The grail myth serves as a great device to further the story, however, the ambigious nature of it brings up questions that Brown never resolves in the end. By only using the surface intrigues of the myth (for example, Da Vinci's hidden symbols) and ignoring deeper questions of "the truth" (would such influential men do so much to worship the heir of an extinct dynasty? What is their true motive?) Brown muddles the true puzzles of the myth by giving it a rather Indiana Jones kind of ending. Bottomline: Great exciting read for the un-initiated. Grail enthusiasts will already know the "big kaboom" and will be disappointed by "the conclusion".
Rating: 
Summary: Didn't want it to end
Review: This is what reading a book should be. Too good to put down. And when it is finished, you want to further explore so many of the issues raised. The best combination of suspense and fun, mixed with historical and scientific realities.
Rating:
Summary: Truly great!
Review: First off, I consider myself fairly well educated, though I do not consider myself very well read. That said, take my review with a grain of salt, if you must. I serendipitously came across the book on an internet site forum where people were discussing some recent books. There, I found a webquest ... created by Dan Brown, the author. Loving a good challenge, I was immediately drawn into the quest and after completing it, I decided that if the book was as fun as the quest, I should look into it. I purchased the book in the afternoon and when I got home, I did not stop reading it except to eat dinner, go to the gym, and shower. I could not tear myself away from the book! I will not go into much detail as to the plot of the book as I would hate to spoil any surprises for future readers, but I will say that the book was an amazing contrast to some of our most popular beliefs. I don't feel the need to discuss my religious affiliation, but I will say that I was amazed and intrigued by the information set forth in Dan Brown's book. I truly did not know where fiction and non-fiction separated. Everything in the book seemed so real that if somebody told me this book was pure fiction (which I know it isn't), I would gasp in utter shock. The length that Brown went through to research the information in this book is phenomenal. As the title of the book indicates--and if you go to the book's website that I mentioned--you will get a general feel for what the book entails. I feel I am not spoiling anything by letting you know that there are some codes in the book which require a bit of sleuthing and deciphering. I was very impressed and proud of myself when I read the text and was able to decipher some of the codes. Finally, a book that had my wheels turning! Like I stated at the beginning of my review, I do not consider myself very well read. On the rare occasion that I do read a book, my usual fare is books about the military, especially military special forces. Noting this, I always roll my eyes when I hear anybody proclaim anything "the best ever"--especially when their opinion is in stark contrast to my own. Therefore, I am somewhat sheepish to proclaim this the best book I have ever read, though if prodded, I will declare it so. I give this book my HIGEST RECOMMENDATION (as if I'm some sort of authority). I cannot see how anybody could be disappointed with this work. I am eager to read some of Dan Brown's other work now, thanks to this fabulous book--especially "Angels and Demons".
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful work!
Review: Wonderful. Dan Brown is almost as good as Grisham.
Rating: 
Summary: What's the shouting all about?
Review: This is only a beach read summer best-seller at best. Brown takes on the Catholic Church's right-wing Opus Dei movement, and a second group that is a little known pseudo-descendent of the Knights Templar movement and tosses in some art history and symbol analysis for good measure. But it's all lightweight, just on the top. He touches lightly on the subject of the Opus Dei, and hints that I.M. Pei's puramid designs for the Louvre are tied into ancient goddess symbols. But he pulls his punches each time. and we're left what seems like a shooting script for a not-very-cerebral car-crash movie. Yes, the Opus Dei is real, and yes, ``The Work,'' as the group is known, probably has sinister intentions. But Brown failed to give us enough. It's "exposé lite", fit for not much more than a lazy August day at the beach.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!!!
Review: If you are looking for a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this one is a must-read!!! It is no wonder it is dominating the New York Times Bestseller list! There are so many twists and turns that you cannot even begin to start guessing how it will end. I LOVE that in a book! I spent a lot of time looking up information on the internet about Phi and Da Vinci and this book has sparked many lively conversations debating its religious and scientific theories. I have recommended this book to everyone I know and currently have a list of people that want to read it! I also read Angels and Demons, which is not quite as good as this one, but still definitely worth reading!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't believe the hype
Review: Reading this book was an utter waste of a few hours. It pretends to be have some historical and scholarly significant in the tradition of "The Name of the Rose" but it doesn't even rate to be mentioned in the same breath. I guess one was supposed to absorb Dan Brown's version of history with the same naivete that his main female character seems to display at every new revelation. Didn't she grow up with a noted art scholar? I will only state one example among many in the book which I found preposterous: the suggestion that Da Vinci painted the image of Mary Magdalene (known as the image of John to the rest of us) next to Jesus in his famous last supper! Also, having recently seen the newly restored fresco in Milan, the vibrant reds of "Mary's" clothing but which in reality is the depiction of John the disciple could hardly be called a vibrant red. I found this reference particularly irksome because of the use of Da Vinci's name in the title. I gave this two stars for the storytelling value but I would rate it 0 on scholarship.
Rating:
Summary: Hype not justified
Review: A book whose reach greatly exceeds its grasp. The implausibility of its baroque plot vies with that of its plodding characters. As with so many thrillers, it promises far more than it delivers, resolving itself in an anti-climatic puddle. In its favor, however, it does churn along at an impressive pace. As a fast summer read it works - and at least leaves you informed, if little the wiser.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular
Review: Fantastic fiction, mixed with a perfect amount of historical facts that are unknown to most. Mystery, suspense and ... art history. Ya gotta love it. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A plot based on stolen research
Review: I love this subject, and so was excited at the prospect of this novel. However, to readers of the non-fiction books "Holy Blood, Holy Grain" and "The Templar Revelation," there is absolutely new. Mr. Brown has taken other scholars' research and fashioned a not-so-innovative plot. In effect, he has taken credit for others' work. That, combined with his cheesy, manipulative suspense techniques (a cliffhanger at the end of every 2-page chapter) make this a disappointing read. Perhaps Mr. Brown should have just skipped the novel and went straight for the screenplay.
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