Rating: 
Summary: Masterful!!
Review: I had never heard of Dan Brown, but after being advised to read this book by one whose advice in such matters is usually on the mark, I shall be reading more of his works. There is simply nothing not to like and admire about this book, while remembering that it is a NOVEL which weaves facts, historical and topical, into a fascinating search for answers to many questions. I had the good fortune to read this novel while on vacation and during a rainy day and a half when I could simply settle in and let the story wash over me. If you buy only one book to read this year, you would be well advised to make this that one.
Rating:
Summary: a quick and enjoyable read
Review: this is by far one of the best books i have read in a long time. i haven't read too many suspenseful books, and i could barely put the book down!the facts or not the facts? that is the question. whether or not many of the ideas about secret societies, religion, and faith are true or not, this book, without a doubt makes you asks your own questions about what you believe in. in my opinion, a lot of what has been written in this book makes sense to me. others may deem it too far-fetched, but, again, this book really makes you think about it... from the first page to the very last, this book really "keeps you on your toes." i didn't find it as predictable as others may have, but maybe that's just my way of not wanting to figure out things too far ahead and to just enjoy the book. right? highly recommended for a great read! brown writes wonderful descriptions that takes you right into paris and london. can't wait to read another brown novel!
Rating:
Summary: Catholics in trouble again
Review: It's interesting how most of us accept the Bible without a lot of thought. Reading this book you may realize like I did that there were a lot of hands making a lot of decisions about the Bible that have changed our view of reality forever. And maybe not in a positive way. Brown reminds me of Ludlum in that there's always some major unthinkable thing that will happen in the very next chapter. It's a great read and the historical implications regarding our view of Jesus, the role of woman, the holy grail and da Vinci will never be quite the same.
Rating: 
Summary: Good execution of a routine formula
Review: The Da Vinci Code is Dan Brown's suspense novel about the hunt for the Holy Grail and those who would stop its discovery. It is an intriguing presentation of theories about the Grail and various religious conspiracies, but fans of the suspense genre may sense a certain been-there-done-that feel to the book. The story begins with Robert Langdon, a professor specializing in religious symbols, being called to the scene of a strange murder at the Louvre. The victim has conveniently taken long enough to die to leave a riddle behind, a riddle intended to team up Langdon with the victim's granddaughter, Sophie, and send them off on a quest for the Grail. They set off on this quest, pursued by the police (who think Langdon is the killer), a mysterious figure called the Teacher, and a giant albino monk who is hired muscle (all these types of novels have some freakish killer) and part of an extreme sect within the Catholic Church. Apart from some interesting theories about the Church and the Grail and various pieces of art (such as the Mona Lisa), this novel doesn't offer much, but Brown does write well enough to keep things reasonably exciting. Though the story requires a lot of exposition, Brown does a good job of parceling it out in small doses mixed in with the action. Although the theories in the story sometimes cross the line into implausibility, Brown does put together some rather intriguing concepts. This is far from a perfect novel, and far from an original one, but it is a fun one.
Rating:
Summary: Another Best Seller
Review: Dan Brown proves again why he among the elite in his profession by putting together a compelling novel that will encapsulate its reader. Although I must say this type of fiction is not for everyone. Just like Jack DuBrul and Tom Clancy, Brown's explanations of concepts and the exhibiting of his knowledge of religious concepts can slow the story... if, of course, you find that kind of thing boring. Most of his fans probably consider it a plus. "The Da Vinci Code" is a thrilling search for the Holy Grail type of story, which of course was done to perfection in the last film of the Indiana Jones trilogy, but nevertheless, this book is worth reading. It poses the idea that Jesus and Mary Magdalene had a secret affair that produced a child, and thus, created a continuing bloodline of Christ. Suspenseful twists to the plot bring the reader into a world of secret organizations and mysterious codes and murders. It's a good read, and I suggest those who like the religious overtones of "The Da Vinci Code" also pick up "Conquest of Paradise: An End-Times Nano-Thriller". Based on the Book of Revelation, it puts forth an Armageddon scenario I've never seen anywhere else. I couldn't put either of these books down when I read them, and I highly recommend Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code".
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but....
Review: The book was entertaining, but too much background information. There are many excellent, faster-paced historical mysteries such as The Patriote Proposition, listed in zshops.
Rating:
Summary: Ultimately disappointing thriller
Review: I loved the first third of this book, with its intricate twists and fascinating look at art and the Louvre and Paris and the depth of research into the history of the Catholic Church. But then it just started getting to be too much; too many details, too many symbols, too many cliffhangers until I found myself exhausted by it all, yet still racing through it just to see how it would be resolved - but it really wasn't worth the race.
The curator of the Louvre is found murdered in a locked room, so to speak - and in a macabre start, leaves clues drawn in his own blood, including the name Robert Langdon. Langdon is a professor from Harvard visiting Paris to give a lecture on religious symbolism, and coincidentally had an appointment with the murder victim, who of course failed to show. The victim's granddaughter, Sophie Neveu, is a cryptographer with the Paris equivalent of the F.B.I. but the two of them become the chief suspects in the murder. Their only hope is to solve it themselves, but with the cops hot on their tail they have to stay one step ahead as they race their way through France, then England, in this complex yet ultimately disappointing thriller.
Rating:
Summary: The modern got in the way of the ancient
Review: This was a fun book to read. The historical information about DaVinci, secret societies and alternate interpretations of the Bible was interesting. I thought the characters were very one dimensional. I never developed any empathy for them at all. They were simply vehicles to get to the very creative clues and puzzles in the story. I found myself hurrying through the plot elements, to get to the next clue or historical information. Overall, it was enjoyable. It was very fast paced, and hard to put down.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible mystery wrapped around fascinating facts
Review: Brown constructs a 3rd rate mystery to carry a boatload of amazingly interesting facts about the early origins of Christianity and the Holy Grail. I wish he would've just written a book on the substance and spared the extremely amateurish and poor writing. I was also irritated to see how much he ripped off "Foucault's Pendulum" by Umberto Eco, which was light years ahead of this extremely disappointing book. If you're a fan of fine writing in mysteries, like Alan Furst, you'll be very disappointed in the Da Vinci Code.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I was unable to put this book down. It was one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time. Dan Brown has been able to weave an fast paced, intelligent, entertaining story. Pure fun.
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