Rating: 
Summary: Great (but borrowed) plot...a little much toward the end...
Review: As has been mentioned, the main thrust of this plot has been covered in "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" (which this book does credit.)However, most of the book moves rather quickly, until the last hundred pages where the author gets a little carried away with the symbol deciphering and a lot of different locations. I have read (and loved) all of the author's other books, but this is the only one that didn't seem to have it's plot as well-thought out as the others. But I am just nit-picking: it's very refreshing to have a thriller-writer who can lift the genre into a new intellectual realm. I recommend this book (as with all of Dan Brown's books) very strongly: for a quick read and something interesting to learn.
Rating: 
Summary: New Age writer's thriller
Review:
This book was interesting to read. Many of his facts or suggestions were intriguing.
As a christian, I had some mixed feelings about some of the alleged "conspiracy theory" of this atheist writer.
In fact, I did not like the way this writer tries to sell his "natural" beliefs through his characters in this fiction.
In the end, this book is a cheap thrill. It mocks the fundamental principles of Christianity.
Rating: 
Summary: A Provocative Premise
Review: Brilliantly conceived and masterfully written, Dan Brown tells the story of a religious symbologist and the granddaughter of the murdered curator of the Louvre who uncover mysterious clues that may have tremendous political and religious implications. Brown intertweaves fact with fiction so smoothly that it's difficult to tell the difference. This skill makes the story plausible and frees the imagination to accept the premise and explore the possibilities on its own. Brown's knowledge of art, religion, myth and history is vast and he has equally enormous writing talent which he uses to carve a story that is both educational and entertaining. He interprets the art creations and writings of Leonardo da Vinci to support his premise about the Holy Grail and to unlock the mysteries that have surrounded it through the ages. Brown tells us about the Opus Dei, the Priory of Sion, and the power of the Feminine. He takes the Holy Grail and redefines its meaning in what to some people, may be provocative and offensive. The works of da Vinci and others are interpreted in such a way as to justify and prove Brown's premise. Brown uses the works as evidence which, if brought to light, will drastically alter the Catholic Church and the world's perception of it. Brown populates the novel with colorful characters speaking authentic dialogue which brings them to life. Characters include an albino monk, a paraplegic historian and a persistent and conscientious detective. The Da Vinci Code is excellent. It's intriguing, very readable and highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: A gripping thriller with an axe to grind
Review: Dan Brown can certainly write a gripping thriller and the book is hard to put down with non-stop action from beginning to end. What a pity, then, that he has wanted to use the Da Vinci Code to write an anti-Christian tract. Particular venom is reserved for the Catholic Church, or "the Vatican" as the author likes to call it, somewhat anachronistically when he is speaking of the Church in the 4th Century AD. The references to Opus Dei are so inaccurate that it is virtually impossible to recognise the organisation as it exists in real life. It appears the author did very little proper research, at least for this aspect of the work. I feel his having such an axe to grind really detracts from the overall quality of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Beware O Close-Minded People!!
Review: I just finished reading this unbelievably entertaining and meticulously researched story...all I could say was WOW! It was definitely a page-turner to the point where, I must admit, I was beginning to wonder if the climax and resolution would live up to my expectations! Without giving anything away, I'll say this...you will be glued until the last page. Any negative reviews of this book seem to be from people offended by some of the ideas presented by Mr. Brown as he does deal with two VERY taboo subjects, namely, religion and politics. Having knowledge of many different religions, however, some of the theories did make a lot of sense to me. I think they struck a chord with my own personal beliefs about the Bible. Whatever your religious stance, this book is definitely not for the close-minded! Loved it!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Read!
Review: An excellent book - it grabbed me within the first two pages, and kept me intrigued until the very last word! Not one to believe everything I read (especially in a work of fiction ;), I've done some researching on my own, and applaud the author on his incorporation of verifiable facts while still maintaining the reader's sense of wonder. After finishing this one, I ran right out to buy his other books, and they are as fascinating as this one. One of my new favorite authors - I can't wait to read his next offerings!
Rating:
Summary: A page-turner that educates too
Review: While fundamentalists will find this book heresy, the rest of us who understand that history is written and re-written by those in power and seeking power will simply enjoy this book as a book. So, as a book, I must say it kept me reading until the wee hours of the night. It's not super complex and epic like "The Eight," which is why I only gave it 4 stars, even though enjoyment wise it is definitely a 5, indeed, the action takes place over about two days total. It's a rollercoaster ride of action and intrigue that manages to impart tons of scholarly concepts and data in an interesting way at the same time. The basic plot starts with a murder in The Louvre with a message given to a historian and cryptographer about a secret held in safe keeping for centuries. Because they're named by the dead man, the two main characters soon become fugitives on the run from the law as they go on a grail quest. I really enjoyed the scavanger hunt aspect of the story, with the symbology historian character teaming up with a great female character who studied cryptology. As a team, they're as good or better than Mulder and Scully. The bad guys are interesting, the facts are painstakingly researched, the author even gives a balanced view of the Catholic Church, which is finally trying to update its views and practices to remain relevant in the new milleneum. While this is a great summer or airline trip read, it's not ultimately very fulfilling even though the concepts are enlightening. You forget most of it except for the fun facts such as why the Mona Lisa is smiling, as soon as you're done reading. Consequently, I wouldn't recommend that you pay the full hardback price. I'd advise you to wait until paperback or buy it used. Then, take it out to the pool and beware of getting a sunburn!
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating - but not factual
Review: The da Vinci Code is an exciting race from the Louvre to French castles to England, dealing with bizarre current cults and the heirs of the Knights Templar, linking the last supper of Jesus, the Crusades, Renaissance art, and mean French people. As an historical thriller, it's very well done. The story sheds light on the Opus Dei sect of the Catholic Church, an actual group practicing aggressive psychological methods of recruiting, total salary donations, celibacy, and self-flagellation. It also turns on an interesting interpretation of da Vinci's Last Supper in Milan. For those less rooted in Renaissance iconography, don't be fooled by the theories stated to be commonly understood by art historians. Without giving away the point of the story, for any Renaissance artist to depict a common sacred Christian theme with, say, eleven disciples rather than twelve, is pretty far fetched. And, while Michaelangelo is famous for making his female figures look awfully male, da Vinci is equally noted for making many of his male figures look androgynous or angelic. Different tastes. For those interested in the actual character depicted in this important scene, da Vinci's own notes label the disciple as James; the same James that Jesus entrusted to care for his mother from the cross. Peter was asked to build the church; James to support Mary. In this context, the position and pose makes perfect sense - more sense than the conspiracy, however interesting the conspiracy theory is.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome book
Review: Awseome book. I loved the explantion of history and how there is a lot more to the christian religion then meets the eye. The story kept me on the edge of my seat and I will definetly look for more books that cover the subjects brought up in this story.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good
Review: A page-turner that invokes history, which I love, like Craig Furrnas' novel THE SHAPE, and such books, so if you're inclined toward thrillers with some "throw back" plotting, you'll love THE DA VINCI CODE.
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