Rating: 
Summary: A Timely Re-Release
Review: Dan Brown's carefully researched material provides an authentic setting for this thriller. I enjoyed "Angels and Demons" even more than "The Da Vinci Code", which was educational and exciting. "Angels and Demons" is gripping and well paced, and also provides insight into the procedures for the election of the Pope. The timing of the re-release, given the health of the current Pontiff, is fortuitous. Thank you, Dan Brown, for another great read. I look forward to your future works.
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Summary: Thriller Philosophy
Review: The plot involves a plan to capture and torture Catholic Cardinals--the four highest contenders to be the next Pope--using four different methods of torture, each absolutely repugnant to modern, Western sensibilities, and yet, as educated readers may recognize, each perhaps reflective of methods used in the past by the Catholic Church itself to stifle dissent and scientific truth. Entwined in the fast-paced speed of a regular thriller--perhaps even faster-- is the book's central exploration of the arguments on both sides of the Church's former determination to hold the line on progress. It is precisely this exposition of the logic on both sides of the argument that make the book exceptional. Part of the reader's anguish stems from the knowledge that the Cardinals plotted against in the book are absolutely innocent of the acts of their Church--committed centuries ago--for which the tortures may be reminiscent, which leads the reader to the larger question of whether, and when, any group becomes innocent of the past acts of some of its members. The rest of of the book, like the Da Vinci code, is replete with intriguing symbology, and the reader will find that the first question on most others readers' minds is: "How much of this is true?" The proof of the pudding with respect to the books' fast pace is that even the most curious reader will not be able to set either book down even long enough to type a few words into their search engines to become illuminated. For those who simply yearn for an inside glimpse of how it would be to rummage around the Vatican's secret archives, and to explore by torchlight the Vatican's ancient,escape passages, this will be a rewarding read. Those who enjoyed the Da Vinci code will not be disappointed by this read, which, although similar, has a sufficiently distinctive central plot-line.
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Summary: An amazing ride.
Review: It's always a rare treat to find a book that just completely captivates you on page one, and doesn't lose it's grip for a second. "Angels & Demons" is one of those books. Dan Brown brings these unforgettable characters to life, and you find yourself traveling down those long dark hallways, and rushing around Vatican City, right along with them. It's a huge compliment (in my mind) when a book plays out like a vast movie inside my head. Where every last detail is brought to life for me. and Brown's style of writing...incredibly detailed and focused, is perfect for a story of this scale. While some may say that his attention to detail might slow the pace down, i found it to be one of the things i loved most about this book. He explains things in a way that makes you understand the thought process of each character. It's incredibly difficult to pull off a book that takes place over less then a 24 hr period, and do so over 500+ pages. But Dan Brown not only does it, and does it well...but leaves the reader wishing there was more...wanting the story to continue. Here's to many more adventures with Robert Langdon. I for one, will be along for the ride.
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Summary: This Book Is As Bad As The Da Vinci Code Is Good!
Review: Let me start off by saying that I enjoyed The Da Vinci Code very much. However, Angels And Demons was a major disappointment. Is it possible that Brown improved as a writer so much from the time period between writing Angels And Demons and The DaVinci Code? While The Da Vinci Code isn't the most well written book you're likely to read, it is one of the more compelling, interesting and exciting books you're likely to read. In contrast, Angels And Demons possesses none of these positive attributes. The plot moves along at much too slow a pace, the dialogue is unrealistic and stilted, and the characters are not developed well enough. These contrasts are puzzling to me since these two stories are very much alike. Perhaps I've just solved my own puzzlement -- that is, having read The Da Vinci Code first, I was bored with Angels And Demons because it's essentially a much weaker version of essentially the same plot. Do yourself a favor if you haven't read The Da Vinci Code, go right out and get yourself a copy. BUT once you've read it and enjoyed it do NOT fall into the trap of wanting to read its prequel (Angels And Demons), as I did. Please learn from this reader's mistake. I'm sorry I read Angels and Demons not only because I didn't like it. But because it made me a bit uncertain about whether I want to read Dan Brown's next book -- i.e., which book is the fluke?
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Summary: Simply put
Review: Just needed to tell anyone who is considering reading this book that it is, simply put, the best book I have ever read in the mystery/suspense genre.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Thriller, not a Great Novel
Review: Dan Brown's story of science vs. religion is sort of a middle-brow "Name of the Rose". An interesting premise pitting a high cult of scientists against a high cult of priests. A pretty good yarn with ancient mystical symbols and opaque Vatican politics and who knows who has infiltrated whom. A romp through Rome --no doubt more enjoyable for readers who have visited the city-- following Galileo and atomic physicists. Not a great novel: Brown is a bit too-charitable to the Vatican, never missing an opportunity to remind readers that Cardinals and Popes are exceptionally compassionate and honorable men who devote their lives to the well-being of mankind. The characters are pretty thin and the dialogue runs to the wooden. But it's a fun thriller. Never too challenging, but interesting and full of little twists
Rating: 
Summary: Dawn of the Dead rip-off
Review: Slacker George Wally Bush is a sophomore at Dallas Baptist University. At night he drives the zamboni machine between periods for the Dallas Stars hockey team. Life is pretty good for George. There's great frat parties, free flowing booze, big beefy burritos, and if he's lucky, a smooch from busty (albeit ditzy) college co-ed Connie. George's world is turned topsy-turvy when the maniacal Physics Professor Ashcroft decides to play God and brings the corpse of University Dean Cheney back to life. The zombie former dean goes on a feeding frenzy, nibbling on nubile co-eds and their dates, thereby turning they themselves into the walking dead. From here the book spirals into common horror fodder. The number of zombies grows exponentially larger with every person consumed. Joining George in his battle against the walking dead are other university students. All are your standard horror movie characters. Tommy is the loyal sidekick prone to the quick inane joke. Rummy is the partier supreme, forced to be honorable in the midst of all the turmoil. Colin is the token African American in their fraternity. You can see his demise coming a mile away when the heroes decide it's wise to split up and search for the evil professor on their own. (Always a bad idea and it's a tired cliché.) This book certainly owes a lot to Dawn of the Dead, and that's not really a bad thing per se. It would make for one of those cheesy Saturday late-late-shows. Something the gang at Mystery Science Theatre 3000 would have spoofed, no doubt. Two stars for the thrilling portion of George mowing down the undead with his Stars zamboni machine. Great visual.
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Summary: Keeps you guessing!
Review: This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I could not put it down! It is filled with suspense and plot twists. Just when you think Brown can't possibly add more to this story, he surprises you. He keeps you guessing till the absolute end of this book. I thought I had it figured out several times, but I was way off! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries. Brown has an uncanny ability to mesh fact with fiction. Most of the facts you read about in his books are true. He just put a fictional storyline behind them. It makes the story so believable. If you haven't read this book, you're missing out!!!
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Summary: Wow, then Huh?
Review: Having read a lot of the hype and controversy surrounding Dan Brown and his most recent work, "The DaVinci Code," I thought I'd start from the beginning with his first novel, "Angels & Demons." I was very favorably impressed--until the last 75 or so pages. Dan Brown takes a studious look at religion and its historical and present-day conflict with science. The two polarities are reflected in Vittoria's father, a Catholic priest and brilliant scientist who invents a method of producing antimatter that supposedly proves the existence of God. When a sample of antimatter is stolen and planted in the Vatican as a bomb, his daughter and a handsome (of course) Harvard symbologist named Robert Langdon attempt to recover it. A trail of clues leads the pair throughout Rome to the lair of the Illuminati, the presumed masterminds behind the plot. The book is filled with great detail about Rome and the inner workings and secrets of the Vatican. In fact, with an election of a new pope probably not far away, Brown's work here provides a good primer about this fascinating process. Unfortunately, I figured out the identity of the anonymous head Illuminatum with about 100 pages to go, just before the plot veers wildly out of control into a series of cartoonish action sequences that almost completely distort the deeper meanings of the book. The final resolution of the plot is contrived and confusing. I think the scientists come out looking one-dimensional and uninspired (many scientists do believe in God) and the tension between science and religion is never resolved, at least to my satisfaction. Still, it's a rollicking read that will keep your attention until the last page. There is a remarkable depth of research in this novel, which is evidence of a writer who takes deep care in his craft. In my opinion, this makes the accusations surrounding "The DaVinci Code" highly dubious, and I do plan to read it.
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Summary: The first Robert Langdon adventure
Review: This is the first book featuring Robert Langdon, the hero of the super-bestseller "The DaVinci Code", and, in my opinion a kind of Indiana Jones for the 21st century.
In this book Robert is faced with the gristly murders, supposedly commited by Illuminati. And Robert dashes around Rome in a race against time to save Vatican which is literally sitting on a bomb.
This novel has as much information input as the DaVinci Code, but far more action. The pace is good, but sometimes I found that a change from a shoot-out to a lecture on Michelangelo is a little disorienting and somehow stretches suspension of diesbelief ... also the final part of the novel seem to feature a plot turn for every page.
This is a good novel, but the plot is a bit too complex for its own good.
Seems like mr.Brown didn't trust the intellectual discoveries to be interesting enough to keep the reader, so he put in enough action to satisfy a James Bond fan. A minor point - there is a SPLENDID UK cover for this book with a great logo for the title (which nicely ties in with the Illuminati theme within) Go to the amazon-uk and at least look at it ...
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