Rating: 
Summary: Not horror, but good.
Review: I grabbed this book on my quest to find a new terrifying horror novel to read. Amazon had this listed near the top of the list in the horror section, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I must admit this book wasn't scary to me at all (more of a suspense/thriller type) but it was a great book. Very entertaining. I have never read a Dan Brown novel before but now I'm looking forward to reading more of them. A pleasant surprise. Now back to my quest!!
Rating: 
Summary: thought provoking
Review: I enjoyed the action in this story, although some things
were a bit far fetched. The ideas behind the story were
interesting and in my opinion - thought provoking.
The one thing that spoilt it - in a bad way - was the utterlly
terrible Italian used. Obviously quite some research went into
the story and it is a pity that more care wasn't taken to ensure
all the Italian used was coorect.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Escapism...and LOTS of It!
Review: Angels and Demons will not wow you with spectacular prose or fascinating multi-dimensional characters. It WILL provide a story that starts fast, gets faster, and offers enough plot twists to keep your head spinning from front cover to back. Dan Brown crafts a story that's by far clever enough to keep most of us guessing...and reading...all the way to the end.In a book that precedes (chronologically) the DaVinci code (which I've not yet read), we find Dr. Robert Langdon involved with a murder in which the victim, a European physicist, has been branded with the word "Illuminati." Langdon, an expert on iconology, is called in to consult. The ensuing plot unfolds over the course of a single day, and moves so fast, and is so compelling, that if you're like me you'll be tempted to read all 600 pages just that fast. If you are tempted, you'll appreciate that the writing is reasonably simple: predominantly unchallenging dialogue and readable descriptive prose. Although the plot becomes pretty intricate, Brown has done a good job of making sure that you don't have to go back and read sections multiple times to follow events, clues and such. This is no easy task, as the book is riddled with references to Rome, including structures, art and architecture, and history. Also well-explained are the baffling intricacies of Papal electoral politics and procedure. Brown has written a simple, old-fashioned thriller. You won't be disappointed with this novel. Just don't expect pulitzer material; instead enjoy the thrilling escapism. I'm guessing it won't last long.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting ... but extremely farfetched.
Review: Although this novel was good enough to arouse my interest and attention almost throughout, it was an extremely ridiculous and farfetched story. It's hard to believe that, in this day and age, an author would actually use Illuminati substance in a story in this manner, being as old and monotonous as the topic really is. The conspiracy theory involving worldly and national higher-ups throughout history, and the eye and pyramid on the dollar bill, is both aged and clichéd. You'd almost think that the book was written about forty years ago. And the anagrams, described as Illuminati genius for the way in which they were written, but portrayed simply within the pages of the novel, were just another of countless, lame items I had to overlook just to finish the book. Brown's theory of a deep-rooted, inexhaustible battle between science and religion (Catholicism) is, in my opinion, as exaggerated and ridiculous as the story itself. I like to think that Catholicism is a tad more intellectual in thought than the way in which it's portrayed in this book. He uses his exaggerated battle of religious stupidity as the main plot of the story. It's a good thing that many Godly people believe in miracles, too, as the ending is so riddled with nonsensical marvels that one would have to be a devout believer in earth shattering, multiple miracles to make any sense of the story at all. It goes on and on with twists and turns that the author appears to have thrown in to add a little depth to the story, most fairly predictable as well. Although the first half of the book was a rather quick read, I really had to force myself to get through the last fifty or sixty pages, as I thought it would never end. The story definitely had potential though. I think it would have been a great deal better if written with a bit more realism in mind. I like suspense and action just as much as anyone, but I don't like being reminded throughout that what I'm reading is so ridiculous that it has to be 'fiction', unless that fact is blatant, as in genres of profound science fiction and fantasy, or paranormal horror. I did give it three stars, though, for the reason I stated above; it was at least able to sustain my interest and attention for a while.
Rating: 
Summary: Dissappointing....
Review: One of my friends told me Not To Bother with the Da Vinci Code, but the reviews here on Amazon gave me the hope that this might be something readable. It ain't. Or well, the plot gets better in the last quarter of the book, but the first three-quarters are hopelessly over-the-top, gee whiz about all the wrong things (CERN and a spaceplane? Get real. If this had been placed in a super-secret military complex I could possibly have suspended disbelief better) and overly laborious with explanations. You feel sorry for the poor plodding hero who has to regurgitate page after page about the Illuminati and he *still* has left out most of the more fascinating stuff that was, in fact, historically true about the Rosicrucians. (See Frances Yates.) Writing style: ugh. Flat, stale, and with cliches bouncing all over the road. I hope that Dan Brown aspires to better in the future and this is simply hack work to cover the bills while he works on learning how to actually write. The best part about this book is that if it got published, it gives me hope for getting mine out. The bar isn't set all that high.... If you want to read about the Illuminati, go read the books by Robert Anton Wilson and fry your brain--laughing.
Rating:
Summary: Absurd But Fun (and Funny)
Review: I read this book after having read "Da Vinci Code." At one point in this book, I thought that perhaps Brown was writing a parody of adventure/conspiracy novels, because some of the things that happen are utterly absurd and even beyond suspension of belief (like a guy falling from a helicopter and landing in the Tiber river, then "being treated" at the hospital and released!) I am an art professor and teach art history (although without a Ph.d.) and I can tell you that Brown's celebrated "research" is a bit over-rated, at least when he's writing about art. I groaned out loud when I read that Robert Langdon, the hero Art History professor from HARVARD (!) had "forgotten" but now just happened to
"remember" that there was an angel in the composition of Bernini's famed "Ecstasy of St. Teresa." A kind of "oh, yeah, hey! I had forgotten about that!" moment. No way. I can tell you with 100% confidence that there is not an art historian in the world, much less one that teaches at an institution like Harvard, that would have forgotten the angel in that work by Bernini. He then has it that the angel's arrow provides a clue to the next Illuminati "altar of science" across Rome, as if the arrow points in a direction that would be useful for mapping out the mystery that Langdon is trying to understand. But, as even a good photograph will show (and I have seen the work itself on four occasions) the arrow points somewhat off to the side of the saint and downward. If Langdon were to follow its direction he'd be digging holes in the ground underneath Santa Maria Vittoria. Knowing that Brown writes so carelessly about real things that I know something about makes me wonder about his "research" in other matters. I think this is worth mentioning, because apparently many people read Dan Brown because they think they are going to learn something about the real world in the process. In spite of these flaws, the book was fun to read, so I give it three stars.
Rating: 
Summary: drivel: the prequel
Review: Dan Brown struck it rich with the "Da Vinci code." Angels and Demons, his earlier effort along "Catholic church conspiracy" lines, is even more ridiculous. Brown's obsession with brand names and consumeristic plot lines amaze even the most hardcore Tom Clancy readers. You could have a "you're read the book / now buy the toys" page at the end. His writing is truly awful, hovering around the ninth grade level, full of "he couldn't believe his own eyes" moments. Show, Dan, don't tell. Brown is insanely impressed with himself, and his research -- which is so awful as to be infuriating. The silliness of his work begins on page one where our breathless hero is wisked by SUPERSONIC flight to Geneva... "Geneva, New York," our hero wonders? No, he is told by the pilot... "Geneva... Switzerland!" This kind of laborous prose is accompanied by the ridiculous idea that it is the director general of a European physics lab that has him flown in this top secret aircraft. Anyone who has even spoken to -- forget that, anyone who's visited a physics lab will quickly learn that, no, sorry, multimillion euro specially-chartered aircraft are not exactly in regular use, most scientists tooling around in beat up Saabs to cover their meager paychecks. I didn't come in to this novel with high expectations. I didn't expect something of the order of Foucalt's Pendulum. But Brown just doesn't have the skill, the knowledge, or the writing talent to make something worthy even of airport reading. That's saying alot.
Rating:
Summary: doesn't pull it off
Review: I hope I don't offend any fans of this author with my review, but I would like to warn readers. I read this book because of the comparisons with Umberto Eco and similar writers. To me, the book may have been fast paced, and informative about Rome and about the techno science details in the plot, however....frankly, it was just really ...ludicrous. I kept reading the book thinking it would get better, but the next plot twist would just get more, well, zany. If it had been written as a comedy, maybe that would have been better. But knowing this plot was meant to be dramatic and suspenseful...in the end I thought the story was, well, I can't think of another word for ludicrous. Perhaps, Mr Brown has other books that are better written. But this one was certainly a disappointment. It was readable, but certainly not great nor good. Sorry, but if you're looking for a great read...keep looking.
Rating: 
Summary: Angels and Demons is amazing
Review: This is one of the best books I've read in a looong time. This book is engaging, fast paced and full of interesting and well researched facts. If you liked the DaVinci code I know you'll like this book. I was never much of a mystery/thriller reader, but I found this book amazing. I love every book I've read by Dan Brown and plan to read the rest. He really should write more books with Robert Langdon. If anyone else knows any other good books with facts about christianity and religion or the Illuminati come tell me! This books is amazing! everyone should read it.
Rating:
Summary: Started me reading again!
Review: This is the best book I have read in years! I haven't read leisurely since before grad school. I have now read Angels and Demons, the Da Vinci Code, Deception Point, and Digital Fortress. I can't get enough of Dan Brown! Angels and Demons first got my attention because it deals with Christianity and the Catholic Church. I am extremely interested in religion and had to read this book. Dan Brown is amazing with his research and facts. Interesting tidbits of information concerning Catholicism and Christianity in Europe makes this book great for those who like to expend their minds. The fast paced action makes it a page turner for anyone interested in a ficitonal thriller. I read it in three days! Read this book!
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