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Angels & Demons : A Novel

Angels & Demons : A Novel

List Price: $26.00
Your Price: $18.20
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Gratuitous Plot Twists
Review: I don't really like what's at the heart of this book--and the problems go deeper than just surface-level stuff--but it was so compelling that I couldn't put it down. It's not that hard to basically figure out what's going on, but the last 50 pages or so are practically non-stop plot twists, not all of which are properly foreshadowed, leaving credulity stretched beyond the breaking point. Think Clive Cussler meets Morris West.

And for me, that's where the trouble begins. It's almost as if Dan Brown can't decide whether to write a pure action/adventure yarn or a story with more substance, one that seriously discusses both contemporary and age-old issues. It works at the Dirk Pitt level, but not the Shoes of the Fisherman level. And I get the feeling that the author REALLY wants to be regarded as a Serious Writer.

One does have to hand it to Brown as he brilliantly evokes the ins and outs of Roman art, architecture, and archeology, as well as Vatican politics, wrapping it all around a downright swashbuckling tale. But when he tries to address the larger questions, such as the relationship between science and religion, questions about philosophical theology, intellectual history, or Catholic doctrine, he badly stumbles. Since these questions largely fuel the plot engine, to miss here vitiates the impact of the story, at least for me. Hence, only three stars--despite the acknowledged brillance of the plotting--and a generous three stars, at that.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Angels & Demons will possess you to turn the pages!
Review: Dan Brown's 'Angels & Demons' is a fast paced, eclectic suspense/thriller. His cast of characters include a Harvard symbology professor, a couple of brilliant scientists from C.E.R.N., the head of the Vatican's Swiss Guard, the dead Pope's chamberlain, and the famed anti-Christian cult of the Illuminati. He intertwines space-age technology with ancient catholic rituals without skipping a beat.

I decided to read this book after reading other reviews from Amazon.com. One reviewer stated something like "move over Umberto Eco." Well, not quite. Brown does not write in the same erudite, literary fashion as Eco, but he does create a very enthralling page-turner. Other reviewers said it was too unbelievable. Well, it does require you to suspend disbelief, but it is fiction after all. I will not go into the details of the plot, as other reviews have already covered it, but I will say that 'Angels & Demons' reminds me of Michael Crichton's 'Timeline' in that the plot is pushed forward, at a dizzying pace, by a deadline.

This book will grab you, and it might not let go. When you reach the heart of the book, the short, crisp chapters - there are over 100 - will keep you reading, because each one ends with a little teaser. I kept telling myself "One more small chapter." The problem was, I said it after every chapter, until I was finally done at six in the morning.

Read this book. Now.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Puzzle Driven
Review: Interesting puzzles, gruesome murders and secret societies are not enough to save this thriller. The villian is identifiable way too early. The hero is an encyclopedia of trivia no one would know outside of the Vatican walls. Too many escapes and too few traffic jams in Rome.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Blown Away!
Review: I was completely blown away by this book. My wife saw the paperback in the bookstore three days ago and brought it over to me. One look at the back blurb and I was intrigued. I started it that night and read the final page (page 569) less than an hour ago. It held my attention, obviously. I was fascinated with the history of the Illuminati and their battle with the Vatican, CERN and antimatter, the intriguing storyline, and the characters themselves. Langdon, Vetra, the camerlengo, Mortati, etc., are all well-defined and developed characters that I quickly took a liking to.The visuals were stunning; I could clearly "see" what was happening and where they were. I am now a fan of Dan Brown and intend to read his other books.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: FAST-PACE THRILLER!
Review: I happen to come across the book, when my sister had been visited by the author at Phillips Exeter Academy. I was reluctant, at first to read it, but when I hit the fourth page I was lost!

This book is centered around Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist, and Vittoria Vetra, scientist and daugther of a murdered father. They must race against time to recover a missing destructive weapon and the two will come across troubles through a story of deceptive characters, murder plots, and hidden agendas. The book is fast-pace, thorough, and suspenseful. I recommend anyone to read this book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best thriller read for ages
Review: This book is a very particular blend of high technology (high energy phycics), architecture (Rome and Vatican's treasures) and Catholicism history (the illuminati, the galileo trial). This mix may seem very strange, but the book is indeed a real delight to read. The plot is well conceived, and the characters very well developped. this is the best (and most interesting) thriller I have read for ages!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Blew My Socks Off!
Review: I don't think that any one could have packed any more action into a book. Dan Brown is a genius. Not only did he get every troublesome thing a person could think of in one book. He did it so believable. Plus, he didn't make the Catholic Church the bad or stupid guys, as some authors do. Mr. Brown also did a tremendous amount of research to get the facts right. His descriptions of places and ceremonies make you feel as if you are there in person. The words just flow off the page and into your imagination. I have to say that this is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I just couldn't put it down, staying up till 3 in the morning to finish it. Mr. Brown put so many twists and turns in this book that there is no way a reader will be able to figure out how it is going to end, till the end. I know that the final out come shocked me. I'm not going to go into all the details about the plot, let the experts do that for you. I might spoil it for you and that is the last thing I would ever want to do. All I can say is if you like mystery, action and thrills; this is the book for you. "Angels & Demons" is a non-stop roller coaster ride for the reader. Allow yourself plenty of time to sit and read. You will not want to put this book down. So fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The pages keep turning
Review: This books keeps the pages turning. It is packed with adventure and intresting twists to the plot. This book is a combination of religion, science, history and art. Where ever your intrests maybe you will be entertained by this book.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great Page Turner!
Review: I read this book while at summer school- what a mistake! For three days, I didn't get any homework done, because I was too caught up in the plot twists and turns of Angels and Demons. The characters are well written, sometimes tending toward the predictable side, but the plot is fantastic. A thoroughly entertaining read- not classic literature, but fun and worthwhile nonetheless. An extra: Sharp-eyed readers from New Hampshire may pick up on allusions to people at Brown's prep school alma mater.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: "Angels and Demons" written by Dan Brown, is phenominal. Written in the same style as "Digital Fortress", they both captivate the reader with more intensity than any other book out there. There is no simplier way of putting it. It's a non-stop book that can't be put down. Once you start believing one side of the story, you feel almost betrayed by the actual truth of the story. It's a definate thriller that one would be at a loss if not getting the chance to read.


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