Rating: 
Summary: High Spirited Fun!
Review:
Deep in the heart of a Swiss research laboratory, a brilliant physicist is savagely murdered on the brink of a groundbreaking experiment involving the origins of the universe - an experiment that could debunk religion in favor of science once and for all. The scientist's corpse is branded with a single word: "Illuminati," referring to the centuries-old atheist cult that sprang up in opposition to the Catholic Church. Of more immediate concern is the theft of a canister of antimatter, an unspeakably volatile substance that annihilates anything it touches. Robert Langdon, a professor of religious symbology at Harvard, is brought in to examine the markings, even though he insists that the Illuminati have been dead for many years. Soon, however, it becomes obvious that the brotherhood is alive and well, and mounting an unprecedented attack on its archnemesis, the Church. Teaming up with the dead man's daughter, Vittoria Vetra (a beautiful and brilliant scientist herself, of course), Robert has only a few hours to solve an ancient puzzle that may lead him to the heart of the Illuminati lair, and help him thwart their diabolical plan to destroy religion. It's important, when reading books like this, to be able to unquestioningly swallow virtually any plot development at all. Superhuman physical prowess and a credulity-stretching range of expertise are the norm, as are a steady stream of unbelievable coincidences. And yet, you must believe them. Dark matter in a high-tech canister of doom? Sure! Secret satanic societies threatening to blow up the Vatican? Why not! Like the intrepid Robert Langdon, you just have to learn to accept these things as normal, and smear each page with a generous dollop of suspension of disbelief before reading it. If you can make yourself believe, though, there's plenty of gadgety, high-speed fun to be had. When you've got four hours to stop a global disaster, there isn't a whole lot of time for character development, and this is reflected in the story. Robert leads an Indiana-Jones-esque double life, effortlessly switching from mild-mannered religious studies professor to hardcore action hero (though he lacks the bullwhip that really lends credibility). Vittoria is your standard fiery, intelligent, beautiful heroine, basically lacking in any flaw except her inability to find true love, blah blah. Most of the other characters undergo at least one are-they-good-or-are-they-evil switcheroo as the plot develops, but that isn't really the same thing as having a complex and believable personality. No, these characters are painted with broad brushstrokes, and while they're concrete enough to hang a fast-moving thriller on, you wouldn't want to hear them sit down and have meaningful interactions about feelings and such.ANGELS & DEMONS is a fun, high-spirited and not overly serious romp, ideal for distracting yourself from the tribulations of daily life. Another very enjoyable (though quite different) Amazon-pick I recommend is THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez. Two wonderful fast reads.
Rating:
Summary: Recommend
Review: As a voracious reader, I have read the best. "Angels and Demons" is a heart-stopping thriller that keeps you turning pages until you arrive exhausted at the end. You're truly "in on the chase." Improbable as it seems, Dan Brown has combined nuclear physics and antimatter with Renaissance art, old Rome and the Vatican. You conjure up the images in your mind, but the icing on the cake is Brown's Web site which shows you the CERN facilities, the plane and then the exquisite artwork of Bernini and others as well as a peek inside the Vatican. It's a book that teaches, makes you think, and entertains, all at the same time. Few authors can accomplish that.
Rating:
Summary: Religion & Science Collide in a Kaleidoscopic Novel
Review: Dan Brown may very well have invented a new category of fiction ... 'the occult society murder mystery'. If it already existed, then he blasted himself to the #1 spot on the New York Times best seller list in this genre, not once but twice, first with "The Da Vinci Code" and now, with "Angels and Demons". This is one non-stop, page turning book I could not put down. In fact, it took me exactly 3 1/2 - 4 hours to finish. What a whirlwind of a novel! It has one of the most unusual, unexpected endings I have ever read. It is replete with so many curves, twists, turns, and events in the last chapter that it is mind-blowing ... yet believable. The author manages to interweave two seemingly disparate topics, religion and science, into a meaningful whole -- hitting some raw nerves for readers unfamiliar with current research in subatomic physics. Physicists have arrived at a point where many of the descriptions of subatomic particles sound exactly like religious or zen-like statements. Dan Brown proves to be a genius at combining ideas and concepts from modern scientific research, current political events, and religion to create a novel jam-packed with intrigue, puzzles, and mystery. He unravels the unique tapestry of his novel, one colorful thread after another, teasing the brain and emotions of the reader. The unsuspecting reader reaches speeds approaching mach 1 ... with sudden drops ... narrow, steep climbs and hair-pin curves ... on this thunderous roller coaster ride of a book. The main characters are, Robert Langdon, a world-reknown religous symbologist and Harvard professor, Maximillian Kohler, a research scientist and Director of CERN, one of the world's largest scientific research facilities located in Switzerland, Vittoria Vetra, a research biologist and daughter of the recently murdered, Dr. Leonardo Vetra, research physicist and Catholic priest. There is an unknown Assassin, whom we eventually learn is of Arabic extraction, the Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca, who was the chamberlain to the recently deceased Pope, several Swiss security guards for the Vatican, and two BBC reporters. It begins at 5:18AM, when Robert Langdon receives a phone call from an unknown party who needs to speak to him uregntly on a matter of great importance. He dismisses it as a prank call, attributing it to the notoriety he received in the press due to his research on occult symbology. It attracts a lot of kooks. While he is drinking his morning Nestle Quik cocoa ... his fax machine rings and he receives a photo of a body with the word "Illuminati" is emblazoned on the chest. As he rotates the fax in his hand, he discovers an ambigram, it is readable, frontwards or upside-down and backwards ... simultaneously, the phone rings and he is drawn into the web of intrigue at the CERN. The Director summons him to a research facility in Swizterland, where the victim, had done the unthinkable ... he created one of the most powerful sources of energy in the world: antimatter. Someone in the Illuminati has learned of this discovery and had stolen the specimen. The specimen was moved to an undisclosed, mysterious location in Rome, during the time when the election of the next Pope was taking place. Four cardinals, the top candidates for the election, are missing. A phone call reveals that each cardinal will be murdered, the clues are a riddle filled with Illuminati symbolology. Robert Langdon and Vittoria Vetra chase down the clues in an attempt to prevent the murders, but are too late each time. They eventually decipher the clues within the secret vaults of the the Vatican library. They chase the Assassin through a section of Rome where the Pantheon and several churches are located that contain Illuminati symbols. They go across the Bridge of Angels to the Castel Sant Angelo. Just when a hand-to-hand combat, fight to the finish between Robert Langdon and the Assassin is occurring ... more intrigue and mysteries are being concealed and revealed within the religous realm. The whole world is glued to the TV set as a miracle is witnessed ... the faith of many Catholics is restored ... to discover why ... you must read the book. Erika Borsos (erikab93)
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent and and curiously uplifting novel!
Review: Having read "The Da Vinci Code" I wondered if Dan Brown would measure up for me in his other works. I bought a copy of Angels and Demons and I was not disappointed. Robert Langdon, professor and symbologist is introduced to us in this novel. Robert is awakened in the middle of the night, and practically ordered to come to Europe, lured by the a grisly fax which reels him with one word "Illuminati". The Illuminati were a group of scientists vilifed by the Catholic Church hundreds of years ago, and believed to be an extinct group. Robert is mesmerized and boards a super-sonic plane to a high-tech scientific research corporation. From this point forward, the novel progresses at breakneck speed as Robert, along with the help of an interesting female character named Vittoria, [who has a huge stake in the outcome of the novel] literally race against time to save Vatican City. Together they must travel to Vatican City and attempt to follow an ancient "map" to the person responsible for a threat to destroy Vatican City with a weapon of science - anti-matter. Although there is plenty of suspense, treachery, and violence in this novel, I felt strong undercurrent of faith, not in any specific religious dogma, but just simple, human faith. This is a very well written novel with so many twists and turns, the reader has to turn really immerse him or herself into the book. The character, Robert Langdon has such terrific appeal in this novel as well as "The DaVinci Code" because he is written to be so very human. He makes mistakes, he doubts himself, he continues forward when there seems to be no hope. He make us WANT him to succeed! The surprise ending is a good one, that I did not guess. Bear with the background information at the beginning. It does read a bit slow, but once events begin to unfold, this novel is unstoppable! I look forward to more Dan Brown novels with Robert Langdon as the central character. This is the kind of character you will fall in love with and want to read about more and more.
Rating:
Summary: Fast, interesting, wonderful reading!
Review: I had to laugh at the few low ratings by raving zealots. If you are a person, that has always asked "too many questions," this book is for you! Whether you are a Philosopher, Theologian, or Agnostic, this book is a welcome addition to your fiction collection. This book makes you think, so Fun-dam-entalists should probably skip this one. Right or Wrong, this book will get your wheels turning...which is all that really matters, right? As a voracious reader, I have read the best. "Angels and Demons" is a heart-stopping thriller that keeps you turning pages until you arrive exhausted at the end. You're truly "in on the chase." Improbable as it seems, Dan Brown has combined nuclear physics and antimatter with Renaissance art, old Rome and the Vatican. You conjure up the images in your mind, but the icing on the cake is Brown's Web site, which shows you the CERN facilities, the plane and then the exquisite artwork of Bernini and others as well as a peek inside the Vatican. It's a book that teaches, makes you think, and entertains, all at the same time. Few authors can accomplish that. For those who say this book goes against their beliefs and their dogma, consider this: The tip of the iceberg: Numerous authorities who had noted the errors in the K.J.V. such as William Kilburne (1650's) 20,000 errors, John Wesley (in 1755) 12,000 changes in the New Testament alone, the Revised Version of 1881 consisted of 36,000 errors and on and on. The NIV, RSV and The Living Bible are also replete with thousands of errors. Do some research! If you are open minded and looking for those books begging for its pages to be turned...look no further. Read 'Holy Blood, Holy Grail,' and ANYTHING by Ken Follett! I just read a copy of Edgar Fouche's 'Alien Rapture,' which also blew me away. Fouche was a Top Secret Black Program 'insider', whose credibility has been verified over and over. Want to be shocked, check out Dr. Paul Hill's 'Unconventional Flying Objects' which NASA tried to ban. Buy this book, you will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Exploding Page Turner
Review: I never read a Dan Brown book until I read his best selling thriller "The Da Vinci Code". The can't-put-it-down page turner captivated my literary senses, and played with intriguing, fun themes. Naturally, I went to the first book in which the character of Robert Langdon appeared, and found it to be equally compelling, if somewhat over-the-top in some parts. Robert Langdon is introduced as a symbologist, who's awakened early in the morning by a phone call and subsequently, a very disturbing fax. His adventures thus begin, and literally do not stop until the next day.
What lies between those two points provides an enjoyable, challenging story that is compelling, imaginative, and thrilling. Brown's style is rich with philosophical bantering, provided by his characters at prime moments in the action when they are given "breathers" to discuss certain developments. This allows the reader to feel as if he's learning something as the story spins around him. However, Brown's style is also somewhat shallow and lacking a true depth into his characters. He basically sets up the characters very quickly, and away they go. But this lack of depth didn't bother me. I didn't read this book to get inspired by insightful characters. I read this book to get involved with a mind blowing thriller that I couldn't put down, and Brown delivers on every page. However, unlike "The Da Vinci Code", there were times that the events in this book seemed somewhat incredibly fantastical and unbelievable. Fortunately, it wasn't too often, so I let them go. Angels and Demons provides many pages of good reading fun, with a few incredible devious twists thrown in. You won't want it to end.
Rating:
Summary: Another Winner From Dan Brown!
Review: I read the "DaVinci Code" first and decided to read "Angels and Demons".This is another excellent book.A Phyisist Leonardo
Betra is killed and his eye is cut out. He is also branded.Our
heor Robert Langdon is flown to CERN headquarters on a jet the travels 15,000 miles per hour.Langdon discover that the brand is used by an ancient cult called the Illuminati.Langdon,the director of CERN Kohler and Vittorio Vetra discover that a container of antimatter has been stolen from the facility.The antimatter is hidden within Vatican City and set to explode.All
of this takes place while a conclave is taking place to elect a new Pope.The four leading candidates for Pope are kidnapped by a
hired killer called the Hassassin.The four candidates for Pope are killed and branded with four seperate brands used by the Illuminati.In the meantime Langdon and Vittoiro are searching the Vatican hunting for the antimatter.This book is exciting from start to finish.The ending of the book will shock you as well.This is another excellent book from Dan Brown. Buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Thriller and a Dash of History
Review: I suspect everyone else is rediscovering Dan Brown about now for the same reason I am; The DaVinci Code. That thriller was so interesting and compelling that I was moved to go back and read his earlier works. Like this one, Angels & Demons, a thriller about the Brotherhood of the Illuminati resurfacing in the modern day to destroy the Catholic Church by blowing up Vatican City during the papal elections. The detailed historical context, the scientific research and information and breakneck pace made this a truly satisfying book for me. The writing itself was somewhat pedestrian and forced, especially through the endless scenes of expositional dialog ("Antimatter? I don't understand. What's that?") that allow certain characters to ramble for pages, delivering vital, and interesting, but less than natural speeches. For the villain, blowing up the Batican is not enough. Dan Brown has made serial killers from secret societies seem a little fresher through the use of ambigrams - pictures of word that say the same thing upside-down and rightside-up - which have been turned into brands representing the four elements, and which are used to burn the symbols into the flesh of the four papal candidates who have been kidnaped. So, much of the suspense comes not from wondering whether they'll catch the bad guy, but whether they'll be able to save the poor cardinals before they are dispatched. One standout piece of good writing was the characterization of the young papal secretary whose faith, courage and strength serve as a call to the Catholic faithful and an example to the world of what a pope could be. I found myself moved by this character's speeches and actions, even though I am far from Catholic, or even religious. The main character, John Langon, is impossibly smart and improbably employed as a symbologist at Yale University. He is a sort of geeky version of the macho Dirk Pitt archetype, tireless, strong and resourceful. But his background serves to make this a thriller more cerebral than simply raising the Titanic or some fanciful lost city. Improbable is a good word for this novel. Almost none of it is believable or possible, but Dan Brown weaves a fascinating world in which he is, at least, consistent and faithful to his own ideas. It's interesting, it's exciting and it's a good precursor or followup to The DaVinci Code, which is, laughably, almost the exact same book, with precisley the same flaws and draws.
Rating:
Summary: Don't expect more than a fun read
Review: I think a lot of people are taking both Angels and Demons and The DaVinci Code way too seriously-they are fiction! As long as you start reading with the idea that this will just be a fun, suspenseful read, you won't be disappointed. It's extremely interesting and you really can't put it down. It does start off a little slower than the DaVinci Code, and yeah, the ending is kinda cheesy, but everything in between is pure gold. I love how Brown builds anticipation so that the reader knows where he's going with the story, but doesn't know what will happen when he gets there. It keeps you turning the pages. Just enjoy it and don't over-analyze it.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Plot - Less Than Impressive Execution
Review: I thought that the plot was original, if a little contrived. However, the actual text read like a script for a low-budget b-movie.
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