Rating: 
Summary: A thrilling read
Review: I just finished and started in on The Da Vinci Code. I must say, I was shocked by the twists and turns at the end. I thought it was over and wondered what the final 100 pages could hold and I wasn't disappointed.The story is an original with good characters, but at times it goes over the top. It probably would need to be toned down when it hits the big screen, and it will, imo. I can't imagine them not throwing this on the heels of the Da Vinci Code, which is starring Russell Crowe and Kate Beckinsdale. I was amazed at the things I learned. Dan Brown is an intelligent author. His books are fiction, but they are grounded in fact. That makes them quite unique. You will learn a lot about CERN, planes that fly overseas in an hour, and the power of anti-matter. Plus, of course, you will learn of the Illuminati. A worthy book. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Rather predictable
Review: After reading "The da Vinci Code", I couldn't wait until "Angels & Demons" arrived. However, after the first twenty pages, it became apparent that the style was the same. (Reminded me of Grisham's same old, same old!) The second disappointment came, when I figured out immediately WHO the 'bad' guy was. The rest was just getting through. Although the research was impeccable, I was not as thrilled about this book. Sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing book!
Review: I still have not read the Da Vinci Code but I just finished this book which is the first book with Robert Langdon and I will definitley buy The Da Vinci Code this weekend. This book has many twists and turns and I never forsaw the ending. It is apparent that Brown has researched Vatican City and Rome extensiveley and it shows in his writing. Books that are fiction but so closely incorporate factual information you can't tell which is which are always the best to read and this one is better than most. There were one or two things that I didn't see happening but I won't rehash them here as I don't want to ruin anyone's read. Let me just say I recommend this book for what it's worth and I advise you get it. I enjoyed it immensely.
Rating:
Summary: Should have read this before The Da Vinci Code...
Review: Like several other reviewers, I too read "The Da Vinci Code" before "Angles & Demons." Although I thoroughly enjoyed both books, it is obvious that A&D was Mr. Brown's first attempt at the Robert Langdon "series". Da Vinci Code is much more refined and unpredictable than A&D. However, that is not to say that one will not encounter twists and turns on the journey. In addition to the mystery, Mr. Brown provides a background into religious and artistic history. His quality of research is comparable to what would be found in a work non-fiction on the subjects. The addition of facts in the book takes the novel to level not common in a typical mystery. I highly recommend "Angels & Demons." I just suggest you read it before "The Da Vinci Code." "Tight Lines!"
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Rating:
Summary: Top-Notch Thriller! Captivating and Educational
Review: I was unfortunate to read "Angels and Demons" BEFORE "The Da Vinci Code" because it was so great it made "The Da Vinci Code" seem like a disappointment (which it is not of course). "Angels and Demons" is definitely a book you begin to read and simply cannot put down. I heard this before, but this is honestly true of this book. From beginning to end, this book sucks you in and won't let go. Character development of both Robert Langdon and Vittoria Vetra is intense and fast-paced, as is the plot. After reading the book I found myself looking up the Illuminati, the Vatican, as well as antimatter and Galileo! Fantastic read; lead me to read all of Dan Brown's books, and I am biased, this is his BEST!
Rating:
Summary: Audacious plot, interesting information - Highly Recommended
Review: I have so far read 4 of Dan Brown's books (Angel & Demons, DaVinci Code, Deception Point & Digital Fortress) and three features of his writings stand out. First, audacious plotlines; Brown does not believe in small measures but goes out on a limb- heck, this guy re-defines audacity! The plotlines are way over the top but have just that crucial amount of credibility to draw in a reader, even when he knows it is fiction. Second, the pace is mercilessly quick; the entire plot of the book plays out over a few days at most. Last but for me the best of all, his books have a wealth of esoteric information that one would not normally read about. I found myself enthralled by a never ending series of factoids that had me rushing to the Internet for explanation or elaboration. Since the book has no real illustrations and a pathetic "map", I also used the internet to see images of the various landmarks that feature in the plot and their historical background and found the exercise enthralling. Angels & Demons follows the above lines. Take a look at the audacity first - a plot that combines the Vatican (in the middle of a Papal election), CERN, and ancient brotherhood helped by a modern-day terrorist, a Harvard professor, anti-matter! I don't recall ever seeing a plotline with such a combination of ancient history, religious cults, religion, particle physics and killing! Picture a juggler managing about 10 different balls at the same time and you get an idea of it all. Yet Brown manages to keep the links between the various plotlines almost seamless. I am not going to even try to summarize the storyline - read the editorial summaries for that. Suffice it to say that putting it down before finishing is not an option! I found the book absolutely fascinating. Sure it has weak points : Brown's ability to write about science could do with improvement and some of his concepts (Mach 15 etc) sound implausible. The ending too was just that bit over-cute, almost apocalyptic. Maybe Brown tired, and wanted to solve the whole puzzle in one cataclysmic event or to be fair, perhaps the sheer pace and complexity was just too hard to close out properly. But the good points far outweigh the bad. The history of the Illuminati, the various works of art that play key parts in the story, the dialog between religion and science - all these make this book a great read. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A Captivating, One-Weekend Read
Review: If you like a good thriller, this is the type of of book that you read in the gym, while you dry your hair in the morning, fall alseep reading at 2 a.m., and read at stop lights. I couldn't put it down. The lovable Robert Langdon finds himself caught up in a plot to bring down Catholism. Can I give it more than 5 stars? Give it a read. You certainly won't be disappointed, and its a great lead-in to the infamous Da Vinci Code.
Rating:
Summary: Engagingly provocative
Review: What to do if someone has been mysteriously murdered with the only clue being an indelible, if arcane, form of religious symbology? No problem. Just call the Harvard art professor/religous symbologist extraordinaire, Robert Langdon. Having read The Da Vinci Code, I was somewhat skeptical of undertaking Angels & Demons. I was somewhat unsure that it would compare, much less hold a candle, to The Da Vinci Code in terms of its proclivity for supremely suspenseful and intelligent writing. Suffice to say, it did. Despite a myriad of scenarios and events being highly implausible, Dan Brown's undeniable affinity for hyperbole(Robert Langdon's transformation into Superman during one scene notwithstanding), for all intents and purposes, serves to elevate the storyline to his characteristic high level of excitement and suspense that makes for a veritable high octane page-turner. If you enjoyed The Da Vinci Code, you're sure to enjoy Angels & Demons - perhaps even to a greater degree.
Rating: 
Summary: Virgin Birth
Review: CHAPTER 1
I don't mean for this to be a spoiler, but since when did
artificial insemination qualify as the epitome of scientific technology? I mean (not to be crude), but it is no more complicated a technology than a turkey baster. I would have thought that, for all Mr. Brown's arcane knowledge on medieval minutiae, he might have heard of egg-harvesting, in vitro fertilization, donor wombs, cloning, etc; technologies that may have been worthy of bent-knee awe and reverence with more philosophical underpinnings than an American Pie gag. CHAPTER 2
But artificial insemination? It would be as if Digital Fortress was about a really big abacus that had a couple of missing beads. CHAPTER 3
Having recently read The DaVinci Code, Angels and Demons, and Digital Fortress in that order, I think I'm about ready to write a best-seller "thriller" of my own. It is almost paint by numbers. It works, but I just can't seem to get that Elvis on Velvet taste out of my mouth now. CHAPTER 4
This is about as formulaic as it gets. You can see the story board starting with a clever ending and work backward to have all the pieces fall into place. Clue, if you like a secondary character in the first 50 pages in any of those books .... well, I wouldn't want to spoil it for you, but I bet you catch my drift. CHAPTER 5
Perhaps Danny could throw us a curve next time and just have everyone "play it straight". Now, THAT would be a suspenseful read - waiting for that quirky surprise that never comes to pass. CHAPTER 6
The historical research is excellent and gives an interesting perspective on what you might have in your mental world view database. CHAPTER 7
Good books to read waiting between episodes of Monk if you're into that sort of thing.
Rating:
Summary: Prepare to suspend belief
Review: As another person who read The Da Vinci Code first, I certainly see a formula style in Brown's writing. The thriller aspect makes exciting reading and I enjoyed the interspersed history lessons (and they did feel as if that is what they were!) Robert Langdon, the main character, is supposedly an unassuming Havard professor, but I doubt that even Superman possesses his amazing powers to thwart death.
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