Rating: 
Summary: Predicatable and condescending
Review: I read this after hearing great things about it and "The Da Vinci Code". The first 200 pages or so are admittedly gripping, but shortly after, I had the rest of the story figured out and spent the remaining 300 or so pages hoping, futilely, to be surprised. Brown doesn't seem to trust the reader to put any pieces together for themselves -- from translations for every minute bit of Italian that is spoken, to a map in the front of the book that allows the reader to figure out where everything will be taking place hundreds of pages before they happen, the author holds your hand through every step, hoping you're keeping up when in fact you're way ahead of him.
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing
Review: Like most other people who read the Da Vinci Code, I felt that I should read other works by Dan Brown as well because DaVinci Code was so good. Angels and Demons is good, but not in the same realm as Da Vinci Code, which isn't really difficult to fathom. The confusing part to the people that read some of these reviews is why, if Dan Brown had the same method with this book as he did with DaV inci Code, why is DaVinci Code so much better? Brown's premise is the same. Somebody of clout is murdered and then Robert Langdon takes a girl along for the ride to try and prevent something worse from happening. The problem with Angels and Demons is that while the plot is good, it takes some odd twists and turns. To discover these though, you must read the book and you should read the book. There is a lot of good information in there again focusing on religion, but you can't help but feel more informed after reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Angels and Demons: The Struggle Between Religion and Science
Review: Like a lot of people, I read "Angels and Demons" after "The Da Vinci Code" and I was surprised that the beginings of both of them as well as of other Dan Brown's books are quite similar. However, after some couples of pages later I could not put the book down. It was such an amazing story that everyone should read.
This book was the start of Michael Langdon, a Harvard professor in symbolism. He was woken up early in the morning by the director of CERN to investigate in the death of Dr. Leonardo Ventra, a brilliant scientist at CERN. On the chest of Dr. Ventra was the symbol of the most ancient hidden society, the Illuminati. He then met Dr. Ventra's daughter, Vittoria who was a marine scientist. They went to Rome on the day before the election of the new Pope to uncover the secret of the Illuminati and witnessed some more deaths of "il prefiero", the four cardinals who had the biggest chances to be the next Pope. They also uncovered a secret of the already deceased Pope and his assistant. Throughout the story was the argument between religion and science.
The story was interesting but was not as intriguing as "The Da Vinci Code". In "The Da Vinci Code", Langdon was pictured as a more witty person than in "Angels and Demons". Moreover, Dan Brown managed to put a large dose of clues and information in the book which makes it heavier to read.
I suggest you start with "Angels and Demons" before "The Da Vinci Code" so that you can have a more well-rounded image of Michael Langdon.
Rating: 
Summary: entertaining but not great
Review: This is a fine read that will keep you turning the pages. I compare this to a popcorn movie--it's entertaining but the writing's fairly poor. (Brown needs to lay off on the *italics* when *people* are *speaking.*) It's just another example of popular fiction that will sell millions because it's not very challenging. Other reviews claim that this is a great book: Lolita is a great book; Moby Dick is a great book; The Great Gatsby is a great book. Please save your superlatives for something more deserving.
Rating:
Summary: The Conflict of Science and Religion
Review: For those familar with The DaVinci Code, this book is of obvious interest, as its prequel. For those, like I, who thought The DaVinci Code was a bit far-fetched and too demeaning to Catholicism, Angels & Demons will offer more suspense without the offense.
A priest who is also a brillant physicist trying to scientifically prove the exisitence of God? How much of a bigger river can you possibly bridge?
As a Catholic and a professional of science, I relate to the conflict in this book. It is intriguing and will leave you with much to think about on your own. I highly recommend it to all - those of faith and also to those of science.
Rating:
Summary: Better than I thought!
Review: While you can read the countless reviews of the plot, I'm just going to stick to my opinion... This book was close to being a great book (while I agree with some that the ending was a little too unbelievable, it was different). It reminded me of what a Michael Creighton book should be. Unlike Creighton, Dan Brown, in this story at least, takes a piece of non-fiction and makes it interesting WITHOUT the canned plot. The story and history of the Illuminati was very interesting, and the fictional portion helped moved the story along devoid of being the same old boring stratagem. The amount of "near-misses" and other such plot-devices were kept to a minimum.One word of caution... This might not be a good book choice for the deeply religious. I know that while I was reading it all of my Catholic teachings came roaring back in my mind. But if you can put that aside and enjoy it for what it is, a work of fiction, you'll be glad you decided to pick it up.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I stayed up all night in order to finish this book! I read "The DaVinci Code" first, then had to read to this one. I'm disappointed that I don't have another Robert Langdon book to read, I need more! This and "DaVinci" are fantastic, they take existing monuments and places and connect them in ways that you would never anticipate. As I read, I looked up each true-life detail he used and was amazed to discover that nothing was made up, only the plot. Of course, even that may be debatable! This is great fiction based on great non-fiction, I highly recommend this book to anyone even slightly interested in religion, history or art.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as DaVinci
Review: I really enjoyed parts of this book, however there were some very big problems. The ending was deplorable. It became more and more unbelievable and just when you thought it couldn't get anyworse, there was an all-time new low put in concerning the ancestry of the villain. (which was totally unneccesary to the plot). As a scientist who is also a practicing Christian, I had a difficult time with Brown's premise that the two practices are mutually exclusive. Some of the violence is excessive and difficult to read. The symbology interpretations are still very intriguing however.
Rating:
Summary: Religion and anti-matter!
Review: Dan Brown novels seem to be really very good yarns with praises of two other novels by Dan Brown: gDeception Pointh and gDa Vinci code.h Robert Langdon is a professor of religious iconology at Harvard University. He was awoken by CERN director Maximilian Kohlerfs phone call to invite him to see a dead body branded gIlluminatih on the chest. Langdon was requested to come by a special plane prepared for him which cruises in mach 15! Incredible stories start and dash in this speed! Leonardo Vetra was brutally murdered by the long lost fanatic group named Illuminati. Dr. Vetra was secretly researching on the antimatter with her stepdaughter Vittoria. This secretly made antimatter was stolen to make it a time bomb to destroy Vatican City as the vengeance of the prosecution of Illuminati scientists four hundred years ago. Robert and Vittoria search the four murder scenes set up by the Illuminati assassin hour after hour. The hints were buried in the ancient Illuminati markers that were revealed by Robertfs great historical expertise. This kind of chase is quite a thrilling one, but the chase is too long to keep readerfs unabating interests. When I felt the end of the story, it had still over 100 pages to go! The story itself is quite interesting but it slowed down to be savored by readers. What an amazing story-telling talent Dan Brown has!
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing, fascinating thriller
Review: Perhaps it's unfair to compare this novel to DaVinci Code, but I must. This was Dan Brown's first Robert Langdon novel, and while I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I will admit, it was not as good as the DaVinci Code. This is only because of the subject matter, however: the book is still written in Brown's engaging, well-researched style, filled with fascinating tidbits of information regarding the Catholic Church, the scientific community, and Rome itself. I think the major drawback for this book is that, while the DaVinci Code takes place within the context of famous works of art (something that draws in a large, general audience), Angels and Demons deals with physics, and can at times be bogged down with jargon. If I'd read this one BEFORE I read DaVinci Code, I might not have had the patience to see it through, but I'm glad I did. It is an excellent novel, and certainly worth purchasing in paperback form. I look forward with great expectations to Dan Brown's next Robert Langdon novel.
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