Angels & Demons : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Thrilling and educational! Awesome combo!
Review: Quick and fantastic read - I couldn't put it down!!

Rating:
Summary: Whom Do You Trust?
Review: This fast-paced, often compelling novel sets up the age old conflict between religion and science. Using the controversy between Galileo and the Roman Catholic Church as its overarching theme. Dan Brown in Angels and Demons teaches us much about the Illuminati, the Masons, anti-matter, the geography of modern--and ancient--Rome,ambigrams, and Vatican conclaves. Despite the inherent implausability of some of its elements the plot careens along; it certainly swept me up. This is not great literature, but for Robert Ludlum or David Baldacci fgans who appreciate a good story well told, this is a keeper! The twist, double twist at the end caught me off guard. And despite my initial disappointment I thought the ending to be just about right!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Page-Turner for Long Flight or Rainy Day
Review: Take one Harvard professor, awakened by a mysterious pre-dawn telephone call from a laboratory in Switzerland regarding the murder of an imminent particle physicist; add a beautiful, albeit revenge-seeking daughter; mix with a Vatican conclave and the resurfacing of the mysterious brotherhood of the Illuminati and what you get is a thoroughly satisfying romp through Rome, hitting on all the Eternal City's most famous and fabulous sites along with some puzzling brain-teasers which will keep you on the edge of your seat and dying to arrive at that satisfying last page.

It may not be great literature, but the story is good and the characters interesting. If you've been to Rome, you will enjoy the virtual tour of the arts, the sites and the ambiance. If you're going to Rome, its a great book to bring along on that tiring trans-Atlantic flight to whet your appetite for what is to come!

Rating:
Summary: good plot, dreadful writing
Review: Seeing the description of this book as being comparable to those by Katherine Neville (The Eight, A Calculated Risk, et. al.), I was very excited to read Angels & Demons. Boy, was I disappointed. The author doesn't seem to think much of the intelligence of his readers; the writing is studded with superfluous and exhausting italics, the foreshadowing is done, not so much with a heavy hand as with the heavy feet of a football team (yech - I apologize for the metaphor, but you get the idea) and his characters have uncharacteristic moments of stupidity (not figuring out something really simple) so he can ratchet up the tension a little bit. All of which is really too bad because the plot, in itself, could have been really exciting,
If you enjoy a good conspiracy yarn - this ain't it.

Rating:
Summary: JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU HAVE IT FIGURED OUT...
Review: This is an excellent "page-turner" of a novel. Filled with historical accuracy and a frightening amount of scientific possibilities, Dan Brown has written a gripping drama of Science v. the Catholic Church. Without a doubt, the best part is how this book ends. You will think you can guess the ending, but keep reading, I guarantee you will be wrong. Great book-one you won't want to put down.

Rating:
Summary: science verses religion
Review: What can i say...this book is thought provoking and entertaining all at once.
As a scientist i can see what the illuminati are all about..i have never followed or belived in religion...however this book makes you think..it did not convert me, but it was a bit close for comfort...
It is a fast paced read from start to finish. The plot keeps u entranced until the final totally unexpected ending. I cant recomend it enough.

Rating:
Summary: skillfully written
Review: This book was well written. Science vs. God is something that I could not imagine trying to write. The story is fast paced. The history of the Vatican and centuries-old underground organization the Illuminati was wonderful. It was interesting and not dry at all. The story really made me think about mankind. Evil is not something we can always define as this story shows. The ending was something I never even considered. It truly left me thinking WOW!

Rating:
Summary: Promises much: delivers a mumbo-jumbo paper-chase
Review: When I put down this book, just two hours ago, the word "shallow" was uppermost in my mind. It's little more than a pseudo-mystical paper-chase around Rome in pursuit of Illuminati (them again!) secrets to stave off a cataclysm in the heart of the Vatican. With the ingredients used in this book an exciting Vatican mystery-thriller could have been created, but the author isn't up to it. Contrary to what some reviewers believe, Dan Brown's potted guide to Rome is generally unreliable, including well-known sites (such as St Peter's reputed tomb and the Vatican necropolis, which, incidentally, he portrays as far, far below the surface of St Peter's basilica when in fact the whole area is a mere 6-12 metres underneath the basilica floor) presented in the narrative as special insider knowledge. The outright errors, particularly geographical and ecclesiastical, are numerous. But, overall, the worst aspect of this novel is that it comes across as painting by numbers. A contrived, passionless exercise.

Rating:
Summary: Angels 0, Demons 0, Readers 5.
Review: This is a fascinating book that melds religion, esotericism, crime, passion, art and culture, in a package that gets more interesting as you turn from page to page. Brown's knowledge of the Illuminati, the Catholic Church, the scientific world, and the world of science is unique. His juxtapositioning of themes and places is superb. His melding of romance and intrigue outstanding. Finally, his descriptions of Rome appear to be spot on -- bringing to life on paper one of the world's most fascinating cities. I would love to see hom write a screenplay, to bring characters, events, and settings to even more life than he has with this book -- if that is possible. Readers, 5 !

Rating:
Summary: TEN STARS !
Review: I inhaled it in two days and when I was done, I was stunned and out of breath. I put the book down, waited ten minutes and I felt lost without it. Never has a book been this satisfying a read for me. Hi-tec science, incredible history, great charactors, roller-coaster tension and pacing, and the perfect setting for this fast-paced thriller.It slams and rocks right up to the last wonderful page. Buy it, you'll love it!