Angels & Demons : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: The Prequel as Good as the Sequel
Review: Angels & Demons, the prequel to The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown's recent best selling novel, is another exciting thriller by this author, combining adventure, travel, history and science fiction. Brown creates an atmosphere of mystery, in which the reader has no idea what will happen next. His use of unthinkable objects like the super high-speed jet and the canister of deadly antimatter force coupled with the fast pace of the story holds the reader's interest.

The novel is about Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist, being asked to help out on a case involving the death of a physicist, Leonardo Vetra. His body has been branded with Illuminati ambigram. The Illuminati are an anti-Catholic group who believes in the creation of the world scientifically. Also, Vetra's recent creation, antimatter, is missing. This substance can annihilate anything it touches within a certain radius depending on how much of the substance there is. It is known to be somewhere inside the Vatican, all this on the night of Papal elections. The antimatter will detonate within 24 hours of being removed and based on a Vatican camera, they can watch it tick down. At the same time they search for this, Langdon has to find 4 kidnapped Cardinals while following the ancient trail of the Illuminati. He is led to their secret lair and uncovers the truth about the Illuminati, its current leader and the groups famous, Illuminati diamond.

When I started this book I couldn't put it down. The overall plot catches your attention and makes you want more and more. The chapters are relatively short so it seems like you fly through it by chapter. I was also compelled to research more about the components of the book, such as the Illuminati or anitmatter. The topics will intrigue you and will make you wonder whether they are real or not. Brown uses these things as well as real European sites to make you become apart of the action. You can imagine the scenery the scene is occurring in and you picture yourself standing next to Langdon.

Brown also writes about a topic not widely discussed, the creation of the earth. The battle between science and religion as the creator is widely known yet not a popular topic. Brown courageously writes about this and it shows the reader, in the end, that there will always be arguments between the two sides for as long as we exist.

I recommend this book for anyone who likes excellent thrillers. You will love this book before or after reading The Da Vinci Code. This novel is one for all readers.



Rating:
Summary: New Light Shed On An Ancient Conflict
Review: Dan Brown has successfully created a book that has a good, fast paced story and a theme that can apply to just about anyone who reads this book. Brown identifies the conflict between religion and science, reveals the pros and cons for both sides, and ultimately proves that science cannot exist without religion and vice versa because they balance each other out. Brown also creates a compelling mystery/thriller novel that seamlessly blends fact with fiction with characters that are both intriguing and real. A must read for those looking for a good story with a deeper meaning.

Rating:
Summary: Can't Put It Down
Review: Neither my husband nor I could put this book down. If you aren't motivated to read momentarily, this book is the perfect cure. Having been educated in Europe many years ago, we found ourselves double checking some of the book's descriptions and references to historical landmarks, etc. as Dan Brown's descriptions are equisite. (Remember this book is classified as "fiction" by its author.) It's meant to be an interesting read and accomplishes that goal very well. We strongly recommend reading Angels and Demons first and then The Da Vinci Code.