Rating: 
Summary: Just as good, in many ways, as THE DA VINCI CODE
Review: This, too, is an excellent and extraordinary book that I simply could not put down. Like THE DA VINCI CODE, it also gives us a great plot and takes us on a highly imaginative journey. My continuing thirst for entertainment was brought out by this book as well. And it is as much an excellent and entertaining read as other books by Dan Brown, such as DIGITAL FORTRESS and DECEPTION POINT, not to mention science fiction and fantasy books that captured my imagination and mind over the years, such as STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND, I, ROBOT, RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA, FOUNDATION, RINGWORLD, CRYPTONOMICON, SNOW CRASH, NEUROMANCER, DARKEYE: CYBER HUNTER, ERAGON, HALO: FIRST STRIKE, SPEAKER OF THE DEAD, and other such highly imaginative books.
Rating: 
Summary: Over the top, indeed!
Review: I gotta tell you, this ex-English teacher explains his passion for Disney and other suspense writers on his web site. And man, is he ever a commercial success. But I did feel this novel is OVER the top to the max. I just couldn't buy it all, although I did read it, stayed up all night, because I could, and got it finished to hand on to my waiting step-daughter.
My niece and her spouse liked it a lot. I am their senior by about 15 plus years. I think that is what taints my review. I just felt like I was having my leg pulled and that I knew it. I kept thinking that I would buy into the plot as more than mere escape a la Indiana Jones, but I did not.
Having studied the medieval Roman Catholic Church, I felt I was reading pure fiction, even though Brown hit on enough curious truths to make his effort a new century read for the generations younger than me.
Give me Umberto Eco anytime.
However, since many friends had been urging me to read "The DaVinci Code", I was glad I had read this first and MET Robert Langdon, this century's Indy.
Wonder who will be cast in this role for film?
Well, it won't take long to have that information, I suppose. Illuminata? Kind of an appropriate time to read of them, particularly with the concerns over Mel Gibson's brand of Catholicism. What a world of spinning fervor!
Rating:
Summary: The thrilling "prequel" to "The Da Vinci Code"!
Review: Author Dan Brown has another hit on his hands with a Robert Langdon tale that precedes "The Da Vinci Code" on a time line. Harvard professor of Symbology and Art , Robert Langdon , finds himself thrown into a situation involving a murder , an occult secret society thought dead fro 300 years , a beautiful young physicist , and the Vatican. What more could you want for excitement? How about a deadly assassin and traitorous priest?The main theme underlying this excellent work is that science and religion have been at war for over 2000 years. The Church of Rome has burned literally millions of "heretics" at the stake over the years , many of whom were engaged in what today we would call scientific research. The Church called it "witchcraft". In the course of reading the novel , even I as professional scientist , learned a lot about the history of my own discipline. Famed astronomer and early physicist Galileo Galili founded an occult group to hide science from the sight of , and destruction by , the Church . The history of this group is paramount in "Angels and Demons". The Illuminati seem to be alive and well , capable of heinous acts , and on the way to the ultimate destruction of The Church . Only symbologist Robert Langdon and the beautiful daughter of a murdered physicist have a chance of stopping it from happening! I bought the book late Saturday afternoon and didn't get to bed until I finished reading the 500+ page book at midnight. A truly gripping thriller that has many levels of intellectual satisfaction hidden within. Contains some real "food for thought". Maybe not as good as "The Da Vinvi Code" , but what could be? Very well written , entertaining , and somewhat provocative. A 5 star book. My highest recomendation.
Rating:
Summary: bookbuster
Review: I still don't know whether I prefer "Angels&Demons" or the "Da Vinci Code", both novels have a similar structure. I enjoyed reading this one, it has some very delightful details, thrilling and fascinating... the whole atmosphere of the book is indeed capturing. However, I have read in one of the reviews that "There is plenty of information in this book it will definitely satisfy your need for knowledge in both science and religion." ... That's what I first thought, too, but I looked up several books like Bulfinch's encyclopedia and others and finally stumbled over a certain Mr Fomenko who proves in his new book "History: Fiction or Science" that the entire history of the ancient world is indeed FALSE! Mind-boggling, but true!! I highly recommend "Angels&Demons", but don't forget that's it's really FICTION, not only the story, but also the basis, the back-ground!!
Rating:
Summary: Based on lies
Review: It's one of the few books I'd take to Mars with me. It's highly entertaining and suspenseful. Bravo, Dan! The historical subject suits you well. However, the reader mustn't forget that Dan is basing his novel on a fiction, not on true facts. You still enjoy it, it's really masterfully written, but there is some literature I'd advise the reader to read simultaneously with A&D to obtain some transparency: you may like "History: Fiction or Science?" by Fomenko, a follower of great Isaac Newton, who proves the history of humankind to be falsified... In spite of the fact that Dan Brown bases his story on LIES, this is a book I really DO recommend. It's a thrilling fun to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Great! Could not put it down!
Review: Wow. That was all I could say about this novel. I orginally had planned to read The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown; unexpectedly I found this book, and came to realize that it was the predecessor to The Da Vinci Code.
I instantly sat down and dove into this book and simply could not put it down! The further I read in this novel, the more captivated by it I became. Dan Brown manages to create twists at almost every point. Though some parts of the novel slightly confusing, overall the novel was well written, and clear. I would suggest this to anyone who likes mysteries linked with accurate historical information.
Rating:
Summary: Twice that of the Da Vinci Code
Review: "The Da Vinci Code" was VERY good, but seems boring compared to "Angels and Demons." I was skeptical of Dan Brown as a writer after reading "Digital Fortress" which seemed simplistic by comparison prior to reading "Angels and Demons." "Angels and Demons" however, solidifies Dan Brown's place as a strong up and comer in New Fiction. Great plot about a made up conspiracy to overthrow the Catholic Church that brilliantly blurs the lines between religion and science. All the classic elements of a great story are rolled up into a neat pile-driving plot that doesn't let up until the very end. Different than DVC, this time Dan Brown gets the reader with a stellar climax about that involves on of the main characters in the book! Hats off, stellar effort, stellar achievement!
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat enjoyable, but superficial and racist
Review: I agree with most of the reviewers that this book is quick and often enjoyable read. It's not often that you come across a book that is bold enough to include informations on Renaissance art, history of the papacy and quantum physics. It was fun following the protagonist, Robert Langdon, around while he painstakingly sifted through clues to track down a deadly killer. That being said, I have to say Mr. Brown's books are a one-trick pony. I have previously read his "Digital Fortress". which has an interesting setup and plenty of plot twists. Two pages into "Angels and Demons", I already saw the same type of protoganist from "Digital Fortress". Even their physiques and ways of griping were almost identical! The interactions between characters were more for the sake of the plot than for genuine emotional or intellectual exchange. When Mr. Brown wanted to hammer in a point about science, religion or philosophy, he will have one of the characters fall into a multi-page solilooquy, regardless of whether it was an appropriate time or place for lengthy pondering (such as, only forty minutes before the megabomb explodes). In addition, I was disturbed by the two-dimensional stereotypes in which he casted his characters: the heartless and tunnel-visioned academic, the clueless clerics, the sadistic, misogynistic and racist villain whose personality and ethnic background could have been lifted straight up from a racial profiling program of the present government. Also the supposed romance of Vittoria and Robert was developed in a little less than 24 hours. By the end of the day, they were already ready to jump into bed together, despite the fact that one of them had gone through an extreme tragedy the day before and both of them had barely survived from murder attempts. Are these the same highly educated, extremely intelligent and sensible characters that we saw in the book? Writing in such shallow characters not only cheapens the novel, but also insults the intelligence of the reader (more on that later). I won't repeat other errors in the book which have been identified by other reviewers, but I want to talk about Mr. Brown's view on some of the art pieces in the book. He repeatedly called "The Ecstacy of St. Teresa" by Bernini as pornograph, which is both blase and untrue. This sculpture has been long considered one of the best and most beautiful works of the Baroque period. Containing erotic undertone, yes. Religious ecstacy, yes. But pornograph?? If somebody has to explain to him the difference between pornograph and something slightly erotic (not even really qualifying for erotica), Mr. Brown either is deliberately intending to insult, or does not know enough about art to talk about it. All in all, I would recommend that you borrow the book or buy the paperback. Hardback is definitely not worth it.
Rating:
Summary: A Riveting Suspense Thriller
Review: Angles and Demons is one of the most breathless novels I have ever read. The author, Dan Brown keeps the reader glued to the book all the way to the end with its fast-paced religion, romance, science, murder, art and action packed plot. Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to a Swiss Research Facility lab to analyze a cryptic symbol burned into the chest of physicist Leonardo Vetra. Together, Langdon and Vetra's daughter Vittoria Vetra set out to save the city of Rome from the newest most powerful weapon of mass destruction ever created. From the symbol seared into the chest of the murdered physicist, Langdon discovers an unthinkable vendetta against the Catholic Church by a centuries old underground cult- The Illuminati. Langdon and Vittoria would have never thought they would be on the trail of a cold-blooded killer through sealed crypts, ancient cathedrals, and the secretive Illuminati lair.
Rating:
Summary: a ripping yarn
Review: This is a great page turner but do not expect great literature. The plot involves an ancient cult, a futuristic science research center and the rituals of the Vatican. There is even a little romance thrown in, but it is very restrained (no bodice ripping here). Suspend your disbelief and you will enjoy this tale in short order. Perfect summer reading. I will probably read the Da Vinci Code based on this showing.
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