Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating
Review: This review I wrote partly to trump those who felt the book was poor because it took on too much of an adventure movie feel. This book is fascinating and for those that don't know the alternate story of the holy grail (not the one of the chalice made famous in Indiana Jones) and for those who grew up learning from the Bible. Da Vinci Code does take on a Indiana Jones feel, but this only adds to the essence of the book. If you want straight facts about the Holy Grail, the Priory of Sion, the Knights Templar etc. then don't feel the need to read this book - I haven't read them on this particular subject but I am sure there are good reference materials at your local library. If you want to learn more about the subjects listed above and you want a thriller, than pick up the book.P.S. I thought this book was far more fascinating than Indiana Jones and Indiana Jones is one of my favorite movies. I have also been to Paris and think this book is a great read to learn more about the Louvre and surrounding museums and churches.
Rating: 
Summary: "DaVinci Myth" is more accurate
Review: This review will be unfortunately a bit longer than I want it to be, as I care to spend little time writing about a book I consider to be a second rate, cheap, dimestore thriller. I picked up this book to see what all the hoopla was about, but much to my disappointment, it was what I consider the "Big Mac" of books: tastes good, but no nutritional value. Da Vinci code is a formulaic franchise (yes, I deliberately use that word) that reads like a Spielberg movie. Dan Brown is a hybrid of all the other popular mainstream thriller authors out there that are currently making bazillions of dollars on the rights of their novels being sold for silver screen production. (I'm looking at you, Chrichton, and you, Grisham) But I believe Mr. Brown, has done himself a service in that he was able to save himself some extra cash when the inevitable transfer from book-to-movie comes around. He will not have to hire any scriptwriters, because the book already reads like a movie script. No changes necessary. For those of you who understand where I am coming from, yet steadfastly refuse to be deterred from reading the book, the only positive critique I can give is this; it *is* a page turner. But, then again, is that really a positive comment? If that were the case, Danielle Steel or Judith Kranz would be considered the literary geniuses of our time. Heck, for that matter, so would Penthouse Forum. Another element that strikes a discord with me is how good Mr. Brown is at in blending fact with fiction. I understand that common practice and Brown is certainly not the first to interweave these two elements to create a plausible synopsis, but the difference here is that it seems to be undermining people's faith in religion and that Christianity is one big conspiracy. I won't go into detail about the fabrications that Dan Brown has made in the book, lest I give the story away, but rest assured there are plenty of websites and articles out there that debunk the authors many presumptions. This is a work of fiction and people need to keep that in mind. In conclusion, the only conspiracy here is the marketing one.
Rating:
Summary: Such buildup I had to read, that will teach me.
Review: This seems to be the book of the year and shows no signs of slowing down. I was excited to read it, but that came to a grueling end as I trudged through Brown's "research." My college freshman English professor would of marked down my paper with such flimsy research. It took me all of two minutes to find on the internet that the sect Opus Dei does not even have monks. One of the main characters of the book could not even exist, so much for Dan's research. I also would question that five million women were killed as witches in the Middle Ages. My research could only find that maybe 15,000 died, while sad, not close to the 5,000,000 stated in the book. As for the story of Mary Magdalene and Jesus' marriage, that has been around for years and is nothing new, as most of the reading public seems to believe. And just because Dan says it is true does not make it true. I had such hopes for this book and was sorley disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: this book is a direct attack on the cathollic church
Review: This so called mystery is a thinnly disguised attack on the catholic church.By someone who is ignorant about history and the catholic church. I pray he sees the evil he has unleashed for he will pay for his umbelivable lies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Grail Quest Eventually Grates
Review: This story began with great promise. It appeared to be a non-stop type of novel. About midway, however, it became clear that the author had a personal agenda to pitch. When the plot ultimately degraded into a "car chase" I actually put it away for a month or so. I finally finished reading the book this morning, and the ending is clearly designed for a B-Rated Hollywood film (Hmmm, maybe Richard Gere could play the lead role.) This book went from great to a grating disappointment!
Rating:
Summary: Delivers
Review: This story delivers the promise of excitement from the first page. It's a can't put it downer in more ways than one. If you enjoy intellectual puzzles, you'll find this book right down your Rubic's cube. Few writers could write this book; it required a brilliant mind. Reading it, though, is easy. If it upsets the Christian mythologists, so be it. It's about time their brains got a jolt. However, in the final analysis, it's doubtful if they have been done any harm, despite all their screaming in the previous reviews. This is a fast paced story and you won't be able to quit reading once you start.
Rating:
Summary: Good story but it carries too much personal baggage
Review: This story has a great premise and is well written. Unfortunately the author uses the story as a vehicle for expressing strong anti-Christian views. While the story is fiction, its clear that the author's distaste for Christianity is very real.
Rating:
Summary: Stretched too far
Review: This story is beyond believable and not particularly well written. There are so many hints at things to come; the reader is left hanging just too many times. There are too many long explanations of historical events, theories, art. The main characters continue to be chased by the police, like some Hollywood concoction. All that is missing is a car chase. The storyline is so convoluted that I felt I could not take another twist or explanation. To be honest, I cannot finish the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Perfect beach Book
Review: This summer's hot bestseller is fast-paced, well-written and fun--just take it all with a grain of salt! Create a rather tweedy American professor, a gorgeous red-headed Italian detective and a bizarre murder, and you have the stuff of hundreds of mysteries--but toss in the current fad for art-related novels ("Girl with the Pearl Earring") and interest in the seamier side of Catholicism, and you have a winner! The "DaVinci Code" presents a timeless theme, the search for the Holy Grail, as a search to uncover the truth about the sacred feminine in Catholicism, which the male dominated establishment Church has supressed for centuries. Brown's introductory footnote regarding the truth of much of the material in the novel overstates his case--even the most cursory search on the internet suggests that the facts are highly disputed, Brown's interpretations of Leonardo's work hardly mainstream, and even the existence of a group like the Priory of Sion is a lot murkier than the novel suggests. Much has been written about factual inaccuracies in the book--"The Last Supper" is not a fresco for example, and the "Madonna of the Rocks" is painted on wood, not canvas. But never mind--it's a great read. The book will send you to the library to look at some of Leonardo's works again, and I'm sure there's already a big increase in tourists at Rosslyn Chapel in England and St. Sulpice in Paris, not to mention the Lourve. The action incredibly takes place all in 24 hours, and at the end all the villians but one get let off the hook in a rather simplistic conclusion, but don't let that spoil the fun. Brown has hit on a winning formula---one we're sure to see at the movies soon!
Rating:
Summary: An Edge of Your Seat Thriller
Review: This thriller starts off fast from the beginning and never slows. From the opening pages this suspense filled novel makes you grip your seat tensely awaiting the next encapsulating event. Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon has no idea what he has gotten himself into when he submits a rough copy of a book to his editor for review. The book, holding many links to ancient pagan religions and references catches the eye of one Jacques Sauniere, renowned for his position as curator of the Louvre museum in Paris. When Robert is aroused out of bed by the French police to investigate the murder of Jacques Sauniere, he ends up in a precarious situation. Wanted for a murder that he did not commit, Robert, with the help of French symbologist Sophie Neveu, eludes the French police while helping to discover a secret in danger of being lost forever. Taking many different perilous and deceiving paths and solving riddle after riddle throughout the book, this duo inches closer every moment to discovering something capable of changing history. This book keeps you guessing until the final pages, leaving you stunned with its amazing ideas and raw brilliance.
This book holds so much for every reader to be amazed by that it is hard to pick certain points that you liked about it. One of the best things about this novel is the ingenious riddles that fill the pages. The mind games located throughout The Da Vinci Code consume you and keep you guessing with every new puzzle. Also, suspense is present from the very first paragraphs, making the book that much more unbearable to put down. Geography buffs and people familiar with certain parts of England as well as France can get an extra dimension out to this book because of the real life places the story takes place in. It is hard to name all the pros regarding this novel, this is sure to be a classic in years to come.
Though The Da Vinci Code is seeping with good moments all the way through, it is not impervious to several minute flaws. One small problem with a character in this novel name Bezu Fache near the end of his role causes the reader to have to change their view of the person entirely. This sudden character change effects how you think of the start of the story and takes a slight edge, if possible, off of a part in the novel. Also, the description regarding another person's motions and positions towards the end of the novel lacks fluency. More detail is needed to totally convince the book's audience of several events that occur near the end of the book. With these two minor book foibles perfected, this novel would have been near perfect.
It is clear after reading The Da Vinci Code that this book should be broadly recommended everywhere. Though known as fiction, the story makes you think what the world would have been like if history had been recorded differently or through different opinions. With very few errors, it is hard to put down this novel in any way. You will be on the edge of your seat for the majority of the story and will be amazed by the riddles and supposed ancient secrets that you discover. In conclusion, this thrilling mystery is a must read for all, grasping the minds of thousands with its secrets, twists, and turns.
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