Rating: 
Summary: Quicky Read
Review: I read The Da Vinci Code before reading this, which is good because if I had read this first, I would not have been as eager to read TDVC. TDVC was a better attempt at the plot and storyline. Angels and Demons kind of fizzles out towards the end. It seemed that it took almost 150 pages to end the final 2 hours of the story. The ending is what did it for me. Very disappointing and it becomes obvious that the author was having a hard time ending it and finding a place to stop. TDVC is much better and that is why I think I didn't like this story as much, so I gave it 4 stars. It was entertaining, but disappointing. Had I not read TDVC first, I may feel differently.
Rating: 
Summary: blech
Review: So much has been said about Dan Brown's books it seems futile to contribute but for this one I had to: IT AIN'T WORTH IT. I bought this at the airport thinking that, like Da Vinci Code, it would be good company on the plane. My money would have been spent more wisely on Jackie Collins. Even the moderately entertaining scavenger hunt through Rome doesn't compensate for the heavy-handed and boring dogma, the unidimensional characters and overblown sentimentality (that's right, I said Jackie would have been better). The writing lacks whatever charm and big screen drama The Da Vinci Code possesses.
Rating:
Summary: Quick and interesting
Review: A&D is a quick read that grabs you at the beginning and largely holds on for almost 600 pages. For all the pseudo-intellectuals posturing that the book is rife with mistakes - get over it, its fiction (and what are you doing reading best sellers anyway - isn't there some dusty text book in need of your attention?)Yes the plot is over the top. Yes the events could not happen in the allotted time. Yes there are predictable elements. And yes there are probably even mistakes (although I wasn't as aghast about the misuse of a latin word as others). All in all, its still pretty fun and compelling and I'll even admit to having learned a couple of things. I rate as 4 stars b/c I still think the DVC is better. But I'd gladly read this over most other works of fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Silly but highly entertaining
Review: This is ingenious marketing by the publisher of the phenomenally successful THE DAVINCI CODE. Simon and Schuster decided to re-release all of Dan Brown's previous novels in both paperback and hardcover. ANGEL AND DEMONS, the book that introduced Robert Langdon, Harvard symbologist and hero of DAVINCI, has hit the upper reaches of the New York Times Bestseller List in both hardback and paperback at the same time. The public obviously hungers for more of this character and the intricate religion based thrillers.
At CERN, a Swiss research lab, a scientist is found dead with the word 'illuminati' branded on his chest. This refers to an ancient and secret scientific organization banned by the Catholic Church. Missing from the lab is a small amount of newly discovered antimatter. Enough, however, to destroy a small city. Robert Langdon is brought in to help investigate because he is a world expert on the Illuminati. With the help of Vittoria Vetra, daughter of the deceased scientist, Langdon investigates the murder. Their paths take them directly to Vatican City where the Illuminati threaten to kill five cardinals just as a pope is being elected. After killing the cardinals, The Illuminati will unleash the antimatter inside the Vatican thereby destroying the center of the Catholic faith. Can they be stopped?
ANGELS AND DEMONS is a fun and furiously fast read. The elements that proved so successful in THE DAVINCI CODE are all present in this earlier work. THE DAVINCI CODE's success is probably rooted in the hidden aspects of the life of Jesus. After all, the recent movie, THE PASSION, proves unequivocally that Jesus sells. ANGELS AND DEMONS does not have quite the same powerful premise. In this book we deal with the dichotomy of science vs. Religion in explaining the origins of the universe. A character in this book sets out a logical and provocative argument that both science and religion can exist side by side. As in DAVINCI, the pacing is relentless almost from page one. Villains are larger than life as are the heroes that must save mankind reminiscent of any good thriller. However, the action and the logic that propel the action are so farfetched that the book is downright silly but also highly entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Similar fast-paced plot as Davinci Code: a quick, light read
Review: As you may have seen with previous reviews, the plot leaves something to be desired. However, if you can look past some of the more untenable issues in the book (I will let you determine what those are), the book has a very quick, action-packed story line. As a matter of fact, it all takes place within the span of a day! Many of the characters lacked the proper background to make them more realistic/believable. Yet despite these problems, I enjoyed reading the book. Hopefully Brown can come up with a new formula for his next book, because I think the religious conspiracy issue has been done for now...
Rating:
Summary: Darned Good
Review: I loved the read! The characters were real, the dialog believable, and the story kept me up several nights. I'd recommend it highly! Raymond Austin
Television director of The Saint, The Avengers, Hawaii Five-O, Hart to Hart, Vegas, Quincy, Magnum, P.I., AirWolf, Spencer: For Hire, JAG and many others. And the author of, "The Eagle Heist" and "Dead Again" from the Beauford Sloan Mystery series.
Rating:
Summary: Just as good as THE DA VINCI CODE, but no better
Review: This one gets four stars as well and, I suppose, is worth being a bestseller, but isn't it about time people turned away from Dan Brown and looked at other truly worth authors and books? Especially science fiction and fantasy books like: THE LORD OF THE RINGS, ERAGON, THE TIME-TRAVELER'S WIFE, RINGWORLD, FOUNDATION, I,ROBOT, CHILDHOOD'S END, PUPPET MASTERS, RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA, NEUROMANCER, CRYPTONOMICON, SNOW CRASH, DARKEYE: CYBER HUNTER, and so forth.
Rating:
Summary: What a waste of time!
Review: Unfortunately this book is only being sold due to the success of The Davinci Code. Dan Brown was obviously still working on his "craft" when he was writing the book. It was far-fetched, ludicris,boring and so not the page turner. I got to the last 25 pages and really didn't care anything about the characters,so rather then waste any more of my precious hours on this earth, I chucked the book in the bin. Four of my fellow co-workers finished the book, told me the ending and ALL expressed disappointment. Many comments were down right vicious in their loathing. PLEASE, do not spend your money and especially not your lifes remaining heartbeats on this book. It really is that bad.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely riveting!
Review: One of the most fun & exciting books I have read in years. There are plenty of literary elitists that are obviously taking great pleasure in pooh-poohing this book from the standpoint of a few slightly inaccurate details (which I'm not sure are even inaccurate) & Brown's short chapter-high drama writing style, and to them I say LIGHTEN UP! This book is a great read, I tore through its nearly 600 pages in 2 days on vacation, & I never read books that quickly. It is action-packed, with no time for idle breaks as all the action takes place in about a 12-hour period. And the subject matter is interesting as hell, & I am neither Catholic nor a science buff. The plot has tons of great twists, & most of them ARE NOT predictable, despite the ravings of some other reviewers. I can't wait to read The Da Vinci Code now, especially since a lot of reviewers are saying it's very similar to A&D. If you want an exciting, enjoyable reading experience, just ignore the snobs & READ THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: Good thriller....but not the Da Vinci Code
Review: True, the character development is weak, and, true, the author either makes mistakes with or takes liberties with some of the historical references. Also, this book is short on the interesting, even if arguable, historic tidbits that made the Da Vinci code so intriguing. Finally, the helicopter sequence at the end was way too far over the top for my taste. Despite these significant flaws, I gave it five stars simply because I could not put it down.
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