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Summary: Hypnerotomachia not Da Vinci, cha cha cha
Review: You CAN pronounce it--just give it a try. Hypnerotomachia is the ancient book that has a group of Princeton students intrigued, and for good reason. And while these brainy blokes are not as fleshed out as I would like, they move the story along nevertheless. What's remarkable to me is that some people prefer Da Vinci to this book. Fagettaboudit. The Rule of Four is MILES ahead of Code and better written. And this work really reminded me more of Raiders of the Lost Ark than Code--not in a car-chase sort of way, but in the "Oh, Look, I'm a student in school looking for adventure" kinda way. Caldwell and Thomason must have done something right with this book, because it kept me hooked for hours and not too many others do that. The pacing is first rate--both these guys reallly know how to tell a story and keep it moving. Another great book I've come across in the last month was The Bark of the Dogwood. It too has some anagrams and puzzles, but you'd never know it on the surface as the author doesn't make it as obvious as "Four" or "Code." Still, it's a good read. But before you do anything I suggest you delve into this current craze by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. This book is just really good fun. Enjoy!
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Summary: The Rule of Four
Review: An ivy league murder, a mysterious coded manuscript, and the secrets of a Renaissance prince collide memorably in THE RULE OF FOUR -- a brilliant work of fiction that weaves together suspense and scholarship, high art and unimaginable treachery. It's Easter at Princeton. Seniors are scrambling to finish their theses. And two students, Tom Sullivan and Paul Harris, are a hair's breadth from solving the mysteries of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili--a renowned text attributed to an Italian nobleman, a work that has baffled scholars since its publication in 1499. For Tom, their research has been a link to his family's past -- and an obstacle to the woman he loves. For Paul, it has become an obsession, the very reason for living. But as their deadline looms, research has stalled -- until a long-lost diary surfaces with a vital clue. And when a fellow researcher is murdered just hours later, Tom and Paul realize that they are not the first to glimpse the Hypnerotomachia 's secrets. Suddenly the stakes are raised, and as the two friends sift through the codes and riddles at the heart of the text, they are beginnning to see the manuscript in a new light--not simply as a story of faith, eroticism and pedantry, but as a bizarre, coded mathematical maze. And as they come closer and closer to deciphering the final puzzle of a book that has shattered careers, friendships and families, they know that their own lives are in mortal danger. Because at least one person has been killed for knowing too much. And they know even more. From the streets of fifteenth-century Rome to the rarified realm of the Ivy League, from a shocking 500 year-old murder scene to the drama of a young man's coming of age, THE RULE OF FOUR takes us on an entertaining, illuminating tour of history--as it builds to a pinnacle of nearly unbearable suspense.
Rating: 
Summary: Brainy Bildungsroman
Review: Good but rather uneven read. The first chapter, setting up the origin of the HYPNEROTOMACHIA hooked me, but then I found myself floundering, not caring much about our four seniors until the fanatic professors and Nerdy Bill complicate the story. The boys weren't shallow, exactly, but rather un-care-about-able, really. Then the unraveling of HYPNEROTOMACHIA's mysteries caught me up and I read the last 1/3 of the novel in one afternoon. It's lovely to delve into what has been a Renaissance conundrum, solve it, and have our young men evolve as they should. Here's hoping that Caldwell and Thomason give us more.
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Summary: Good God, It's Dull!
Review: Ugh, good God, this book is dull. My only thought while reading this book was, "Get to your point already!" The characters are cliches, shells of college stereotypes, and it takes much too long to get to the advertised storyline. I really do feel that this is a rip-off of Dan Brown's work, that the publisher is hoping readers will buy anything Renaissance, anything thriller, and anything with encrypted clues. This book, however, is just everything dull.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good a read as Davinci Code
Review: Interesting concept but the story telling aspect is not as mature as Davinci. Developing characters and explaining things by jumping back and forth in time just slows the book down. Also, there just isn't the punch to the story like DaVinci. It never really grabs you. Maybe because we have no idea of why the book they are researching has any significance.At least in DaVinci you start with a spectacular murder and the action starts immediately. By the time you get to the payoff in this book you've spent more time on character development and friendships than in wondering why I should care if they figure the book out. A good first effort but not a great read.
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Summary: Giving Da Vinci a run for its money
Review: Boy, this book has taken off! It was only a matter of time before something came along to knock "Code" off its high horse. And while I'm usually one for safe bestsellers (think "Life of Pi" or "Bark of the Dogwood") I decided to take a chance on this book long before everyone else did. Call it intuition. Call it a feeling. But for whatever reason I read it before it was high up on the list. Thank goodness others are finding out that this is one incredible read, full of puzzles and twits, just like "Da Vince" only better. I sincerely wish this book and its authors the best of luck--even though they don't appear to need it!
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Summary: Great read
Review: When I heard that this book was like the DiVinci Code by Dan Brown I was a little dissapionted but I figured I would go ahead and read it anyways. It is so much better than the DiVinci code. The plot is more deveolped and slightly more believable. The characters are well developed and I think It fear surpasses anyhting Dan Brown has done to date. It is a little hard to get into but once your in hold on tight. I if you loke this kind of story I would also check out Footprints of God by Greg Iles. A little different but well worth the read!!
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Summary: Not Quite "The DaVinci Code" But Still a Good Read
Review: I must admit, I picked up this book after hearing it be described as "this year's DaVinci Code" on the Today show. I know how excitedly I had read that book from cover to cover, in awe of Dan Brown's ability to weave fact and fiction.
While this book also combines code-breaking with mystery, murder, and romance, it just tries too hard. Some parts of the book are descriptive and perfect for a quotable quote, while others read like the dialogue from a high school play. The different types of writing jump from one to another, as does the pace of the book stumble from fast-paced to dull and slow.
I recommend reading the book; but don't expect it to hold a candle to last year's "must-read" book, or you will be disappointed.
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Summary: The Rule of Four is an excellent read!
Review: If you have just purchased a copy of The Rule of Four please make sure to clear your schedule because this book is difficult to put down.In this book, you will find the following: decent character development, an interesting plot and allusions to historical places, events and people from the Renaissance.If you have a love for mystery, history or if you are a romantic then this book will have much appeal for you.
Rating:
Summary: So much better
Review: I enjoyed this dazzling romp so much better than "Da Vinci." The writing was just superb, as was the plot. I'll admit that the idea of an Ivy League "thriller" turned me off a little, but after I was into the book, I was hooked. Thomason and Caldwell have done a remarkable job with the material presented. Also recommended: Bark of the Dogwood and The Seven habits of Highly Effective People
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