Rating:  Summary: Not a good book Review: Like most people, I read "The DaVinci Code," and was entertained. I then read "Angels and Demons" expecting to be entertained again. I was not. The best word to describe this book is "dumb." The story is predictable, and is so absurd that one must rethink the definition of fiction. Read "The DaVinci Code," and stop there. I can not recommend this book to anyone.
Rating:  Summary: A real page turner, but ultimately flawed Review: This book kept me turning the pages until I was done, but I was ultimately very disappointed. Rule 1 of any techno thriller is to get MOST of the facts right, but when one of the key plot points is also a plot hole of epic proportions, it can't help but ruin the book. I won't spoil the plot, but let me say this; if you are looking at a live wireless video feed of a bomb, and the camera you are viewing the bomb through is a part of a network of security cameras in your own installation, and the bomb is located inside your security perimeter, and you can't find the location of the camera, then you are either extremely stupid, or the author of this book. It makes one wonder how such a glaring mistake can make it past the editor's desk. If you can see the video feed, then you can certainly find the camera, especially if it's right under your nose. While Mr. Brown knows something of anti-matter and religious symbology, he seems to lack any knowledge of radio waves.Having said that, the book is an interesting prelude to Dan Brown's popular follow up, 'The Da Vinci Code'. In fact, the novel reads like a rough draft of that novel. Same puzzles, same riddles, and the same mistakes by the Dr. Langdon character in his search of the final solution to a complex tale. Well researched and fast paced, but not a very satisfying read.
Rating:  Summary: Insultingly written Review: The first page of the book starts with the word FACT, and then goes on to discuss antimatter. There are at least a half dozen errors on that page. This sets the tone for the book. Dan Brown's blatant disregard for accuracy is an insult to the reader's intelligence. If you're going to write a techno-thriller, then you have to get the technology right. There may be a good story buried in there somewhere, but if you know any physics what so ever you'll be so distracted by the glaring errors Brown continuously makes that you'll never notice it.
Rating:  Summary: Good until the 3rd act Review: The first 2 third of this book is one of the most enjoyable times I've ever had reading a modern thriller. Mentally stimulating and interesting, likeable characters. But then the book devolves into a series of highly unrealistic action set-pieces that add layers of ridiculousness onto a story that had an unbelievable premise to begin with. I recommend it, it's still better than most thrillers, but it became both predictable and silly near the end.
Rating:  Summary: AMAZING Review: THIS BOOK WAS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT DOWN!
Rating:  Summary: A fantastic read Review: This is the first Dan Brown book that I have read after seeing its title on the bus. Dan Brown is totally effective in bringing fact, science, and history to a reader within an exciting plot. The characters, their roles and personalities are beautifully created to explain difficult concepts in a laymans terms and in the context in which they could be used outside of the academic world. Through Robert Langdon's adventure, we go deep into the Vatican, discover an ancient secret society "The Illuminati" (it prompted me to have a search on the internet!!), travel Rome, enlightened me with developments of Science and the subsequent issues that arise. I personally like books which slightly blur fact and fiction and this book did very well in achieving this. Dan Brown satisfied my own personal interest in science, beliefs and ethics and brings forward not only the questions we find ourselves asking in our own lives, but also the several answers that that accompany each question on religion, beliefs, ethics, sciences and morality. However, although the book starts factually and objectively and, for myself, although the plot developed brilliantly, I found that the facts and the situations created were not as strong as the beginning, reducing my engagement with the fact that I "could" be possibly reading a book that wasn't fiction.... I highly recommend reading it - incredibly informative, with an exciting plot. Even if you aren't interested in learning anything, but just like a damn good read ... I'm sure this will not disappoint. I'm now off to purchase and read the next Dan Brown book.
Rating:  Summary: Closer to my science fiction lovin' heart Review: This book by Dan Brown is much better, in my opinon, as it is closer to the kind of science fiction books that have always kept me amazed and satisfied, such as "Foundation", "Stranger in a Strange Land", "Puppet Masters", "Childhood's End", "Neuromancer", "Cryptonomicon", "Darkeye: Cyber Hunter", for example. Very good. I recommend it.
Rating:  Summary: Couldn't Put It Down! Review: I rarely read novels because I lose interest in slow development or obvious plots. This book is an exception. I found the topic of this book fascinating and the twists and turns of the dynamic writing kept me up late at night reading long after I should have gone to sleep. This book is definltely a MUST READ. Warning: Don't start this book when you need to go to sleep or go somewhere important because you won't want to put it down.
Rating:  Summary: Wake up into adventure! Review: This is the first book I have had the pleasure of reading from Mr. Dan Brown. I plan to make it the first of many. The factual details he throws in could've turned the book into a dreary textbook in the hands of some authors. But in the hands of Mr. Brown, all the tantalizing information serves to not only entrance the reader, but to pull one so deeply into the story that many times I felt I was by the side of the characters experiencing each event as it occurred and as intent as they to find answer upon answer which unraveled the intricate web Mr. Brown wove with amazing alacrity.
Rating:  Summary: Better Than "The Da Vinci Code" Review: Great fast paced page turner that will keep you reading until the suprising end. If you liked "The Da Vinci Code," you will love "Angels and Demons!"
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