Rating:  Summary: Promises much: delivers a mumbo-jumbo paper-chase Review: When I put down this book, just two hours ago, the word "shallow" was uppermost in my mind. It's little more than a pseudo-mystical paper-chase around Rome in pursuit of Illuminati (them again!) secrets to stave off a cataclysm in the heart of the Vatican. With the ingredients used in this book an exciting Vatican mystery-thriller could have been created, but the author isn't up to it. Contrary to what some reviewers believe, Dan Brown's potted guide to Rome is generally unreliable, including well-known sites (such as St Peter's reputed tomb and the Vatican necropolis, which, incidentally, he portrays as far, far below the surface of St Peter's basilica when in fact the whole area is a mere 6-12 metres underneath the basilica floor) presented in the narrative as special insider knowledge. The outright errors, particularly geographical and ecclesiastical, are numerous. But, overall, the worst aspect of this novel is that it comes across as painting by numbers. A contrived, passionless exercise.
Rating:  Summary: Angels 0, Demons 0, Readers 5. Review: This is a fascinating book that melds religion, esotericism, crime, passion, art and culture, in a package that gets more interesting as you turn from page to page. Brown's knowledge of the Illuminati, the Catholic Church, the scientific world, and the world of science is unique. His juxtapositioning of themes and places is superb. His melding of romance and intrigue outstanding. Finally, his descriptions of Rome appear to be spot on -- bringing to life on paper one of the world's most fascinating cities. I would love to see hom write a screenplay, to bring characters, events, and settings to even more life than he has with this book -- if that is possible. Readers, 5 !
Rating:  Summary: TEN STARS ! Review: I inhaled it in two days and when I was done, I was stunned and out of breath. I put the book down, waited ten minutes and I felt lost without it. Never has a book been this satisfying a read for me. Hi-tec science, incredible history, great charactors, roller-coaster tension and pacing, and the perfect setting for this fast-paced thriller.It slams and rocks right up to the last wonderful page. Buy it, you'll love it!
Rating:  Summary: Bleat - unmitigated bleat Review: The book starts out bad and then proceeds to worse. Every bad thriller idea extant is packed into this book . Brief example, if you cannot spot the "Evil Genius" the instant he appears, you should turn in your U.N.C.L.E. communicator. And, of course, the "Hashassin" from Syria must be part of the "centuries -old" plot. I could go on, but I feel ill. The story is full of supposedly intelligent people acting painfully stupid, and being shocked by the obvious. I could not finish the book, it was that bad. The author and publisher should be arraigned for arboricide. Please, if you wish to read an intelligent thriller, read Alan Furst, Len Deighton, Arturo Perez-Reverte, or John LeCarre, do not waste your money on this.
Rating:  Summary: Angels and Demons Review: Angels and Demons caught my eye in a bookstore so I decided to try it. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly I was able to "get into" the book. Being raised in the Catholic Church made this story even more believable with the politics that are prevalent in any organization. The best part of the novel is the completely unexpected ending. I found myself staying up way past my bedtime becuse I couldn't put the book down! Give this one a try, Catholic or not.
Rating:  Summary: So awful it's painful Review: More konspirata drivel. The opposition runs around in sweatshirts that are emblazoned with "BAD GUY" in large red letters; the hero is actually stupider than a box of rocks, despite his academic qualifications; the Swiss Guard is once again reduced to a group of bumbling idiots; everyone dashes around being shocked by the obvious; etc. etc. It is almost as though Brown tried to cram every possible thriller cliché into 569 pages. If there had even been a leavening of wit, this would have been the comedy thriller of the year: The Pink Panther meets James Bond. As it is, alas, deadly, dully, heavily serious, there is no redeeming social virtue what so ever. Virtually the only use for this thing is as a doorstop or paperweight, please do not waste your money on it.
Rating:  Summary: The Ultimate Conspiarcy Book Review: I had just recently heard about the Illuminati in a computer game that I've played, and I had become really interested in it ever since. I had searched around for something, a book at least, which pertained to that secret society, and nothing caught my eye like Angels and Demons did. By writing this book, Dan Brown has proved to the world that he is a genious. With such knowledge about everything that he covers in his book (from ambigrams, to anitmatter, to the Illuminati), it really makes you wonder whether Mr. Brown is an Illuminatus. :)
Rating:  Summary: A Compelling Read-I Couldn't Put It Down Review: I read a tremendous amount of action/adventure/thriller type fiction, and this book is one of the best I've read recently. It was very hard to put down.
Rating:  Summary: Great Book That Will Never Rest Review: This was a non-stop action pacted book. The book has a twisting effect on your brain. You want to keep reading even though you know your going to be late for something if you do. This book shows the reader what Dan Brown wanted you to visually see. Even the Vatican one of the most gaurded places on the planet is not immune to corruption.This is a real good book for those people who are religiously affilated with a church but are very interested in science. This book pushed that both were really going for the same goal.
Rating:  Summary: Gratuitous Plot Twists Review: I don't really like what's at the heart of this book--and the problems go deeper than just surface-level stuff--but it was so compelling that I couldn't put it down. It's not that hard to basically figure out what's going on, but the last 50 pages or so are practically non-stop plot twists, not all of which are properly foreshadowed, leaving credulity stretched beyond the breaking point. Think Clive Cussler meets Morris West. And for me, that's where the trouble begins. It's almost as if Dan Brown can't decide whether to write a pure action/adventure yarn or a story with more substance, one that seriously discusses both contemporary and age-old issues. It works at the Dirk Pitt level, but not the Shoes of the Fisherman level. And I get the feeling that the author REALLY wants to be regarded as a Serious Writer. One does have to hand it to Brown as he brilliantly evokes the ins and outs of Roman art, architecture, and archeology, as well as Vatican politics, wrapping it all around a downright swashbuckling tale. But when he tries to address the larger questions, such as the relationship between science and religion, questions about philosophical theology, intellectual history, or Catholic doctrine, he badly stumbles. Since these questions largely fuel the plot engine, to miss here vitiates the impact of the story, at least for me. Hence, only three stars--despite the acknowledged brillance of the plotting--and a generous three stars, at that.
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