Suspenseful! Surprise ending!
Fantastic book. If you have not watched the movie, I suggest doing so before reading the book. They both have different endings, and I think if you see the movie first you will enjoy it, and then love the book even more after watching. If you read the book first, you will love it, but then be a bit disappointed when watching the movie, even knowing that they are limited in two hours on what they can do.
The first book by Dan Brown featuring the character of Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist. Like many, I read "The Da Vinci Code", this book's successor, before "Angels & Demons", but that in no way hampered my enjoyment of this fast-paced, suspenseful, and intriguing book. There are many, many similarities with "Angels & Demons" and "The Da Vinci Code", namely concerning plot order (both books start with a mysterious murder which catapults Robert into an adventure involving the Catholic Church), motivations (each book concerns an organization trying to do something against the Catholic Church's wishes and/or knowledge), and certain characters (Langdon, of course, along with a female intellectual sidekick, police officers and chiefs, and mysterious assassins). Don't be fooled, though, into thinking this is merely "The Da Vinci Code 2". This book is in some ways much more suspenseful and urgent in pace than "The Da Vinci Code", and is far less controversial through much of the text. The plot driver concerning the Illumaniti brotherhood and their supposed reemergence to once-and-for-all destroy the Church is very interesting. Readers will also find the same delightful tidbits of history, symbolism, art, and architecture as in "The Da Vinci Code". A highly recommended read!

Karan S. (
karankws) - Inman, SC wrote on 3/1/2009...
I liked this book a lot better than the DeVinci Code.
It has a lot more non stop action. Both books really made me think but I enjoyed this oen more. It seemed to be more rounded and did not go back and fourth between charectors as much.
There is nothing I like better than a book that lives up to hype and expectations. This was was definitely a page turner! The story is so well-written that in my rush to devour it and find out what happens next, I barely even noticed the few things that annoyed me (like when characters don't notice obvious clues) as I usually do while reading a book. A great read!
If you've ever been to Rome, you will love this book.

Katherine H. (
mylied) wrote on 12/11/2008...
I don't normally like mystery books, but this one is very captivating. I never knew exactly what was going to happen. I also like The Da Vinci Code by the same author.

Bob K. (
najzere) wrote on 5/22/2008...
Rating: 3/5
Yet another extremely dumb plot, peppered with interesting research into past and present to keep you interested. This time scientists have invented a new technology that can blow stuff up and everyone wants. There are lots of plot "twists" to throw you off the scent of who is behind this overarching conspiracy.
If you thought there were plot holes in The Da Vinci Code, wait until you see this one. The story also includes characters switching personalities without reason to facilitate new story developments. The rating would be much lower if it reflected the worth of the writing, but it is based on enjoyability. An easy read that makes you laugh (at its logic).

Lorna B. (
mom2shy) wrote on 3/26/2007...
My daughter LOVED this book!!
This was a fantastic read--you'll love it if you liked Da Vinci Code. It has the same flavour.