Is it bad that I remember liking this book better than the Davinci Code? Maybe it's because this one dealt with the whole Church thing a little more exclusively, or because I didn't feel so much pressure to like it as Davinci Code? Anyhoos, if you haven't read it yet, it's an OUTSTANDING summer read! ( )

A thriller which uses a wealth of information about the Vatican and its art treasures asthe backdrop to a suspense novel about a plot to influence the course of Christianity. The novel portrays an American art historian who is called upon to assist in an investigation of the death of a gifted physicist at CERN which leads to a plot to blow up the Vatican with anti-matter. While the anti-matter plot and the stereotyping of the dead physicist's daughter in a rather typical detective novel sexual role, are somewhat hard to take, the novel itself moves along fairly quickly and the art history and other information about the conduct of life and death in the Vatican city are fascinating. This may not be quite as interesting as the Da Vinci Code but it is a close second. ( )

This novel is a compelling good read in and of itself (I would give the novel 3.5 stars for itself); however, I LOVE the special illustrated edition, which enhanced the pleasure of the novel far beyond its own intrinsic value. It is extremely pleasing to be able to see the art and architecture referenced in the story. It makes this book fascinating and earns an overall 5 stars from me. ( )

Well, my hopes were high after The Da Vinci Code. I read that one in a day and couldn't put it down. Sadly, Angels and Demons didn't QUITE live up to expectations in terms of quick reading or 'not-being-able-to-put-it-down-ness' (there's probably an excellent word I'm missing in my search for appropriate terminology but it's a very humid day and my brain's gone a bit sloshy).

There was definitely more science and terminology to get your head round this time - whereas the religious references in The Da Vinci Code were recognisable to most people, Christian or otherwise - but that done, it took off at a good pace. A horrific murder has taken place, with a top scientist being killed and branded with the word 'Illuminati'. For Robert Langdon, a symbologist called to the scene by the head of the scientific institution in which Leonardo Vetra lived, it is a word that rings with panic and deep meaning. The Illuminati were an enlightened group of scientists meeting to discuss their work away from religious persecution, but forced underground they mixed with less desirable groups, spread in influence and became a name to inspire fear.

Now Langdon, with Vetra's beautiful daughter Vittoria, are in a race against time to solve the riddle of the Path of Enlightenment to stop four murders being plotted by a dark stranger, and to save Vatican City and the cardinals who have gathered there from a bomb of horrific power which has been hidden somewhere within its walls.

Throughout most of the mystery, Angels and Demons lived up to its promise. There were some suitably gruesome bits, plenty of artistic clues and religious intrigue, and a sense of menace that was quite satisfying. But towards the end Brown outdoes himself with a few TOO many twists and turns, each added onto the end of the one before, so that by the end I'd had enough and just wanted it to finish. The twists were exciting in themselves, but it was too much and ruined the novel a bit for me. Brown could have cut out a fair few pages there and finished with a taut finale instead of tapering back down to a bland ending...

I don't know if I'd read this one again - I'm sure I will be rereading The Da Vinci Code sometime soon - but I'll keep hold of it for now and will definitely not let the soggy finish put me off reading the other two Brown novels! ( )

It took my fiancee two weeks to read this book. And he hasn't read anything all the way through since he was in the second grade. I highly enjoyed this one, much more than the Da Vinci Code. I felt like that one should have come first followed by this one. I mean I understand Jesus' bloodline trumps the Pope, but the action was still better. The action went all over the place and kept me guessing and even as horrified as I got over the course of the action, it was worth it. ( )