Couldn't stop reading even if my eyes hurt
Written: Sep 29 '06 (Updated Sep 29 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Page turner, cheap to buy
Cons: Similar story line as The Da vinci Code
The Bottom Line: Hard to put down, makes you wonder what is true and fiction in the book
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| lavenderfruit's Full Review: Dan Brown - Angels & Demons Books |
The Specs
* Paperback edition came out in April 2006, hardcover in 2000
* 713 pages in paperback (this review is the paperback version)
* Approximately $8 CDN plus tax on sale; regular price $12.99 CDN, $9.99 US
About the Book
I don’t want to give away the details of what actually takes place in this book. In fact, I’ve decided that it’s best to reveal only the bare minimum. My reason being, this book is a page turner. If it weren’t, then I don’t think I would have read it past chapter one. So what I can say about the book is the following:
Robert Langdon, the same main character who was featured in The Da Vinci Code is again the main character in this book. (if I’m not mistaken, this book was written prior to The Da Vinci Code) In fact, not only is the main character the same, the way in which the story develops and ends is pretty much the same as in The Da Vinci Code. For those of you who have never read The Da Vinci Code, basically, the entire story takes place in a matter of a day, during which the main character (male) and another main character (female) are caught up in a suspense where they must continually solve a riddle in order to save the day. In this book, the main characters try to find the whereabouts of a deadly substance known as antimatter, and disable it before it detonates. Their search takes them to Rome, where they frantically look for clues in cathedrals, lost chambers, and secret towers to bring them closer to the exact location of the bomb. Since time is of essence, the events that take place are fast paced and dramatic. Although I was rather put off by the similar story line as The Da Vinci Code, I found myself riveted by the events that took place, so much so that the only time I would stop to read was when my eyes could no longer take the pain from reading too long.
Another similarity between The Da Vinci Code and this book is the way in which the “bad” guy is revealed. Up until the middle of the book, there is one character that seems sinister and you think he’s the bad one. Wrong! The story then takes a turn and highlights another character who makes you think he’s the guy. Wrong again! Most of the thrill takes place towards the last 25% of the book. Before the bad guy is finally revealed, there are a number of twists. Then finally you find out who was behind all the mayhem and it’s the person who you least suspected. Because the book is rather long, I often cheated by trying to find out who the bad guy was. But I was never able to find the page where the real bad guy was revealed. So I became even more driven to get to the finish line as quickly as possible.
As for the subject matter that is featured in this book as well as The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown focuses on the Catholic Church. Unlike The Da Vinci Code, this book is not so heavily laden with historical facts. Rather, I get the sense that it’s almost like a pre-trial, if you will, of what’s to come in The Da Vinci Code. But, like The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons also has a page at the beginning of the book under the heading: “FACT.” In Angels & Demons, what is factual is the particles of antimatter that was recently produced by the world’s largest scientific research facility known as: Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire (CERN). Apparently, antimatter is the most powerful energy source out there right now. It produces no pollution or radiation, and a tiny drop could power New York City for a full day. Although it could be our next source of energy, it’s highly volatile and unstable, igniting when it comes in contact with anything. Now, reading something like this at the very start of a book is in itself a definite attention grabber.
Final note
Although the book is classified as fiction, I couldn’t help but think if all that was said about the Catholic Church were true. Dan brown seems to have access to knowledge about the Church that appears to be considered as secret knowledge, or are they? I enjoyed the book for its page turning drama, but I also found myself filled with curiosity about the Catholic Church. For example, whether it is true that a secret passageway really exists between St. Peter’s Basilica and the outside world. The Da Vinci Code mentioned specific titles of books that readers can refer to in verifying what is being said in the book. In Angles & Demons, there weren’t any books being mentioned as reference. The only thing that was provided was the map of modern Rome and the Vatican City at the beginning of the book.
For the drama alone, this book is worth is well worth the read.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
lavenderfruit
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Location: Canada
Reviews written: 38
Trusted by: 9 members
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