Angels & Demons (Angels and Demons - Dan Brown)

Member Name: dizzysummer03

Product:	Angels and Demons - Dan Brown
Date:	02/11/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast paced story, great plot with loads of twists

Disadvantages: Nothing really!

Despite all the hype surrounding the Da Vinci Code, I have to admit that I was very disappointed when I came to read it myself. I though it was okay, but I had exepcted much much more! I dutifully read Digital Fortress and again I wasn't overly impressed with that either, it was ok but not outstanding.

I had thought I'd read Angels & Demons months ago, and it was only when I was talking to my sister and her boyfriend I realised that I actually hadn't read it at all. So, when I noticed it in my local library this weekend I decided to give it a try.

The basic plot runs like this: Well-known American cryptologist Robert Langdon is contacted by the director of the CERN after he discovers one of his most respected scientists dead in his laboratory, branded with the symbol of a feared Ancient Satanic cult long believed to have been extinct - the Illuminati. The Illuminati had one aim - to destroy the Catholic Church.

When it is discovered that the dead scientist had created antimatter and that a canister of the antimatter containing enough to destroy a city has been stolen the men, along with the dead scientists daughter Vittoria are horified.

Then the canister turns up hidden somewhere in the Vatican on the same day that the Cardinals will elect the new pope. Langdon and Vittoria face a race against time as they try to locate the canister before explodes and to try and save the lives of the four most senior Cardinals who have been kidnapped by the Illuminati who want to kill each of them.

Well, based on my previous experiences of Dan Brown I had very low expectation of this book, but I was completely surprised. To me, this was a much, much better book, the plot the characterisation, the writing style were all really really good!

The plot really did keep me guessing untill the very last moment, and there was the odd fleeting moment of humour in an otherwise very dark book. I really did enjoy reading the book and was quite disappointed when it finished! It was very cleverly written and everytime you thought you had the plot sussed out there was another twist, the author very cleverly leads you right into the trap of believing that a certain person is the 'bad guy' and then you have the twist where it wasn't them at all, but I won't sat any more as I don't wasnt to spoil it if you've not read it!

The characters were very likeable, but because of the very fast pace of the novel you didn't get to know them very deeply, but I think that was the intention of the plot, afterall you can't have a superfast paced plot if you're sepnding too much time delving into the thoughts of the characters. We were shown some of the thoughts of the characters, and I didn't feel that the book lacked anything because of this, it worked well!

All in all, I'm really surprised and really impressed by this novel, it was a very enjoyable read, although really quite gruesome in places, so it may not be a book for everybody, however I would definitely recommend it, it's even pursuaded me to think about buying The Lost Symbol!

Summary: A surprisingly good book which I would recommend!