Angels and Demons

[Fringified]

This book was very good. No, it wasn't brilliant, but it proves that Dan Brown is an excellent writer who many others can learn from. Let's start with the plot.

(1) Robert Langdon is a symbology professor at Harvard University. One morning, he is called in to investigate a mysterious death - a scientist that has been brutally murdered, and his chest then branded with the word "Illuminati." Langdon is shocked, as the word is an ambigram (it reads the same word upside down), and when this symbol reappeared, it meant the Illuminati were plotting their final attack in their ancient vendetta against the Vatican.

Langdon is led to Vatican City, where it is discovered that four cardinals have been kidnapped, just hours before the holy conclave starts (the pope died 15 days before). But in addition to that, a small orb of antimatter has been planted somewhere in the city, set to detonate at midnight. The killer phones the Vatican, and informs them that one of the four cardinals were be murdered every hour leading up to midnight. This sets the stage for an epic race through Vatican City, as Langdon hunts down an ancient trail, desparate to rescue Vatican City from a terrible doom.


The book is considerably long (the edition I read was a little over 550 pages), and yet it never lags. Brown has an excellent way to keep the pacing in perfect moderation, from the beginning to the end. In addition, the mystery and revelations of the book were nailbiting. Although I had seen the movie previous to reading the book, the book was still an amazing experience that had me surprised at every twist and turn (perhaps because the movie sucked at inheriting the full awesomeness and detail of the book).

I especially liked the conflict between science and religion, which took center-stage. The perspective of the Church was very intriguing and Camerlengo Vetresca was one of my favorite characters, especially for his epic speech he gave to College of Cardinals (and the world), which you find in the Quotes thread in the Community Discussion Area.

In addition, I don't understand what all the controversy of this book is about. The book actually does not claim that the Illuminati are still alive. The book practically states that yes, God does indeed exist. The only spicy part was that the pope fathered a son with a nun, and that the Camerlengo was behind the scheme so he can unite the Catholic world.

But anyways, great read! I totally recommend it to anyone who's in search of an interesting thriller/mystery, with thrown-in romance and comedy!

[tv_maniac]

Damn you Fringified! It's trying to nudge it's way to the top of my to-read list
I love the idea of a science-religion conflict so that's enough to make me want to read it in the first place. Dan Brown being the author is a very big bonus