It takes guts to write a novel that combines an ancient secret brotherhood, the Swiss Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire, a papal conclave, mysterious ambigrams, a plot against the Vatican, a mad scientist in a wheelchair, particles of antimatter, jets that can travel 15,000 miles per hour, crafty assassins, a beautiful Italian physicist, and a Harvard professor of religious iconology. It takes talent to make that novel anything but ridiculous. Kudos to Dan Brown (Digital Fortress) for achieving the nearly impossible. Angels & Demons is a no-holds-barred, pull-out-all-the-stops, breathless tangle of a thriller--think Katherine Neville's The Eight (but cleverer) or Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum (but more accessible).

Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is shocked to find proof that the legendary secret society, the Illuminati--dedicated since the time of Galileo to promoting the interests of science and condemning the blind faith of Catholicism--is alive, well, and murderously active. Brilliant physicist Leonardo Vetra has been murdered, his eyes plucked out, and the society's ancient symbol branded upon his chest. His final discovery, antimatter, the most powerful and dangerous energy source known to man, has disappeared--only to be hidden somewhere beneath Vatican City on the eve of the election of a new pope. Langdon and Vittoria, Vetra's daughter and colleague, embark on a frantic hunt through the streets, churches, and catacombs of Rome, following a 400-year-old trail to the lair of the Illuminati, to prevent the incineration of civilization.

Brown seems as much juggler as author--there are lots and lots of balls in the air in this novel, yet Brown manages to hurl the reader headlong into an almost surreal suspension of disbelief. While the reader might wish for a little more sardonic humor from Langdon, and a little less bombastic philosophizing on the eternal conflict between religion and science, these are less fatal flaws than niggling annoyances--readers should have no trouble skimming past them and immersing themselves in a heck of a good read. "Brain candy" it may be, but my! It's tasty. --Kelly Flynn

World-renowned Harvard symboligist Robert Langdon is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a cryptic symbol seared into the chest of a murdered physicist. What he discovers is unimaginable: a deadly vendetta against the Catholic Church by a centuries-old underground organization - the Illuminati. Desperate to save the Vatican from a powerful time bomb, Langdon joins forces in Rome with the beautiful and mysterious scientist Vittoria Vetra. Together they embark on a frantic hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and the most secretive vault on earth . . . the long-forgotten Illuminati lair.

Brilliantly conceived and masterfully woven. The research Brown performed to make it all come together was truly impressive. This is the best book I've read this year since NAKED BRUNETTE.

This books is fascinating! The story itself is interesting and full of excitement, but the kicker is the fantastic descriptions of churches and art from throughout history! I definitely liked this books better than The DaVinci Code.

I started reading this book because some one recommended it. NOW i get to recommend it. I hated to put it down to do my regular house work. Also, the kindle makes it so easy to read and so comfortable too.

I actually thought this book was much better then the DaVinci Code. It probably would have made a much more successful movie, because there is alot less characters talking, explaining, then in the DaVinci Code.Iguess we will find out soon how good a movie it will be as they are currently filming it.

Angels and Demons has much more action with the chase scenes and violence. It pulls you in from start to finish, without leaving any plot holes open.

Dan Brown is a master of puzzles, and it shows in Angels and Demons.
Some people may balk at the unlikelihood of some of the situations in this novel, but I thought they were really interesting quagmires of danger with very clever solutions.
Even if there are inaccuracies in Angels and Demons, it is much more grounded in fact than The Davinci Code, and equally as entertaining; and it is certainly more factual than many other works of fiction.
I highly recommend it. -Stephen Prins, author of: Strife of the Lorin