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dmcke013's review against another edition
2.0
First published back at the turn of the century (in the year 2000), this - while the second of the two Tom Hanks starring Robert Langdon movies, after [b:The Da Vinci Code|968|The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon, #2)|Dan Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579621267l/968._SY75_.jpg|2982101] - is actually the first book in that particular series, albeit less well known than its sequel (the aforementioned [b:The Da Vinci Code|968|The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon, #2)|Dan Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579621267l/968._SY75_.jpg|2982101]).
And, like, I'm sure, many others, I actually read that sequel first, only later discovering it was such (although, admittedly, not a direct sequel) and going back to read the first on the series.
This is the one largely set in and around Rome, with a high-tech ticking time-bomb counting down in Vatican City as the Cardinals all meet to elect a new Pope following the death of the previous incumbent of that role. It also makes lots of the (supposed?) divide between religion and science, drawing on lots of conspiracy theories and bringing back into the realms of popular culture that old secret society, the illuminati.
I have no problem with any of that, and I do like a bit of derring-do, mystery and romance, but even I found it hard at times to swallow some of the outlandish scenarios and set pieces of this novel - I think, for me, the icing on the cake was the surviving-a-jump-out-of-a-helicopter-without-a-parachute bit towards the end!
And, like, I'm sure, many others, I actually read that sequel first, only later discovering it was such (although, admittedly, not a direct sequel) and going back to read the first on the series.
This is the one largely set in and around Rome, with a high-tech ticking time-bomb counting down in Vatican City as the Cardinals all meet to elect a new Pope following the death of the previous incumbent of that role. It also makes lots of the (supposed?) divide between religion and science, drawing on lots of conspiracy theories and bringing back into the realms of popular culture that old secret society, the illuminati.
I have no problem with any of that, and I do like a bit of derring-do, mystery and romance, but even I found it hard at times to swallow some of the outlandish scenarios and set pieces of this novel - I think, for me, the icing on the cake was the surviving-a-jump-out-of-a-helicopter-without-a-parachute bit towards the end!
oclay98's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
zzelda's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
brig_berthold's review against another edition
3.0
Officially, I would give this 3.75 Stars.
The detail was excellent. The planning and plotting were almost visceral. The world building was justly large-scale.
That being said, I found occasion to complain far too often to be as fully impressed as the masses claim to have been. Repeatedly throughout I found myself, quite innocently, bored. I don't want to fight through a novel but I'm not against it if I'm duly rewarded. That's not to say this book wasn't supreme in it's reveal, it certainly was. I found, however, the pace and timing of the story a bit too lumbering at an alarming regularity.
The final scenes ought to have been an afterward rather than being included in the bulk of the tale. Furthermore, the finality needed desperate help in being more concise. Robert gets the girl, I get it. They have sex, preceded by banter and foreplay, good for him. I don't need so much time wasted on denouement.
Q-Worthwhile?
A-Without question.
Q-Greatest book ever? Greatest thrill ride ever?
A-No ... and ... no.
The detail was excellent. The planning and plotting were almost visceral. The world building was justly large-scale.
That being said, I found occasion to complain far too often to be as fully impressed as the masses claim to have been. Repeatedly throughout I found myself, quite innocently, bored. I don't want to fight through a novel but I'm not against it if I'm duly rewarded. That's not to say this book wasn't supreme in it's reveal, it certainly was. I found, however, the pace and timing of the story a bit too lumbering at an alarming regularity.
The final scenes ought to have been an afterward rather than being included in the bulk of the tale. Furthermore, the finality needed desperate help in being more concise. Robert gets the girl, I get it. They have sex, preceded by banter and foreplay, good for him. I don't need so much time wasted on denouement.
Q-Worthwhile?
A-Without question.
Q-Greatest book ever? Greatest thrill ride ever?
A-No ... and ... no.
marcusngugi25's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
aiden_stenlake's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
dinaisakov's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Gotta give it to Dan Brown, another banger. You can tell that he spent so much time learning about the history of the region, creating one of the most intense plots I have ever read. It's impossible not to be invested in this book. Very unique, one of a kind read, 5/5, most definitely recommend.
keylx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
sootytugboat0's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jovan26's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5