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eily_may's review against another edition
5.0
I don't care what anyone says - I loved this book. Much better than the Lost Symbol which for me was a bit problematic to square with my love of Dan Brown books. Perhaps I am slightly biased due to the fact that this book is mostly set in my favourite Italian city (Florence) and contains references to biological warfare/virology/pandemics, all of which are morbid fascinations of mine. The references to population control were also rather though-provoking.
There were some good plot twists, two of which I didn't see coming. Although the fact that I had kind of guessed the main one did take away some of the enjoyment.
One thing that niggles and that I found slightly annoying was the character of Elisabeth Sinskey. The fact that Dan Brown felt the need to mention the fact that her whole life and successful career was overshadowed by the fact that she couldn't have children kind of grated with me. It seemed irrelevant to the plot and a ridiculously simplistic view of modern women who's utmost desire in life it appears is still to have children. Grrrrr..... I've read better insights into the female psyche written by 17th Century authors. Future tip: please stick to male characters when trying to give deep and meaningful insights into their psyche Mr. Brown, it might seem less contrived and patronising. Ok rant over :)
There were some good plot twists, two of which I didn't see coming. Although the fact that I had kind of guessed the main one did take away some of the enjoyment.
One thing that niggles and that I found slightly annoying was the character of Elisabeth Sinskey. The fact that Dan Brown felt the need to mention the fact that her whole life and successful career was overshadowed by the fact that she couldn't have children kind of grated with me. It seemed irrelevant to the plot and a ridiculously simplistic view of modern women who's utmost desire in life it appears is still to have children. Grrrrr..... I've read better insights into the female psyche written by 17th Century authors. Future tip: please stick to male characters when trying to give deep and meaningful insights into their psyche Mr. Brown, it might seem less contrived and patronising. Ok rant over :)
ankyslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my god. I forgot why I loved Dan Brown's books so much until I read this one.
cindilm76's review against another edition
2.0
I"ve read &/or listened to the other books in this series and enjoyed them. This one, not so much. Seemed to bog down when it should have been revving up. Might try it again another time, to be fair, but I was really disappointed in this one.
trainisloud's review against another edition
3.0
Positives - great historical, literary, art, and geography.
Negatives - amnesia trope, super weird conspiracy organization, and fixation on that stupid watch.
Negatives - amnesia trope, super weird conspiracy organization, and fixation on that stupid watch.
otowi's review against another edition
3.0
For a Dan Brown book, this one was kind of a slow starter for me. But as is expected, once I reached a certain point in the book - in this case about half way, it went very quickly and I finished it in one sitting from that point. The author assumes your familiarity with the lead character and very little time if any is spent to build your relationship with characters in this book.
The stuff about Dante is interesting, and the main "crisis issue" is moderately interesting as well, but supposes a certain inevitability that is not necessarily guaranteed when one looks at the actual scientific fact. That makes the whole premise of the antihero somewhat of a letdown.
Lots of twists and turns as expected, but many were not quite believable to me.
The stuff about Dante is interesting, and the main "crisis issue" is moderately interesting as well, but supposes a certain inevitability that is not necessarily guaranteed when one looks at the actual scientific fact. That makes the whole premise of the antihero somewhat of a letdown.
Lots of twists and turns as expected, but many were not quite believable to me.
khrysweetie's review against another edition
4.0
A typical Dan Brown book... In other words: BRILLIANT!
therealkateclysm's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyable as I find the other Dan Brown books to be. Poses a very hard question that I have often wondered about myself and doesn't try to give an easy answer, which I appreciate.
Looking forward to another one Mr. Brown!
Looking forward to another one Mr. Brown!
ebats's review against another edition
3.0
would have loved it if it were the first one - which is a bit unfair but they're pretty formulaic at this point. still held my interest but langdon is getting a bit old for this.
themtj's review against another edition
2.0
A little bit of fun, but mostly formulaic. I might be done with Brown after this. The first two in this series were entertaining and felt somewhat original. Now it feels played out.
carolsnotebook's review against another edition
3.0
The plot is a typical Brown offering, and I mean that in a good way. This time around we've got a genius who's way too familiar with Dante's Inferno. He's also more than convinced that the main problem facing humanity is over-population and that the only answer has to be way more radical than distributing free condoms in Africa. Oh, and he's a brilliant scientist capable of developing a plague, securing it somewhere to incubate, leaving enough clues for Langdon and the World Health Organization to chase around Europe hoping to contain it before it releases and infects the world population. And the clues, of course, all connect to the Inferno. Oh, and there's a shadowy organization that has been helping the scientist, hiding him while he does his work and promising to deliver an important package for him.
There was a twist about 3/4 through that I really liked. Took everything you thought you knew and re-arranged it into an entirely different pattern. I didn't see it coming at all. I think I was a surprised as Langdon when all the secrets/truths started coming out.
This is not my favorite in the series, but it was enjoyable, no slow spots, the action kept moving along. I like his mix of mystery, art, and science.
There was a twist about 3/4 through that I really liked. Took everything you thought you knew and re-arranged it into an entirely different pattern. I didn't see it coming at all. I think I was a surprised as Langdon when all the secrets/truths started coming out.
This is not my favorite in the series, but it was enjoyable, no slow spots, the action kept moving along. I like his mix of mystery, art, and science.