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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Here we arrive at Robert Langdon's third adventure. And while it was still a good one, there were a few more things that are starting to get in the way of really enjoying the novel as much as his past adventures. Lets get a few of the things that I did not like about the novel out of the way. First, it just felt too long. I enjoy a nice deep and long read a lot, but there needs to be enough to keep it interesting. And there are many times in this novel where that is just not the case. There are just some sections of the novel that feel like nothing is happening and I am just reading words printed on the page, because they are doing nothing to add to the story that I am reading. When I picked up the novel, I thought initially it felt kinda big, and I was excited that it seemed like it is going to be a good and deep thriller novel. But just a bit too much of that size was not really doing anything but rambling.
I have mixed feelings about some of the in-depth explanations of a lot of architecture in this novel. For 95% of the time, I really enjoyed it. It gave substance to the world and was presented strongly and completely which was great. It really gave me a clear vision of the world and a lot of explanations that helped to support the vision. Though, there were also times where some if it felt a bit unnecessary and kind of added to that element of filler words at times.
Now for some things I really enjoyed about the novel. Katherine, our lead supporting female role in the novel is the best from the Robert Langdon novels. She feels strong, intelligent, and fairly independent. Some of the scenes from her lab are just excellent and among my favorites of Dan Brown's. I think I even actually like her a bit better the Robert Langdon to be honest. Mal'akh is also a very excellent antagonist in the novel, probably again the best antagonist in the any of Dan Brown's novels. He just plays a great foil to our protagonist's efforts and this whole novel is really a great cat and mouse game.
The story itself is very good. Somewhere just below Angels & Demons and just a tad better than The Da Vinci Code. When the story is moving and things are happening it is everything I want out of a thriller novel. It is fact paced and exciting, and there is suspense and surprises. And really, the only thing separating this from a 4-5 star novel is the fact that there just feels like there is some filler stuff in the novel that just acts to dilute the greatness at the end of the day.
I have mixed feelings about some of the in-depth explanations of a lot of architecture in this novel. For 95% of the time, I really enjoyed it. It gave substance to the world and was presented strongly and completely which was great. It really gave me a clear vision of the world and a lot of explanations that helped to support the vision. Though, there were also times where some if it felt a bit unnecessary and kind of added to that element of filler words at times.
Now for some things I really enjoyed about the novel. Katherine, our lead supporting female role in the novel is the best from the Robert Langdon novels. She feels strong, intelligent, and fairly independent. Some of the scenes from her lab are just excellent and among my favorites of Dan Brown's. I think I even actually like her a bit better the Robert Langdon to be honest. Mal'akh is also a very excellent antagonist in the novel, probably again the best antagonist in the any of Dan Brown's novels. He just plays a great foil to our protagonist's efforts and this whole novel is really a great cat and mouse game.
The story itself is very good. Somewhere just below Angels & Demons and just a tad better than The Da Vinci Code. When the story is moving and things are happening it is everything I want out of a thriller novel. It is fact paced and exciting, and there is suspense and surprises. And really, the only thing separating this from a 4-5 star novel is the fact that there just feels like there is some filler stuff in the novel that just acts to dilute the greatness at the end of the day.
This was really fast-paced and I stole a few minutes every here and there to continue reading it (even at work!). It's really well written and the suspense kept me going throughout - but I must say the ending felt like a bit of an anti-climax to me. The explanation of what the whole story line led to was a bit of a let down. Still, it was very entertaining and I am still looking forward to reading Deception Point and Digital Fortress. Though The Lost Symbol is nowhere near as good as Angels and Demons!
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
I like books where you get to go along for the adventure. This was one of them for me. I enjoy reading Dan Brown books.
What a ride! I read The DaVinci Code and could never get into Angels & Demons, but this one sucked me in. I believe I was able to dive in fast because I could easily picture where each moment was taking place - love when I live around the corner from the story.
Thank goodness for a rainy day alone at the house with the pup - after 300 pages read in one day I had a hard time going to work on Monday with it unfinished.
Taking place all over Washington, D.C. this book takes you behind the scenes of the Masonic traditions that lie in the center of the founding of our country. I live right around the corner from the HUGE masonic temple in Alexandria, VA - sometimes I know where I am due to where I am in regards to it. The boy has some friends who are Masons, it has taken everything in me to sit and quiz them on the accuracy of this book.
A read I would recommend to young, old, male or female. I would definitely pass it along to those who live near me and know where all the events are taking place.
Thank goodness for a rainy day alone at the house with the pup - after 300 pages read in one day I had a hard time going to work on Monday with it unfinished.
Taking place all over Washington, D.C. this book takes you behind the scenes of the Masonic traditions that lie in the center of the founding of our country. I live right around the corner from the HUGE masonic temple in Alexandria, VA - sometimes I know where I am due to where I am in regards to it. The boy has some friends who are Masons, it has taken everything in me to sit and quiz them on the accuracy of this book.
A read I would recommend to young, old, male or female. I would definitely pass it along to those who live near me and know where all the events are taking place.
Dan Brown has always been one of my favorite authors. I loved the mystery of this book along with the way he kept my attention and kept me wanting for more. Very easy to read and really hard to put down!
I must say - once you've read one Dan Brown you know what's waiting for you.
The jumping between story lines, the cliffhangers at the end of every.single.chapter...yes, it makes it easy to read on, the story flows and you just want to *know* then.
But all in all I think I found all the explanations on symbolism and information in general more interesting than the thriller itself.
The jumping between story lines, the cliffhangers at the end of every.single.chapter...yes, it makes it easy to read on, the story flows and you just want to *know* then.
But all in all I think I found all the explanations on symbolism and information in general more interesting than the thriller itself.
Classic Dan Brown. Lots of codes, puzzles, and conspiracy theories. This time, his main character is trying to show that Masons aren't a secretive scary organization by claiming that they have a huge, world altering secret. The action all takes place around DC, so if headed there I am sure you could find a Lost Symbol tour. On the bright side, it is a quick no stress read.