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

Angels and Demons starts out with an elite scientist/priest being murdered at a top secret nuclear research facility, C.E.R.N. The body has been branded with the word "Illuminati. The Illuminati was a powerful, clandestine group founded during the days of Galileo when the Roman Catholic Church was persecuting scientists and suppressing scientific discoveries. The victim, Leonardo Vetra, has been trying to prove through science the existence of God. Vetra, and his daughter Vittoria, have developed a revolutionary new discovery-antimatter. It has the potential to be the greatest source of energy, but it also has the power of mass annihilation. Vetra's killer has stolen a considerable amount of this antimatter from Vetra's lab.

The C.E.R.N. director calls in Harvard professor and expert on religious symbology, Robert Langdon. Langdon has extensive knowledge about The Illuminati. Langdon teams up with Vittoria to try and solve this mystery. Not only must they find the stolen antimatter (which has been stashed somewhere inside The Vatican and will explode within hours), but they also must help to find four kidnapped cardinals (on the eve of the election of a new pope).

For those who find fault with this book, there is so much that makes it worth the read. We get some history on Roman Catholicism, the papacy and The Vatican. We learn many tidbits of Vatican trivia. The Vatican Archives and Library must be an unbelievable treasure trove. We also learn some tidbits about Rome-her history, her famous landmarks, churches, fountains and works of art. Brown takes us through the steps to electing a new pope. And of course, there is the age-old discussion of organized religion vs. religious belief vs. science. But what makes Angels and Demons especially fascinating is that there is so much truth interspersed throughout the book. C.E.R.N. is a real research facility, and antimatter has already been discovered. The Illuminati were an actual group, and we're left wondering if they really died out (as Langdon surmises). And of course, there is all that history previously mentioned.

This book has a blockbuster ending that includes a miracle or two. It was a little far fetched in spots, but still enjoyable. And I had not a clue who the real villain was until the very end.

So despite some flaws, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Angels and Demons. I look with great expectation to reading The DaVinci Code.

As a voracious reader, I have read the best. "Angels and Demons" is a heart-stopping thriller that keeps you turning pages until you arrive exhausted at the end. You're truly "in on the chase." Improbable as it seems, Dan Brown has combined nuclear physics and antimatter with Renaissance art, old Rome and the Vatican. You conjure up the images in your mind, but the icing on the cake is Brown's Web site, which shows you the CERN facilities, the plane and then the exquisite artwork of Bernini and others as well as a peek inside the Vatican. It's a book that teaches, makes you think, and entertains, all at the same time. Few authors can accomplish that.

If you are open minded and looking for those books begging for its pages to be turned...look no further. Read 'Holy Blood, Holy Grail,' and ANYTHING by Ken Follett! I just read a copy of Edgar Fouche's 'Alien Rapture,' which also blew me away. Fouche was a Top Secret Black Program 'insider', whose credibility has been verified over and over. Another fun book is Brad Steiger's 'Werewolf.' I also really liked Dan Brown's 'Angels and Demons.' Want to be shocked, check out Dr. Paul Hill's 'Unconventional Flying Objects' which NASA tried to ban.

For those who say this book goes against their beliefs and their dogma, consider this: The tip of the iceberg: Numerous authorities who had noted the errors in the K.J.V. such as William Kilburne (1650's) 20,000 errors, John Wesley (in 1755) 12,000 changes in the New Testament alone, the Revised Version of 1881 consisted of 36,000 errors and on and on. The NIV, RSV and The Living Bible are also replete with thousands of errors. Do some research!
Buy this book, you will love it.