Angels and Demons (Robert Langdon, #1) by Dan Brown

Title: Angels and Demons (Robert Langdon, #1)
Author: Dan Brown
Published: May, 2000
Published By: Atria Books
Format Read: Hardcover
Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Date Read: May, 2016
Rating: 4/5

Note: Read a different version of the book than shown. 

The war between science and the Catholic church has escalated to a point that brings about unfathomable circumstances in Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. When dangerous anti-matter is stolen from a Swiss science research facility and hidden somewhere in Vatican City, all signs point to the Illuminate. With less than 24 hours left before the promised destruction, Robert Langdon a Harvard professor specialising in religion and symbology is brought in to decode a centuries-old mystery of a brotherhood that was thought to have ceased to exist.  

Angels and Demons is a book I never would have thought to pick up until I learned that Tom Hanks (one of my favourite actors) was starting in the movie adaptation. Although there were some parts I didn't exactly understand, I really did enjoy it I decided that I would give the book a try.

 I found a beautiful box set including this book and its sequel The Da Vinci Code at a used book store for a great deal. Included inside the front and back cover are beautiful colour pictures of specific places that the fictional characters visited throughout the Vatican and surrounding Rome.  

 As it had been quite some time since I last watched the movie, I was a bit foggy on how it all played out, but I began reading hoping that I would get a better understanding of the story line. 

At almost 600 pages in length, this book is very rich in detail, which is something I was grateful for as there was so much history, tradition and scientific facts that were pertinent to the story. The fast pace, mystery and excitement made it hard for me to put it down and so I flew through it. I liked how it was told from the point of view of many different characters both inside the Vatican and out. This gave such a wide perspective of the events that were unfolding and kept the reader guessing as to who was involved. 

Near the end of the book I found it became so bogged down with tragedy that wasn't exactly necessary as so much had already happened. The story still kept my interest but I found I had to suspend my belief more than ever to get through the last 100 (or so) pages. For that reason I decided on a 4/5 rating instead of my intended 5. 

Angels and Demons is one of the most engrossing books I have read in a long time. Dan Brown's writing style is definitely a good fit for me and I can't wait to continue on with the rest of the books in the Robert Langdon series. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy suspense focusing on controversial topics.