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pariahpants's review against another edition
2.0
I was pretty disappointed with this book. Thought it would be good, since I enjoyed the last two he released, but it let me down.
First off, it felt like the plot was just hammered together after researching a bunch of places with names he could slip into poems. And why were there even really the poem-clues in the first place? Why would Zorbist want to lay out a path to discover ground zero? Didn't make sense. It was obvious the virus would be released before they got there. He wouldn't have left the clues to let them there beforehand.
Secondly, sometimes Langdon was way too slow to catch things. And it started early on and continued the whole book. He was saying Vasari, not Ve...Sorry? Really? An art historian doesn't realize he was saying an artists name? He clearly wasn't saying "Very." And the bit with the blind bones and the horses? Oh yeah, she's the patron saint of the blind, who'e bones are buried in that temple, but I think that may be a coincidence. Oh yeah, the famous horse sculptures are also in that building, but most likely a coincidence. Eureeka! That's the building I'm actually looking for. (Or at least enough to point him in the right direction of the man who's tomb he was looking for). How did everyone miss the dates on the playbill at the end? How did he not immediately realize Sienna was a bit of an actress and was putting one on him too? It was pretty clear that she was the code-name the provost was talking with, too. They focused on her virginity, and then told Zobrist she'd never known any man before. This was supposed to make you think it was the male doctor, but it seemed obvious.
The story was very predictable. A genetic wizard created something to affect the human genome? No kidding. The pretty, young, misunderstood woman was somehow involved? Big surprise. I wasn't even surprised by the sterility aspect because Sinskey talked about her own sterility. It took every twist and turn of his other books, but just seemed like it was filling the mold. Like Dan Brown thought 'okay, I need a twist here... okay, that works. Moving on.' Who didn't see it coming that he stole the mask himself?
There were aspects that were just inaccurate. Langdon outruns Bruder in the cistern. A college professor- okay, he's in shape - left a military trained rapid assault/tactics soldier winded? Then he couldn't catch Sienna when she was only a few yards ahead of him? It just added to the transparency of the story...
First off, it felt like the plot was just hammered together after researching a bunch of places with names he could slip into poems. And why were there even really the poem-clues in the first place? Why would Zorbist want to lay out a path to discover ground zero? Didn't make sense. It was obvious the virus would be released before they got there. He wouldn't have left the clues to let them there beforehand.
Secondly, sometimes Langdon was way too slow to catch things. And it started early on and continued the whole book. He was saying Vasari, not Ve...Sorry? Really? An art historian doesn't realize he was saying an artists name? He clearly wasn't saying "Very." And the bit with the blind bones and the horses? Oh yeah, she's the patron saint of the blind, who'e bones are buried in that temple, but I think that may be a coincidence. Oh yeah, the famous horse sculptures are also in that building, but most likely a coincidence. Eureeka! That's the building I'm actually looking for. (Or at least enough to point him in the right direction of the man who's tomb he was looking for). How did everyone miss the dates on the playbill at the end? How did he not immediately realize Sienna was a bit of an actress and was putting one on him too? It was pretty clear that she was the code-name the provost was talking with, too. They focused on her virginity, and then told Zobrist she'd never known any man before. This was supposed to make you think it was the male doctor, but it seemed obvious.
The story was very predictable. A genetic wizard created something to affect the human genome? No kidding. The pretty, young, misunderstood woman was somehow involved? Big surprise. I wasn't even surprised by the sterility aspect because Sinskey talked about her own sterility. It took every twist and turn of his other books, but just seemed like it was filling the mold. Like Dan Brown thought 'okay, I need a twist here... okay, that works. Moving on.' Who didn't see it coming that he stole the mask himself?
There were aspects that were just inaccurate. Langdon outruns Bruder in the cistern. A college professor- okay, he's in shape - left a military trained rapid assault/tactics soldier winded? Then he couldn't catch Sienna when she was only a few yards ahead of him? It just added to the transparency of the story...
daisydays128's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
jiripiri's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Thrilling and informative, the random insertions of art history in the middle of a chapter can be distracting. Gives a slightly outdated view on overpopulation.
mfinch76's review against another edition
4.0
this prompted lots of interesting conversations about ethics and population control in my house.
giocdavis's review against another edition
3.0
this book is very similar to the other books in the series, but, as always, i was surprised by the twist towards the end. this is one of those books that i only read because 1) i should finish the series and 2) i like to learn about art and art history in a way that is not overwhelmingly boring. the plotline of the plague and the subsequent opinions about population growth and the use of plagues as a form of population control from the various characters were... borderline ecofascist and eugenic thoughts. but overall, dan brown constantly proves that he is a good(ish) thriller writer.
hitesh's review against another edition
2.0
I am a big Dan Brown fan, but Inferno was such a let down. It was the plain, straightforward narrative that turned me off. After reading Lost Symbol, which was released few years ago, I was expecting something just as exciting and riveting, but it was not to be.
For me Digital Fortress continues to be his best work with Lost Symbol coming in a close second.
For me Digital Fortress continues to be his best work with Lost Symbol coming in a close second.
matt_taff's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
siva_ni_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Loved the different approach and the twist at the end was all worth it
zar's review against another edition
4.0
Dan Brown once again proves himself as a master of historical-puzzle! Only from his book i feel like never been read any other 'brainstorm' book than this Robert Langdon series. just like as many as sticky notes spreads on the pages and the count of me search through google, making myself literally read the whole wikipedia about renaissance or even download a copy of Divine Comedy.
The plot, however. not as good as i expected. ikr, the twist is sick enough. but Inferno is not as good as Da Vinci Code. that's rather sad, since i'd been waiting for another mind-blow came from the series.
The plot, however. not as good as i expected. ikr, the twist is sick enough. but Inferno is not as good as Da Vinci Code. that's rather sad, since i'd been waiting for another mind-blow came from the series.