wisewizardofthestarts's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
louetta's review against another edition
5.0
Wow
Mind blowing plot great writing and rich characters all come together to make this book an exciting read!! And that ending!!!!
Couldn't put it down!
Mind blowing plot great writing and rich characters all come together to make this book an exciting read!! And that ending!!!!
Couldn't put it down!
page_karla's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this! My fave Dan Brown novel to date. How he makes everything so logical and sound is beyond me. This is amazing!
emrache's review against another edition
3.0
Dan Brown books are like movie theater popcorn. I love the idea of a Dan Brown book, and as soon as I get one in my hands, I start stuffing my face with it like there's no tomorrow. There is little of substance in this book, but that's OK, because it's just plain gripping and fun.
afwyt's review against another edition
5.0
I get a little emo every time I finish a Dan Brown/Robert Langdon masterpiece. There really is some beauty in being so descriptive, and you can tell how much effort and love Mr. Brown puts into his work. I think my favorite thing about this series is how quickly the fun starts, and all the adventure that follows. I finished this book with a sense of excitement for our future, although it comes with responsibility and of course, consequences (I'm looking at you, Winston). Thanks again, DB, for taking me on another fantastic Robert Langdon adventure. They really are my favorite!
bibliopage's review against another edition
5.0
Dan Brown does it again! I thoroughly enjoyed this thrilling novel...it was packed with action and a thoughtful meditation on the questions: "where did we come from?" and "where are we going?" I really enjoyed this one!
alliepeduto's review against another edition
3.0
I’ll start with the positive: I loved the setting. Barcelona was a fantastic backdrop to this story and I loved the influence of Gaudi (one of my favorite “modern” architects) throughout the book. Dan Brown does such a good job of incorporating art and history into his stories and this book was no exception. I even liked that it focused more on modern art, though I agree with Robert Langdon that the Renaissance produced the greatest art. Also, I really wish Langdon was a real person, I would love to go to an art museum with that guy.
Now, all that being said I felt like this story was a little lacking in what I’ve come to expect from this series. I like the puzzles rooted in history and art and the scavenger hunt feel to solving the mystery. I really didn’t get that. It was honestly a little too sci-fi for me, and I didn’t care for the ultimate conclusion. I’m not even talking about the actual origin theories, I’m talking about the end end. It will make sense when you read it, but it’s a little heavy handed for my taste, but at the risk of spoilers I’ll leave it at that. Still, it’s a very engaging read and fans of the series will enjoy it!
Now, all that being said I felt like this story was a little lacking in what I’ve come to expect from this series. I like the puzzles rooted in history and art and the scavenger hunt feel to solving the mystery. I really didn’t get that. It was honestly a little too sci-fi for me, and I didn’t care for the ultimate conclusion. I’m not even talking about the actual origin theories, I’m talking about the end end. It will make sense when you read it, but it’s a little heavy handed for my taste, but at the risk of spoilers I’ll leave it at that. Still, it’s a very engaging read and fans of the series will enjoy it!
mroderique's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Mediocre everything is saved by original, big-brain ideas
sarahcoller's review against another edition
3.0
Why do I love these kinds of stories? Partly because the writing is so super tight that the critic in me only has the story to analyze, rather than the storytelling, as well.
Besides that, the dialogue is believable and rarely feels forced—-that’s a huge issue for me. Talk like real people, people!!!! So even though the content of stories like this (Brad Meltzer, etc.) is not anywhere near what I'm actually interested in in "real life", I appreciate a well-written, fast-paced book that keeps me guessing.
That said, the plot on this one was only mediocre---until the secrets were revealed---then it became super meh. Edmond's "where did we come from" is hardly believeable---his "where are we going" is spot on but nothing to be excited about. The king's secret was a big disappointment. On top of all that, I spent the entire book thinking there had to be more to Winston---he seemed too good to be true. His "secret" was the only one I figured out pretty early on.
Finally, we were annoyingly reminded of Langdon's "eidetic memory" at least 40 bazillion times.
Moving on to the good parts… I do love a book that helps me learn. Facts about museum air, Beethoven, and the "Maman" sculpture---an edition of which I've seen at our local Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Then there's the whole idea of humans and technology fusing. Do writers who laud this stuff know they’re furthering an agenda to make it more palatable? Do they care? His projection was 50 years. It’s been five and here we are in clinical trials for brain chips implants. On pg. 577, Langdon says, "humanity was about to enter a period of almost unimaginable ethical ambiguity." Ethical ambiguity is inevitable when there is no standard to judge good or evil.
Favorite quotes:
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." -Joseph Campbell
"There is nothing more damaging for children than the loss of hope." That's something I've had to remind myself over and over the last couple years as our world flushes itself down the toilet. I still have a responsibility to try to give them a life filled with the peace and hope of Yeshua.
Besides that, the dialogue is believable and rarely feels forced—-that’s a huge issue for me. Talk like real people, people!!!! So even though the content of stories like this (Brad Meltzer, etc.) is not anywhere near what I'm actually interested in in "real life", I appreciate a well-written, fast-paced book that keeps me guessing.
That said, the plot on this one was only mediocre---until the secrets were revealed---then it became super meh. Edmond's "where did we come from" is hardly believeable---his "where are we going" is spot on but nothing to be excited about. The king's secret was a big disappointment. On top of all that, I spent the entire book thinking there had to be more to Winston---he seemed too good to be true. His "secret" was the only one I figured out pretty early on.
Finally, we were annoyingly reminded of Langdon's "eidetic memory" at least 40 bazillion times.
Moving on to the good parts… I do love a book that helps me learn. Facts about museum air, Beethoven, and the "Maman" sculpture---an edition of which I've seen at our local Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Then there's the whole idea of humans and technology fusing. Do writers who laud this stuff know they’re furthering an agenda to make it more palatable? Do they care? His projection was 50 years. It’s been five and here we are in clinical trials for brain chips implants. On pg. 577, Langdon says, "humanity was about to enter a period of almost unimaginable ethical ambiguity." Ethical ambiguity is inevitable when there is no standard to judge good or evil.
Favorite quotes:
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." -Joseph Campbell
"There is nothing more damaging for children than the loss of hope." That's something I've had to remind myself over and over the last couple years as our world flushes itself down the toilet. I still have a responsibility to try to give them a life filled with the peace and hope of Yeshua.