Rating: 
Summary: Enough Already!
Review: I have read many of the reviews posted here, and I don't get it!Why are some of you taking this book so seriously? Folks, this is a novel, not history. Why do some of you say this is all true and some of you say it is all fiction. Years of research on the topics would be needed in order to make an intelligent commentary. I found myself going to websites and getting very basic information on Opus Dei, The Knights of Templer, The Grail and "The Last Supper" by DaVinci (the resolution on my computer is not that good and as such confirming some of the of the statements was impossiple). I found that this basic resaerch made the book more enjoyable. As for the religious implications. First of all this book is not anti-Christian. The book presents alternative views to those that Christians believe in. Christians are the entire goup of people that believe that Christ was the son of God and died for the sins of all man kind. The only religous group that is ever mentioned in this book is the Catholic church. One one else. Christians are not bashed here, only some of their beliefs.So, if you say it is Catholic bashing, I respect your opinions. I also can not understand that some say this is boring. Surely you jest. This is an exciting story. Predictable? Yes. You will know who the master is 20 pages after he is introduced. Factual? Yes and no. Educational? I learned a great deal by doing research on the Web. Books should make you think. Fun? No doubt about it. Controversial? You bet. If you like a good mystery, you should enjoy this book. Oh, one other fact, this is such an improvement over "Deception Point" that I reviewed last year. Now that was truely awful. Later.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting and Fun
Review: I do not read a book to critique an authors writing style. I read a book for entertainment, and to have thoughts provoked. This book does both. It is a very interesting mystery suspense book, that kept me up reading late at night. It also peaked my interest in the Grail legends and Leonardo Da Vinci. I did not know anything about the Grail legends, Da Vinci, or any of things the book discussed. I know the book is a work of fiction, so I would not even begin to assume that all that is presented is true. However, it made me so interested in the subjects, that I have started reading non-fiction about the grail legends, Mary Magdalene etc. At an exhibit of religious art I was interested in looking at the symbology and things that were discussed in the book. For me, that is what makes this a great read. The book is very entertaining, and it makes you think. I will say that those people who are Catholic, may not like the book, becuse it is not completely flattering in the way it portrays the church, but I do not think it is a vendetta, and remember it is a work of fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: my famous review of this famous book
Review: After fifty pages of "the famous vaulted ceilings of the Louvre" and "the famous parquet floors of the Louvre" (twice, if I'm not mistaken), and the famous this and the famous that, and of metaphors so grossly mixed that even a Cuisinart couldn't get them to hold together, I tossed this one onto the discard pile. This is what passes for a smart thriller these days?
Rating:
Summary: It WAS great!
Review: My husband and I received this book as a birthday gift, and we both loved it! It was well written and had lots of twists, turns, and interesting details.
Rating:
Summary: Mystery or Science Fiction?
Review: Whatever you do, don't think!
Dan Brown writes a speedy thriller that could keep you up all night turning pages. This is the best thing that can be said about this book. It's best to read it when your mind isn't sharp.
In the beginning you may overlook the fact that the author has placed a flamboyant homosexual in the Grand Mastery of a goddess worshipping group that supposedly finds completion and enlightenment in heterosexual union.
You may also overlook the fact that the only character described in any detail at all is the huge albino assassin following a plethora of other albino assassin stories from Foul Play to Pluto Nash (any more albino assassin stories and albinos will start an anti-defamation league). The rest are faceless cutouts. Even the main character gets a one line description.
The book is full of puzzles, but the best of these are the anagrams. The rest are often totally fabricated or contradictory (such as the one where we first note that hebrew has no vowels, and then get the puzzle to work out by adding vowels).
Try not to notice that until the last few pages, there is only a single female character with more than half a dozen lines. She seems to exist for the sake of the mentally superior male characters who spend most of the book lecturing her. As a cryptographer, her only other contribution is the ability to recognize a Fibonacci series.
The biggest thing to overlook is the portrayals of any faith/religion at all. The author shows a lack of any depth in understanding either goddess worship (in which he simultaneously asserts that male and female are equal complements, and asserts that the female is greater) or Christianity (in which he seems to assume that Christianity has some concern with the gender of God except in metaphors). Try not to think about what Christian sect the author may have had contact with that bases its beliefs or it's efforts on finding the Holy Grail. Try to overlook the fact that if Jesus wasn't who the Bible claims him to be, any of his brothers would have the same claims of inheritance.
What begins as a mystery soon becomes alternate-universe science-fiction as Mr. Brown rewrites history, religion, linguistics and logic.
What could have been a thriller worthy of Alfred Hitchcock ends as a conspiracy sermon worthy of Richard Hoagland and Art Bell and a puzzle of whether this is in actuality a defense of the author's sexuality.
Rating:
Summary: Not great but not bad either
Review: This book is by no means a classic but it will keep you entertained while you're reading it. There are some interesting ideas and surprising moments in the text but nothing extraordinary. This book will remind you of the new Star Wars series where the action and on-screen visuals are spectacular but the overall product is a little hollow.
Rating:
Summary: Best Beach Book I've Read Since "Eye of the Needle"
Review: Brown crafts a fascinating story by combining things that are true and things that could be true. It's the only mystery I've read where I wish there were footnotes. It's a thriller, so the fast pace and twisting plot carry more weight than the characters. If you like a great story with some interesting historical nuggets, read this. If you like a mystery based on religious themes but with intricate, nuanced characters, read Name of the Rose. One more note: Some of the reviewers here have "spoilers" in their reviews. I wish they would add the note "Spoiler" to their headlines so folks who haven't read the book could skip them if they wish.
Rating: 
Summary: 300 mile-an-hour mystery
Review: If you are the mood for a fast-paced, highly entertaining mystery, this is your next read. The extent of the author's research into the worlds of western religion and art history become evident immediately. In fact, the breadth of need-to-know-tidbits are about the only parts of the book that will slow you down. Brown's descriptions of Paris and the Louvre visually launched me into the world of the main characters Robert Langdon and Sophie Nuevue. If you are looking for depth and character development, look elsewhere. Remember, this is a mystery, not historical fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Page-turner with Intellectual bonus!
Review: Dan Brown has written a work of page-turning fiction that's on a par with Michael Crichton that is combined with massive research into the mysteries of the Prieure de Sion and all the Rennes-le-Chateau material. Amusing that he names the murder victim that gets the ball rolling "Sauniere" - the surname of the priest in R-le-C who apparently discovered something big having to do with the Priory and Templars and who knows what else. A reviewer says the Catholic Church isn't interested in the Grail etc? That it is a depiction of the the church in 4 AD. Why all the mysterious deaths (I'm sure an inspiration) surrounding R-le-C? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and plan to read all of Dan Brown's work...
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Book, and I am a DEVOUT CHRISTIAN!
Review: Just an overall amazing experience. I started and finished this book in a day. The book itself is exceptionally written. Even if it were a story with ideas and theories that are completely made up, it would still be great. However the fact that all the information in it is TRUE, makes it all that much better. Alot of hardcore Christians are screaming for this book's demise, but that would be beneficial to no one. I'll say it right now, that I would probably classify myself as one of those "Hardcore Chrisitians," and yet I found this book just amazing. If anything, one of the messages of the book is the reinforcement of there being a God. It simply states that the Bible we read and the things we are taught represent those thoughts and ideas CHOSEN FOR US TO THINK, by people in power thousands of years ago. Example. Did you know there were originally some 80 gospels? Not just the four from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John that we have been told? Before reading this book I was not aware of that at all. The question then is raised, what was in these other 70+ gospels, and why were they not chosen? As someone simply looking to find a good book, then this is an A+ all the way. More interesting codes and plot twists than i've ever seen before. For someone not sure if they wish to dive into this because of the author's questioning of certain aspects of one's faith, then all I can say is invest the time and judge for yourself. Coming from a strong believer of God, you owe it to yourself and to your creator one important thing.
To follow what you believe, not follow what you have been told.
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