Rating: 
Summary: Nothing New Here
Review: I had mixed feelings about this book as I have been a long time reader of the various themes that are weaved into the story, particularly the big Church "secret" that was the focus of "Holy Blood Holy Grail" in 1982. This perhaps killed the real punch of the book, my fore knowledge. Brown did some intense research for this book and I did enjoy how closely aligned his information was with what I had known to be true, or at least as true as these sorts of topics can be. After a time I became annoyed with Brown's technique of walking the reader to an important fact or discovery in the plot, and then delay it for a chapter or two, sometimes even presenting the imagery that the character was looking right at this new tasty morsel of plot. That got old with me very fast. Such techniques are suitable when they aren't used so frequently: That reminded me of the only Stephen King book I "tried" to read.It at times read more like an educational essay on these various topics and themes for the reader new to them. As I said, already knowing about Templar and Grail legend, secret societies (the Illuminati vs. the Church is the focus of Brown's earlier book, "Angels and Demons), etc. This book did not change my view of what the Grail legends might be about, another reason TDVC failed for me. All in all, this book was a fun read, but it was not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination.
Rating: 
Summary: Rather disappointing for all the hype
Review: I had my doubts about this book, but I enjoyed it. I'm grateful that I got it from the library rather than paying a ridiculous hardcover price for it. It's entertaining, but certainly not worth the money. "The DaVinci Code" is a quick read. The writing is not at all challenging, which makes it a good bedside book. The characters each have their interesting qualities, although none is fully developed. My two biggest disappointments with this book were the tricks used to throw the reader off from guessing who the bad guy is, (apparently this is common in mysteries -- I don't generally read them so I was peeved,) and the failure of some of the more historically interesting passages to deliver in any way that transcends the book. Each piece of information works within the story, though, which I suppose is all any reader ought to expect. It's an entertaining book, but I really can't comprehend the excitement around it. It's got average writing and average storytelling. The subject -- the possibility of a secret society protecting actual descendants of Jesus Christ -- is stimulating, but ultimately not very well explored. For those of you still on the fence, get it from the library or wait for the mass-market paperback edition.
Rating: 
Summary: Masterful!!
Review: I had never heard of Dan Brown, but after being advised to read this book by one whose advice in such matters is usually on the mark, I shall be reading more of his works. There is simply nothing not to like and admire about this book, while remembering that it is a NOVEL which weaves facts, historical and topical, into a fascinating search for answers to many questions. I had the good fortune to read this novel while on vacation and during a rainy day and a half when I could simply settle in and let the story wash over me. If you buy only one book to read this year, you would be well advised to make this that one.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating!
Review: I had never read a novel which I could not put down until I read THE DA VINCI CODE (TDVC). I've heard and read that phrase used so many times before but have never actually experienced such a phenomenon. The plot of TDVC is so enthralling that you DO NOT WANT TO PUT IT DOWN until you read the whole book. Mr. Brown has come up with such an amazing story/theory (perhaps?) that it compels you to not only enjoy the book but also to ponder the hisorical points he mentions. Don't know which are true and which are not but it leaves one very curious. Would love to see a sequel. Perhaps one dealing with family members of the present Merovingians (Was surprised to see this name used as one of the characters in THE MATRIX: RELOADED as the movie was filmed before the book came out . . . curious.)
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book...Got me back into Fiction
Review: I had never read anything by Dan Brown prior to picking this up. I've read almost nothing but since! Brown is an expert craftsman, and this book kept me thinking and guessing the whole time. I couldn't put it down, and I couldn't stop talking about it after I was done. Brown also went above and beyond the call of duty to research this book. A good part of it could actually be considered "nonfiction", inasmuch as there are scholarly works on the subjects involved, and this one does not fail in being scholarly. However, he went and wrapped the scholarship up in a gripping and compelling murder mystery that had absolutely no quit to it. Long story short, read this book, then Angels & Demons, then the rest.
Rating:
Summary: Greatest book I've read in a long time
Review: I had never read anything by this author before. Much to my surpise, this book was very intriguing. I couldn't put it down. Dan Brown offers up, throughout the book's magnificent plot, many alternate theories of of the Holy Grail. The plot unravels more like a movie plot with its vivid historical imagery and storytelling.
Rating:
Summary: Be ready to question longheld beliefs
Review: I had no idea what I was getting into when I started reading this book. It is a rivettting book that will teach you secrets and stories that may make you question how you actually view your own beliefs on religion and art. Beyond that its a great thriller that keeps you interested and questioning who was really behind the murder and all this intrigue. I have read Angels and Demons since reading the Da Vinci Code and I have to say DVC is better, Angels and Demons was good but I could see that the Robert Langdon story is somewhat formulaic. But I liked the formula better in DVC and the little tidbits of info was cooler.
I should warn that some people may be offended by some of the theories that are brought up by the characters, specifically questions about the Christian religion. My only statement to the theories is that there is nothing wrong with hearing another viewpoint its what you decide to do with it. I don't believe this book is anti-religion or even Christian, it is just bringing up questions that if people want to look further into them go ahead, and if you don't then just read it for story because it is well written and exciting. Plus there is a lot of cool decoding stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Fast, enjoyable read
Review: I had not read any of Mr. Brown's previous book(s) and was not sure what to expect. Not being erudite enough to express my self in "big words" like other reviewers, I will just say that I enjoyed the book. It was somewhat thought provoking; the research into the Knights Templar, DeVinci, Catholicism, etc. seemed well developed. The hero/heroine could have been a little stronger and villian(s) could have been developed a little more, but all in all, I felt that this was a worth while read. After all, the book is fiction, folks! Don't you want something quick, fun and a little thought-provoking to read for fun? Or do you just want spies, sex, blood-and-guts gore? I thought this book was a good, clean, fun read.
Rating: 
Summary: NO NEED TO READ THIS
Review: I had seen an interview with Dan Brown on the Today show and was intrigued by the main character. I was very interested to find out what the mystery was and was about to purchase this book when out of the corner of my eye I read the first line of the Publisher's Weekly review. Thanks for spoiling the novel. I won't be reading this one. What's the point now? You people at Amazon need to be more careful. I think I would have liked this book, too. Now I'll just have to wait for the movie, and even that is ruined because I know the outcome. Maybe I won't even see the movie!
Rating:
Summary: Overrated, Overblown and Overhyped
Review: I had such high expectations. Really I did. But the plot was ridiculous (yet I guessed most of the twists long before they came anyway), much of the "research" was sloppy, the premise was ill-defended, and the characters were absurd, absolutely and totally absurd. Sorry, but it's true. Maybe I've just read too many mysteries. I know it's fiction, but even in fiction, people are supposed to act like people. And while disbelief can be suspended, readers shouldn't have to suspend all logic as well -- particularly in a mystery, for goodness' sake. And that's what this silly book requires one to do. I don't know much about the Knights Templar, but I have to think that this book is a complete and total disservice to them. And to Paganism and the Catholic Church, for that matter. It did make me want to find out more (particularly about the Knights), but mainly because I feel a near-obligation to correct the vast amount of misinformation that I undoubtedly picked up from this book. My advice is: Don't waste your time.
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