(Published by Corgi Adult)
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Angels and Demons is the prequel to the popular novel The Da Vinci Code. Like many people, I read this after The Da Vinci Code. However, it probably would have been a better idea to have read Angels and Demons first.
The book introduces us to Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon. Langdon is summoned to Switzerland to translate a mysterious symbol, seared into the flesh of a murdered physicist. The symbol relates to an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati, the most powerful underground organisation to ever walk the earth. Apparently the Illuminati has resurfaced to carry out the final phase of a legendary vendetta against its enemy – the Catholic Church.
On the eve of the Vatican’s holy conclave to appoint a new pope, a messenger from the Illuminati announces that they have hidden a deadly time bomb in the heart of the Vatican City. Langdon’s job is to find and disarm the bomb, ably assisted by beautiful Italian scientist Vittoria Vetra.
Embarking on a frantic hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals and into the heart of a secret vault, Langdon and Vetra follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols that leads them across Rome and toward the ancient Illuminati headquarters, the location of which holds the key to the salvation of the Vatican City.
Although very much more of the same from Dan Brown – secret society, beautiful girl, Langdon saves the day etc, Angels and Demons is a very well written thriller. I would even dare to suggest that it is better than The Da Vinci Code. However, leave some time between reading it and any other Brown novel, it is very easy to overdose on this author! 
Also by Dan Brown
Digital Fortress
The Da Vinci Code
