Reviews - Illuminati | The StoryGraph

5.16k reviews for:

Illuminati

Dan Brown

3.75 AVERAGE

verysmallartsybookworm's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous informative medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

nataliapigu's review against another edition

4.0

abhishek02's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous informative sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Angels & Demons is the first novel in Dan Brown's iconic Robert Langdon series, followed by The Da Vinci Code. The story blends science, religion, art, and history into a fast-paced thriller that takes readers across Vatican City and Rome in a gripping race against time.

🔍 Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)

Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is urgently summoned to Switzerland by CERN after a renowned physicist is murdered, and a canister of antimatter is stolen. The trail leads Langdon and brilliant scientist Vittoria Vetra to the Vatican, where an ancient secret brotherhood — the Illuminati — threatens to destroy the Church using this deadly antimatter.

As Langdon deciphers clues hidden in sculptures and ancient texts, he finds himself in a tense battle against time to stop a catastrophic explosion and uncover the truth behind the secret society.

🎯 Themes & Strengths

Science vs. Religion: The novel brilliantly explores the age-old debate between scientific progress and religious belief.
Symbolism & Art History: A treat for fans of classical art, architecture, and cryptic symbols.
Pace & Suspense: Brown's short chapters and cliffhangers make it impossible to put down.
Atmosphere: Vivid descriptions of Rome’s churches, sculptures, and secret passages draw the reader into the historical backdrop.

⚖️ Critique

While thrilling and imaginative, some critics have pointed out:

Predictable plot devices (if you’ve read other Dan Brown novels)
Over-the-top twists in places
Limited character depth, especially for supporting roles

Still, for readers who enjoy high-stakes thrillers with historical and intellectual undertones, these flaws are minor.

✅ Why You Should Read It

You love fast-paced mysteries
You enjoy decoding historical puzzles
You want to visit Vatican City through a lens of suspense and secrets
You appreciate fiction that makes you think about bigger themes like faith, power, and truth