End of Angels & Demons; Beginning of A Time for Dancing

This week I finished reading Angels & Demons. I really loved how this book came together in the end. Though some points in the story were very boring, the action really picked up at the end. New twists were revealed and the ultimate mystery concluded. I don't want to spoil the ending here but I would definitely recommend this book. I believe I enjoyed it even more than The Da Vinci Code. I would highly recommend it to any Dan Brown fans, or just mystery fans in general.

Next, I began reading A Time for Dancing by Davida Hurwin. One thing that makes this book unique is that the chapters alternate point of view between two best friends: Julie and Sam. I like this arrangement because it is as if two stories are being told at once. The reader is able to hear the story as told from two different girls. This change in point of view creates an interesting dynamic, especially as the characters battle problems. For instance, Jules and Sam were at a party in an early chapter. Also attending this party was Jules' recent ex-boyfriend, whom she still claimed to love. Sam, however, did not feel as much affection toward the guy who just broke her best friend's heart. Thus, their descriptions of the scene differed very much. I believe this arrangement develops each character a lot more, for the reader hears the story from their own point of view rather than a narration. This allows the reader to truly learn about each character.

Angels and Demons - Post #4

At the end of Chapter 89, a very profound conversation was recapped. One of the Vatican guards, Chartrand, was asking the camerlengo a religious question. The camerlengo acts as an assistant to the Pope and steps in for the Pope upon death. In this context, Chartrand asked the Pope how the Bible could truthfully describe God as both omnipotent and benevolent. In other words, according to the Bible, God has complete power over people and uses that power for good. This seems reasonable enough. But, Chartrand takes issue with this theory because there is still suffering in the world. I found the camerlengo's response to this question to be very insightful. After some discussion he retaliated with the question, "So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child's pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?" (453).

I found this response to be extremely thought provoking. It seems that Chartrand agreed with me, for the question seemed to make him stop and think, as well. He replied by saying yes to the camerlengo's question, because as he said, "pain is part of growing up" (453). The camerlengo went on the explain that God is thus taking care of everyone by teaching them about pain and allowing them to learn from their experiences with it.

I found this to be one of the most interesting passages of the book. It may not be the most action-packed or exciting scene, but it holds a very deep meaning. I truly believe that pain makes people stronger. Not only do they learn how to handle tougher situations, but they also come to appreciate everything that is good in there life. Only suffering can make humans be grateful for the times when they are not suffering.

Angels and Demons-Post #3

The excitement has definitely picked up in this book. The main characters, Vittoria and Langdon, are continuing on their quest. At this point in the book, their focus is to track down a man who is guilty of killing Vittoria's father and about to kill four of the most influential Catholic cardinals from around the world. This is all happening during Conclave in Vatican City, which is an event where the new Pope is chosen.

Meanwhile, to add to Vittoria and Langdon's problems, a highly explosive chemical was stolen from Vittoria's deceased father's lab. Thus, in addition to hunting down the mysterious killer, they must also stop this chemical--called antimatter--from blowing up Vatican City and all of the important religious figures who are there for Conclave.

I really like the suspense that this story is taking on. I am a fan of action/adventure movies. This book surely reminds me of one. I can just imagine the clock counting down the minutes until the antimatter explodes and ruins the town. Just like in the movies I'm sure it will come down to a close call. But these stories always end with everyone being safe. That's why we love them after all, isn't it?

Angels & Demons: Post #2

I have continued reading Angels & Demons by Dan Brown this week. I find it very interesting how many subjects are incorporated into this storyline. Of course the main genre is mystery. But the plot focuses on religion and science, as well. While most people think these two things clash, one of the characters, Vittoria, has explained that some believe just the opposite. Vittoria's dad has just been murdered; the cause is unknown. He works as a physicist, yet he is also devoted to the Church. This is unusual, yet he made it work. Upon entering her dad's office after his death with his boss and the main character, Robert Langdon, Vittoria revealed the top secret project her dad and her were working on together.

I was fascinated by the description of the project. It managed to explain how the earth was created by agreeing with both the religious view of the subject and the scientific theory. This clever writing has truly made me more intrigued in the story. At first I was unsure if I wanted to continue reading or abandon the book. But, I do realize that sometimes you need to stick with a book for a little while until it picks up. Now that the plot is beginning to develop I am becoming more interested in the reading.

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown: Deja Vous?

I know it's a bit out of order, but I have decided to read Angels & Demons now, after I just finished The Da Vinci Code. Many fans of The Da Vinci Code asked me if I have read Angels & Demons after finding out about my first choice. Everyone who loved The Da Vinci Code recommended I read this one, as well. So I thought I would give it a try.

So far I find the books to be very similar. First off, it follows another part of Robert Langdon's life--who was the main character in both books. However, the stories are not a continuation of each other. Also, Langdon is an expert symbologist. So, he embarks on a new mystery to solve. This time, he helping a physics center investigate the death of a worker. Langdon is called in because the body exhibits the symbol of an ancient secret society--a specialty of Langdon's knowledge. I found this scenario very similar to when Langdon was called in to sort out the death of a museum curator whose body was covered with different ancient symbols.

Because I immediately saw all of these connections between the two books I wasn't sure that I wanted to continue reading Angels & Demons. After all, what's the point of reading a book with the same plot line as one that I have just finished. But, I voiced this opinion with numerous people that read both Dan Brown novels and they advised me to stick with it. So I guess I will have to see for myself which book is the better one of the series.