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Amazon.com Review
Let’s start with the question every Dan Brown fan wants answered: Is The Lost Symbol as good as The Da Vinci Code? Simply put, yes. Brown has mastered the art of blending nail-biting suspense with random arcana (from pop science to religion), and The Lost Symbol is an enthralling mix. And what a dazzling accomplishment that is, considering that rabid fans and skeptics alike are scrutinizing every word.

The Lost Symbol begins with an ancient ritual, a shadowy enclave, and of course, a secret. Readers know they are in Dan Brown territory when, by the end of the first chapter, a secret within a secret is revealed. To tell too much would ruin the fun of reading this delicious thriller, so you will find no spoilers here. Suffice it to say that as with many series featuring a recurring character, there is a bit of a formula at work (one that fans will love). Again, brilliant Harvard professor Robert Langdon finds himself in a predicament that requires his vast knowledge of symbology and superior problem-solving skills to save the day. The setting, unlike other Robert Langdon novels, is stateside, and in Brown’s hands Washington D.C. is as fascinating as Paris or Vatican City (note to the D.C. tourism board: get your “Lost Symbol” tour in order). And, as with other Dan Brown books, the pace is relentless, the revelations many, and there is an endless parade of intriguing factoids that will make you feel like you are spending the afternoon with Robert Langdon and the guys from Mythbusters.

Nothing is as it seems in a Robert Langdon novel, and The Lost Symbol itself is no exception-a page-turner to be sure, but Brown also challenges his fans to open their minds to new information. Skeptical? Imagine how many other thrillers would spawn millions of Google searches for noetic science, superstring theory, and Apotheosis of Washington. The Lost Symbol is brain candy of the best sort-just make sure to set aside time to enjoy your meal. -Daphne Durham

Well, it was a good nail biter. And if you hadn’t read any of his other novels, I’m sure it would have been even better. But it is almost a duplicate of all his others. Very formulaic. Change the conspiracy/symbols and the names of a few people, and it is basically the same. And if you don’t figure out the ‘secret’ almost immediately, I’d be concerned about your overall intelligence.

But it was a decent, quick read with his customary short, cliffhanging chapters. And it offers some interesting takes on various symbols/locations around Washington D.C. [which I hope to visit this year] so that part was good. Also, it piqued my interest in looking a little further into Noetic Science.

All in all, I give it 3 out of 5 stars. Probably would have received 5 if it had been the first Dan Brown novel I’d read.

And shockingly there are still a lot of books on here that have been in my possession for a while. I need to get reading.
Library list:
Manhunt : the twelve-day chase for Lincoln’s killer Swanson, James L.
The lost city of Z : a tale of deadly obsession in the Amazon Grann, David
Hardball Paretsky, Sara
The black echo Connelly, Michael
Freakonomics : a rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything Levitt, Steven D.
I dreamed I married Perry Mason Kandel, Susan
The last Dickens : a novel Pearl, Matthew
Karma Dunlap, Susan
Gregor the Overlander Collins, Suzanne
Book by book : the complete guide to creating mother-daughter book clubs Hudson, Cindy
The love dare Kendrick, Stephen
Dial H for Hitchcock Kandel, Susan
Moonlight in Odessa : a novel Skeslien Charles, Janet
Hollywood Station : a novel Wambaugh, Joseph