Angel and Demons is The Da Vinci Code, but Better

Author Dan Brown is well known for his controversial novel, "The Da Vinci Code." While that novel propelled him to fame, it was not the first featuring symbologist Robert Langdon. "Angels and Demons" takes Langdon to first to Switzerland and then to Rome in the pursuit of a secret society bent on revenge against the Catholic Church.

Brown's first novel featuring Langdon is similar to "The Da Vinci Code," but with more gusto. While "The Da Vinci Code" is well written, "Angels and Demons" is compelling and full of intrigue that keeps the reader in suspense until the very end. And just when everything seems to make sense, Brown throws in unexpected twists to keep you guessing.

Langdon is first summoned to Switzerland when a brilliant physicist is murdered. The physicist's body is marked with the symbol of the Illuminati, a secret society. There, Langdon also meets Vittoria, the murdered physicist's daughter. Before making an escape, the murderer steals a valuable canister that could be used to destroy Rome.

The clues soon take Langdon and Vittoria to Rome, where the Il Conclave is about to take place, the selection of the new pope. The Illuminati have kidnapped the I Preferiti, the four cardinals most likely to be chosen to succeed the late pope. Langdon and Vittoria must solve the clues and try to save the Cardinals before the Illuminati can exact their revenge against the Catholic Church, all while keeping the disappearance of the Cardinals a secret from the public as they wait for a new pope.

Having read both "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons", the latter offers more in the way of suspense and overall good storytelling. Brown gives Langdon's character full range to develop with the story. He starts out timid, a quiet professor, who evolves into a full literary hero that gains the reader's respect. "Demons" explains a lot of Langdon's character before ever getting to "The Da Vinci Code."

Vittoria's character is everything a female lead should be. She's brilliant, beautiful and adept. She's filled with anger at the grisly murder of her father, and uses this to fuel her search for the Cardinals. She challenges Langdon and every man around her, making them angry, but gaining their respect all the same. The reader can't help but fall for her too.

"Angels and Demons" will be released as a film on May 15, 2009. I would highly recommend reading the book before seeing the film to get the full experience of "Angels and Demons." It will keep you at the edge of your seat, even before you take it in the movie theater on May 15.