Hollyhocks read and liked Joel & Christie's review of The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3):

"SPOILER ALERT! I am giving away the ending!!!

The good news is that this book is every bit the engaging, exciting page turner we have come to expect from Dan Brown. One isn't 25 pages into it before the plot is thick with suspense. Brown's...more SPOILER ALERT! I am giving away the ending!!!

The good news is that this book is every bit the engaging, exciting page turner we have come to expect from Dan Brown. One isn't 25 pages into it before the plot is thick with suspense. Brown's inside view of the backrooms of the US Capital, the Smithsonian, and the Masons is fun to read. I especially liked how this book takes place in Washington DC; I have visited many of the places described in the book. The first 3/4 of Lost Symbol is as strong as Angels/Demons, DaVinci Code, and Deception Point. I could not put it down. So far, so good. Things take a MAJOR LET DOWN at the end. The build up to discovering the identity of the lost symbol is exciting as all get out. What is the lost symbol? What can this all important artifact be? Its too exciting!!! Then, once you discover what the Lost Symbol is, what the Masons have gone to great effort and expense for 100+ years to hide and protect, you say 'that is it? I read 500 pages of this book to discover that the great lost symbol is the Bible? A book found in every home in America?" And then you say to yourself "how can people not be able to tell that the bad guy is covered entirely in thick make up (to conceal skin entirely covered with tatoos)? And then you say to yourself "The Bible? The Masons really go to all that effort to conceal a Bible?" And then you say to yourself "do the Masons really make people roll up one pant leg and walk around as one of their initiation rites?' And then you say to yourself "I hope Dan Brown doesn't write his next book about the Mormons."

All in all I say this is a great read. Just do this--when it gets the most suspenseful and all the mysteries are about to be solved, put the book back on the shelf and leave it there for the rest of your life. You'll enjoy The Lost Symbol alot more this way.(less) "

Hollyhocks read and liked Tod Langley's review of The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3):

"I was originally impressed with Dan Brown's ability to combine factual information with conspiracy, and thereby, deliver an exciting novel.

The Lost Symbol has a lot of the same successful factors going for it that Demons and Angels and Th...more I was originally impressed with Dan Brown's ability to combine factual information with conspiracy, and thereby, deliver an exciting novel.

The Lost Symbol has a lot of the same successful factors going for it that Demons and Angels and The DaVinci Code also had. I enjoy Brown's straight forward writing style that focuses on character conversation and argument. He focuses on the action of the scene and does not waste a lot of time describing the scene itself (except when it is crucial for understanding). I think Brown has an incredible way of keeping a reader's attention by conjuring sympathetic characters in immediate danger. I found his latest book to be the most suspenseful and hard to put down. I read The Lost Symbol in only three days.

There are some detractors, however, and that is why I only gave it 3 stars. There were some instances where I did not feel the government involvement was believable. I kept waiting to find out why the CIA was involved, but when that part of the story was revealed I thought it was a let down.

The use of a "parting hook" at the end of many chapters was definitely overused. I don't think you have to leave readers hanging so much and then break the suspense by redescribing the situation again, for a page, before getting back into the action.

Finally, I loved the underlying theme; there is a single "lost" word that could unite all of humanity and lead us all to peace. This mystery kept pulling me along throughout the book. I really wanted to know what the word was ... in the end, I'm not even sure what it was. It seems like the message was lost in the wrap-up.

If the very last paragraph of the book is supposed to reveal what the word is (which would make sense) I think it needed to be emphasized more and placed better in the story. IF that IS the Lost word, it would have been a powerful message to readers.

Overall, I found The Lost Symbol to be my second favorite book of the three Dan Brown novels. It was more suspenseful, entertaining and informative than Angels and Demons but lacked something that I craved in The Da Vinci Code.

I sincerely hope Brown looks towards a different plotline and character development for his next work. I would definitely read something new from this author, but if it was another Robert Langdon story ... I'm not so sure.(less) "

Hollyhocks read and liked Meg's review of The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3):

"I have such issues rating Dan Brown books... I want 1.5 stars, I think. Snark ahead.

Here's the deal: the man can't write. He's a name-brand & url spewing, Wikipedia-like fountain of knowledge, who CAN'T HANDLE VERB TENSES. He also likes...more I have such issues rating Dan Brown books... I want 1.5 stars, I think. Snark ahead.

Here's the deal: the man can't write. He's a name-brand & url spewing, Wikipedia-like fountain of knowledge, who CAN'T HANDLE VERB TENSES. He also likes really short sentences. That aren't sentences at all. Really. Expect iPhone, Twitter, and Google shout-outs, too. I'm almost surprised he didn't mention the inevitable hash #thelostsymbol and tell us to use it when we tweet about what we just learned.

On the flip side, who doesn't love a good romp around a famous city solving mysteries with art and science and religion? You know the drill, and the formula hasn't changed here in the slightest.

As a former DC resident of 7 years, I have to admit, I was expecting slightly more from the location, but Langdon and his companion du jour keep getting trapped in random places, so it's a bit disappointing on that front. He does get 10 points for a hilarious caper including the Blue Line out to the King Street station though and the Red Line to Tenleytown (yeah, Tenleytown shout-out, what up!)

This book's wacky science theme is Noetics, and the quasi-religious thing at hand is the Masons. Since the first thing that comes to mind re: Noetics is Fringe, I sort of expected a Pacey Witter guest appearance, but alas, it was not meant to be. I know absolutely zip about the Masons, but who wants to bet their membership applications go through the roof this month?

So my final verdict: did I hate it as much as Catcher in the Rye? No. (Will I ever hate any book as much as I hate Catcher in the Rye? Unlikely. BUT THERE'S TIME.) Is it the best Robert Langdon book? Not by a long shot. Angels & Demons still is the best of the trilogy. Is it still vaguely enjoyable in the way only a Dan Brown book can be? Yes. Does Dan Brown's copy editor need to be publicly humiliated? YES AND HIS NAME IS APPARENTLY JASON KAUFMAN (according to the Acknowledgements, so I'm not like, stalking anyone here) AND GOOD LORD MAN, ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES CAUSED BY PEOPLE BURNING THIS BOOK EDIT THIS INTO SOMETHING ENJOYABLE. EVERY TIME DAN BROWN DOESN'T KNOW HOW A VERB WORKS, KITTENS DIE.

Also, if I ever have to read the words "neutered sex organ" again, I will be forced to remove my eyeballs and then pour bleach directly onto my brain.

One more P.S., since I tweeted this and then forgot to include this here: Most unbelievable part of the plot? The Redskins are in the playoffs AND score on their opening possession. PLEASE TRY AGAIN, YOU FAIL AT HAVING SPORTS KNOWLEDGE.(less) "