Angels & DemonsAngels & Demons
Score Modern
What it's about
Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to the CERN laboratory in Switzerland, where a physicist has been murdered and branded with the symbol of the Illuminati, an ancient brotherhood thought long dead. A canister of stolen antimatter is hidden somewhere in Vatican City, set to explode during the conclave to elect a new pope, and Langdon has one night to follow a trail of clues through Rome.
Why it's worth reading
It's the first Robert Langdon novel, written before The Da Vinci Code, and it became one of the best-selling books ever. It's a pure page-turner set among the churches and fountains of Rome.
You'll love it if you liked
The Day of the Jackal
The Godfather
Gone GirlGood to know
The science and church history are loose; read it for the ride. The 2009 film stars Tom Hanks.
By the numbers
- Readers34 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller91 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #136 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #573 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1094 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by Dan Brown
The Da Vinci Code
The Secret of Secrets
The Lost Symbol
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Quick answers
Is Angels & Demons worth reading?
Yes. It's the first Robert Langdon novel, written before The Da Vinci Code, and it became one of the best-selling books ever. It ranks #1,094 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 72.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Angels & Demons about?
Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to the CERN laboratory in Switzerland, where a physicist has been murdered and branded with the symbol of the Illuminati, an ancient brotherhood thought long dead. A canister of stolen antimatter is hidden somewhere in Vatican City, set to explode during the conclave to elect a new pope, and Langdon has one night to follow a trail of clues through Rome.
How long does it take to read Angels & Demons?
About 13 hours (516 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Angels & Demons?
If you liked it, try The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth, The Godfather by Mario Puzo or Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.