My Little Pocketbooks: Review: The Lost Symbol

The Lost Symbol
Author: Dan Brown
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Random House Audio
Release Date: September 15, 2009
Audiobook: 17 hours and 51 minutes
Narrator: Paul Michael
Source: Free from E-Library

Book Description

In this stunning follow-up to the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown demonstrates once again why he is the world’s most popular thriller writer. The Lost Symbol is a masterstroke of storytelling--a deadly race through a real-world labyrinth of codes, secrets, and unseen truths . . . all under the watchful eye of Brown’s most terrifying villain to date. Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., The Lost Symbol accelerates through a startling landscape toward an unthinkable finale.

As the story opens, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned unexpectedly to deliver an evening lecture in the U.S. Capitol Building. Within minutes of his arrival, however, the night takes a bizarre turn. A disturbing object--artfully encoded with five symbols--is discovered in the Capitol Building. Langdon recognizes the object as an ancient invitation . . . one meant to usher its recipient into a long-lost world of esoteric wisdom.
When Langdon’s beloved mentor, Peter Solomon--a prominent Mason and philanthropist--is brutally kidnapped, Langdon realizes his only hope of saving Peter is to accept this mystical invitation and follow wherever it leads him. Langdon is instantly plunged into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and never-before-seen locations--all of which seem to be dragging him toward a single, inconceivable truth.
As the world discovered in The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, Dan Brown’s novels are brilliant tapestries of veiled histories, arcane symbols, and enigmatic codes. In this new novel, he again challenges readers with an intelligent, lightning-paced story that offers surprises at every turn. The Lost Symbol is exactly what Brown’s fans have been waiting for . . . his most thrilling novel yet.

Review

There are just some books out there that grab you and hold you until the very last page. I have to say this is one of them for me.
Robert Langdon is called to Washington D.C. this time by a friend to give a lecture in the U.S. Capitol building. After arriving to the building things begin to turn for the worse and the signs and symbols start to point to a deadly ending for all parties involved.
Robert Langdon is more or less a modern day, regular guy super hero. He knows everything about symbols and their origins but more than that Washington D.C. is his foundation for all things secret.
Secret rooms. Secret societies. Secret meetings. He knows the stories and theories behind why things are the way they are in Washington D.C. All of these things make you want to Google it as you are reading to see if it's true. The other story lines are really good too. I was hooked and shocked by the twist and turns that I did not see coming. Some people are much more perceptive than I am but I didn't see them coming at all. Or the ending. I loved this audiobook. It reminded me of why I loved the The Da Vinci Code so much. Dan Brown is a writer that makes his readers feel smarter by not watering down the story.
I know you have scrolled down to the end of this review to see the number of stars I gave this audiobook and are saying what's the issue, Alysia?
Well, I think there is no reason at all for Robert Langdon to always have a women to fling with. Just like in James Bond it seems like wherever he goes when the toughness hits he falls in lust with some younger, cute and brilliant woman. Thank God she is smart but why is it necessary. Robert Langdon is an undercover player basically. When he is home chilling and all is good, there is no woman in his life. That is a bit annoying. I wish we can get through a book without him kissing on someone. Can we please Dan?
But overall, this is a great read and I think if you liked The Da Vinci Code then you will like this one as well.