The Secret of Secrets

I'm a huge fan of Dan Brown books. Reading any new books from him is like putting on a nice warm jacket that you have worn for a while - familiar, yet full of surprises. The Secret of Secrets begins on the snowy and winding streets of Prague. From the first page, the atmosphere is tense: a scientist faces a plot which she herself has designed. It is an exciting scene: Robert Langdon, a symbologist, is happy over a new relationship with Dr. Katherine Solomon, a brilliant scientist. Then suddenly, a scary person - a man called the Golem - starts stalking them. He senses that he must save someone, and that is chilling. The story is an endless pursuit through well-known ancient buildings, a pursuit that is all about a secret. This secret has the potential to transform the entire understanding of the mind and even death. Brown makes the threat seem immense. It leaves you breathless. Here, you must ask yourself, how large is this secret science plan, and what is the actual secret of the soul?

On the positive side, Brown is quite good at combining exciting action with smart and interesting facts. He blends modern science with ancient myths seamlessly, and connects contemporary consciousness studies to the old Golem tales of Prague. This combination makes it very exciting. I kept on pausing to check the facts Brown writes about. That is what I like about his books: they make you learn. Prague is displayed beautifully in the book. It makes the buildings and the secrets so good; you will be tempted to go. Langdon and Solomon's love life is a pleasant, cosy centre in the danger. They are smart, and love each other genuinely. This provides a human dimension to the story. The chase's pace is fast and keeps you hooked even when some concepts are confusing.

What can be improved? The book itself is extremely successful, but the fundamental plot structure is too cliched. The basic plot structure is like Brown's previous novels, and although it works, the action is sometimes more important than the character development. The Golem and Mr. Finch are presented, but the novel reveals little about Langdon's and Solomon's inner lives. Their desperate flight is like a mad dash; the secrets are told too fast, and the true weight of the revelations is lost. A simple, calm chapter in the middle would help. In such a break, the protagonists could pause, take stock of the unbelievable and terrifying facts they have collected, and ready themselves for the next part of the pursuit.

The Secret of Secrets is intended for a wide range of readers. It is perfect for those readers who enjoy fast-paced, cliffhanging thrillers that also have a more profound message. If you like a modern mystery in the world of science and a scientific mystery hidden in an ancient city, this book is for you. If you want a story that makes your heart pound and eyes wide open at night, buy it! It is a smart, thrilling story that will sell well. I read it in one sitting and it was the perfect reality escape - a clever, tense little mystery, hurtling towards the finish. I would rate it four out of five stars.