The long anticipated fifth book of Dan Brown is finally among us. The release last year broke sale records with over a million copies sold in its first week, even though critics claimed that it was his least impressive written work. I decided to pick up the book over the holidays to find out, being a Dan Brown fan myself and bursting with curiosity to see what he had come up with.
Despite what critics are stating about the book I thought it was a fine work of art; even from the first chapter one can tell that a lot of research went into the very well thought out story line and plot. The novel has a lot to do with Masonry and the history behind it.
It all starts when Langdon arrives in Washington D.C to help out his old friend Peter Solomon, the high-ranking Mason, to deliver a speech in the Capitol building. There is no seminar however, since Peter goes missing and Langdon was tricked. Peter has been kidnapped by a man known to us as Mal'akh, an educated yet mentally unstable individual. He is a bald, muscled and tattooed eunuch who seeks a hidden Masonic pyramid because, as the legend states, it contains the power of transformation. Mal’akh seeks this with all his being and will stop at nothing until he has his heart’s desire. The story continues to unfold as Langton wants to discover what is going on and who is behind this all. I would love to share more of this intriguing novel but that would give away the plot!
“The Lost Symbol” had me turning each page with suspense wanting to know what will happen next. If you enjoyed his pervious 4 novels, “Digital Fortress”, “The Da Vinci Code,” “Angels and Demons” and “Deception Point” I can ensure you, you will not be disappointed.
By Nicole van Zyl |