Robert Langdon 3: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Robert Langdon 3: The Lost Symbol
Dan Brown


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Robert Langdon thinks he's going to give a lecture in Washington DC, but oh how wrong he is. A mysterious object is discovered, and his mentor and friend have gone missing. Is Langdon ready to save the day, again?

I thought The Lost Symbol was slightly better as part of the series than The Da Vinci Code as it wasn't exactly the same storyline with a few details changed. Although it is very similar, it's not exactly the same. I think I enjoyed the puzzles and things more in this one than the previous two. I felt more drawn in as well.

I've got to say, I'm quite disappointed with the series as a whole. After all the hype they're given, I guess I expected them to be fantastic. Sure, the story sucks you in for a little while, and it's an easy read, but I guess I just expected more. I think characterisation could be doing with some fleshing out. There's not really much depth to the characters, and some you think are going somewhere are completely forgotten about!

I don't regret reading them. And I will read Inferno when I come across a second hand copy. They're good books for when you don't want to get too immersed in the story. Basically a nice lazy summer afternoon read.

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Face by Dean Koontz

The Face
Dean Koontz


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Ethan, an ex-cop, now works as head of security for America's most famous actor, known as "The Face". After weird packages start arriving, he is very much on alert. His son, Fric, is receiving weird phone calls, supposedly from his guardian angel. Can Ethan save Fric?


The Face was very gripping and extremely hard to put down. You just wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next.

I loved the character of Fric, the son of The Face. Despite having both famous parents (his mother a famous model) he is down to earth, realistic and intelligent, which is more than can be said for his parents. He spends a lot of his time in the library in his house, which I can relate to. I wish I had more time to read!

I don't want to say too much about this book because it really is a good read, and you should go and read it for yourselves!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Discworld 18: Maskerade by Terry Pratchett

Discworld 18: Maskerade
Terry Pratchett


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Granny and Nanny are still looking for a third witch and want Agnes/Perdita, but she's gone to Ankh-Morpork to join the opera. The opera is being haunted by a ghost and people are being killed. Can the witches catch the ghost before more people die? And more importantly, will Agnes join Granny and Nanny?


The witches are one of my favourite character sets, so of course I'm going to enjoy this one more than some of the other ones. I try not to be prejudiced towards the novels, but I can't help having my favourite characters.  I liked Maskerade because it was kind of like a detective novel as well, as they're trying to figure out who or what is doing all these killings. And of course because it was written by Terry Pratchett, it's always comical.


Terry Pratchett was one of my absolute favourite authors, so I was absolutely devastated to hear of his death. I hope he's in a happier place now.

R.I.P Sir Terry Pratchett

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Robert Langdon 2: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Robert Langdon 2: The Da Vinci Code
Dan Brown


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Langdon is in Paris this time and is called to look at another dead body, this time the curator of the Louvre. Cue Langdon and the victims granddaughter escaping and going on a quest to find the true Holy Grail.


I felt The Da Vinci Code was pretty much the same as Angels and Demons. In both novels Langdon is called upon in the middle of the night to investigate a dead body covered in mysterious symbols, gets himself into some kind of danger/almost dies, meets a young woman, but ultimately saves the day. And what happened to Vittoria from Angels and Demons? It's like Langdon has just completely forgotten about her.

I think if I hadn't read Angels and Demons first, I would have enjoyed this book more. I just felt like I was reading the same book again, but with a few details changed. As part of the series, I would rate this book 3 stars, but as a stand alone novel I think I would rate it 4 stars, so for this review I'm rating it 4 stars, trying to think of each book individually.




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The Wee Librocubicularist

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

House Rules
Jodi Picoult


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Emma is a single mother with two teenage sons; Jacob and Theo. Jacob is on the autistic spectrum and has problems communicating and in social situations. When is social tutor is found dead, he gets arrested for murder. Oliver, his new lawyer, has quite a challenge ahead of him! Did Jacob really do it? Will Oliver be able to prevent Jacob going to jail?

"All those little Autistic kids you see smacking their heads against walls? They're not doing it because they're mental. They're doing it because the rest of the world is so loud it actually hurts, and they're trying to make it all go away." -Jacob

For me, stories about people on the autistic spectrum can be a hit or miss. I have a younger autistic brother, so I'm all too aware of the daily struggles and stress it can put on the family. I'm also aware of how unique and brilliant the people affected are. 

I enjoyed House Rules. Jacob is obviously more towards the Aspergers end of the autistic spectrum, but I think his character is portrayed quite well. In fact, I think all of the characters are quite believable. For Jacobs character it's more the little things that make a big difference, for example, eating certain coloured foods on certain days of the week, along with dressing in that colour. Autistic people are very much set in their ways, and don't like change to their routine.

In House Rules each chapter is written in first person by a different character. Personally I think this is one of my favourite writing styles as you get a better insight into each of the characters and they way they think and feel. I'm not a huge fan of novels that are written in first person by just one character, as they are speculating how the people around them are feeling and what they are thinking, so you don't really know anything for sure.

Anyway, I've rambled on a bit. If you want an easy to read, but not so light hearted story, I'd recommend this!

Jodi Picoult

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Discworld 17: Interesting Times by Terry Pratchett

Discworld 17: Interesting Times
Terry Pratchett


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 Rincewind, Discworlds worst wizard, is sent to the Counterweight Continent as the "Gread Wizzard" to fight a great battle. Meanwhile, Cohen the Barbarian and his horde of extremely old men are there to take over the Empire. Rincewind is reunited with Twoflower, and for once everything seems for be working for him. That is, until the Unseen University try to bring him back, and send him to an unknown location!

"You don't read, do you? You never learned to read? Then you've wasted half your life." - Teach/Mr. Saveloy

I don't think I will ever tire of the Discworld novels. Obviously there are character sets that I prefer, so I'm automatically going to be more invested in those novels. But each story provides a further insight into the various people living in Discworld. So far I've not read one that I didn't like. Just can't beat a bit of Pratchett!

Terry Pratchett

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Robert Langdon 1: Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

Robert Langdon 1: Angels and Demons
Dan Brown


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Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor in symbolism, is called in by the Director of CERN, Maximillan Kohler to help find the killer of one of his top scientists; Leonardo Vetra who has been branded with strange symbols. Robert believes it to be the work of the Illuminati, an ancient brotherhood believed to be dead. Meanwhile in Vatican City, the Pope is dead, 4 Cardinals are missing and the antimatter has been stolen. Can Vittoria and Robert save Vatican City?


I've heard so many people ranting and raving about how amazing this book is, and I've got to say, I'm a little disappointed. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is about this book that has disappointed me though. The story is interesting and I thought the characters were believable. I guess there's just something missing, but again, not sure what. The writing is okay, though could be better. But what couldn't be better?

I've also heard people talking about how they preferred the Da Vinci Code, so we'll see if I like that one any better.




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The Wee Librocubicularist