[Review] Origin - Dan Brown

Titel: Origin

Series: Robert Langdon #5

Author: Dan Brown

Publisher: Random House Audio

Format: Audio

Synopsis: GoodReads

Review: 4*, GoodReads, LovelyBooks, Amazon

 

Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to attend a major announcement—the unveiling of a discovery that “will change the face of science forever.” The evening’s host is Edmond Kirsch, a forty-year-old billionaire and futurist whose dazzling high-tech inventions and audacious predictions have made him a renowned global figure. Kirsch, who was one of Langdon’s first students at Harvard two decades earlier, is about to reveal an astonishing breakthrough . . . one that will answer two of the fundamental questions of human existence.

As the event begins, Langdon and several hundred guests find themselves captivated by an utterly original presentation, which Langdon realizes will be far more controversial than he ever imagined. But the meticulously orchestrated evening suddenly erupts into chaos, and Kirsch’s precious discovery teeters on the brink of being lost forever. Reeling and facing an imminent threat, Langdon is forced into a desperate bid to escape Bilbao. With him is Ambra Vidal, the elegant museum director who worked with Kirsch to stage the provocative event. Together they flee to Barcelona on a perilous quest to locate a cryptic password that will unlock Kirsch’s secret.
Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon and Vidal must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself . . . and who will stop at nothing to silence Edmond Kirsch. On a trail marked by modern art and enigmatic symbols, Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ultimately bring them face-to-face with Kirsch’s shocking discovery . . . and the breathtaking truth that has long eluded us.
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It’s been quite a while since I last read about Robert Langdon, so I was pretty excited for Dan Browns newest book to be released. This time I decided to get the audiobook, which was enjoyable, but there wasn’t anything specific or worth mentioning about the narration.

As usual the plot was quite interesting, faced-paced and action-packed, yet this time round it felt like a bit too much after a time. Unexpected twist after twist, it seemed like it would never stop, maybe I’m getting to old for this :D

What was also somewhat disappointing for me was the fact that Robert had very little opportunity to show off his knowledge about religion and symbology. It felt like we lost a lot made Robert Langdon so special with this book.

The great reveal at the end of the book was also somewhat less than expected. I was imagining some kind of earth shattering revelation, what with all the murders and drama facilitated to stop Edmund Kirsch. What was revealed was quite the story, but not as dramatic as expected.

In general I felt like Brown added a lot of things to this book that he didn’t follow through with, such as the relationship between Robert and Ambra and the little reveal towards the end about the Bishop and the King.

Yet I really enjoyed myself while listening to the book and I would recommend it anyone who asked, which is why I rated it 4 stars, even though my review might sound somewhat negative.