Anybody else check this out? It's the debut novel of 2 best friends: Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason and B&N.com described it as an "Ivy League Da Vinci Code" while some reviewers say it's better. More like a cross between Umberto Eco and Donna Tartt. I had a $20 gift card so I bought it yesterday but I haven't started up on it.

The Rule of Four

my mrs started to read it got most of the way through and put it down, she said it got very sentimental very fast.

Not as good as the DaVinci Code, but not bad. I wasn't very happy about the ending. A better book by far is The Intelligencer by Leslie Silbert. Kind of like Alias meets DaVinci Code. For a first book this is well above average.

I have to confess I stopped midway on this one too. It just seemed that nothing was happening and I had already passed the halfway mark of the book. I'll try to pick it up again soon. Thanks on the book recommendation Fladnag, may have to check it out.

Well, I just picked this up at the library, the librarian said it has been very popular and that it was usually snatched up again as soon as it came in. So I, wanting to be part of the new big thing, checked it out. Doesn't sound too promising from this thread, though. I've still got a little more to go on "Song of Susannah" and then I'll have to pick between the latest Jack Reacher novel and TROF.

I picked this up after a few reviews said it was the next Da Vinci Code. Goddamn book reviews lied to me. I wanted another conspiracy theory book, but what I got was a boring, so-so coming of age story with the conspiracy as almost a minor subplot. If you're looking for another Dan Brown, Rule of Four ain't it.

I completely agree. I finished this book last night, and was just glad to be done. Ending was quite predictable, and I expect there to be a sequel.

I'll give the Intelligencer a shot, thanks for the recommendation.

this was one of those books that i ended up reading all the way just to get to the end. i seem not to be able to stop in the middle of a book, even if i want to, as was the case with this book.

it's not that it was even bad, it's just that, as the other posters have said, the build up for this thing was sort of just hype to get sales.

Boy, did anyone like this book? I'm glad I occasionally drop into this forum 'cause I was recently thinking of picking this one up after reading the hype. I think I've already reconsidered.

I still haven't gotten back to it. Hehehe.
Started up the Intelligencer and I have to say this is better even though the interchanging timeline is kinda distracting. The character and story is more engaging IMO.

Honestly, if I wasn't so anal about finishing a book I've started, I would have stopped midway, too. If you want to know what happens just to have some closure, let me know.

Bummed about The Intelligencer - my library doesn't carry it, and this type of book isn't one I buy (won't re-read a mystery or thriller). I've submitted it as a suggestion for them to purchase.

Just finished it. Argh...


It was written by two different authors, and it really reads that way. I really liked the parts about the book and the decoding, but it just about killed me to read about the back story.


I definately agree with the other people here! If you liked the Da Vinci Code this is not a good follow up book.

I think most of the book was back story.

just finished this today, and i have to say, i did enjoy it.

i had tried to read it when i got it as an advanced copy back in the spring but just couldn't get into it. picked it back up recently and it hooked me right away. i loved the discusssion on the book and its history, etc. but wasn't to impressed with the sentimental stuff. i understand what they were going for but i just kept thinking "this is not how 22 year olds think!" the dialogue and the thought process of tom got a little old for me. he "learned" something wise everywhere he looked!!

so, yes, it was predictable and yes, it was a little cheesy but it was enjoyable. i wouldn't try to compare it to da vinci code as many have, it is just a different book altogether.

Don't forget that they are all at Princeton. I live about 5 minutes from Princeton and wind up spending a lot of time around students in town. You would be surprised at how many of them really do think and talk like this.

i should have been more specific; I meant that i don't think 22 year olds speak or think in such a "wise " manner. tom is always reflecting on things in an i've-reached-the-end-of-my-life-and-have-learned-so-much-through-the-many-years-worth-of-experience kind of way.

I understood what you meant just fine. I am saying that many Princeton students that I have run across over the last few years really do think like this. They sit and discuss the deeper meaning and life lessons in everything while eating ice cream on a bench on main street. It a little alarming actually.

seriously. im THIS CLOSE to stopping half way through. nothing happens.

all i think is that these two wanted to write a book about princeton - just to brag about it and talk about all the different aspects of it. this should be a pamphlet for potential princeton students talking about life on campus. im sick of eveyr other sentence describing a building or room or club on campus. we get it - you went to princeton. congrats, well done. heres a cookie. now move on.

when does the STORY start???

agreed. thats why i picked up the book too. NOTHING like da vinci code. cant believe all those reviews that are written on and in the book about it talking how its better than DVC. yeah fucking right.

This thread makes me laugh-I picked up the paperback awhile ago and also stopped reading midway through.

I'd like to go back in time and tell myself to go ahead and stop halfway through like I was thinking of doing (for the first time ever)

Yup I'd like those hours back too.
I wish I had read this review from Amazon:
"...The book has so many good bits of prose, a well thought out plot, and a lot of really intelligent background information regarding the book they are researching...However, the book just doesn't work, doesn't gel. ... Something is missing..."

A recent read that I preferred in a similar vein is The Geographer's Library - a book I recently had a real live conversation about with someone who had also read it.

Finished this not too long ago and actually enjoyed it...and yet I find myself agreeing with the criticisms stated in this thread.

I think the most fun came when I could actually pronounce the title of the book; Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. Saying that title out loud to other people was a strange moment.