overall it was a nice read. i was a bit slow through the entire book, after 100 pages i still didn't get into the characters much. Elizabeth Kostova didn't give me enough about the main characters for me to want to like them, although i did try. although the pace is slow it still is a solid read. turns out to be a fun adventure. i started with da vinci code then went onto angels and deamons and rule of 4 now the historian. if you like the books i mentioned earlier, the historian will be good keep you busy for 642 pages