I want you, the reader, to take a moment and scroll down to the lists this novel has been shelved in. “Best Young Adult Books,” “Best Books Ever,” “What To Read After Harry Potter,” “Best Female Lead Characters,” and “Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books”. If you haven’t guessed by the titles, these are pretty big and popular lists. If you click into them and view the lists, you will see that this book is pretty high up the ranks. And if you looked behind the book, you’ll see raving review after raving review. If you looked inside, you will see MORE raving reviews telling you that Maximum is a soaring story that will sweep you off your feet, etcetera etcetera. This book reminds me to the ad for Kellogg's Rice Krispies Squares. They would say the most fabulous things about the product, and then would turn around at the very end they say in a big, booming voice; I was lead to believe I was about to read a soaring adventure novel filled with damaged characters who stick together out of both love for each other and fear of their enemies. I thought I was going to read about the horrors they went though, and the horrors they’d have to face. I thought this book would make me feel the magic of flying, to make me truly understand the meaning of freedom. This book lied to me – it lied right in my face. It told me it was a Christmas Dinner with juicy turkey and ham and lobster and chocolaty dessert but instead I got a plate of brussel sprouts. What I got was a pathetic and one-dimensional cast of character (who seemed mentally sound even after their years of abuse), unclear and unemotional writing, poor action scenes, has no depth whatsoever and lacks simple life to it. While I was reading it I felt like I was reading the writing of a reluctant reader or the back of a cereal box. It lacks character to it. One single paragraph written in simply for humour was what really ruined the book for me. It was the paragraph that made me almost cry at the lost of the money I spent on this book. “Am I tough? Am I strong? Am I hard-core? Absolutely. Did I whimper with pathetic delight when I sank my teeth into my hot fried-chicken sandwich? You betcha.” Your probably reading that quote and wondering what’s wrong with it, aren’t you? Let me paint you a picture first, and then I will ruin that quote with some of my logic. The main character, Max, is part human part bird. Before this quote was written they had spent several days hiding out on some cliffs with a couple of wild hawks. On and on they went, telling the reader how fascinating these creatures were and what they learned from them. They all even call themselves The Flock. Then, zoom on a hundred-or-so pages and Max is munching down on some fried chicken. So; she’s part bird, spent most of her time with birds, and calls her family the flock. Oh yes, now you can see where I’m going to go. Chickens are birds. So Max – a half bird girl – is eating a bird, and is completely cool with it. Relishes it, in fact. Yeah. Solid thinking there from the author. That quote also shows you how shallow the characters are, because Max continues to tell us how "spunky" and "feisty" she is. But does she actually show these characteristics? Nope. Unless you count the truly horrendously bad come-backs she made. In many way's she reminds me of Celeana from Throne of Glass. Talks the talk but never truly walks the walk. The rest of The Flock merge together, most having no real purpose to the story. What does the sweet little Angel do? Nothing. What does the Gasman bring? Nothing but farts. Iggy? He made something explode. Nothing after that. And I can't tell you the rest of the characters, because I have forgotten their names. Just shows you how much these people stick in your mind.The plot mainly featured weird twists, confusing battle scenes, constant running and flying away, and useless scenes. Another reviewer named Joe wrapped up the useless scenes perfectly. There's a concert scene, a family sub-plot that has no real reason of existing, and many chapters wasted by them spending days with hawks (I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that before).I hope your happy, Mr Patterson. You tricked me into thinking that you would take the more emotionally powerful and moving route with a dash of action and adventure, and for your trickery I will award you with this; this shall be my first and last book of yours. Your welcome and good day.
Title: The Angel ExperimentAuthor: James PattersonSeries: Maximum Ride #1Rating: ★★★★★ Summary: In James Patterson's blockbuster series, fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride, better known as Max, knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the "flock"--Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel--are just like ordinary kids--only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time...like when Angel, the youngest member of the flock, is kidnapped and taken back to the "School" where she and the others were experimented on by a crew of wack jobs. Her friends brave a journey to blazing hot Death Valley, CA, to save Angel, but soon enough, they find themselves in yet another nightmare--this one involving fighting off the half-human, half-wolf "Erasers" in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives. Along the way Max discovers from her old friend and father figure Jeb - now her betrayed and greatest enemy - that her purpose is save the world--but can she?Review: At first, I sadly admit to abandoning this book. I think I was so hooked on saving Angel from the School that once they accomplished that, it should have ended. But then they were talking about the Institute and blah, blah, blah...I just was a teensy bit disappointed. But I loved it the second round. And the third. :)Things I Loved: Max. She's such a strong leader, and a hilarious one. Her sarcasm and side thoughts crack me up on ever page. I'm fond of her thinking and her bravery to protect her family. I'm eager to see what she evolves into and how she deals with it.Fang. My first impression of him is this too-cool-for-you type guy. But really he's just shy in a not-shy kind-of way. He's ready to fight whenever, which isn't shy at all. But feelings? As far as I know, he doesn't express them. You gotta work on that, Fang. Iggy. Aww, I love Iggy. He's so, teenager-ish. I mean, there's really no other way to put it. He and his little sidekick the Gasman like to get into trouble. It's amazing what you can do when your blind, especially with Iggy. He's this mischievious whiz kid. The Gasman. Even typing it makes me laugh. He's just as mischievious as Iggy, always getting into trouble, the two of them. They have this cute brother relationship and I love it. It's adorable to watch them.Nudge. The hungry one. Haha, nah, Nudge is so sweet. I love how she's just this down-to-earth type kid. And she kicks butt. What's cuter? And Angel. OHMYGOD Angel, I JUST WANT TO HUG YOU!! She's so adorable! I mean, GAH, she's SO DANG CUTE AND INNOCENT! It's funny how she hasn't picked up any curses with Max's potty mouth. :DThings I Hated: I wish I had loved it the first time reading it... :(
What do You think about The Angel Experiment (2006)?
I read this a long time ago and actually kept up with the series until the third book. From what I read, I'm pretty sure the author had absolutely no plot in mind. I think Patterson shouldn't even try to write Young Adult
—Mith
Whoa!!! This book is sooo good. It's really, really, REALLY fast-paced and action-packed. Even the very first chapter throws you headfirst into straight-on action. It's a very easy read, with short chapters that flow right into the other with cliffhangers. It's not something you can start/stop reading; once you start, there's no turning bag. You're dragged into the story from the very first page, willingly or not, and nothing can tear you from the book- only forceful things, like school, homework, parents, etc. While reading this book, I experienced rushes and throbbing through my head at all the excitement, thrill, and suspense. It felt like watching an intense action movie. And the end is a huge cliffhanger, making me sure that I'm going to attack the next book right away! This is good for anyone who wants to read a good, fast, exciting action book! :D
—Sella Malin
Summary: tGenetically engineered Max and her friends are 98% human and 2% bird. An adventure story about young adults struggling to survive and discovering whom they are and why they were created along the way.Personal Response: tA very fun and engaging book. I do not know of anyone that has not dreamed they could fly. The characters are enjoyable and the special bond they have with each other and feel they're longing to belong to a family engages you. The characters make the reader think about what hate is and what purpose does it serve.
—Shirley
