Author: James PattersonI started the Maximum Ride series when I was ten, and they were my favorite books (and only books I'd read) for years. So of course I have to stick with it, even though The Final Warning--as much as it hurts me to say it--sucked, and Max was better but still not nearly as good as the first three. So these day, when I cuddle up for a few hours with the latest installment in the series (yes, only a few hours, these are QUICK reads) the only things I've come to expect are great characters, a fun and sarcastic voice, and a decent romance. A good plot? The last thing I expect from these books anymore.
Release Date: March 15, 2010
Pages: 336 (HC)
Publisher: Little Brown
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: Borrowed
Other titles in series: The Angel Experiment, School's Out Forever, Saving The World and Other Extreme Sports, The Final Warning, Max
Being a kid with wings--constantly on the run--has never been easy, and Max and her flock are getting tenser than ever. First, on a trip to Africa, they meet a mysterious billionaire whose intense scrutiny of the flock makes her fear the worst. Then, a cryptic message from a young girl arrives, warning them "The sky will fall." And as if an impending apocalypse weren't bad enough, canny birdkid Angel makes a dire prophecy about Max's soul mate: Fang will be the first to die.
Max's desperate desire to protect Fang brings the two closer than ever. But can the team weather the storm, or will the turmoil rip them apart for the last time?
I was surprised with how much I enjoyed Fang.
Unlike the last two books, we actually have a decent VILLAIN with actual MOTIVES. Our beloved Flock has an actual GOAL. HALLELUJAH! HOUSTON, WE HAVE A DECENT PLOT!
*clears throat* Sorry. Kind of freaked out on you there.
Yes, there are things that still irk me: Who's the Voice? What does it mean when it tells Max that she needs to save the world? Is Jeb good or bad? These are questions that we've been asking since book 1, and in book six we STILL don't have answers to these questions.
With Fang being a noticeable step above the previous two books, I can't help but be excited for the last two books (yep, it was announced, only two books left).
Book Report:
Plot: Existent, and--as always--wonderfully fast paced
Characters: At this point, they're as colorful and familiar as my favorite cartoon characters. (Except Angel. I've always hated Angel.)
Writing: It's James Patterson writing. Need I say more?
Ending: Sad, but I'm excited to see how the new plot twist works out.
Kid friendly? Completely. (In fact, a little too kid friendly for my tastes. As awesomely bad as Max is, you'd think she'd at least occasionally swear.)
Should I read it? If you've read the earlier books, then definitely. Don't give up on the series yet!!
Overall:
