A group of genetically enhanced kids who can fly and have other unique talents are on the run from part-human, part-wolf predators called Erasers in this exciting SF thriller that's not wholly original but is still a compelling read. Max, 14, and her adopted familyFang and Iggy, both 13, Nudge, 11, Gazzy, 8, and Angel, 6were all created as experiments in a lab called the School. Jeb, a sympathetic scientist, helped them escape and, since then, they've been living on their own. The Erasers have orders to kill them so the world will never find out they exist. Max's old childhood friend, Ari, now an Eraser leader, tracks them down, kidnaps Angel, and transports her back to the School to live like a lab rat again. The youngsters are forced to use their special talents to rescue her as they attempt to learn about their pasts and their destinies. The novel ends with the promise that this journey will continue in the sequel. As with Patterson's adult mystery thrillers, in-depth characterization is secondary to the fast-moving plot.
My Grandson put it down half way through
Very good book. While categorized on the young adult reading level, this is a good read for all ages. The pace is fast and there are twists and turns everywhere. Highly recommend.
There can be no disputing James Patterson's writing ability, though I have not liked his adult books. This was because of subject matter, not writing. This book , Maximum Ride, skims the borderline between sci fi and ordinary literature. It contains just enough of the outrageous to captivate a teen or even a Young- Adult -book- reading -grandma like me. I enjoyed it immensley. Patterson has the ability to make the absurd realistic. When I finished this book I sent it to my grandsons. They will have to wait in line, though, because my son got it first and is reading it.
I liked book II also and am waiting for book III to arrive.
I read quite a few YA books and this one was certainly NOT one that I would recommend. It seemed flat and written "down" just because the target reader is a "youth" doesn't mean the writer has to write "down", being young doesn't mean that the reader can't understand good writing. If you want a good YA series skip Patterson and read some of Scott Westerfeld's books or Jonathan Stroud, at least those authors aren't just trying to fulfill a contract for their editor which is what this book felt like. Flat & rushed.
This was a good read, alittle young for me(NO ROMANCE)but overall I liked the storyline. Book 2 picks up alot faster than the first.
This book draws you in from the very start. Love the series.
Good book and storyline. I'm a James Patterson fan--with my favs being Alex Cross. This book definitely brings back memories of "When the Wind Blows" although they are supposed to be entirely different stories according to the author. My kids have now read these books too and have suggested it to there friends.
This is a fun easy read that those young MG readers could appreciate as well as adults who just like a good adventure. In some ways the set up in this story reminded me of Dark Angel in where there are kids who "belong" to a lab and then fight their way to freedom and staying that way. After that, the resemblance ends. You then have a unique telling of mutants learning to navigate the world which they know won't accept them.
The adventure these kids have is quite intense and you can't wait to find out all of the answers to the questions that form as they fight to save one of their own. Fight to save Angel, the littlest from a fate worse than death. Along the way they learn more about the world than they ever thought possible and find some unlikely help along the way. However, even while on the hot trail of learning more about their past and what they were told was true or not, they find that they can't trust anything or anyone outside of the flock.
Although I liked all the main characters, my biggest complaint about this book is that it is hard to really connect on a deep level to the kids. It makes sense because their whole life is crises management and so little time is left for really knowing who they truly are. However, since this is only one book in a series, I feel that the connection will come and probably sooner than later. You can see things falling in place within this book for that to happen.
I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I think it is a fast and fun book for the beginning to this series. I recommend it to those that enjoy UF and YA.
Max, Fang, Gazzy, Iggy, Nudge and Angel are bird-kids held captive by a sinister group. These people are cross-breeding humans with various animal forms. Max and the gang escape and these are their adventures. As a series starter, it is terrific and really draws you in. You can't help but root for these poor kids who are bombarded left and right by evil. This is a great young adult series.
GREAT book! Really makes you think about where science is heading! Introduced this book to my 8th graders and they love it.
