ryanjamesburt's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it. Bunch of kids that have wings and are trying to avoid the evil scientists who created them. Pretty good. I am going to look into the next book.
sparklepluth's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick read. Some violence, some character development but it seemed to be written as a draw to read the other books in the series.
kimal25's review against another edition
5.0
First in a series of awesomeness. I wish I could fly.
"Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel. Six kids who are pretty normal in most ways—except that they're 98 percent human, 2 percent bird. They grew up in a lab, living like rats in cages, but now they're free. Aside, of course, from the fact that they're prime prey for Erasers - wicked wolflike creatures with a taste for flying humans."
"Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel. Six kids who are pretty normal in most ways—except that they're 98 percent human, 2 percent bird. They grew up in a lab, living like rats in cages, but now they're free. Aside, of course, from the fact that they're prime prey for Erasers - wicked wolflike creatures with a taste for flying humans."
snazel's review against another edition
4.0
I will admit that I did not have high expectations for this book. By which I mean I had one of those moments where you stand in front of the library shelves and realize you've read everything that looks even remotely good, and then you grab a random book off the shelf because it's YA. (I also admit that I may have been influenced by the fact that my grandmother read The Lake House, by the same author, and liked it. I honestly did not expect to share reading tastes with my grandmother.) But hey, I heard there were kids with wings in this book, and I have a character with wings who I love, so I thought I might as well give it a shot! I mean, otherwise I'd have to read The Brothers K. *fearful shudder*
So I checked it out, and brought it home, and opened it up, fully prepared to write a scathingly sarcastic review about how anything can be popular nowadays! Then, a hundred and sixty five pages later, I realized I might actually be enjoying this...
The plot is this. Max (short for Maximum) is one of six kids who've been genetically experimented on. The most obvious symptom of these experiments is the fact that they have wings, but as the story progresses it becomes clear that the flock has other "special talents." They escaped from the School two years ago, and are happily learning how to be normal in a house up in the mountains. Unfortunately, thepeople Scientists at the School are not eager to let their precious experiments just up and LEAVE like that, and they send their enforcers after the kids. Much chasing and freaky things ensue.
And really, that is it for the plot. There are chases, and escapes, and chases, and escapes, and narrow escapes, and really freakily narrow escapes, and more chasing. Unexpectedly though, I really didn't mind! It feels like the author was in love with these characters and a few ideas, so he started playing with them. He didn't really figure out where he was going with the plot until about two hundred pages in, when his editor said "ah-huh, this is great and all, but we have to sell this to kids. Make it a trilogy." And maybe I'm just in a startlingly amiable mood, but this was fine with me! I love hanging out with good characters, and the character of Max is lovely.
At the beginning of the book I was not sold on the narration, particularly because I though Max was a guy. But once I figured out that she was, in fact, female, I had a melt-down of relief and embraced the book gleefully. (That may or may not have been a literal description of my actions... ) I loved Max's voice once I got used to it, especially her wry comments on events such as hearing voices. (Can I also say I loved the genius hacker schizophrenic boy? Is that allowed?) Since this book is a continuation of two books for "grown ups" it starts out with many things already established, including the evil nature of the people at the School. I was particularly annoyed by how often they felt the need to repeat the evil nature of the deeds of the School. Then I met the white-coats of the School, and I no longer minded anyone mentioning the fact that they'd rather die than go back there. The habit of telling me things before they were shown was actually my main quibble with the book, though by the end of it I no longer minded.
Despite the number of pages in this book, it was a very fast read. I think I got through the 422 pages in under two hours, which has something to do with my reading speed, but also had a lot to do with the font size, four-page chapters, and easy comprehension level of the book. If you pick it up, don't expect it to take a weekend to get through. However, if you do pick it up, expect to have to seek out the other stories in the trilogy. The ending manages to both resolve almost nothing, and add new questions.
So yes. Plot was meh, then WAIT HOW IS THIS THE END??? characters were win, voice was win. A lovely, exciting, fluffy/dramatic read. I gave it four stars out of five.
So I checked it out, and brought it home, and opened it up, fully prepared to write a scathingly sarcastic review about how anything can be popular nowadays! Then, a hundred and sixty five pages later, I realized I might actually be enjoying this...
The plot is this. Max (short for Maximum) is one of six kids who've been genetically experimented on. The most obvious symptom of these experiments is the fact that they have wings, but as the story progresses it becomes clear that the flock has other "special talents." They escaped from the School two years ago, and are happily learning how to be normal in a house up in the mountains. Unfortunately, the
And really, that is it for the plot. There are chases, and escapes, and chases, and escapes, and narrow escapes, and really freakily narrow escapes, and more chasing. Unexpectedly though, I really didn't mind! It feels like the author was in love with these characters and a few ideas, so he started playing with them. He didn't really figure out where he was going with the plot until about two hundred pages in, when his editor said "ah-huh, this is great and all, but we have to sell this to kids. Make it a trilogy." And maybe I'm just in a startlingly amiable mood, but this was fine with me! I love hanging out with good characters, and the character of Max is lovely.
At the beginning of the book I was not sold on the narration, particularly because I though Max was a guy. But once I figured out that she was, in fact, female, I had a melt-down of relief and embraced the book gleefully. (That may or may not have been a literal description of my actions... ) I loved Max's voice once I got used to it, especially her wry comments on events such as hearing voices. (Can I also say I loved the genius hacker schizophrenic boy? Is that allowed?) Since this book is a continuation of two books for "grown ups" it starts out with many things already established, including the evil nature of the people at the School. I was particularly annoyed by how often they felt the need to repeat the evil nature of the deeds of the School. Then I met the white-coats of the School, and I no longer minded anyone mentioning the fact that they'd rather die than go back there. The habit of telling me things before they were shown was actually my main quibble with the book, though by the end of it I no longer minded.
Despite the number of pages in this book, it was a very fast read. I think I got through the 422 pages in under two hours, which has something to do with my reading speed, but also had a lot to do with the font size, four-page chapters, and easy comprehension level of the book. If you pick it up, don't expect it to take a weekend to get through. However, if you do pick it up, expect to have to seek out the other stories in the trilogy. The ending manages to both resolve almost nothing, and add new questions.
So yes. Plot was meh, then WAIT HOW IS THIS THE END??? characters were win, voice was win. A lovely, exciting, fluffy/dramatic read. I gave it four stars out of five.
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
... I was always a bit confused as to whether this was titled "Maximum Ride" or "The Angel Experiment" ...
I enjoy YA reads, but this actually felt aimed at an even slightly younger audience (12-13?). It was a decent story. I'm not sure if I'll continue on with the series ... perhaps.
I enjoy YA reads, but this actually felt aimed at an even slightly younger audience (12-13?). It was a decent story. I'm not sure if I'll continue on with the series ... perhaps.
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this fun, quick read. It's filled with lots of great action and tons of memorable characters. I like how often Patterson slips in description that is bird specific such as flock, fly, nest, etc. It's a subtle thing that really adds to the story's charm. While there are few minor things that I quible over (Max's full name feels a bit cliche, and you'd think she'd figure out the whole tracking chip thing earlier considering how often the Erasers mysteriously show up) on the whole this was a satisfying diversion. I am really looking forward to getting my hands on the sequel!
thatbookishgalbecks825's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely Loved this book. I was really afraid I wasn't gonna like it since the kids are...well...kids. they range in ages from 6-14. But just after the first page I love it! I will definitely continue the rest of the series.
aphrael's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the story but it's very YA. Nothing much happens and the things that do happen don't have many consequences. It's unclear what the opponent is trying to do and what they have already done and why, which makes the book kind of aimless. The third part of the book is them going after some information they seemed to already have in their house in the first part. They do not confirm whether or not the house is still there and if there's any bad guys there. I did like them sticking together though, and the way they talk about flying is pretty magical. Overall this seemed something not really for adults, I think it's more fun for kids.
peppermintprose's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The last time I 'rated' this book was in my 2008 journal when I was in elementary school. I used to absolutely love this series.
My 5th grade teacher read this to us after recess. We'd sit at our desks for 'down time' after running around and he'd read us a few chapters of Maximum Ride. I remember thinking about how cruel humans can be, and how much I loved all of the characters and the shenanegans they got up to. Something about kids escaping from a lab after being experimented on, being on the run and just trying to make it to the next day was so thrilling and exciting to me.
I adored Max and her surrogate mom role. Eleven year-old me really admired her responsibility and all the efforts she put in to keep her family safe.
I even wrote very early fanfiction, in the form of 5th grade writing exercises, based on Maximum Ride. And I skipped lunch and saved all the money to buy my own copies of the books (which I think I might still have?) I was a hardcore fan!
Now that I think about it, this was the book that kickstarted my YA dystopian subgenre obsession. This was the book that started it all.
Part of me wants to go back and read it to re-experience it, but I have a suspicion that's just going to ruin the magic for me.
My 5th grade teacher read this to us after recess. We'd sit at our desks for 'down time' after running around and he'd read us a few chapters of Maximum Ride. I remember thinking about how cruel humans can be, and how much I loved all of the characters and the shenanegans they got up to. Something about kids escaping from a lab after being experimented on, being on the run and just trying to make it to the next day was so thrilling and exciting to me.
I adored Max and her surrogate mom role. Eleven year-old me really admired her responsibility and all the efforts she put in to keep her family safe.
I even wrote very early fanfiction, in the form of 5th grade writing exercises, based on Maximum Ride. And I skipped lunch and saved all the money to buy my own copies of the books (which I think I might still have?) I was a hardcore fan!
Now that I think about it, this was the book that kickstarted my YA dystopian subgenre obsession. This was the book that started it all.
Part of me wants to go back and read it to re-experience it, but I have a suspicion that's just going to ruin the magic for me.