A review by rbz39
School's Out - Forever by James Patterson

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

This is the embodiment of middle book syndrome. The flock goes to school, goes on several trips that don’t amount to anything but filler, and the big bads are sort of introduced. Kinda feels like this was cut into thirds out of one large manuscript and pasted together with filler. The series completely lacks any sense of permanence, since scenes and characters just zip by along with the page count. At least there’s a bit of character development in this one, but it’s weird that most of it is devoted to Ari, the sympathetic psychopath. Really weird that this book has as much self-harm as it does, and there’s a lot of light cursing that wasn’t in the last book. Also Bill Clinton (under a different name) shows up as the president probably? This book was wacky.
Sad to see some of the plots that get really out of control in later books (apocalyptic prophecies and max’s destiny to have children) appear here.

Onto book three, with trepidation. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings