Angel

Maximum Ride #7

by James Patterson

In the seventh book in the bestselling series, evil scientists are still trying to convince Max that she needs to save the world, this time by providing the genetic link in speeding up the pace of evolution. Worse, they're trying to convince her that her perfect mate is Dylan, the newest addition to the flock. The problem is that, despite herself, Max is starting to believe it.

Fang travels the country collecting his own gang of evolved humans, but the two separate flocks must unite to defeat a frightening doomsday cult whose motto is Save the Planet: Kill the Humans. And this time, the true heroine, for once, might just be little Angel.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Romance, Paranormal

298 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2011

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Kaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOLIERS. LOTS AND LOTS OF SPOILERS.

*for all reading this, I want you to know that I am an avid, crazy- obsessed max ride fan. its just that this one installment... well, you'll see.I might update this later, when I sound more normal and get the disapointment out of my system.*

and since it's MR, I can't rate it lower than a four. Sorry to all those who agree with the following review.
__________________________________________________________________

Dear James Patterson,

I am willing to forget Maya and Dylan and this 'book' that you published if, in the next one, you bring Max and Fang back together. There are many different types of books that you can pull off a romance switch like that, but Max Ride isn't one. This is where the fandom interrupts your writing, because nearly 90% are team Fang.

SO,
I suggest that this next and final novel you are writing should end with Max and Fang. This isn't about what you want as an author. You can go and write a side novel just for yourself to satifsy this whole Dylan romance switch feeling. But you are selling these books, and if you want to make money, then you need something people want. Which is FAX.

And even though I think you are trying as hard as you can to make it a clean break, I think it would be an insult to all the other books, along with all your fans, to not fix their relationship. At least have them be best friends again. PLEASE.
_______________________________________________________________

COMPLAINTS:

1.
QUOTE:
"Never, Max," Dylan said. "I'm programmed to imprint on you. You know it. I can't fight the urge to be with you, no matter what."
UNQUOTE.

JAMES PATTERSON, PLEASE DON'T TELL ME YOU JUST MADE A FREAKING TWILIGHT REFERENCE.

2.
Mr. Patterson, you must be kidding me...
YOU WANT MAX AND DYLAN TO HAVE KIDS?
It wouldn't be that bad if it was Fang.
BUT DYLAN?
AND KIDS?

That whole subject in this book disgusts me. It's like it came out of some spaztic teenage girl's messy fanfiction. Its a plot twist that, yes, confused many and was unsuspecting to all readers, but its JUST WRONG. The only good thing that came from that was the jet scene... the only scene where there was a Max/Fang moment that didn't end in, "oh yeah, thats cute, but I'm supposed to hate you so forget it."

3.
MAYA. JUST NO. NOT COOL.

And Dylan should have died after that hypodermic needle incident. just sayin'.

______________________________________________________________

GOOD PARTS (?)
- The plane ride. I already mentioned that, but still, favorite scene.
- Angel's alive and has forgotten about the "I rule the world" idea. (but how dare she pick Dylan over Fang!)
- That Iggy didn't stay brainwashed. And the Ella thing fell apart.
- That Jeb is possibly dead, along with Dr. Gunther Hagen
- That there is a *possible* way this book can end that would work for me. (sorry for being so selfish in this review...)

There is a way. Since the Fang Gang and the Maxalators didn't completly wipe out the Doomsday Group, then that means in the next book they can do so. And since Max's clone is hangin around, that means that Dylan may have a chance to get a little side tracked....

So brings me to my...

conclusion.

What could happen?

PLAN #1. The world catastrophe ends - either the world is destoryed or they save it. Since this is Maximum Ride and not The Hunger Games, I'm guessing the latter. Maya and Dylan both die, Max + Fang.

PLAN #2. No Max + Fang. I burn the book.

PLAN #3. Dylan, meet Max's clone, who is a bit nicer and more prone to not hating you. Maya, meet Dylan. And in the back, Max and Fang get back to normal. This, for me, is the best, but it might be a bit too Disney. But then again, so are most of the relationships in this book.


Thanks for reading, if you spent the time to listen to my complaining and actually get down this far to read this complaint. I hope that the next (and final, btw) book will finally bring this series to a semi happy close.


**EDIT** 4/9/12
I tried to reread this. Looking back its way, way worse than I let on before. It is a horrifically written book - guys, my five year old brother could write better than this.

[Paige · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finished this so long ago but never reviewed. SO MANY FLAWS!!!!!!!!!

Love Maximum Ride, but really James Patterson, I'm beginning to hate you.

Flaw 1: Max and Fang were in LOVE. They were best friends before that and would tell each other ANYTHING. Once they see each other in this book they have nothing to say to each other and act like strangers! Okay, maybe I was expecting a little heartfelt reunion, but THIS?!?! What the hell was THAT?! That was two middle school friends seeing each other after 20 years and having nothing in common anymore. NOT the best duo I could possibly ever think of. That was a MAJOR plothole. Try to intertwine some memories, please James!

Flaw 2: Dylan. >:( As soon as Fang leaves, Max sits in her room for a day then runs with open arms to Dylan! Okay, Fangs gone, time to move on! I don;t THINK so. Max apparently fell in love with him? Sure. Okay. She knew him for like 3 months and knew Fang since they were little! Dylan is a freaking ROBOT!!! FANG has been with you all of those times, not DYLAN! *So much more to write, but...I just can't.

Flaw 3: Max 2. Nothing more has to be said.

Flaw 4-2308: Not even going to get into those. The whole book sucked and at parts I had to put it down for the rest of the day I was so wound up. I swear, if max doesn't end up with Fang in the last book and DYlan doesn't get his heart broken BRUTALLY, I will organize a lynch mob and...oh nevermind. I've never been this disappointed or pissed at a book in ym life. When I threw it against the wall, it left a dent.
It was the angels.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

nooooooooooooo is not fair is iggy's turn !!!!! >:(

People in James Patterson's personal page he posted the first 8 chapters of Angel and they were... disturbing you'll see when you finish chapter 8.

[Ayla]

Hmmm... I think if Fang dies, I will too. So that's why I feared for my life in Fang.

I think I know what Max would say right about now: "If Fang is in any way harmed - if he gets a hangnail - you won't see another morning."

As for the whole Max/Dylan thing, it would depend on if it lasts. This would be the ideal situation:
1. Max falls for Dylan
2. Max sees Fang or hears from him or something like that.
3. Max realizes that she loves Fang more than Dylan
4. Fang gets jealous/ protective of Max
5. Dylan leaves or dies

The end!
But I think this is what will happen instead:

1. Max will resist falling for Dylan
2. Max will fall for Dylan, then will hear from Fang and be all mad at him
4. Fang will get jealous and will either fight an internal war or come and beat the mess out of Dylan (I'd prefer option #2)
5. JP will give us another agonizing year-long waiting period to sit and wonder what'll happen next.

I think I'd rather have a cliffhanger because that'll mean there's a guarantee of another book.

Sorry, people, I'm a screaming fangirl for these books. But a little more sophisticated now that I've squealed for around an hour after reading about "Angel". Can't wait, regardless of how the book turns out. (Unless of course Fang dies. Then I'll die too, but not before burning the books)

[Lore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also posted on STRANGEMORE.COM.

Oh schnikes.

James Patterson is now using the word "imprint" now. God help us all.

Well, considering the imprinting in this book is from one teenager to another and that they are actually BIRD mutants (the term imprint originated from the act of a baby bird bonding with it's mother), it isn't quite as icky as a wolf imprinting on and falling in instatruelove with a newborn baby. Because we all know that bestiality combined with pedophilia is totally romantic, right? But still, Patterson. WTF?

Other than the obvious blatant attempt to appeal to the Twilight generation with the onset of a love triangle between a blond Adonis-type mutant and the rugged dark-haired broody mutant, I had a lot of fun reading this book and the series in general.

I probably should be ashamed to say that I read the Maximum Ride series, but who am I kidding? I have no shame. It's a guilty pleasure. I started reading them before I matured literaturicly, and no, I'm not sure that I'm proving my point by using a made up word like literaturicly but "So what? Who cares?" *multiple exaggerated shoulder shrugs*

The Rundown

For you sci-fi gurus, you may notice similarities with James Cameron's masterpiece television series Dark Angel, which if you haven't watched... what the hell is wrong with you? Let me break it down: Jessica Alba, as a mutant, kicking ass while wearing leather - Do you need more convincing than that? REALLY?!

Some facts about the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson:

* Girl named Max, short for Maximum.
* She kicks ass and doesn't stop to take names.
* She is a mutant with special abilities because of her recombinant DNA.
* She has a "flock" of other friends with special abilities.
* Her love interest is part of her group but it seems they are destined to NOT be together.
* Her main job is saving the world, but she mostly ends up just doing a few odd jobs here and there.

While this may not be Dawson's Creek with mutant teens who have a ridiculously large vocabulary, it IS a lot like Dark Angel, complete with angst, wangst, and a love triangle but specifically with recombinant DNA bird kids! WOOOOOO!

These books are by no means "brain food." In fact, most would consider them juvenile, which is one thing I love about them. They don't use complex or lyrical language. They can be melodramatic at times, but mostly they are just unadulterated fun, not to mention entirely addictive.

The Tone and Pacing

The Maximum Ride books usually fly at a breakneck speed and don't often slow down. The flock is always on the move, always performing ridiculous feats of awesomeness, and always making stupid jokes. Regardless of the camp in these books, they have a lot of heart also, as well as great messages for younger teens or pre-teens.

"There's nothing more dangerous than someone trying to act for the greater good."

Which is so true in lots of ways. Many horrific things have been done in the name of the greater good. Hitler thought the Holocaust would create a superior master race. Religious extremist think that ridding the world of all religious opposition is for the greater good. People who think they have the best intentions can often be the most ruthless.

Apart from messages about saving the world and being the best version of yourself, there are also not-so-complex undertones about doing what's right and taking care of the planet. It did get a little preachy for my taste in one or two of the books, but overall, the series is still worthwhile and hella fun to read. And there is only ONE more after this book. *cries like a little baby, like a little baby in it's crib*

The Verdict

I'm so ridiculously attached to these books and these characters that I just can't give this one any less than 4 stars.

There are not very many articulate reviews of these books (I mean one review actually calls a main character "butt poop") and unfortunately the books themselves are not highly intelligent. There aren't really any prerequisites here. No thinking required.

The Scarecrow could read these books. *sings* "If I only had intelligent conversational techniques."



These books are FUN, FUN, FUN! And mainly just that, which is exactly what I needed.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm just wondering how many more books in this series there are going to be. Even the description admits it: "evil scientists are still trying to convince Max that she needs to save the world..." STILL?! Come on Mr. Patterson, how much more can you drag this out? Seriously, here are my suggestions:

1. Kill Angel (the evil, little, back-stabbing brat).
2. Let Fang return.
3. Let Max save the world.
4. Give the Flock a happy ending.

--------------------------------------Edit 3/17---------------------------------------

Much, much better!! Let me revise me old list:

1. Angel can stay. Don't kill her off, or I will cry.
2. Fang can... I don't even know. Be happy on his own with the Fang gang, I guess.
3. Let Max save the world.
4. Give the Flock a happy ending.
5. And a new suggestion: Keep Dylan around!

[Sakina (Y.L.) Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max and Fang are gonna get to see each other before the whole twenty years spiel? Phew.

Impending love triangle...

O_o

For me, the Voice may have said that Dylan was Max's genetic match, but Fang will always be her soulmate.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: Maximum Ride, the leader of a group of mutant bird kids, has been informed of an upcoming apocalypse, and that she and her kind will likely be among the few to survive. Worse yet, a mad scientist from Max's past wants her to lead other surviving genetically mutated kids after it hits. After meeting some of her potential underlings, Max and crew discover that the other kids have been sucked into the propaganda of The Doomsday Group, which has a dangerous hidden agenda. Will Max and her friends be able to stop the Doomsdayers and save the world?

Story: 4.5/5
As usual for James Patterson's Maximum Ride series, this is another hero-versus-villain yarn that works quite well. Action-packed at times, dramatic at others, it really draws you in, and is a true page-turner.

Writing: 4/5
Much discussion has been made about the writings of James Patterson, who is easily one of today's most prolific authors. While he has legions of readers, some critics, such as horror writer Stephen King, are not fans of Mr. Patterson's works. While I can't compare this to Mr. Patterson's Alex Cross or Women's Murder Club series, only because I've never read them, I found the writing great, with a dash of humor thrown in via Max's narration. It was slightly awkward to switch from a first-person to third-person perspective, but it was also necessary to the story.

Content: 4/5
The violence is very much like that of a comic book movie, with no blood or gore, though there are some implied deaths. No profanity, save for the usage of the acronym "WTH". Sexual content is limited to kissing and one stray crude reference. There is absolutely zero drug or alcohol usage, and only a tiny amount of bathroom humor. Where the book falters slightly is with the storyline. The Doomsday Group, who are the main villains in Angel, talk about a world ending event in a few days where "everyone will be in the arms of Mother Earth." That sounds like a cult, but it could be interpreted as a slam against Christians who have claimed to know the date of Jesus' return, only to be proved wrong. Not knowing where Mr. Patterson stands religiously, it would be hard to determine his true intent. If that doesn't bother you, then there's little offensive content, though I wouldn't recommend it to those younger than "tween" age because of the violence.

Conclusion: I first found out about James Patterson's Maximum Ride series thanks to an Amazon.com recommendation after reviewing the first Alex Rider novel. After reading the premiere book, The Angel Experiment, I devoured every other available entry in the series. Prior to reading Angel today, I hadn't visited the series in a while, but, now, I am eager to read the finale, Nevermore. Even if you haven't liked other "young adult" novels, this series is a bit different, as far as content goes.

Score: 4/5

[Canadagirl]

This series should have ended three books ago, before all that stupid global warming stuff. And I hear there will be yet ANOTHER book coming out after this.
I LOVE Maximum Ride, but seriously, even good things have to come to an end. And if this ends up like all the other series I read that went on too long, the series is only gonna get worse. From what I've read of Angel, that's the way it's going to be.

I mean, issues:

-Dylan. Ewwwww. Just, no.
-Fang leaves. News flash James Patterson. Fang is one of the ONLY reasons people read Maximum Ride. In fact, I think it should be called Fang, not Maximum Ride.
-Angel. I get that Max still sees her as a little, well, angel, but she ISN'T! She is a backstabbing trouble maker with an ironic name.
-The Voice. Ignoring the fact that the idea of a Voice is stupid, the voice is a hipocrite. "Fang is your soulmate." So Max listens to the Voice, and dates him. Then the Voice is like "Dylan is your perfect other half." Would the Voice just make up his (her?) mind?
-Iggy. Gazzy. Nudge. Iggy again(cause I love him). So, when did these characters become, like, non-exsistant? They havn't done anything substantial in a while.
-Plot. Find one.

There's more, but I'm too lasy to type it. But I think I'm alowed to be too lasy to type the issues if James Patterson is too lazy to fix them.
All I can say is that I hope I'm not wasting my money on yet another dissapointing sequel.

AFTER READING:

Worst. Max. Ride. Book. Ever.

You could tell just by they way he ended it in a cliff hanger that he didn't know how many people would buy it.

One thing about people is they change, but I can guarentee that no one does so much so fast. Fang. Max. Angel. They are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PEOPLE!!!!

And let's also point who was in, maybe, 5 chapters in the book.
-Iggy
-Nudge
-Jeb
-Ella
-Dr. Martinez
-Voice
-Akila
-Total
-Gazzy

The "Fang Gang" nobodys that we don't care about got more mention than really anyone above.

I believe that JP is forgeting who is in his books, and what powers they had, because, no one really used their powers eccept for the Fang Gang.

And worst of all
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FANG BECAME A JERK!!!!!!!!!!!!! :_(

yeah. i know. suckish and it ruined the whole thing. "Maya" (Max II) is stupid and how could he just replace Max with her?

[Michaela · Rating 2 out of 5]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ANGEL IS GETTING A BOOK?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But the she-demon is evil she nearly got the flock killed and caused Max and Fang to break up for 20 years!!!! Yet she gets a book.
What are you thinking J.P.
Max is believing that Dylan is her perfect match, seriously thats impossible. You better fix this mess J.P or you will be slaughtered by vicious fangirls.

[Erica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of the first books that taught me what makes a bad book (I was 14 when this book was released). Before this point, I had read books in the past that I didn't like, but I never thought it was a bad book... until this abomination was released.

Terrible writing, horrific character assassination, and contrived plot points that go nowhere. It's an insult to the original books. Patterson should fire the ghostwriters who wrote this.

That's all.

[Christa]

Angel. Must. Die. ‘Nuff said >.< Gawwwww she is SO lucky I can't sprout my own pair of wings on command, otherwise she'd need a bunker to hide in! She's such a backstabbing little BRAT! WHYYYYY hasn't Max kicked her butt already?! She needs a good old fashion SMACK UPSIDE THE HEAD!!!! Anyway.......
Dear Fang,
I miss you! Max has lost her mind! This stupid Dylan kid is moving in on your girl man! Are you gonna take that?! NO!!! No we’re not! You KNOW you can’t stand the guy. Heck, I wanna kill him and he’s not even REAL! So quit being stupid and get your butt back here! Kick his butt!! (but don’t touch his face cuz he’s still a hottie ^^)
Love, UberFanWhoWishesAngelWouldDieAlready..

[Mel]

Ok so I'm in love with the Maximum Ride Series and have read every book twice. I like the Illustrated versions but they got Fang and Nudge all wrong. Anyway, back to Angel.... I agree with many others that James Patterson should really include Nudge, Gazzy and Iggy more. I'm tired of everything always being about Max or Angel.
Here's what should happen:

1) Max should fall for Dylan
2) Fang should find out and become jealous causing him to come back and fight for Max
3) Angel should DIE (and bring Total with her...)
4) Nudge, Gazzy and Iggy should be much more important
5) Ari should come back, I miss him

Here's what will actually happen:

1) Max will fall for Dylan
2) Fang will find out and be totally fine with it
3) Angel will save the world with Total (and won't die) :(
4) Nudge, Gazzy and Iggy will once again be left out from everything important
5) Ari will remain DEAD

Sadly we all know this is mostly true. Sigh. And James Patterson, I might be a crazy fan girl but i promise not to kill you and burn your books like some others said they would. That's just plain creepy.

[B.E. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Warning, contains spoilers from book 6

Ok so I have been waiting for this book since... well since 'Fang' came out!! I love this series, but I have to say that... 'FANG' WAS THE WORST BOOK EVER!!! Why? I'll tell you why:

Number 1: Fang fricking left!! WTF!! How could he? ~sob~ I nearly cried, and after I got over my sadness I threw the book at a wall (or at least I wanted to).
Number 2: Dylan? Really? SERIOUSLY?! No way. No fricking way!! That cannot happen!! Fax forever!!
Number 3: I despise Angel and always will. I don't care how cute she is and little and blah blah blah, she's a demon. Why can't they see that?
Number 4: Iggy, hello?! He should be next. I adore Iggy and he deserves a turn.
Number 5: And finally... MATING?! Umm, is it just me or is that very weird?

~Sigh~ Well I'm glad thats out of my system. I'm so scared this one is going to be even worse the the 6th one (oh please no!) But, you know what? I'm gonna ~gulp~... I'm gonna... READ IT! Good luck to every one else is is brave enough to as well.

[Lessly · Rating 2 out of 5]

**CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS. YOU SHOULD SERIOUSLY READ THE PAST BOOKS IF YOUR GONNA READ THIS ONE.**

Well, maybe a two-and-a-half?

I don't have high hopes for this book, really. Fang was just... Extremely extended Drabble. Just saying.

I mean, I loooove Fang himself. Reading the first four books, I thought to the side, "Aww, they're perfect for each other! They HAVE to get together! :3" Then reading Max, "Oh, YES! Finally! :D" Come Fang, and here's what I thought. "-___- Oh, please."

Last time I checked, the Flock was on the run, kicking Eraser butt. Then the ever so wonderful JP (Erhem!) goes and gets rid of the Erasers waaaay too abruptly. It made me happy that the Flock could relax and such, but after a whole book of NOTHING, I was tired of it. I missed the old times, when I was actually FRUSTRATED that the Flock was fighting constantly. But yeah, I got my wish, and the cliche :be careful what you wish for" hindered very, very true. Sigh...

ANYWAYS, here's what I think, on the Fang-Gone-Random-Hot-Dude-Appears situation...

Eff Dylan. Where in the world did this guy even come from? Sometimes I wonder what goes through JP's head when he writes this stuff. The dumb, corny letter was horrid. Since when does Fang spill his guts like THAT. Pfft, I'm still convinced that someone wrote that letter FOR him. Anyways, in one sentence, let me sum up my thoughts:

"Dylan sucks, come back Fang-ster!"

I reeeally do expect Fang to come back and for everything to just... You know, work out. But I wouldn't be surprised if JP killed Fang off. You know, to spice up the series. :\

BUT enough of THAT.


I'm worried about when that menace to society Angel is gonna start up a flock and I dunno, kill Max. Hehehe. That girl scares the heck outta me. She was so cute and sweet, though. I think a part of me can't let that go, you know..?

And when are Iggy, Nudge and Gazzy are gonna I dunno, PLAY SOME PART IN THE SERIES? Mehhh... I love them alot. O.o

Yeah, yeah, I'm almost done...

Now, my reaction to that little preview of Angel. I really got my hopes up until, you know... Dylan came and well.... Yeah. >.< Then that breeding thing...? Jeepers. O.o Especially when Dylan had a glimmer of HOPE in his eyes, I was convinced...

Dylan is a PERVERT. Max wants to MARRY FANG. (Bahaha, I never thought Max would think like that.) Angel is BIPOLAR. Jeb is still a WEIRDO. I've never almost pucked because of a book until NOW. I'm gonna read this book, even if it KILLS ME!


That's it. Of course I'm reading it. As puke worthy as the idea is, we all wanna know how Max deals with this... "Breeding thingy."

Yup.

...?

Blargh.

[Karen Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had enjoyed books 4 and 5, I actually might be excited about this.

But seriously, James Patterson should have ended this series a LONG time ago. Books 4 & 5 were immensely boring and seemed like fillers. But maybe that's just me. I mean, what's the deal with all of this eco-friendly crap?

Seriously?

The answer: sadly, yes.

Personally, I despise Angel. Here Max is, practically being her friggin mom and saving her butt, and all Angel does is push Max out of the Flock and declare herself leader. She's a six year old, let alone a minor character. I can safely say this kid is a winged brat. She should've fallen from heaven a while ago.

And then DYLAN? Where did HE come from? He just randomly pops out of nowhere and makes Fang THE BEST GUY IN THIS FORMERLY AWESOME TURNED TERRIBLE SERIES leave! Furthermore, he reminds me of Justin Bieber, which is never a good thing. Maybe, if we're lucky, he'll turn out to be gay and we'll all be happy again. Or happier than we were.

And now there's going to be a second flock?!?! ARE MY EARS WORKING?!?!

Oh god please people, do not get your hopes up, because you will be greatly disappointed.

[Morgan Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

(sad sigh)
You know how some books make you squeal in delight once you buy them, even if you know bad things are going to happen in that book? You just have to be happy, because you love the series and the characters and you know it'll all be alright, even if you also have an inkling that some of the main characters are going to die?
Yeah. I don't feel that anymore for this series.
The first three books, they were great. The series could have--and maybe should have--ended there. And why? Because the enemy was the School. They were a believable foe, someone you know you hate but are glad for, in a way, because they'll always be there to rip your guts open. Now, though, I have honestly no idea who the enemy is anymore. (Well, I know Angel is an antagonist. I mean, she's betrayed the flock time after time, and they're all gullible enough to take her back, just waiting to see what evil thing she'll do next.) Anyway, the enemy was global warming, I think. Then it was Mr. Chu. Then it was the guy who created Dylan. Now it's, I don't know, people who want to kill the human race, and for good reason I might add. You don't know if Jeb is good or evil, although if you look at his personality, he may care for Max, but he's evil to the core.
I wish I could get all my frustrations out but it's kind of wordless, ya know? There's only one more thing I have to say: Mr. Patterson, let the series come to an end. The books are fine, but the characters are...well, not. RIP Maximum RIde.

Oh, and that whole "Save the planet: Kill the humans" thing sounds a lot like what Jeb's group of evil cohorts tried to do with the half and half plan or whatever it's called.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angel is a butt poop!!! Shes scary with that "I want to lead the flock" thing! And now shes ganna be the herion? NO! And Yeah, when does Iggy get his turn to be all awesome? I was very excited for this book to come out and now, not so much. Fang is amazing, how could Max not wait for him? He did what he thought was right. Whatever.

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I ever go camping, I'll take this series with me. You can never bring too much kindling. Or toilet paper alternatives.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this series.much more than expected. Looking forward to next book

[Jacqueline Smith]

Oh my gosh, what is he thinking?? I mean seriously I love most of his books, and all of the Maximum Ride books but there are most definatly sevral flaws.... okay alot of flaws. Why the hell is he allowing Angel into the Flock again, I mean what dose she have to do to get offically kicked out? kill one of them? take over the world? betray them for the upteenth time? Also why the heck did Fang leave... I mean statistically I see why he had too but this is basically what happened

Fang: I love you Max

Max: I love you too

Fang: We will always be together

Max: Oh Fang..

Fang: Exept I am going to ditch you now and refuse to see you ever again until at least 20 years from now.

Max: But Fang...

Fang: bye

Max: NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! FANG!!!!!!!!!!! *sobs for weeks*

Dylan: Hi

Max: LEAVE ME ALONE!!! I HATE YOU!!!

Dylan: but we are made for each other

Max: you know what... your right..... I LOVE YOU!!!

Dylan: I LOVE YOU TOO!!

Dose he not see how wrong that is.. I love Fang and he better come back and take Max back and KILL DYLAN! Also will he PLEASE include Iggy and Nudge and Gazzy more. I mean SERIOUSLY its always 'Max and Fang' that or 'Angel is a traitor' this and the rest of the flock are always left out. Oh and Total is cute and all but... he is starting to get pretty pointless, so unless James Patterson has any secret plan for him I think he should go. And what is all this nonsense about Angel saving the world.. I mean she is A FIGGIN 7 YEAR OLD!! and aside from that she is a TRAITOR, and I bet you she will betray the Flock at least 5 more times before this series ends witch it looks like wont be for a while.... I just hope he hurries up and gets this series back on track.

[Asch-Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freakin' NEED this book! My life depends on it! Well, not really, but I'm obsessed with the Maximum Ride series and I don't know if I can wait till next year!

Update:

Finally! Finally I have this book in my hands! Now, let's see if it lives up to the Maximum Ride name.

Yet again...another update:

I just finished this book today and, to my surprise, I really liked it. I mean, I totally ship FAX, but I wouldn't mind it if Max and Dylan got together. I'm still kinda angry at Fang for leaving Max in the first place (I know, I know, he's not real, but STILL!). Also, I like the fact that in this book there is an ACTUAL bad guy! Max isn't chasing after some vague "save the world" nonsense. They actually have to stop an evil organization from destroying the world! And to that I say, HALLELUJAH!!! I was really starting to doubt James Patterson's ability to come up with antagonists. The closest thing Max had to one was the School and that hasn't been around since, like, the third book.
Anyway, enough of my ranting, I really enjoyed this book. I think it's going to be one of my favorites. Not because of the fighting or the romance, but because Max really matured throughout this book. She showed another side of her personality. Instead of being tough and emotionless all of the time, she showed a more vulnerable side. And I think that gave her more depth as a character, in my opinion anyway.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Sigh* What the heck?! When I read FANG I nearly sobbed. Fang is the BEST character in the WORLD. I <3 Fang. WHAT IS UP WITH MAX AND DYLAN? I hate Dylan. He made Fang leave! Like I said I LOVE FANG. I HATE DYLAN. And Angel.. this friggin' 6 year can't save the world! She's gonna betray everyone. -_- And Max, she needs to learn a little. FANG I LOVE YOU! YOU'RE LEAVING OH NO! I LOVE DYLAN!! I used to love Max, now I despise her. AND MATING? DYLAN AND MAX HAVE TO MATE?? THAT'S AWFUL. I don't want to read this book but I have to find out with happens! WHY DID FANG HAVE TO LEAVE? Grrr. James Patterson, if you make Max and Dylan mate I will never read one of your books AGAIN!

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A note on Max and Dylan/Max and Fang...

Okay, James Patterson, MAKE UP YOUR MIND ALREADY. Is Max gonna be with Fang or with Dylan? Personally, I would PREFER (Note: Prefer meaning, I would be eternally happy if you did it, and burn all the books if you didn't) if Max and Fang are together, but, hey, it's your call. Please, make the right one. The only MAJORLY annoying thing about romance in this book, was the Dylan/Fang thing. So, is Max like "Oh, well, since Fang's gone, I guess I should just like Dylan now, right?" and Fang's basically like "Max is gone. Boohoo. I'll just hang out and do my own thing now." Ugh, I mean, really? Max and Fang DESERVE to be together, I think that's, like, a mutual decision between all readers. Dylan stinks, Fang Forever. James Patterson, if you're reading this, PLEASE don't have Max get together with that newbie hunka-junka. Fang has been around since the first flippin' book, and Max and Fang LOVE each other. Dylan is "imprinted" with Max, but that doesn't mean she is imprinted with him! She should go with Fang. Fang likes her. She likes Fang. It works. Dylan can hook up with Max II. It's settled. Cuz, ya know, I don't know about anybody ELSE, but I think that Dylan is a little...new. Max hardly KNOWS him. She knows Fang like the back of her hand. It's not that complicated, guys.

A note on Angel...

I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved Angel in this book!!!!!!!!!!! ...let's backtrack a bit. So, I LOVED Angel in the first book, thought she was still pretty cool in the second book, started to think she was a little creepy in the third, disliked her in the fourth book, HATED her in the fifth book, but, James Patterson, did you resurrect an epic character or what? Now she's, like, all "Max, do what YOU think!! I believe in you!" stuff instead of "Max, I should be the leader! Not YOU!". I like her this way. Of course, I sobbed my head off when she supposedly died then went "Oh, WHEW" when I realized she wasn't actually dead. THANK YOU JAMES FOR NOT KILLING A AWESOME-THEN-EVIL-THEN-AWESOME CHARACTER!!!!!!

A Note on Fang's Gang...

Remind me again, what was the point of Fang leaving? So Max could hook up with Dylan?? So Fang could start his little club? Fang's Gang was probably my least favorite part of the book. They were all arguing at one point and then they seemed pretty invincible at other times. It was a bit of a stretch on James Patterson's part, and I didn't really like it. And the whole "replace Max with Max II" was stupid. I mean, really, Fang? Go away from Max then expect her to give you a warm welcome when you come back when you've been chillin' with her clone? Plus a bunch of other honkidy-donks? Ratchet was fine, Star and Kate were annoying, Holden was weird with his Starfish stuff, Max II (or should I say Maya?) was downright OBNOXIOUS. Argh. Then, of course, Fang gets all angry at Max because she likes Dylan...I mean, dude, seriously, you LEFT HER. That doesn't mean that I like Dylan, cuz I hate 'im, it just means that Fang is being a little hypocritical towards Max...dontcha think?

A Note on Iggy...

To all those fans who kept saying "It's Iggy's Turn!" and "the book should be named IGGY! Not ANGEL!", well, unless you wanted an entire book devoted to Iggy being in the looney bin believing in the one light (which was sorta the only major role he played)? Think about it. It would've been a short, and BORING book. Face it. It WAS Angel's turn. Course, hopefully the next one will be named GAZZY, but I doubt it. Oh, and the entire Iggy + Ella thingy was SOOO cute! :) I never expected them to like each other, and when they were all cosy-cosy it was, honestly, quite adorable. Call me easily persuaded, but I think that they should be together. James Patterson, please, listen too all this stuff, 'mkay?

A Note on Gazzy...

*Sniffle* I feel bad for the poor kid. He's my #1 favorite character (Well, he and Max are tied), and I wish he could've disabled those bombs. He had it in him. He's still epic, though. REALLY epic. But, another thing, he like "didn't save Jeb", remember? So, what, is this James Patterson's "Let's make Gazzy look bad" book? It's okay, man, but, please, give the kid a break.

A note on Dylan...

Jeez, dude, seriously. I wish Dylan would REALIZE THAT MAX LIKES FANG AND VICE VERSA. Why can't he un-imprint Max? Why??? He's a newbie and seemingly invincible. Max deserves somebody that's, *cough*, MILDLY normal, know what I mean? And, Max is supposed to be Miss My-Way, and she seems to be falling a little bit to Dylan against her will...anybody else notice the dramatic change? It might just be Fang leaving, or it might just be Dylan's secret evil mind controlling powers that we'll learn about in book 8, because Dylan is actually helping Dr. Gunther Hagen...which reminds me of the next thing I need to mention...

A note on Max's Mom, Jeb and Dr. Gunther Hagen...

What happened to THEM? They were there at the begginning, then POOF. Gone. Whoosh. Forgotten. I hope they find them in the next book. Oh, and Ella too! Let's find Ella too. Don't forget about that. That would be bad, JP. VERY bad. VERY, VERY, VERY bad.


On a whole, this was an AMAZING book. Though my review probably sounds a bit negative... Whatever. I LOVED this book, and it was DEFINITELY one of the better ones in the series (i.e. Better than Final Warning). Call me biased towards books where Max and Fang are together, but ANGEL was NOT as good as FANG, or MAX, but it was REALLY close. I can't wait for the last book!!!!

Did anybody else notice how James Patterson said that the last Max Ride book would be released in February of 2012? 2012??? That's the supposed "end of the world" year, right?

I hope he's not implying something, there...

Maybe it just takes him a year to write a book...

-Ruthie the #1 Max Ride fan!!

[Lulu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Angel - Continuing the Twilightification of The Maximum Ride Series or saving it from a fate worse then death? SPOILERS!


First, Uh, Angel it's Iggy's turn to have the spotlight. :/ Poor Iggy, it looks as if he's been pushed to the side in the Max Ride novels. He had the potential to be such a great character too...


Secondy, JP, I honestly hope this book is better the past three. Everything after the third book has just been so... Bland. I've been so disappointed with the direction these books have been taking.


First the message "SAVE THE WORLD AND GO GREEN." was stuck upon these books like some company paid JP to add the message to the books or something. With book 5, Fang, the Maximum Ride series begun falling into the dark depths of the Twilight universe, perhaps to never return.


I can see Mr Patterson is attempting to leap onto the Twilight bandwagon, like every freaking other new teen release out there. Max is meant to be with FANG. Not Dylan. This was established in the first books.


Dylan is a hastily constructed too-attractive boy meant to suck Max into the pointless love triangle that lovesick middle schoolers and rabid Twi-hards fantasize about.


I hope Angel will turn things around and bring back the brilliant world of Maximum Ride that I fell in love with back in books 1 - 3, because Maximum Ride was once my favorite series of all time. :(

[dyanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is what I thought fang and max were like BEFORE I read this book:

Max: I'm sarcastic and seem indifferent, but I will never let go of the people that I love.
Fang: I don't say much, or look like I feel much, but that's because I need to be there to hold the flock up. And to hold Max up. And that goes double for Max.


here's what they are like to me now.

Max: Oh my gosh, Fang went away, and I was like, sad for three days but then this super hot guy that I barely even know said he liked me so now of course I like him. I mean, people say he's a robot, but he likes me, so that means i like him, right?
Fang: I am the most selfless person in the world for leaving Max and totally did the right thing and besides, it was stupid that she was the leader. I mean, the flock? Fang's Gang RHYMES for god's sake so it's wayyy cooler. And now my love life is perfect since there's a clone who constantly reminds me that she's way better than Max and I guess she is. I mean, she likes me so that means I have to like her, right?

oh and there's Dylan.

Imagine what a conversation with him would be like:

Me: Hey.
Dylan: hey, did you know I like Max?
Me: Yeah, because you were programmed that way
Dylan: But Max likes me too. and I like Max.
Me: What about Fang? Doesn't Max like Fang?
Dylan: But I like Max.
Me: facepalm

Mr. Patterson, what have you done? We SERIOUSLY need to talk.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

well this book was the best!!! i really loved it but hate that i have to wait a year for the next one =[ such a cliff hanger !! grr ...and i dont care that in this book dylan is the "better guy" TEAM FANG ALL THE WAY!!!.. i mean like he will come around right>? =/

I CANT WAITTTT!!!!!!!!!
but please let fang come back i LOVE him and everyone knows he and max belong together ... get the other guy that was "made for her" [BULL] out of the picture PLEASE !! let fang come back and lets hope angel has nothing to do with him going away more then she already does cause idk if i can stand it!!! ugh >:p

[Anne Osterlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max is dealing. With being followed all around by the I-have-been-programmed-for-you-Dylan. With saving the world—naturally. And with the heartbreak of losing Fang.

It’s bad enough that he left—for a whole other section of the country. And that he’s setting up his own team of kids as if Max and the flock aren’t good enough. But then . . . he goes and invites Max’s clone onto his team!

There is going to be a reckoning. Soon.

Fun. What more can I say? Isn’t that what Maximum Ride is all about? I love it when a book pulls me along. Almost as if the wise-cracking narrator had wings:)

[Alienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please, no. Just...no. Hasn't this series been dragged through the mud enough? At least we'll get some closure to the ending of Fang. Hopefully this time the series'll be done for good-the phrase 'should have left well enough alone' comes to mind.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I felt so many emotions while reading this book.