Max and the flock are back! In the fifth novel of James Patterson’s hit series, Maximum Ride, the bird kids must save the world again. MAX, released by Little, Brown and Company in March of 2009, picks up shortly after book four where the flock shivered and fought global warming in Antarctica. MAX is non-stop action from page one, reconnecting the reader to the flock as they are targeted by yet another greedy, evil scientist.
The flock otherwise known as Max, Fang, Iggy, Gazzy, Nudge, and Angel are 98 percent human and two percent bird, were grown in a lab, have wings and can fly. Throughout the action-packed series, the bird kids have successfully fought their way through multiple evils. Along the way they adopted the talking (and now flying) dog Total as one of their own, discovered new abilities, and Max has even begun to develop a relationship with her biological mom and half-sister Ella.
In MAX, the battle for survival continues for both the flock and the planet. Author James Patterson presents a fast-paced story that reads like an action film. The fight sequences are masterfully created giving the reader visual images that are spectacular and heart pounding. With each bone-crunching hit, readers will cheer on Max and the flock as they soar to victory.
Because it is the fifth book in the series, Patterson does provide minimal background for readers not familiar with the previous books. So many times in a series, the reader is bogged down with back-story during the first chapter or two to help the readers who don’t know or may have forgotten earlier plot lines. This can slow down the start of a good story. James Patterson does not suffer his readers with early back-story, he provides it in simple bursts spaced strategically throughout the story. In MAX, we are immediately immersed in the story and desperate to know who is after these kids and why.
Although the main plot line revolves around the kids saving Max’s mom and ultimately the planet, Patterson does not forget about the human side of his amazing bird kids. Having been grown in a laboratory their lives have been anything but normal. However, within each Maximum Ride book, we are drawn into their lives by Patterson’s clever reveals regarding their various personalities, passions, and character.
Readers will delight in the continuing explosive antics of Iggy and the Gasman, especially as they get to put their skills to work while on a military submarine armed with nuclear missiles. We see Nudge’s love of school and learning blossom while she is torn between wanting to be normal and her loyalty to the flock. Patterson’s humorous look at the passions of the talking, flying dog Total provide several chuckles and gratitude that our own pets can’t say what is on their minds.
And then there is Angel. Angel, our sweet little thing, predicting the future, reassuring Max, talking to sharks, and beating M-Geeks to bits with her bare little six-year old hands. Sweet and mildly scary, Angel continues to be an important character in the series and the source of Max’s many frustrations.
In MAX, we get the continuation of the emotions shared by Max and Fang. Teenage hormones and love can be powerful, even when you are not a bird kid who constantly has to fight for your life and save the world. The budding romance between the title character and Fang is one that fans have been cheering for since the first book. There has always been chemistry and finally in the fifth book, a new level of commitment is shared between the two teen bird kids.
MAX and the Maximum Ride series continue to be engaging because of its ability to be relevant to readers of all ages. Adults, teen, and pre-teens can share the adventures of the flock because there is something for everyone to relate to with each character. MAX contains the right combination of serious elements, levity, and intelligence designed to reach across multiple generations of readers.
MAX, by James Patterson is highly recommended for any reader, young and old who enjoy a good story with likable characters plus the elements of mystery, suspense, a little romance, and definite action.
