The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, Book 1) by James Patterson
Who care’s about the plot!? This book was action packed and super fun to read!
Ok I guess I should mention the plot, I can’t help myself. A group of children were genetically enhanced with wings, and with help, escaped the lab where they were created. Living on their own, 14-years old Max takes care of the whole group. They range in age from 6-14 but for all intents and purposes are all 14. Besides a lame attempt to have the youngest bond with a stuffed bear, the dialogue, thoughts and actions of these children were all at a pre-teen level. The easiest thing to do is just pretend they are all the same age and get over it.
Also created at the lab were various other half-breeds, including the half-dog Eraser’s who continually come after the small flock. Although at one point its discovered that Max is implanted with a chip, and a mention of how pets are chipped and tracked with them, the group never fully gets it that the Erasers keep finding them due to this chip. Which can get really annoying, I keep thinking of the saying that the definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The flock keeps hiding and getting found over and over again without rest. Stupid. Despite the fact that this plot is all over the place, growing increasingly stranger and stranger, the books is truly an addicting read.
For Tweens?
Just enough creepy lab stuff, fighting, and male characters to appeal to Tween boys. Just enough wings, flying, and girl characters to appeal to the girls. A must have!
Final Word
What editor on earth allowed this author to include a reference to “Seven of Nine” in this book! This is an obscure reference to a character from the TV show Star Trek: Voyager that was featured from 1997-2001. This is so lame for a number of reasons. First off this book came out in 2005! So already the reference is outdated. Secondly even if the characters in the book were cooped up watching old TV shows it is a stretch to believe that the average reader would have done the same. This is actually quite telling about the author. Seems like a typical Sci-Fi guy to me -all in a bundle for a hot woman who plays “Seven of Nine” subsequently everyone else should be to. Men.
Patterson, James. Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride). New York: Little, Brown Young Readers, 2007. ISBN#0316067954
