Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
Maximum Ride is not an ordinary teenage girl. She and her ‘siblings’ are part of a governmental genetic experiment. Max is part human, part bird, and a whole lot of attitude. Anyways, for the majority of the book, Max and her ‘flock’ are on the run from the government and these bad guys called erasers, which is really a synonym for werewolf.
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson was a rather quick read. I read it in the span of a few hours. The chapters were incredibly short, averaging 3 pages, and the font was big. Also there was plenty of action, if not character growth. While I can’t complain about action, my favorite part of reading is meeting and becoming acquainted with characters. I finished this feeling as though I didn’t know the characters well enough, and also asking several questions pertaining to plot holes. For example, the kids are basically raised in isolation and it seems like they were fairly mistreated, so how is it that they know how to read and write? I thought being experimented on didn’t leave much time for education. Also, how did they know how to use the internet? I know I’m nitpicking, but I am bothered by plot holes, much like other people are bothered by things like historical anachronisms and such.
On the one hand, I think Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson is a great book to hand to reluctant readers, as it’s not difficult to read, there’s plenty of action, and the characters are somewhat likeable. However, I felt the writing wasn’t up to par with most YA I’ve read. I’ve read a few critical reviews of Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, where in the comments it’s defended because the book is YA, therefore it doesn’t matter that the writing isn’t very quality. I’m going to put this out there right now, I think that because a book is YA it is not exempt from being quality. I think as a consumer of young adult lit I have a reasonable expectation of fabulous writing, and I most certainly encounter great writing with a lot of YA I come across (John Green, Libba Bray, Neil Gaiman, Maureen Johnson, Robin McKinley, Richelle Mead, Sarah Dessen, and so on and so forth). Also for YA to be taken as a legit genre, shouldn’t we want some sort of quality in what we read? Granted, yes, not every book has to be great and amazing, and sometimes we all just need a great trashy read, but still I guess I just want more from what I read. And, I just didn’t get that ‘more’ from Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment. Although, there are plenty of people out there who love this series. I liked this book, but didn’t love it. That said, I will continue the series, and review all of them, as I won the books in a contest, therefore am doing my part as a winner by publicizing these books.
While reading Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson, drink an orange soda. Orange soda because it’s an interesting color, but when all’s said and done, it’s not too terribly different from all of the other sodas out there. Also, while it is delicious, not everyone loves orange soda, and also soda is something you should drink in moderation as it gives you unnecessary calories (calories you could get munching on a yummy bar of chocolate for example).
Disclosure: I won this book from Chelsea The Page Flipper!
Other Reviews:
Rex Robot Reviews
The Book Bug: Books For Tweens and Teens
You’ve GOTTA Read This
Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm
Katie’s Bookshelf
Today’s Adventure
WORD For Teens
This post was written by...
April (Books&Wine) – who has written 1063 posts on Good Books And Good Wine.
April is 24 years old. She is an educator. In her free time she can be found reading, working out, or eating junk food. She often wears her sunglasses at night.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Umm, I can't say I'm really getting your orange soda analogy, but generally 'yes' to all you said. Quick read but, like all Patterson novels, its better suited for a two hour flight or something.
@Dannie – basically that some people like orange soda, a lot of people don't.
Sort of like James Patterson, some people like him, some people don't.
And sometimes I struggle to find a good beverage analogy!
Thanks for the honest review. I almost picked this one up at the bookstore the other day. I'm thinking I'll look for it at the library.
Great review. Totally got the orange soda bit.
And, like you know, I totally agree with everything. Haha. Gorgeous blog- I love it!
I love this series! I'm now book 3 so far. great review!Glad u enjoyed it
Great review! Loved the orange soda comment!
The concept of the book sounds very interesting. I have only read 2 of James Patterson's books, a while back, but both were very good.
Great review..
James Patterson makes me uncomfortable, he has some very odd views and seems to see himself as a much more literary writer than he supposedly is. I agree with your point about writing, even if I pick up a quick read I still want it to be well written (although yes I've enjoyed books where the writing was awful in my opinion, but they're really in the minority).
I liked your review, although I don’t agree with your saying it had plot holes. James Patterson most likely expected you to be able to fill in the “holes” and such. Jeb Batchelder was with them for two years after helping them escape the School. That’s two years to help them learn how to use the internet and two years to teach them to read and write. It’s not that hard to put two and two together. I did and I first read this book when I was eleven.
And another thing, this book was top-quality. I’m thirteen and already writing, and I always look to James Patterson’s book for help. If I’m ever stuck, I go find Maximum Ride, Daniel X or any other various James Patterson novels to help guide me. Don’t diss my inspiration, because then you’re dissing me.
Anyways, other than that little tidbit, I liked your review and orange soda. So thanks. :]
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