Review Detail

I know that everybody says to not judge a book by its cover, but let me be honest here; I am a huge judger of covers. Despite rave reviews, Ive been avoiding James Pattersons Maximum Ride series simply because the cover of the first book looks like an advertisement for a bad action film. You know the ones that advertise themselves as an action film with a female lead but its really more like soft porn in a leather bra? Yeah. It just didnt look like anything that I would get remotely into. What made me actually buy the book? I honestly have no clue. I went to Starbucks, bought hot chocolate (no more caffeine after eight) and walked into Borders with a gift card in hand. Somehow, I ended up walking out to the parking lot with the first two Maximum Ride novels. It may have been the hot chocolate, but I think it was divine intervention.

This book was just the kind of thing I needed after reading some really bad young adult books. Maximum Ride is the story of a group of six kids ranging in age from seven to fourteen who were raised in a lab that they called the School. Four years prior to the story, they were rescued by a scientist who took pity on them and helped them escape. He raised them in the country for two years until he disappeared. The kids grow up learning how to take care of themselves, but they all look towards the oldest, Max, as their leader. When little Angel is stolen by the Schools mutant trackers, the kids go out to save the missing member of their group and get caught up in a dangerous game of cat and mouse that leads them all over the world searching for information about themselves. Oh yeah, and one more thing. Every single one of these kids can fly.

The concept in and of itself is mediocre at best. Winged science experiments on the run are really not that much of a story. But the execution of this novel is truly spectacular. Patterson kept me at the edge of my seat with his constant whirlwind of activity. There was never a dull moment, the moment they resolved an issue, another would pop up and they were off in a flurry of feathers. The plot didnt do much in the way of plot twists and subplots, and while it would have seemed simplistic and boring in any other book, it made this story that much more raw and energetic. I hardly had time to breathe between chapters.

Now, I know what youre thinking; Kathleen, with a plot so action packed and wonderful, how can there be any character development? Well Im glad you asked. Patterson wrote most of the book from the point of view of Max, our main character. Unlike most young adult heroines, she didnt flounce around the facts. There was no whining about her situation or altruistic promises that she wasnt going to keep. Her voice was the harsh, honest energy that drove this book forward. The way she narrates is so perfectly written that you can almost hear her voice as you read. She tells the story in a sarcastic tone that shows her strength and dedication to the flock. When shes mad, she says it, when shes hurt, you know, flat out. Theres no beating around the bush or woe is me. Its a fact and as soon as she faces up to it shes moved on. Its books like this that makes me wish I could sit down and talk to fictional characters face to face.

But enough about Max, each and every character is unique and strong and wonderful in their own way. I could break down all of them but I really think Ive raved about this book for way to long so Ill just leave you with a few more things.

This book is a must read for you. Yes, you. My adrenaline is still pounding from the last few pages and I cant wait to start the next one. From cover to cover this book is heart pounding adventure, stubborn loyalty, and theres even a sexy emo mutant boy thrown in for a bargain price& No, you dont actually get to take home a sexy emo mutant boy, hes in the book.