"The Angel Experiment" in the series "Maximum Ride" by James Patterson follows a group of genetically engineered bird-human hybrids who escaped from a cruel place called The School. Living in the woods with a scientist, they face challenges when one of their own goes missing, leading three members on a search mission while the others face their own troubles. With short chapters and a quick pace, the book weaves a tale of adventure, survival, and self-discovery as the characters navigate a world filled with danger and mysteries about their origins and abilities.

Characters:

The characters are well-defined, with Max as the assertive leader and each member of the Flock bringing their own strengths and personalities to the group.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is simplistic and aimed at young adults, with a focus on fast pacing and a humorous narrative voice.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a group of genetically engineered kids, known as the Flock, who are on a quest to rescue one of their own from an evil lab while grappling with their origins.

Setting:

The setting varies from dark laboratories to hidden off-grid living areas, highlighting the contrast between their past captivity and their current attempts at freedom.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and dynamic, characterized by short chapters that maintain high tension and excitement.

1 The funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective. Take right now, for instance. Run! Come on, run! You know you can do it. I gulped deep lungfuls ...

Notes:

The main character, Maximum 'Max' Ride, is 98% human and 2% bird, meaning she has wings and can fly.

The Flock, as they are called, includes five other kids: Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel.

Jeb, who helped the Flock escape from the School, is a father figure to them but is later revealed to be an antagonist.

The story is packed with action including bombings, fistfights, and chase scenes, creating a suspenseful atmosphere.

Max has a 'Voice' in her head that guides her and makes her feel like she has a mission to save the world.

Each character brings unique abilities to the story: Iggy's blind but skilled in cooking and explosives, while Angel has mind control powers.

The books emphasize themes of family, loyalty, and the ethics of genetic experimentation.

Readers often experience deep emotional investment due to the children's painful backstories and struggles as outcasts.

The series has been successful among younger readers and has been praised for its engaging narrative and relatable characters.

While the initial book received acclaim, later entries in the series have been criticized for lacking coherence and depth.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of violence, experimentation on children, and perilous situations faced by the protagonists.

From The Publisher:

Max soars above the world . . . but in James Patterson's thrilling adventure, fantasy can come crashing down to reveal the nightmares of the Angel Experiment.

Maximum Ride and her "flock" - Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel - are just like ordinary kids, only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time.

Angel, the youngest member of the flock, is kidnapped and taken back to the "School" where she and the others were experimented on by a crew of whack jobs. Her friends brave a journey to blazing hot Death Valley, CA, to save Angel, but soon enough, they find themselves in yet another nightmare: fighting off the half-human, half-wolf "Erasers" in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives.

Along the way, Max discovers that her purpose is save the world. But can she?

Ratings (36)

Incredible (7)
Loved It (9)
Liked It (13)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (2)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (64):

Read It (44)
Want To Read (18)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

fimbud315

Hated It

8 months

Once, being much younger, I have started this book after reading a blurb and finding the main idea interesting. But at about 10% I gave up losing my interest completely and put it at by for some years. I absolutely hate unfinished books so now I have decided to give it one more chance - to read it or to shelved it as 'did not finished' for good.

The Angel Experiment is that I don't like Patterson style of writing. He tends to use short phrases which look somehow immature to me. Like a story written by a primary school student who is lacking in vocabulary and grammar. I know

The Angel Experiment is a book meant for children but still, it was driving me mad and I couldn't focus on the plot.

Also, the story is lacking in development. Max very briefly describes the kids at the beginning like the age and if she likes them or not but otherwise you know nearly nothing about them. And I don't meant about their history but the things like personalities, how they are, what they like and so on. Everything happens so fast and then even faster that there is no time for proper description. Well, maybe if I were a kid, I wouldn't need it or want it but I'm a grown up adult so it bothered me. Because I'm not able to care about someone who is just a name without anything behind it to me.

As I said I hate unfinished books so I have started it once again... and got stuck over and over. In the meantime I have read few other books, even some that I didn't fully enjoy and the ones that dragged on to me. And lets be honest

The Angel Experiment is not some door stopper. Then I have found myself in a point where I have tried to convince myself to come back to it once again while looking for an excuse to read something else. So I gave up at about 30% because I didn't care for either the characters or their story.

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The Angel Experiment

James Patterson

Book 1 in the series:Maximum Ride