Customer Reviews

The Angel Experiment (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Maximum Ride: The Fugitives)

5 star:		(255)
4 star:		(89)
3 star:		(51)
2 star:		(33)
1 star:		(34)

 

 

First of all, I've never read any other James Patterson books. I understand from the reviews that this is an advantage-- people who read "When the Wind Blows" and "The Lake House" seem to feel particularly cheated, because this book is a re-worked version of the story in those books but does not match up them. Without the hindrance of these preconceived notions, I quite enjoyed the story. Were it not for the huge flaw of the incomplete ending, I would happily give it 5 stars.

I listened to it in audio format, narrated by Evan Rachel Wood. I thought her narration was excellent and well-matched to the story. The story is marketed as a book for teens. I am an adult-- I chose it partially for my own benefit, as a science fiction fan, and partially to preview it for the possibility of handing it down to my own children.

As a parent, I found the content well-suited for a wide age range. Were it not for the problem of the ending, I would feel comfortable giving it to my 8-year-old daughter to listen to, and it wouldn't bother me if my 5-year-old son listened as well (though I don't think it would hold his interest). I particularly like the strong female protagonist. There IS violence-- the mutant bird-children protagonists are hunted by mutant dog-people and have several bloody fights. Most of it is fist-fight kind of stuff, but there is some gunplay as well. However, I did not find it gratuitous or unduly gory. There is death as well, but the death comes to "bad guys" and it too is not "gratuitous"-- it is treated somberly and with appropriate angst. Probably the most disturbing elements are those of the inhumane treatment of the children at the hands of the scientists who have genetically engineered them and raised them as experimental animals rather than as people. Most of this though happens off camera and is alluded to indirectly.

The big problem with the book is the fact that it doesn't really end. Well, it ENDS, but it doesn't FINISH. I am a long-time sci-fi and fantasy fan well-accustomed to double-digit series, but this is unfinished even by that standard. There is no satisfactory closure and no real answers to the dozens of mysteries raised in the story. I sincerely hope that the sequel resolves some of these mysteries and lives up to the wonderful promise of this part of this story-- I will certainly be buying the sequel as soon as it is available! However, for those of you not yet involved, I think I would recommend that you not start this one until there IS a sequel, and reviews telling you that there is some element of completion to the story!

If anything, I had seriously misconceptions when it came to Maximum Ride. For once it was written by James Patterson, world renowned author of murder mysteries that were turned into movies usually starring Morgan Freeman to name a couple. When I saw this down at the library in the young adults section, the immediate thought that came flying from my head was, "Somebody misplaced this book in the wrong section!" I thought this because I knew James Patterson for writing books for ADULT audiences only, so was irked that someone would leave the book in the wrong section of the library. Of course, it irked me so much that I took a chance and snatched it off the book shelf to read it myself (odd no?). After several weeks I finally got around to reading it. Without a doubt these pages DO FLY as the side panel of the book warned. The storyline surrounding the characters could be more well thought out; Its sort of hard for me to describe, but a short summary would be this: [Max and her band of brothers and sisters (the flock) find themselves hunted by a organization from a place called The School after being ambushed in their hideaway home.

From there they find themselves constantly running for their lives while trying unravel secrets hidden from them]. The concept of children with the ability to fly (with the inclusion of Hollow Bones) with WINGS is a nice touch to the story; The flying scenes were written very convincingly. The description of the action unfolding the extremely short chapters were well detailed, the words unfolded in my mind smoothly, the pharagraphs constructed in way that you don't find yourself scratching your head trying figure out how'd that character end up in such a position and so forth.

The characters are stellar; From Max to Angel, these Teenagers, tweenagers, and kids are excellent reflections of their real life counterparts to a T. And the villains, while they make you hate them, are well written. They're never so predictable, or straightforward with their plans it makes you roll your eyes. And, yes, while this book leaves some things unexplained and the story does end quite abruptly, Max convincingly shushes that with a convincing teenage comment. Highly recommended reading.

"If you dare read this story you become part of the Experiment. I know it sounds a little mysterious- but it's all I can say for now," - Max.

This eye grabbing, thrill riding, rollercoaster of a story catches the interest and imagination for all readers. Even if you hate reading, like me, you won't be able to set this book down! It's a thrill/ adventure based book written by James Patterson, author also of best selling When the Wind Blows. Patterson created a fantasy clashing reality book that is telling about six young experiments and there life.

Have you ever wished you could fly? Well the main characters in this book are six kid mutants from ages five to fourteen, Angel, Nudge, Gassman, Iggy, Fang and Max. The oldest Max, is the leader of the folk. These kids are a mixture of bird DNA and human genetics. All they remember is living in a lab, a lab of evil and hatred. This is the place where white coated people come and perform tests on them, hurt them, push them to a limit, and you are nothing but and experiment here even if you are half human. Through living in a lab they gained having powers that come to them as they grow older, such as far sight like a hawk, or being able to breathe under water (caused by tests). The whole reason why we know about these experiments is because they have been the only ones to escape.

With these six escapees they are trying to live with out being killed by the government and there helpers know as the Erasers. All they want is to live, live and know what this is all about, and who they are and what they came from. However, this is or should I say, they are not to be exposed, this is the government's little secret. But, not for long... because once your start reading this you are a part of their nightmare. This twisted mysterious nightmare that I could never figure out to the last paragraph.

If you enjoy a mysterious book that tests your limits of what is real and what can't be, then this is a book for you, for all- once your hooked there's no way out.

"Congratulations. The fact that you're reading this means that you've taken one giant step towards surviving till your next birthday."

~Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

I have to say, seeing that James Patterson had written all of those adult murder-mystery novels, I had my doubts as to whether he could successfully write a young adult story. I was proven WRONG. This book is very masterfully done, and I know that Patterson is indeed a master at his craft, but since he had never written a book for the kids, this was a surprise.

The main characters are: Max (the book's namesake), Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel. They are all kids who were subject to genetic alteration at a very young age, and thus will never...EVER...lead normal lives. Max leads the pack (or flock, depending on how you look at it) as the oldest, who is in charge of keeping Fang's spirits up, Iggy from blowing up their home, Nudge from talking to the point that it drives everyone insane, and the most important-saving six-year-old Angel from being torn apart by the Erasers, wicked wolf-men mutants, or dissected by the evil whitecoats who work at the School.

Max is an excellent character-funny, smart, strong, and sarcastic, which is a good quality for a lead character. Fang is second; the strong-and-silent type, but always feels emotion without letting the flock see it. Iggy is great-blind but incredibly intelligent and fond of making cynical remarks. Nudge is very nice, funny, a COMPLETE motormouth, and has a tendency to make quick decisions that no one can stop her from carrying out. The Gasman doesn't play the most enormous role, but as Angel's brother, he does make for a good one. And that brings us to Angel, the sweet little girl who was kidnapped by Erasers. She's very cute, and she has a special ability...make that TWO special abilities...which I will not name. She holds a special place in Max's heart, as her "Little Angel".

There is a bit of a love interest between Max and Fang, but it doesn't become wholly evident until the second-to-last chapter in the book. I, being a complete sucker for love interests, love that part and wish so much that the sequel will come out so I can see more of it.

The battle scenes in this story are amazing-almost like it's right there and happening in your living room...or bedroom or whatever. Very well desccribed, you can see it as a clear picture in your mind. Some are kind of graphic, so if you have any problem with reading about blood, I would reccomend passing on this one. If not, you're really in for a treat.

Overall, this book was totally fantastic, and if you're considering purchasing it and you're reading this...buy it right now. I'm dead serious-your life could depend on it.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment is truly an amazing book. I picked up at noon and couldn't put it down (literally) until 2:00 am when I finished it. I was so worked up i didn't sleep all night. I actually reread some parts of the book. This book is, in a sense, based on When the Wind Blows and The Lake House. Max, the main character is 98% human and 2% avian (bird)is in all three books, but the other characters are changed up a little bit.

The book starts off with this warning, "If you dare to read this story, you become part of the Experiment. I know that sounds a little mysterious-but it's all I can say right now-Max" As soon as I read this, I knew this was going to be a good book. The main characters in this book are Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel. The book starts off right in the first few chapters. Angel gets captured by the Erasers, part human, part wolf, and taken back to the horride School (which they escaped in When the Wind Blows). The flock then has to go rescue her and along the way, many things happen. Max gets shot when she helps a little girl named Ella, the Gasman and Iggy set off the Big Boy, a bomb, and kills many Erasers, and Fang and Nudge gind the "hawk" in them.

When the flock finally gets Angel out, Max learns that she has a chip in her arm and the Voice in her head. Amazingly painful headaches announce the presence of the Voice. Painful enough to knock her out cold and fall dangerously from the sky at about a mile high. Lickily Fang catches her (one of my favorite parts). The flock eventually goes to this Institue in NYC and finds horrilbe experiments being done. "Gruesome," was what one of the flock had said. The flock helps the kids get out and in the process, Max kills an Eraser named Ari.

This, so far, is my all time favorite book. I love Max's character, not to mention her wings. Her spunk and her confidence in herself always amazed me. One reason why I think I liked this book so much was something that James Patterson said, "I think people like this book (When the Wind Blows-close enough) because everybody has, at one time or another, dreamt of flying. And these books bring you into lives of people who can fly." I truly believe this is true, what J. Patterson said.

This is an great book!!!:)

I enjoyed this book immensely. It has a great story line. The action is very fast paced. I couldn't wait for the next book to be out. I think people who like stories that contain all the elements of love, hate, fear, and joy will truly enjoy this book.

. . . fantasy/adventure story for teen readers.

I'll be honest. This is not the sort of book I typically read -- or review. But my 13-year-old daughter loved the book (and is almost finished with the sequel) and convinced me to spend some "down-time" reading the book.

I'm glad I did. The book contains adventure, just enough realism to be believable (yes, an adult does have to suspend belief at the basic premise -- but hey, it's for teens!) plenty of action and plenty of drama.

I won't include a re-hashing of the plot nor provide spoilers -- only a few comments.

While the "good" characters are good (yes, they have flaws, but they are essentially normal human failings, rather than tendencies toward evil) and while there are some despicably evil characters as well -- there are other characters about whom we are unsure -- and are likely to remain unsure until the final installment is written.

Sure, the character developments are not up to the level one would find in classic literature -- but that is not what this book is intended to be. In a day and age where much of what passes for young adult literature is c**p, this book was, for this reviewer, a delightful surprise.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment introduces Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel: six kids who have been genetically altered so that they are only 98% human, and 2% bird. They grew up in cages, but now they're free, and live all by themselves. But when the mutant Erasers capture Angel, the Flock must leave the comfort and security of their newfound home and rescue her. Max, the oldest has a plan. But will it work, and what will they do after they find Angel? Find out in the young adult debut from James Patterson. Normally, this kind of book isn't my prefered genre but I really enjoyed this.

THE STORY: Maximum Ride is a fourteen-year-old girl with wings (or a mutant freak depending on the current turn of events) who is the result of some experiments at a secret lab to inject avian genes into human embroyos. Max is the oldest of the six members of her family, or as they refer to themselves, the flock. The others are Fang - a taciturn boy who is four months younger than Max; Iggy - who was blinded by experimentation on his sight at the lab; Nudge - a young girl who talks non-stop; and two siblings, the Gasman - an eight-year-old boy with persistent intestinal problems and Angel, his six-year-old sister. Max and her companions were kept in cages and subject to repeated scientific experiments during their life at the School (as the lab was called); they were eventually freed by one of the lab scientists (who are referred to by the flock as Whitecoats) named Jeb Batchelder. Jeb secreted them at his mountain home and raised and educated them; but Jeb suddenly disappeared two years ago and the flock has been on its own since then. Suddenly, Erasers (experimental beings also developed at the lab who can morph into powerful vicious wolf-like creatures) raid the family's mountain hideaway and kidnap Angel.

The remaining five kids determine to rescue Angel, who they assume has been returned to the School. Obviously the mission, for which they are ill equipped, will involve extreme danger despite the advantage of flight which their thirteen foot wing span provides them. Their journey begins with a return to the School in Death Valley, California; after a harrowing ecapes and great emotional trauma they eventually make their way across the continent to search for the clues to the identities of their human parents in another secret lab located somewhere in NYC. The fact that the Erasers possess a seeming uncanny ability to locate the flock adds to the tension which builds as the story approaches the point where the flock may be forced to choose between the bonds which have made them the only "family" each has ever known and the pull of searching for their biological parents. Each of them wants an answer to the question of how they came to be participants in such a despicable experiment; they also intensely yearn to somehow become members of a nuclear human family with a "real" mom and dad. As a point of clarification, despite the subtitle THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT, the flock do not think of themselves as angels and while they bear a superficial resemblance to our general conception of angels, there is no mention of this resemblance at any point during the story.

THE GOOD: the decision of James Patterson to attempt to realize the potential of Max's character (which first appeared in WHEN THE WIND BLOWS) after her adventures headed toward a dead end in LAKE HOUSE, which received very poor reviews. The basic storyline is quite clever and it has sufficient elements to develop into an interesting fantasy series, although some readers of the earlier books may be disconcerted by the fact that with the exception of Max's winged nature and her escape from a despicable school, there are few similarities with the earlier books. (In effect, this is a cover of those books not a sequel; it utilizes the same basic character but everything else is diffeent.) The situation in which the "children" find themselves evokes both sympathy and tension in the reader; the author accommodates his legion of fans with his usual style of very brief action-filled chapters and frequent plot twists. The technique of using Max as the narrator very effectively provides insight into her psychological travails and impacts the reader emotionally. While there is frequent violence, most of it is less disturbing than in some of Patterson's work, both because it is less graphically described and also because it occurs in the realm of fantasy. Finally, the examination of the moral and ethical issues relating to the scientific experiments which produced the protagonists and the discussions of family relationships and responsibilities are cleverly interspersed throughtout the narrative. It is this aspect and it's potentially thought provoking and educational impact on young readers (certainly an important target audience for the book as I will discuss later) which led me to slightly upgrade my two star rating.

THE BAD: The potential of the story is never realized, as is increasing the case with Patterson's books. Interesting ideas are never fully developed, even the humorous moments seem rushed. Either Patterson is getting increasingly lazy and just attempting to establish a new franchise to milk or he is involved in too many projects; whichever is the case his editors should have required a major rewrite. The thought process was also sloppy, this is a fantasy set in the real world, not the creation of a whole new world. So, when the flock is in NYC, it frequents Central Park, finds sanctuary in St. Patrick's Cathedral, and takes the Madison Avenue bus. Yet suddenly in a disconcerting switch with no conceivable purpose the kids visit a fictional AFO Schmidt (rather than FAO Schwarz) and dine at the Garden Tavern, which resembles in every detail the Tavern on the Green. The narrative content actually more resembles a comic book or a graphic novel than the usual hard cover of over 400 pages.

THE TRULY UGLY: The author seemingly changes the rules at will whenever the flock confronts a problem. While it is difficult to be specfic without providing spoilers, two general examples will suffice. First, in the absence of any source of funds, the family soon confronts situations with which it would be very difficult to cope in their disguised state as regular children. So on two separate occasions, ATM cards very propitiously come into their possession, once in a totally unbelievable manner. In another situation, just when required one of them suddenly manages to drive a car. (These aren't the most outrageous examples.) But most importantly, THERE IS AN ENDING BUT NO CONCLUSION! Many events remain unexplained. The reader and Max are both left in a state of shock by the apparent implications of a horrible tragedy near the end of the story, yet there is no closure. Even when a book such as this one is intended to be the initial installment of a series, it should satisfy the reader on a standalone basis. This fails that requirement.

SUMMARY: While there was no indication either on the book jacket or in the television commercials which I saw that this book was intended for the youth market (perhaps preteen), the price, the nature of the story and the website to which the reader is referred all seem to indicate that is the intended audience. I will obviously be interested in the opinions expressed in the reviews of such readers, but I believe that there are numerous better written alternatives available for both adults and young readers interested in fantasy. Among the best known works of recent vintage are not only the Harry Potter series but the wonderful Thursday Next quartet by Jasper Fforde. Thus I strongly recommend that rather than buy this book you at least wait until the sequel is published in the hope that some of the loose threads wil be tied up. If you are too much of a James Patterson fan to wait that long, either just borrow it from your local library (to which I plan to donate my copy, which is definitely not a keeper), or alternatively wait for the paperback rather than encourage the author and publisher to produce more books of this quality by purchasing the hardcover edition.

Tucker Andersen

I loved this book, I love the story line and I only wanted to keep reading more. As i was reading not aware it was a young adult book I found it so fun to go away and travel with the kids. I cant wait to read the other books to go along with this. I recommend this book highly.. Angelx-NY

Author of Rainy Day Poems 1 and 2