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Guests | December 7, 2009

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Reading old books of science experiments for children, it's easy to become nostalgic for the days when you could buy jugs of sulfur and mercury at... Continue »
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Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

by James Patterson

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment Cover

ISBN13: 9780316155564
ISBN10: 031615556x
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
All Product Details

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Featuring characters inspired by the smash hits When the Wind Blows and The Lake House, The Angel Experiment marks James Patterson's explosive debut in the young adult market that is guaranteed to create legions of new fans for this bestselling author.

Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, Angel, and Maximum: six kids who are 98% human and 2% bird. They grew up in cages, living like rats, but now they're free. When the bloodthirsty Erasers — half men, half wolves genetically engineered by sick and sinister scientists — kidnap little Angel, the Flock embarks on a rescue mission full of nonstop action, adventure, and soul-seeking — not to mention a little bit of saving the world on the side.

Review:

"Thriller writer Patterson takes characters that first appeared in his adult novels When the Wind Blows and its sequel, The Lake House, and places them in an overblown, nearly incomprehensible story pitched at young adults. Max (aka Maximum Ride), the 14-year-old girl from both of the aforementioned novels, leads a band of mutant orphans hiding from the sinister scientists at 'the School,' who grafted avian DNA onto their genes, giving them wings (plot points established in When the Wind Blows). When the School's henchmen — 'Erasers,' 'half-men, half-wolves' (one of whom is their rescuer Jeb's seven-year-old son) — kidnap six-year-old Angel, the youngest member of 'the flock,' Max and company will stop at nothing to rescue her. Well, nothing except to aid a stranger, bond with some real birds, eat lunch and take lengthy naps. The often violent hunt-and-chase plot resembles that of a Saturday morning superhero cartoon. The point of view shifts jerkily before settling into Max's first-person narration, which is self-deprecating but never sounds like a real teen's voice, and the novel is strewn with mutations of nouns-turned-adjectives ('tunnel-visiony,' 'antisepticky,' even 'Robin Hoodsy'). Loose ends abound but presumably the sequel, scheduled for 2006, will reveal the identity of the evil 'whitecoats' and their motives as well as who owns the Voice speaking inside Max's head. The Patterson name will attract readers; but his fans may be disappointed that this tale never takes flight. Ages 12-up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"[An] exciting SF thriller that's not wholly original but is still a compelling read....As with Patterson's adult mystery thrillers, in-depth characterization is secondary to the fast-moving plot." School Library Journal

Review:

"Patterson occasionally forgets his audience here, as evidenced by his sardonic tone...but he's picked a comfortable formula...which he's cushioned with an abundance of slavering beasts, childhood heartaches, and unresolved issues." Booklist

Review:

"The short chapters appeal to the limited attention span of many of today's teens. The writing is visual and cinematic — things that kids expect from their video games, TV cartoon shows and action movies. And the ending leaves plenty of wiggle room for a sequel." USA Today

Synopsis:

Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride, better known as Max, knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the 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...like when 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 wack 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--this one involving 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 from her old friend and father-figure Jeb--now her betrayed and greatest enemy--that her purpose is save the world--but can she?

Synopsis:

Patterson's explosive debut in the young adult market. From Death Valley, California, to the bowels of the NYC subway system, 14-year-old Max leads her five feisty "family" members on a journey of action, adventure, and soul-seeking.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
naomi0040, November 22, 2007 (view all comments by naomi0040)
I picked it up not expecting much. I've never really liked Patterson's stuff before, but I gave it a shot. Now I'm really glad I did. The book is excellent and everyone I have loaned it to has loved it. I'm eagerly awaiting the movie. I hope it sticks close to the book!
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780316155564
Author:
Patterson, James
Publisher:
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Subject:
Action & Adventure
Subject:
Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Subject:
Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General
Subject:
Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
Subject:
Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General
Subject:
Science fiction
Subject:
Adventure and adventurers
Subject:
Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Science Fiction
Subject:
Genetic engineering
Subject:
Action & Adventure - General
Subject:
Fantasy & Magic
Edition Description:
Cloth
Series:
Maximum Ride
Series Volume:
01
Publication Date:
April 2005
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
- Up
Language:
English
Pages:
432
Dimensions:
8.90x5.82x1.41 in. 1.23 lbs.
Age Level:
08-12

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