Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel

Although I know Max is the star here, considering the title of this book is "Angel" I thought we might see a bit more from her point of view. Despite the fact this didn't really happen, I was not disappointed by the story. We had the usual chases and fights, were introduced to some interesting new characters in Fang's gang and watched as Max bemoaned her love triangle issues. Since everyhing was evenly mixed I didn't get overly sick of any one element.

I know we are coming up to the last book of the series, and I wouldn't be surprised if we are treated to a complete "end of the world" scenario. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to all the loose ends left here, including Ella, Max's mother and Jeb and, of course, Angel.

Another Maximum Ride book that walks a thin line; I jump from seeing flashes of the series I adore to things I just can't, in good conscience as a reader, accept without some irritation. Still, my love for this series and these characters won out.

Things seem to be finally coming to a head; after so many egotistic scientists and tyrants having it in for the Flock, an immense movement called the Doomsday Group seems to be setting its sights on the whole world. The Doomsday Group believes that the only way to save the planet is to wipe out humanity and leave the world free for genetically enhanced creations. And they're not afraid to use creepy brainwashing techniques to do it.

So of course Max, with her mandate to save the world, sees show more this as what may finally be the big battle. Never mind that she's still torn over losing Fang, especially now that he seems to be gathering his own gang of mutants and doing fine without her. Never mind that Dylan is getting annoyingly likable, trying to fill the gap Fang has left. Never mind that Angel may or may not be going back to her old, non-backstabbing self.

As in the last couple of books, things like pacing and development noticeably suffer, and the plot sort of does as a result. Patterson's brisk, movie-ish, action-focused style leaves little room for nuance, buildup, or explanation, which worked pretty excellent in the first three books, but not so much when we're up to Book 7. Max's angsting was likewise sometimes annoying, although I have to admit her fights with Fang were pretty realistic in a teenage-y sort of way. But the characters are still mostly themselves, and glimpses of the amazing, laugh-out-loud people I grew to love still show through.

I will always love this series in an "I know it's not really that great writing-wise, but darn it I still like it" way, but even I can admit it's a good thing Patterson has recognized when to stop and will release the last Maximum Ride book next year. I hope that he'll find a way to give a satisfying conclusion to the Flock I love, and not make me sorry he didn't stop after the amazing third book, as perhaps he should have. show less

After a few disappointing and pointless earlier volumes, this one - the second to last, is really starting to pick up steam. Finally, the plot seems to be on track instead of meandering back and forth over various challenges - we're getting to what the characters were maybe meant to do - save the world. Or is it? Character development is good - Max is finally starting to grow up a bit and Angel is as creepy as ever - although she too is starting to show more compassion and become less manipulative. Alas, we still had to put up with that pesky talking dog, but thankfully his role was minimal. Whilst the newly created not-quite-love-triangle is a bit tedious, it is still good to see Max finally getting a little bit past her "Fang is the show more only one for me" way of thinking. All up, I look forward to the final instalment although I cannot help but think that perhaps Patterson should have started the plot with the DG rather earlier in the series, instead of plugging it in now like he's finally suddenly realised that the storyline needs a Big Bad Evil Thing to beat up on. show less

In general I do not enjoy James Patterson novels as I find them predictable and formulaic but for some reason I quite enjoy the Maximum Ride series. I found the characters to be interesting and I found the story to be fascinating. I liked how it was fantastical but also believable enough that it felt like the vents could maybe actually happen. The writing style is very readable if a bit simplistic.

"I'm free now. The end is near, and soon we'll all be free!" he shouted, raising a fist.
"Again with the world ending," I muttered.

Well this wasn't my favorite book of the series but it was better than the the fourth and the fifth book. The way James Patterson writes makes me fly though the story. I like how he incorporates world issues into his books too. He doesn't bombard the reader with propaganda but it's there if you know where to look for it. The characters were more developed in this installment of the series too and we get to see a completely different side of some of the characters than before.

The one thing I didn't like about this book mainly was Max's character. In every book she's always the strong, sarcastic adventurous show more type of girl. In this book, however, she appears to the reader as a heartbroken pathetic teen girl. What happened to the fight in her? Fang left and that was his choice. C'mon and get over it and don't let a guy dictate how you should live your life.

With that being said, honestly I have been a fan of Fang and Max together since book 1. I knew it was always going to happen and when it finally did I was overjoyed. But after reading this book, I just don't know anymore. I really didn't like Fang in this one. I don't understand his logic on the idea that with the two of them separated everything works out better and why they should both have their own "flocks." When he encounters Max again in this story after leaving her in the last book, he's nowhere near in the amount of devastation that she is. It truly seemed like he cared but only a little bit. If that's the case, then screw Fang. Dylan is always there for Max when she needs him and he seems to completely care about her. I think she should give him a chance.

And I can't leave this review without talking about Angel. Throughout the series, I have increasingly started hating Angel. Who does this little girl think she is? She tries to take the flock from Max in one of the books and tries to become the leader. She has back-stabbed Max quite a few times now. In this book, though, she redeemed herself in my eyes. I went from hating her to absolutely loving her. How is this wise wisdom coming from a seven year old girl? She comes up with the plan and when she and Max talk in this story, I feel as if Angel is this older woman imparting her knowledge onto Max instead of being so much younger than her. And then the end....

Well let's just say I'm readily anticipating the eighth and final book in the series due out in February 2012. Sources say it's going to be titled Iggy. That would be just grand because I love Iggy. He's one of my favorite characters in the series. show less

Angel is the latest in James Patterson's blockbuster young adult series, Maximum Ride. Following in the footsteps of the previous novels, Angel delivers everything that Maximum Ride fans have come to expect: fast-paced action about genetically altered teenagers, complete with teen romance and world-saving environmentalism undertones.

Angel picks up not long after Fang leaves off. Fang is now off with his own flock, leaving Max with the usual group of rag-tag misfits. As Max works through her teenage romance issues, a new group appears on the scene who wants to eradicate all humans. Max then is convinced by yet another scientist that she must, yet again save the world.

In many ways, Angel is just more of what was in the previous Maximum show more Ride novels, but by now Patterson is grasping for straws. Really, the first story arch (first 4 books) is what made this series enjoyable, but everything since has been purely to milk the franchise. There has been little direction, the books have had virtually no meat, and have been fairly dull. But what's even worse is that the last three-ish books or so have just been repetitions of one another. There's absolutely nothing new here, nothing really of interest to offer fans accept another fast-paced action novel with everyone's favorite Maximum Ride characters.

At this point, I'd only recommend this book to hard core fans of the serious who really must know what happens next to the characters, but other than that, take the pass. Even with the final book in the Maximum Ride series coming out in February 2012, it's not worth it just to complete the series. This series should have ended a long time ago. show less

Review by Basma Mostafa from http://www.Cairo360.com

As the seventh instalment in the best-selling Maximum Ride series, Angel doesn't disappoint. The novel continues the story of a group of kids who had their DNA mixed with that of birds, giving them the ability to fly as well as other superhuman powers.

Picking up from the last part Fang, the novel begins with Max's anguish over her break-up with Fang. Nevertheless, the tough flock leader rebounds and gets ready to fight the Doomsday Group, who believe in eradicating humans for a better Planet Earth.

After Fang leaves, he immediately begins forming his own gang of genetically-modified humans; his only fault is that he invites Max's clone, Maya, to join his newly formed group. Needless to show more say, all hell breaks loose when Max finds out.

But teenage Max is developing feelings for Dylan, the newest bird kid, who was specifically designed to be her perfect soul mate. She likes him, but she still loves Fang. Stuck in this love triangle and faced with the Doomsday Group that has hypnotised children all over the world, you’d think that things really couldn't get any worse for the fifteen-year-old flock leader. Except for when they do. As the novel progresses, Max is faced with life-and-death decisions and has to make huge sacrifices.

Named after the youngest flock member, Angel is an adventurous read packed with action. However, the same basic use of the identical formula does suggest that maybe the series has gone on for too long; after seven books, it has dragged on longer than necessary. Followers of the series might feel a bit fed up with the same old let's-save-the-world shtick.

Furthermore, seven-year-old Angel seems too mature for her age and gives advice that indicates a deep wisdom that is nearly impossible for a seven-year-old to have. Followers of the book series also know that in previous books she has been constantly trying to take over the flock and overthrow Max, yet in this instalment, Angel is represented as a perfectly well-mannered child. Moving from one extreme to the other, the author leaves readers confused about the true nature of Angel's personality.

Although Angel might not be the most exciting read you’ll ever find, it is not to be missed for true devotees of the series. show less