Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel

his book was a HUGE disappointment. I'm a really big fan of the series, especially the first three, but this book just didn't cut it. I really didn't feel connected to the characters, which I usually do. I mean, I still love them from previous books, and I want to know what happens to them, but I

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didn't feel the connection.
I thought that there were some pretty drastic character changes too. Fang certainly said more in this book than probably all of the other books combined. Max didn't seem so...Max-like. I don't really know how to describe it. I guess she was more bossy, less motherly, and way more concerned with herself. Angel was just...whoa, where did THAT come from? The other three main characters, Iggy, Gazzy, and Nudge, weren't as central to the story as they usually are either, which bothered me.

I thought that Patterson was making them way too adult. I understand that they've gone through a lot and that's made them grow up, but this was too much. There were a couple parts where I was like, "Really? You're only 7/9/12/15!" Some things just didn't add up.

Also, something that's been bothering me for a while. In the fourth book, The Final Warning, Patterson introduced something new: We knew that Max had to save the world, but did we know that she also had to...help the environment! Yeah, you read right. Part of the most recent books has dealt with the environment. Not really something every kid wants in their action packed bird kid adventures. I feel like Patterson was just like, "Hey! I really want to help the environment! How about I have Max help the environment too, so then a bunch of kids will help also!" I really don't think that it's going as planned.

Well, this review is getting long enough. Basically: I love the series, didn't love this book.

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Title: FANG
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Length: 336 pages hardback
Rating: 4.5/5
I’ve been a long time reader of the Maximum Ride books, and I have to say that I’m daring to hope that we are finally on an up swing. After the first novel in the series, The

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Angel Experiment, the quality of the series has been a steady decline. I’ve admittedly only stuck around due to the implication of the romance between the two main characters Max and Fang. After reading FANG, the novel did not disappoint when it came to that romantic pairing, neither did it in plot.

The novel more or less picks up with the flock doing what they’re doing; whatever they decide is the next step in saving the world. Then, the slowly becoming less lovable, Angel predicts that Fang is going to die. Thus ensues a series of plot twists and turns that lead the reader to an ending that you will love to hate. Needless to say it will also keep you wanting to read the next in the series.

This novel has a great plot, and introduces a new character, Dylan, who is supposed to be Max’s perfect match – but she already has her perfect match doesn’t she? Just another little conflict thrown in that will make the readers want to strangle James Patterson as well as love him.

Admittedly at this point I had wished the series had finished as a trilogy as I had heard it was supposed to. Instead we have a slightly contrived series that only lives on if the next book introduces something that can only be fixed by the next novel. While I dislike that fact, I can’t deny that I really enjoyed FANG. Maybe it was because Fang and Max finally had their romance scenes or maybe it was the introduction of a new plot that doesn’t necessarily just revolve around saving the world (Goodness, we’ve heard that phrase enough times, no?).

Any skeptic Max fan should take a stab at reading this book. It renewed my interest in the series, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment, Angel, set to be released February 14, 2011.

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I think out of all the books so far, this one is the best. Like the other books, James Patterson, makes you want to "rip" through this book in one day. I think that this one was the quickest read for me to read.

I dont like the art work, on the cover that I read. In my mind that was not want Fang

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looks like. I dont know who did the cover art, But, that is probley what Fang looks like in his/her mind, or mabay they just had a description of him and they went off that.

I am really exited to get the next book in Febuary. I cant wait for it to come out, and I hope it is not the last book that he writes on the story line. But, after 7/8 books I think that the story needs to end somewhere.

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When Angel makes a prediction that Fang will die it sets a course of action that brings Maximum Ride face to face with her worst fear along with (yet another) mad scientist.

This was a pretty good entry although still rather predictable. I certainly didn't like Angel as much in this volume but this

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was offset by Dylan, who I liked as a new addition to the flock. This series certainly isn't over yet and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series once this prolific writer gets back to it.

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Proboly one of the best books in the MR series, it has alot of great elements that the previus didn't have. Over all great
WARNING: do not read 2nd epiloge if you do not like depressing stuff

This book was so awesome! In the end it was so sad, though. The only part I thought was confusing was why Dylan attempted to commit suicide. That was so weird. And the whole Dr. Chu was this lizard man thing. But over all the story was awesome. I just don't get why James Patterson had to make Fang

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leave. I think that in the beginning, they revealed everything too quickly. Like the author throws in the fact that Dylan is a bird kid, that he's Max's other half and the fact that Dr. G-H was evil all in the same 3 chapters or so. And you know how small each chapter is.

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Wow, this book was amazing. And moving. So many twist, turns, and unexpected happenings. I can't wait for the next one to come out. I want to know what happens next!!!!

Another enjoyable edition to the Maximum Ride series. I can't help but feel that the book poked fun at the Twilight series, which I felt both worked for and against it. Either way, if you enjoyed the previous books, this will be no exception.

Max Ride books are fun and quick reads. But, I do say I don't think this book was as good as some of the earlier ones.

I was hesitate to read this book as I was somewhat disappointed with the last one and felt that the series really needed to end. I was pleasantly surprised with this book because of the new characters and the focus on Fang. I am getting a little tired of Angel but still enjoy Max's banter with

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everyone. The action part was well done - fast paced and lively. The scenes between Max and Fang were well done too. I am looking forward to reading the next one ...

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In Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel, the Flock travel to Africa to help the people there. They meet Dr. Hans, a former Itex worker, and Dylan, another avian hybrid designed to be Max's "perfect other half". After a statement from Angel stating that Fang will die soon, Max is devestated and starts

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spending more time with him. Dylan joins the Flock, and they return to their newly rebuilt home in the mountains. Max and Fang are told to leave the Flock because they are more focused on their personal relationship than the surrounding dangers. Angel becomes the new leader of the Flock and gets rid of the rules Max set up for them. Eventually the group reunites, but Fang is captured by Dr. Hans and dies while being experimented on. The Flock rushes to save Fang, and Max stabs his heart with an adrenaline shot and revives him. Dylan also injects himself in a suicide attempt, but fails. In the epilogue, Total and Akila are married, and Fang leaves Max a note saying that the Flock is in danger with him there, and that he will meet Max again in 20 years. I know that it sounds somewhat boing, but this is a step up from the first few books which I really didn't enjoy.

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Fang by James Patterson (book 6)
Pages: 309
Release Date: March 15th, 2010
Date Read: 2011, September 14th-15th
Received: Library
Rating: 4/5 stars (that's an extra star for personal enjoyment!)
Recommended to: 14+

SUMMARY -
Max and the crew of Bird Kids are in Africa for a CSM feed-the-poor expedition.

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They are happy to be free of people, Erasers, and things that should be dead chasing them. And Max - she can't stop thinking about Fang. He's on her mind all the time - and apparently, vice versa. But what happens when a new bird kid is introduced? Dylan is a new, 8-month-old clone with wings. He doesn't know how to fly very well, but he's gorgeous and looks a little older than the original Flock. And apparently, he's Max's perfect match. Her other half.

And Fang is supposed to die. Soon.

MY THOUGHTS -
As I greatly love Fang, I cannot help but love this book. I'm totally emotionally connected to the characters - especially Max and Fang. because they're so amazing and perfect together. The story line in this one was better than some of the others, including the mad-scientist stuff, which was beginning to go downhill. But now the story is getting to the heart of things, the deep secrets of who, exactly, is going to try to destroy the world.

In all honesty, this book was sad. It had a sad ending. Don't read it unless you can get your hands on Angel right away. If you love the characters just as much as I do, then you'll be dying to know!!

I'm not adding my normal character/story notes because I feel the same about them in practically every book. Great characters who I love. FANG. And a fun story that varies from really good to really cheesy. Most of the time it's fun-cheesy. Sometimes it's stupid-cheesy. Sometimes it's serious. Seriously good.

And lemme say this: if you've read a couple of the books and aren't attached to the characters, don't keep reading. Honestly, to me, the characters make it worth it. Without them, I wouldn't be here, writing this review for the 6th book.

SUMMING IT UP -
FANG. FangFangFang!!!!! I neeeeeed to KNOW!!!!!

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It gets a 5 star rating simply because of who the author is and what series of books it is related to, but personally out of all 6 this was my least favorite in the series. I thought the overall story was a bit weak and at times ridiculous, and I absolutely hated the ending. But it is book 6 and it

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stays in my library with it predecessors.

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Before you say, "Ugh, James Patterson," and turn away, hear me out. I admit to also having qualms when I first picked up my first Maximum Ride book (The Angel Experiment) last year upon a co-worker's recommendation. I had never read anything by Patterson before and didn't really want to because I

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don't like the way he hedges when it comes to ghost-writing. My feelings for him personally, however, have nothing to do with my love of the MR series (I think I read he actually wrote this one himself, too, btw. Maybe that's why there's one a year?)

The series is absolutely fantastic. When I was reading it last year, I wound up blowing through the first four books in a matter of days and sitting at B&N to read the (at the time) brand-new fifth book, Max, because there was a wait-list at the library. Then, I wound up buying the first four in adult paperback, then upgraded the whole collection to hardback earlier this year so I didn't have to wait to buy Fang.
(Since adult massmarket for the series comes out about half a year after the teen tradepaper edition, I would have to wait even longer because I like my books to match when they sit on my bookshelf!)

Anyway, enough about me. It's hard to talk about Fang if fellow bookworms aren't familiar with the series. So let me start by briefly stating the following brief (very brief!!!) summary:

Maximum Ride is about a flock of bird-children who would have been normal, everyday humans if their DNA hadn't been altered by scientists. The scientists put bird DNA into them when they were still embryos, so when they were born, the children were 98% human and 2% bird. They had bird wings, their bones were made like a bird's (which helped one co-work who would have otherwise not read the series due to the fact that a bird couldn't fly with a human's bone density. She liked that it was so factual), etc. The kids manage to escape from the scientists and hide out for two years on their own before they're found. Now, the scientists want them back. The kids all learn and grow a lot in these books. In fact,the oldest of the flock and our main character, Maximum Ride (fondly called Max), has a special destiny all her own: If she manages to survive, the world will survive. The who, what, when, where, why, and how has yet to happen, so we're all hooked!

Now, let's talk about Fang. (That's a hint for all of you who aren't up to this point to scat!) As book followers will know, Fang is the second-oldest flock member and Max's "boyfriend." That's one part that has always frustrated me. Since the romance between Max and Fang was really poked at in the fourth book (The Final Warning), it's been steadily growing and Fang is the book that everyone has been waiting for. These two finally get some book time where their feelings aren't being dodged, etc. At the same time, their fledgling romance is causing disharmony in the flock. When you add in a prophecy from Angel that Fang is going to be the first of them to die, a strange new bird-boy named Dylan that may be friend or foe (not to mention, he's supposedly Max's REAL soulmate, not Fang...), and a whole lot of drama, you get the recipe for this exciting, edge-of-your-seat adventure.

Once I picked up Fang, I wasn't able to put the book down again until I'd turned the last page. In fact, we were supposed to go out somewhere and I finished in the nick of time. This book made me feel so many different emotions, from happiness to sadness. The book ended in a way that lets readers KNOW there's more coming. This isn't the end, guys. The end is one of my favorites, one of my least-favorites and also one of the "worst" (in terms of cliffhangers) all at the same time. Yes, I'm contradicting myself. You'll see what I mean when you get there.

It's been a while since I read the book (the week it first came out back in March!), so I don't have more specifics on what I was feeling when, but the essence of loving the book and wanting more is still very much with me. If you've been reading MR, you're going to want this book. If you haven't started yet, pick up The Angel Experiment and try the series out. It was the next "big series" I fell in love with after Percy Jackson, and I love recommending it to people.

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It seems that the last few books in this series are turning out to be similar. However, in this one, Fang leaves the flock at the end. We'll see if he returns in the next book.

Fang is a very good ending to the amazing Maximum Ride series. It just keeps the action coming and coming.

I HATED this book even though it was really good because of what happened. All the characters seem to change for the worst and the flock is being torn in to. Really good book but I hated it. Sad ending with loads of suspense making you want to read on.

This was a good book. Although I didn't like what was happening with the flock. Also I liked the ending.

As usual, I enjoyed this book. I love all of the Maximum Ride books, and this one was one of the best. The various twists in the plot completely took me by surprise, and I enjoyed each of them immensely.

I have a love haet relationship with this book. I adore how well it was writen. but what happened is BAD. Fang belnogs to MAX not who ever the other boy is. but if he keeps ackting the way he dose, I may just have to learn his name.
But I loved all of his books there just great. thats the only thing

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to say about them really.

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It's happened again. I find a series that I like, get sucked into reading each new book when they come out, and somewhere (usually after book 3) the series hits the mediocre skids, sometimes all the way to toilet-ville. I really was disgusted by book 4, so disgusted, that I apparently forgot I read

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it, so bought it, and this one when one of my favorite local indie bookstores was closing. The only reason I'm glad I bought the two was because it helped Pat pay off her bills. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been worth it. I think I've taken my last ride with Maximum Ride and the bird-kids. I won't even keep these around for any young readers to enjoy. Teenage angst is hard enough to go through when you're living it, or living with it. Why should we have to read it, too?

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Best Maximum Ride book by far

This book was just a little too light in content for my liking. When it's published in paperback format, I bet it's going to be the thinnest of them all, unless they make the font size huge. SPOILER ALERT
Max meets a new bird kid, who is designed to be attractive to her... Angel ominously pronounces

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that Fang is going to die... Angel wants to lead the flock... Max and Fang leave... kids get into trouble while they're away....Max and Fang rescue them... Angel leaves to work with creepy doctor... Max goes to get her...can't so returns to flock... Fang goes to get Angel... it's a trap... Max and rest of flock save him... new bird kid talks Fang into leaving for Max's sake right after Toto and Akira get married... Fang leaves at end of book to protect Max and intends to stay away for 20 years! I know it sounds like a lot happened, but it just didn't feel great. I wanted my money back when I was finished.... I really enjoyed book one but I guess the series is losing something each time it carries on for yet another book... and there's NO WAY the series is going to end with just one more book... Sigh. Obviously I'll keep buying them for the students at my library who love the series, but I don't know if I'll keep reading... it's starting to get dull.

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I am so happy to find a female protagonist and leader in a popular mainstream, action novel for young adults!