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The Angel Experiment
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(3 Votes)From Publishers Weekly
Themes from Patterson's popular adult titles When the Wind Blows and The Lake House waft through this YA thriller, the author's first in the genre. Wood stars as Maximum Ride, 14-year-old leader of a band of kids who have escaped the lab where they were bred as 98% human and 2% bird (wings being a key component) and developed a variety of other-worldly talents. In Patterson's unusual universe, Max and her young cohorts are soon forced to rescue one of their own—a girl named Angel—from a pack of mutant wolf-humans called Erasers. Wood nails Patterson's often adult-beyond-their-years dialogue with a jaded tone. But the result of this pairing makes Max sound more off-putting than cool or intriguing. The listening experience is stalled in the starting gate, keeping the action-adventure earthbound rather than high-flying. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up–A group of genetically enhanced kids who can fly and have other unique talents are on the run from part-human, part-wolf predators called Erasers in this exciting SF thriller that's not wholly original but is still a compelling read. Max, 14, and her adopted family–Fang and Iggy, both 13, Nudge, 11, Gazzy, 8, and Angel, 6–were all created as experiments in a lab called the School. Jeb, a sympathetic scientist, helped them escape and, since then, they've been living on their own. The Erasers have orders to kill them so the world will never find out they exist. Max's old childhood friend, Ari, now an Eraser leader, tracks them down, kidnaps Angel, and transports her back to the School to live like a lab rat again. The youngsters are forced to use their special talents to rescue her as they attempt to learn about their pasts and their destinies. The novel ends with the promise that this journey will continue in the sequel. As with Patterson's adult mystery thrillers, in-depth characterization is secondary to the fast-moving plot. The narrative alternates between Max's first-person point-of-view and that of the others in the third person, but readers don't get to know Max very well. The only major flaw is that the children sound like adults most of the time. This novel is reminiscent of David Lubar's Hidden Talents (Tor, 1999) and Ann Halam's Dr. Franklin's Island (Random, 2002).–Sharon Rawlins, Piscataway Public Library, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
edition.
13/02/2006
Maximize your reading with some good time Sci-Fic bottom:0.5em;">
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.
30/10/2005
"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 once your hooked there's no way out.
29/05/2005
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 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 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 - 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!
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