Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
37(37%)
4 stars
36(36%)
3 stars
27(27%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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What an action-packed book!

Max (Maximum Ride) is one of six kids who were genetically engineered to be able to fly. These kids are all unique in their own ways, yet they care for each other deeply as a family. Since they've never had another family, their bond is unbreakable. They don't even know if they were test tube babies or if they had parents. How did they end up in the institution that experimented on them? That is just one of the many mysteries that exist within the pages of this book.

While I was completely enthralled by the fast pace and the exciting cat-and-mouse game they play with their hunters, it is these mysteries that truly made me eager to turn the pages. For instance, why do the hunters catch them and then let them go, not just once but multiple times? It's a puzzling question that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Thankfully, we do get some of the answers in this book, but not all. This leaves room for more excitement and anticipation in the sequels. Overall, it's a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves adventure and mystery. Enjoy!
July 15,2025
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This book was just okay.

I had the impression that it lacked a great deal of substance. After reading it, I didn't really gain anything significant from it. It seemed as if it didn't possess a profound meaning.

Moreover, it wasn't extremely entertaining. I suppose I simply would have preferred the characters to have more depth.

To be honest, I doubt very much that I will read the remaining installments of the series.

Reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
July 15,2025
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I truly had a profound affection for this book.

It was filled with engaging characters, a captivating plot, and vivid descriptions that drew me in from the very beginning.

However, to my great dismay, it concluded in such a cliffhanger.

The story reached a point where it left me on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what would happen next.

It was as if the author had deliberately stopped at the most exciting moment, teasing me with the promise of more to come.

Now, I find myself eagerly anticipating the release of the next book in the series.

I can't wait to pick up where this one left off and finally get the answers to all the questions that have been swirling in my mind.

The anticipation is almost unbearable, but I know that when the next book arrives, it will be well worth the wait.
July 15,2025
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This is the first book by the popular thriller writer James Patterson, and it is primarily targeted at young adults.

I have to admit that when I initially began reading it, I thought it was rather dull. It tells the story of a group of winged kids living on their own, led by a girl named Max. At first glance, it seemed to be filled with clichés: Angel, the blonde and sweet baby of the group; Fang, the strong and silent type; The Gasman, who is very protective of his sister despite his odor problem and is well-loved; Iggy, who is smart but quite bitter; Nudge, a chatterbox who never stops talking; and finally, Max, who, despite her insecurities, has learned to maintain an appearance of calm and control for the sake of the 'flock'.

However, I persisted in reading, and I'm glad I did. The characters developed throughout the book, and the plot was engaging. The pace was quite brisk, so there were no boring or sluggish parts that I can remember. The only issues with this book were the somewhat 'extreme' way it was written and promoted (such as "Strap yourself in and enjoy the MAXIMUM RIDE", etc.). Even the girl's name, 'Maximum Ride', seemed to be part of a teen marketing campaign to encourage people to purchase the book.

The second problem was the inconclusive ending. I have read quite a number of books like this, so it didn't really trouble me. However, it appears to be a concern for quite a few people. If this truly bothers you, you should buy or borrow both this book and its sequel simultaneously so that you don't have to wait.
July 15,2025
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There was nothing seriously wrong with it. However, the writing style was simply far too juvenile for my taste. It lacked the depth and sophistication that I was expecting. The language used was basic and the ideas presented were not very complex. It felt as if the piece was written for a much younger audience. While it may have been appropriate for its intended readership, it failed to engage me on a deeper level. I found myself skimming through the text rather than fully immersing myself in it. Overall, I was disappointed with the writing as it did not meet my expectations.


July 15,2025
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I have accomplished an amazing feat. I have managed to create a document that consists of 65 pages. It is no small achievement, and I truly believe that I deserve a medal for this remarkable effort.

Each page is filled with carefully crafted content, whether it be detailed information, creative ideas, or well-written text. The process of creating these 65 pages has been a labor of love, and I have dedicated a significant amount of time and energy to ensure its quality.

I am proud of what I have achieved, and I hope that others will recognize the value and effort that went into this work. A medal would be a wonderful way to commemorate this accomplishment and serve as a reminder of my hard work and determination.

So, I ask you, please give me a medal for making it 65 pages. It would mean a great deal to me and would be a fitting reward for my efforts.
July 15,2025
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This book was truly amazing.

I found myself completely immersed in every single aspect of it.

The story, the characters, the plot - everything was just perfect.

I couldn't put it down and now I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of book 2.

James Patterson has really outdone himself with this particular book.

His writing style is engaging and captivating, making it a joy to read.

I have high hopes that the rest of the books in the series will be just as good, if not better.

I'm excited to see where the story will lead and how the characters will develop.

This book has definitely left a lasting impression on me and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.

I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment and continue this wonderful literary journey.

July 15,2025
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The only reason this book doesn't receive five stars from me is that I'm extremely confused by certain things. However, I liked it A LOT. A whole lot actually.

First of all, I didn't have the feeling that it truly went anywhere. It's as if you can sense that it's attempting to progress, but it's not really achieving that.

Basically, this book was simply filled with the flock constantly running, getting caught, running again, getting beaten up, running once more, getting chased by the cops, and running yet again... Over and over and over. After a while, it became rather predictable (not to mention tiresome). It took me some time to figure out the focal point of the book: uncovering who their parents are. Once I finally grasped THAT, it became a little bit easier.

James Patterson demonstrates his expertise in creating great characters. Max has a sarcastic sense of humor that I absolutely adore. This book was definitely entertaining, and I love the characters...LOVE them to bits.

That being said, Angel is a little bit annoying. I might be a bit mean, but if I see a little kid in Wal-Mart whining and demanding a toy, it irritates my nerves like nothing else. I attempt to give her a break since she's only six years old...but it's still aggravating. And the mind control thing is just creepy.

But I truly LOVED this book. I'm definitely going to read the next one. I just can't quite bring myself to add it to my "favorites" shelf.
July 15,2025
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The girl can fly.

This is an extraordinary ability that sets her apart from the ordinary.

When she spreads her wings and takes to the sky, a sense of freedom and wonder fills her.

She soars above the clouds, looking down at the world beneath with a perspective that few others can experience.

The wind rushes past her, caressing her face and hair.

She feels as if she can touch the stars and reach for the infinite.

Flying gives her a sense of power and confidence, allowing her to believe that anything is possible.

With her ability to fly, she can explore new places, discover hidden treasures, and help those in need.

She is a symbol of hope and inspiration, showing others that they too can break free from the limitations of the ground and reach for the sky.

The girl who can fly is a truly remarkable being, and her story will be told and retold for generations to come.

July 15,2025
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I have read numerous Patterson adult thrillers. However, after some time, I grew a bit tired of him. Seriously, how many sequels can a single book have?! With that in mind, my expectations for this particular book were extremely low. But, to my great surprise, this book turned out to be an absolute delight. It is a 400-page adventure filled with non-stop action that leaves you craving for more. I also discovered that I have a greater affinity for 'young adult' Patterson compared to 'adult' Patterson, if that makes any sense.


Max is such an entertaining character. In my opinion, she is the female equivalent of Percy Jackson. I thoroughly enjoyed her sarcastic and snarky tone throughout the entire story.


Another aspect that I really loved is that the chapters were short, and each one ended with a cliffhanger. This made it incredibly difficult to put the book down. I truly believe that if life hadn't intervened, I would have finished it in one sitting.


If you have a penchant for reading action-packed, fast-paced books, I highly recommend giving this one a try. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it as much as I did.


Warning:
If you dare to read his story,
you become part of the Experiment.
I know that sounds a little mysterious-
but it’s all I can say right now.
-Max
July 15,2025
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Six kids, namely Max, Fang, Angel, Nudge, Iggy, and the Gasman, are mutants who managed to escape from the School, a laboratory filled with insane scientists, many years ago. However, they have now been discovered again, and one of their flock, the young Angel, has been kidnapped.


Determined to get her back at all costs, they embark on a whirlwind journey filled with action, adventure, new discoveries, violence, pain, and secrets. This ultimately leads Max to the realization that she has to save the world.


At first, the writing style irked me, but it improved as I delved deeper into the book. One aspect of James Patterson's writing that I couldn't quite understand was his insanely short chapters. Most of the time, they were only a page and a half long. It felt as if having over a hundred two-page-long chapters was almost pointless.


I also didn't initially like the story, but it gradually grew on me. I found myself developing a genuine affection for the characters. Max was strong-willed, despite making some annoying mistakes. Fang was undeniably hot. Iggy, Gasman, and Nudge were cool, while Angel was rather creepy. As the book progressed, I wasn't the only one who was mildly creeped out by her. At the start of the story, she was cute, but in New York, she transformed into a brat. The whole thing with the plush bear confused me. I still don't understand why she was so attached to a mere bear.


Her brattiness soon turned deadly, and she literally became a mini Darth Vader. I swear, she even used her mind to do the throat choking force thing. I'm quite certain this could be considered copycat material. From now on, I'm officially nicknaming her Darth Angel.


Another thing I disliked was the incredibly overused concept of having someone or the main character save the world. It seems like such a childish concept and is only commonly found in crappy children's books.


Anyway, we'll see how things unfold in the next book. I'll probably only read one more of the series and then stop before it deteriorates, as everyone has been warning.


July 15,2025
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This book is just plain terrible.

There were so many things wrong with the 138 pages that I read.

From the very first page, where the reader is literally implored not to put the book down ("keep reading, it could save your life"), it's obvious that this book is nothing more than a passionless cash cow. The author doesn't seem to write for the love of writing or even to tell a good story. It's all about making a quick buck, which really sucks the fun out of the reading experience.

The writing is atrocious. It's repetitive, elementary, choppy, and just plain bland. For example, the use of similes like "It was like I had just lost my little sister. And like I had just lost my little girl" seems unnecessary and forced. The strange phrasing, such as "the anger made my blood sing", is also quite off-putting.

The main character's voice is extremely grating, especially with her overuse of phrases like "all-get-out". She tries too hard to be clever, but it just comes across as annoying.

The characters in this book have ridiculous names and no real depth or personality. Iggy, who is blind and contributes nothing, and The Gasman, who is named for his farts, are just a couple of examples. The plot is thin and uninteresting, with nothing really happening even after 138 pages.

I hope people aren't shelving this book as sci-fi because there's nothing "sci" about it. The genetic engineering premise is just a flimsy excuse to give the kids wings.

The only reason this book might have become a best seller is its appeal to reluctant readers. It's really sad that kids will read this trash and think it's good, while turning up their noses at truly great books.

I'm really let down by this book. The reviews are raving, but I just don't see it. It's being compared to great works like X-Men and Harry Potter, which is completely unjustified.

If there's one thing I learned from this book, it's that I'm done with J.P. novels. I didn't like his other book, Confessions of a Murder Suspect, and this one was even worse. Patterson, it's time for you to go.
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