Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
35(35%)
4 stars
28(28%)
3 stars
36(36%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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99 reviews
July 15,2025
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As per usual, I haven't found a James Patterson book that I didn't love.

His works always manage to capture my attention from the very first page. This particular book was no exception. It was definitely an interesting read, offering a unique perspective and storyline that set it apart from the others.

The characters were well-developed and engaging, making it easy for me to become invested in their lives and the events that unfolded. The plot was filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

I am truly looking forward to reading the next installment in this series. I have no doubt that Patterson will continue to deliver a thrilling and captivating story that will leave me wanting more.

Overall, this book was a great addition to my collection and I would highly recommend it to any fan of mystery and thriller novels.
July 15,2025
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Alright, this book was truly AMAZING!


I have a great passion for books that explore the future of genetic manipulation. It's especially fascinating to consider how it might potentially relate to human research, although at present it seems rather far-fetched.


This book stands out as the best one I've read thus far in this genre. The characters are incredibly endearing, which makes it easy to become invested in their stories. The plot is not only amazing but also full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. There are no "slow parts" in this book, as the writing style is engaging and captivating throughout.


This is the first Patterson book I've ever read, and I must say, I think I'm hooked. I'll definitely be giving a few more of his books a try.


The one thing that really stands out for me is the extremely short chapters. Sometimes they are as short as a page and a half. As the mother of a newborn and a 16-month-old, it's so convenient to be able to reach a good "stopping point" at almost any time.


I would highly recommend this book to all of my friends without hesitation!

July 15,2025
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Middle grade has better writing.

I truly wonder what in the name of Sam Hill this is all about.

It seems rather puzzling.

When we talk about middle grade writing, there is often a certain charm and skill that sets it apart.

The stories are engaging, the characters are relatable, and the language is just right for the intended audience.

But what exactly makes it better?

Is it the simplicity yet depth of the plots?

Or perhaps the ability to capture the essence of childhood in a way that adults can also appreciate?

There are so many factors to consider.

Maybe it's the way the authors are able to transport readers into a world of imagination and adventure.

Or the way they handle emotions and life lessons in a gentle and understandable manner.

Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure - middle grade writing has its own unique appeal that continues to captivate readers of all ages.

July 15,2025
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This work by Mr Patterson展现出了一些不同寻常的特点。

例如,其中包含了明显深入的研究(尽管这完全是关于Maxine的吗?)。

这让我想起了King的《Firestarter》。

书中有许多精彩的语句,比如“Go like the wind blows.”,生动地描绘了一种快速的状态。

还有“Patterson delivers the swiftly paced fare that has made him a champ of the charts.”,这是《Publishers Weekly》对他作品的高度评价。

此外,书中的人物形象也十分鲜明,如那个说“You don't knowathing about me”的人,他的话语透露出一种神秘和倔强。

而“Lying to Frannie isareally bad thing to do, he told himself.”则展现了人物内心的挣扎。

总之,这本书充满了各种精彩的元素,值得一读。
July 15,2025
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What a significant change in the books that I typically read!

Just a small insight reveals that it is about children who can fly. However, as the story progresses in the book, it presents a rather disturbing and not-so-happy scenario, contrary to what one might initially think.

Nevertheless, it is a very good read that keeps the reader engaged and eager to know more.

Now, I'm excitedly moving on to Book 2 in the series!

I'm looking forward to exploring what new adventures and surprises it has in store.

Hopefully, it will continue to captivate my attention and provide an equally interesting and thought-provoking experience.

Who knows what awaits in the next installment?

It's all part of the exciting journey of reading this series.

I can't wait to find out!
July 15,2025
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Now I have a clear understanding of why this is regarded as one of James Patterson's best-selling novels.

I initially read "The Lake House", and perhaps it would have been better if I had read this one first. However, it managed to clarify a great number of questions that lingered in my mind after reading "The Lake House".

This book was truly an enjoyable read, captivating my interest from beginning to end.

We get to explore the origins of the bird kids, namely Max, Oz, Matthew, Peter, Wendy, and Icarus. Additionally, we learn about how they came to know Frannie O'Neil and Kit/Tom Harrison/Brennan.

It's a story that makes you want to soar high and relish every moment.

Fly high and enjoy the wonderful journey that this novel takes you on.

July 15,2025
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The book "When the Wind Blows" by James Patterson is truly an interesting read.

It either sets itself up as the beginning of one of his other series, or was written with the intention of being a sort of prologue to that series. If you're wondering which series I'm referring to, it's the "Maximum Ride" series.

You might be curious as to how this is a prologue to that series, and let me elaborate. It's actually quite obvious, in fact, it's right there on the first few pages. You don't have to play detective and try to decrypt the text to relate it to the other series.

The story begins with one of the main characters, Max, an 11-year-old girl with blond hair, green eyes, a stronger build than your average 11-year-old girl, and... wings! That's right, she has wings.

Aside from Max, we are introduced to a few other main characters. There's Frannie O'Neill, a veterinarian in Bear Bluff, Colorado, who encounters Max twice at the start of the book. She has no idea where Max came from and decides to try and find her again in her spare time.

Then there's Kit Harrison, an FBI agent who travels to Colorado on his own case without the approval of the FBI. He poses as a hunter and runs into Frannie, even staying in her cabin behind her clinic. At first, Frannie is enraged by the fact that he's a hunter, but as they get to know each other better, they become friends.

Max is still on the run from the guards who are chasing her. We later find out that these guards are from a secret laboratory called the School, which does heavy experimentation, mainly on children.

While hunting for Max, Frannie and Kit manage to capture her. They learn that Max wants to break into the School and save the rest of her "Flock." And that's where the story really takes off.

Now, I'm not a big fan of romance, so the serious romance between Frannie and Kit (especially in the beginning-middle) didn't really appeal to me. But overall, I still enjoyed the book. It was full of intrigue with the story of the School, had plenty of suspense as hiding Max could lead to serious consequences from the School, and there was even an element of betrayal, which I won't go into details about to avoid spoilers.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good action-packed read.
July 15,2025
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Now I am completely hooked.

This was such an outstanding, effortless, and creative book. From the very first page, I was captivated.

The characters were not only easy to fall in love with but also a breeze to follow, and the story was equally engaging. The author has an amazing talent for creating such clear and vivid mental images of the surroundings. It felt as if I could actually see the places and the actions of the characters were so realistic that it was like I was right there with them.

I would highly recommend both this author and this book to anyone who loves a good read. It's truly a gem that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

You won't be disappointed!
July 15,2025
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A widowed veterinarian and a renegade FBI team are completely unaware that they are actually on the same side. She is desperately trying to locate the strange girl she witnessed in the woods, the one with arms that resembled wings. Meanwhile, he is in pursuit of the law-breaking doctors who are accused of conducting unorthodox genetic testing. However, the little girl in the woods is not going to be found easily. She will put up a fight, and what's more, she isn't the only one with wings.

My mom was the one who first informed me about this book. She had a certain degree of liking for it, even though she isn't particularly inclined towards science fiction and fantasy. Additionally, James Patterson has rewritten the series for young adults, casting Max and her five feathered friends as the heroes. I believe I might have a slightly greater preference for that concept. The story was interesting enough, but there were too many other elements that seemed to overshadow the main plot. For instance, yes, we all feel sorry for Kit's family dying in a plane crash, but at what point does that truly impact the plot?

There is a second book, but I've been told that it's just more of the same: running away from the bad guys, the kids flying and looking beautiful. I probably won't bother with it. However, I might take a look at the young adult version.
July 15,2025
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I read this book entirely because of Venessa's comments. It presented a chance to read about how an author handles views of Sugarloaf, Nederland, and Boulder Community Hospital. How could I not take that opportunity?

Venessa was more critical than I. In the book, there was, indeed, the inevitable car chase, the inevitable non-fatal gun wounds, and the inevitable false friend. However, the kids did talk like kids, and the story moved along at a decent pace.

Nevertheless, there was precious little about the locations that I read the book for. It was a bit disappointing in that regard. I had hoped for more detailed descriptions and insights into the specific places that were mentioned. Overall, while the story had its moments, it didn't quite live up to my expectations in terms of providing a rich exploration of the settings.
July 15,2025
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The premise of this book was good, and indeed, some of the chapters were well-written, captivating the reader's attention and drawing them into the story.

However, on the other hand, some of the other chapters left a lot to be desired. They seemed to be sloppily written, lacking in the kind of polish and care that one would expect from a well-crafted novel. It appears that this is a trait that can be found in all of Mr. Patterson's books (at least those that I have read) to varying degrees.

I will say one thing though - this book was way better than the Maximum Ride novel I read the other day. I had actually read Maximum Ride before this one, but I found that I enjoyed this book better.

This book could have been improved significantly by putting in more detail and fleshing out the plot. There were many questions that were left unanswered, leaving the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction.

As for whether I'll pick up a copy of 'Lake House', I'm not entirely sure. While this book had its good points, the flaws in the writing and the unresolved plot points make me hesitant to invest my time in another of Mr. Patterson's works.

July 15,2025
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James Patterson and Dean Koontz are often compared, and it's said that Patterson has exactly the same writing style as Koontz. However, in Patterson's case, there are both hits and misses.

This particular book, without a doubt, was not a hit. I've had the opportunity to read a few of his other works, mainly those targeted at children and young adults. So, I wasn't overly surprised by the caliber of language in this adult-oriented book. Patterson has a rather pedestrian way of telling the story.

The book constantly switches between the first and third person perspectives among three characters, one of whom is Max, the girl with bird wings. What could have been an exciting, heart-pounding story unfortunately turns out to be slightly boring due to the way he presents it. The frequent changes in perspective make the story feel clunky and disjointed.

Moreover, his sentences are just subpar. They lack vitality and are filled with clichés. I struggle to find other words to describe it. All I know is that I really don't like this writing style. It fails to engage me and leaves me feeling disappointed.

Perhaps Patterson needs to reevaluate his approach when writing for adults and try to bring more depth and originality to his stories.
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