Why do I read Patterson books?

I suppose it's because they are very easy to read, like bubble gum for the mind. However, this one was truly ridiculous.

The concept of bioengineering itself is an interesting one. But the idea of children with wings is just ludicrous.

The FBI agent Kit/Tom and Frannie the vet with the heart of gold was even more far-fetched. Having sex while being captured by psychopaths is simply unbelievable.

The girl Max or Maximum was perfect, too perfect. I wasn't sure if the story was supposed to be funny, but in some places it was very funny.

Set in Colorado with a conspiracy involving extremely greedy doctors. I keep wondering why I come back to this author, but his style is very easy to read and the stories are imaginative, albeit unbelievable.

There are a lot of holes in this story, such as the glaring change from a semi-automatic to a revolver. I might just stick to Alex Cross novels in the future.

I've been eager to read this series for a long time. The main reason is that the name of the main girl is Maximum, which is exactly the same as mine. I can't recall anyone else, whether real or fictional, who shares this name. So for me, I've always felt a slight connection to the story through this, even though I've never read it before. To be honest, I was scared to read it because after such a long time, I wondered if it would meet my expectations. Surprisingly, it did. I have a great affection for the characters, especially Max. She is portrayed as a very believable 13-year-old. I like the fact that she has a tragic past that definitely affects her, but she isn't one-dimensional and constantly dwelling on it. She truly tries to move forward. I also enjoyed Kit and Franny and how the two characters interacted with each other throughout most of the story.

I gave this story 5 stars because the creativity and the early explanations made it one of my favorite reads ever. However, it does have some flaws in the second half. I think the writer might have painted himself into a corner because everything is resolved a bit too smoothly in my opinion. And although the writer did a great job with child characters like Max, I think he relied too much on the naivety of younger children for the sake of the plot, like with the children Max met or with Michael (you'll understand what I mean when you read it. I won't give away any spoilers here). Children can be naïve, of course, but in these cases, they just don't seem realistic.

Nevertheless, I'm excited to read The Lakehouse and eventually the Maximum Ride series. I've heard that both stories use the same characters, but their stories are complete retellings, which makes me extremely excited. I can't wait to explore these new stories and see how the characters develop and change.

I fell in love with the characters!

It was an unexpected yet wonderful experience. From the moment I was introduced to them, their unique personalities and traits began to draw me in.

Each character had their own story, their own dreams and fears, and it was as if I was able to step into their shoes and experience it all with them.

Their actions and decisions had a profound impact on me, making me laugh, cry, and everything in between.

I found myself constantly thinking about them, even when I wasn't reading or watching their story.

They became a part of my life, and I will always cherish the memories and emotions they brought out in me.

Falling in love with the characters has truly been a magical and unforgettable journey.

To my disappointment, the back blurb made this book out to be far more intriguing than it actually was.

Modern-day laboratory chimeras (I think this book came out around the time of the TV show, Dark Angel--similar themes) that are grown and manipulated inside unknowing mothers-to-be. This concept sounds extremely good, doesn't it? Well, that's about as fascinating as it gets.

I had hoped it would have delved deeper into how the process was carried out and provided more scientific background, but unfortunately, there was none.

Essentially, a girl (who has wings!) from the project manages to escape and is on the run in the wilderness of Colorado. A wayward FBI agent and a local vet team up to uncover the truth behind the murders and events that seem to be connected to this girl.

However, the story is highly predictable with no real plot twists (at least not for me) and it lacks the elements necessary to keep the reader engaged and invested in the characters.

Despite having so much potential, it fails to deliver. Apparently, there are more books continuing this story, but I have no intention of reading them.

It's a shame really, as the initial idea had a lot of promise, but it just didn't live up to expectations.

I picked up this book with some anticipation, but unfortunately, it didn't quite meet my expectations.

I only managed to read four pages before I started to lose interest.

The concept of kids with wings might sound interesting to some, but for me, it just didn't click.

Maybe it was the way the story was presented or perhaps it was the lack of depth in the characters.

Whatever the reason, I found myself unable to engage with the material.

I had hoped for a thrilling adventure or a heartwarming tale, but what I got was something that felt rather平淡.

Despite this, I'm sure there are many others who will enjoy this book and find the idea of kids with wings fascinating.

It just goes to show that everyone has different tastes when it comes to reading.

Category: Books

Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy

Author: James Patterson

Frannie O'Neill, a talented veterinarian, resides in Colorado. Haunted by the mysterious murder of her husband, David, she devotes her life to her work. Soon after, another mysterious murder occurs, and Kit Harrison, a controversial FBI agent, arrives at her place.

During the investigation, Frannie witnesses a shocking and strange phenomenon in the forest near her veterinary hospital. This phenomenon, named Max, will change her life forever. With extraordinary abilities, Max, an eleven-year-old girl, helps Frannie and Kit uncover one of the most evil plans of modern science. The crazy plan of a group of humans who want to be God and eliminate the boundary between humans and animals.

This book can perhaps be called a prequel to the Serial Maximum Ride by James Patterson. The similarities are indeed only the name of the character Maximum, the idea of the cruel scientists conducting genetic experiments, and the illegal laboratory that is referred to as a school. Besides this background, everything else told here is different.

If the serial Maximum Ride is told from the perspective of the main character Max, then in When the wind Blow, it is told from three perspectives, namely Frannie O'Neil, Kit Harisson, and Max. If in Maximum Ride it tells about the adventures of Max, then in When the wind Blows, the perspective of the story tells more from the perspective of Frannie, the veterinarian.

The core story of this book is Frannie's mission to save Maximum, the bird-girl resulting from the genetic engineering of the scientists, and Kit Harisson's efforts, a senior FBI member, to expose the conspiracy of the murders of talented doctors who are suspected to be members of an illegal scientific group conducting genetic experiments on humans.

Overall, this book is quite entertaining. Given that I myself have just finished book 1 of Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment – the similarities and tensions between the two books to some extent make me enjoy this book.

If artificial intelligence had been a thing back then, I would have thought this was written by it. They simply spout out random phrases. The romance was strange. The adult scenes, combined with the absolute childishness of this, just didn't work.

Obviously, I read it because of Maximum Ride, and I thought this would be too mature for me as a kid. But it's not. It somehow has more cartoonish villains and the stupidest adults.

What do you mean her husband was experimenting on kids in a eugenics scheme and she had no idea? Also, the fact that she legitimately is like, "Well, now that I know my dead husband was evil, I'll just fall in love with Kit now. Teehee."

Like, no one had normal reactions to anything. The kids meeting their birth parents and being all happy. I'm kind of like, "Okay... but how do we know they're good people? Or can manage raising these kids? Like, at the very least monetarily?"

Anyway, it was wild and stupid, and yet I will read the next one. I'm curious to see where this crazy story will lead. Maybe the next installment will have more coherence and better-developed characters. Who knows? But for now, I'm along for the ride.

So many times while reading this book, I found myself completely lost in the details.

It was as if I had been transported into another world, and I completely forgot that I was actually reading.

It truly felt like I was watching a movie unfold in my mind!

The book's details were at times gruesome to read, but that only added to its allure.

I think this is one of James Patterson's best books to date!

I'm so pleased that he mostly writes series, because I simply can't wait to read the next installment.

I'm eager to see what new adventures and mysteries await the characters.

James Patterson has a real talent for creating engaging and immersive stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

This book is no exception, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good thriller.

I can clearly understand the reason why those individuals who have read this book might not have a favorable opinion of the Maximum Ride series. I initiated my exploration with the series before incidentally coming across this book.

It had been sitting on one of our bookshelves for an extended period of time before I ultimately picked it up. At that moment, I was completely unaware that it was the very place where Maximum first made her appearance.

In a nutshell, this particular work is intended for adults. Patterson truly had to make significant adjustments and tone down certain aspects in order to pen the Young Adult series. I didn't hold a great deal of affection for the series prior to reading this book. As a result, this book simply solidifies my stance.

It seems that the original concepts and elements in this adult-oriented work might have been more complex and perhaps less suitable for a younger audience. The toning down process for the Young Adult series might have sacrificed some of the depth and edginess that made this book appealing in the first place. This could explain why some readers who discovered the series through this book might not have been as enthusiastic about the subsequent installments in the Maximum Ride series.

I read this particular piece because it is the source from which Patterson derived the inspiration for his Maximum Ride series. This series truly holds an incredibly special place within my heart. However, I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed.

There were several aspects that I didn't care for. The way Franny's body was described was rather repulsive and made my skin crawl. She is a human being, not a mere piece of meat. Additionally, the story switches between third person and first person (Franny's POV), which was extremely disorienting as it transitioned between the chapters. When Kit and Franny think they are about to die, the next thing they decide is that the most reasonable course of action is for them to finally have sex. Seriously? One would think there would be far more important matters on their minds, such as survival, what will happen to the kids, and whether the company is going to get away with all the unethical things they've done. I also wasn't a huge fan of the narrator.

On the other hand, there were a few things that I did like. The description of what exactly made Max bird-like, aside from just having wings (in Maximum Ride they only have wings), was quite interesting. She has feathers down her legs that function as a tail feather, and she would lay eggs instead of giving live birth. The epilogue was very touching. I found myself getting a little teary-eyed because it was so sweet.

I really liked the story, its unfolding, and the way it was constructed.

Especially the blend between romance and suspense, in a well-balanced way.

However, I must confess that I expected more from the book.

The plot had its interesting moments, but it could have been developed further to create more depth and excitement.

The characters were also quite likable, but they lacked some complexity and growth.

Maybe if the author had spent more time on these aspects, the book would have been even better.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but it didn't quite meet my expectations.

I still recommend it to those who like a good romance-suspense novel, but don't expect it to be a masterpiece.

Update 5/25/2015

So, I just purchased the final book of the Maximum Ride series. When I clicked on the series button here on Goodreads, I accidentally came across a note from James Patterson stating that this Max is distinct from the Max in the original Maximum Ride. However, it's truly难以置信 how different they are. They are far too fucking similar to be considered different. But there's nothing I can do about it as I suppose what the author says is true. It really sucks big time.

I bought this book (in hardcover, for just $2) solely because Patterson wrote it. Patterson introduced me to the captivating world of Crime-mystery-thriller novels. So, when I saw this months ago, I bought it instantly without even bothering to read the synopsis at the back. I had no idea that this was a prequel to his young-adult series, Maximum Ride. I was a huge fan of Maximum Ride back then, and I'm certain I enjoyed the series as a whole. After reading a few pages of this, I realized that Max was the same character as the one from the MR series. I did a bit of research and confirmed my speculations. All I can say is that I can't believe I'm reading the prequel to the series that I adored when I was younger.

Frannie and Kit were the adult main characters in this novel. They were the typical main characters that Patterson writes, and they were truly enjoyable. The best character, of course, would still be Maximum. I liked her before, and I still like her now. The author also decided to include Icarus, another member of the Maximum Ride crew. I'm not sure if the others were also part of the crew. I read the MR series years ago, so my memory isn't that fresh anymore. Moving on to Fran and Kit. Their relationship felt forced and unbelievable, but aside from that, they were well-developed characters. They were really likable, which was good enough to keep me interested in what was going to happen to them.

In terms of the plot, it feels more YA than Crime/Adult. The plot was a bit shallow and really similar to the MR series. I understand this is a prequel, but the synopsis wasn't that obvious. Aside from the name Max, nothing else really screamed Maximum Ride to me. The plot wasn't overly cliche, but it could have been executed better. The character development outshines the plot, and that's not always a positive thing.

I gave this book 3.5/5 stars. I rounded it up because I was such a huge fan of the MR series. This wasn't a bad novel. In fact, it was a bit fast-paced and interesting. It just didn't have that adult writing style of Patterson that I'm accustomed to. Maybe the fact that I've read the YA series influenced my reading impression of this, but I've read better works by Patterson. I'm going to read the sequel to this and also the last book of the YA series (coming out this 2015). Patterson will always be the reason why I love the crime genre, at least when it comes to reading. I still find that I enjoy crime movies more than novels, but if the crime novel is good enough, then I'll still experience the enjoyment in one way or another.