Max (Maximum Ride, Book 5)

James Patterson
Little, Brown and Company (2009)
ISBN 9780316002899
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (5/09)


Max and the flock are back and starring in their latest adventure.  They are bird-kids who were created through an experiment in which they were given ninety-percent human DNA and ten-percent avian DNA.  All of them have wings and can fly.  Each also has other special individual abilities, including mind reading and communicating with animals.  Their current mission is to assist The Coalition to Stop the Madness in saving the planet by raising awareness about pollution.  However, their efforts are being impeded by a group of wealthy businessmen who have their own agenda.

“Max” is the fifth book in The Maximum Ride Novels.  Although I did not read the first four books, I could follow the story easily.  There are references to things that happened earlier in the series that steer the reader to the specific book if she wants to learn more specifics.

This book is written for a younger audience (perhaps eight to fourteen-year-olds) but adults will fall in love with the characters too.  My favorites are Max and Angel.  As the oldest, Max sees herself as the leader who must look after the younger ones.  However, she finds herself becoming distracted as she realizes she has feelings for another member of the flock.  Angel is the precocious six-year-old who, like typical six-year-olds, does what she wants without thinking of possible consequences.  I liked the other characters too, but they play lesser roles in this story. 

“Max” by James Patterson is a refreshing novel in so many ways.  The language used is clean and the story lines are suitable for younger readers.  It may appeal more to girls since the heroine is female, but I think boys will find it interesting as well.  The reader is allowed to use her imagination to envision the flying bird-kids as well as the strange creatures that are trying to foil their plans of saving the planet.  The story is fast-moving, with most chapters ending with foreshadowing.  I could not put the book down and I really believe most kids will become enchanted with Max and her friends.  However, I do suggest that children read the books in proper order so they do not become confused by references to prior events.

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