The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride #1)

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Max isnt your normal teenage girl. That probably has something to do with the fact that she is 2% avian and has wings. And these wings arent just for show. Max can fly. That not enough to intrigue you? Well, there are five more of them, and together, they make up a flock of mutant but cool children.

But the cool ends there. Theyve been betrayed by their protector, someone they thought they could trust. Theyre being pursued by other mutants, part human and part lupine, that they call Erasers. And to top that off, one of their flock has been kidnapped. Now, they must rescue the youngest of their group, Angel.

James Patterson is an amazing storyteller. When I first picked this book up at the suggestion of my dad, I thought that Max was a guy. Then I realized she wasnt because she had a braid. Max has to be one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. Shes got smarts and leadership (at least when she doesnt fake it). My other favorite character is Fang, but all the winged kids are awesome and unforgettable.

This series is one of my favorite books, and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. Anyone who picks up this book will find something they like in it.

Reader reviewed by Bettina

Maximum Ride (or just Max) is a teen with a big responsibility. She has to look after her "family" all by herself. Her family is actually a group of kids that she grew up with in a lab. The truth is, they're not really normal. Scientists had altered their genetic structure so that they are 2% bird. They have different anatomical makeups than humans, and they have Wings. They can fold their wings against their backs, so they look like regular people.

"They" are Max, Fang, Iggy, the Gasman, Nudge, and Angel. Max is their leader and she has the natural qualities of one. Fang is, as the book says "the strong, silent type." Iggy is blind, but somehow a great cook. the Gasman is... well his name says it all. Nudge is the chatterbox and Angel is just a little girl who is unnerving at times with her ability to read minds. Some of "The Flock" have some special abilities. the Gasman can imitate voices unnervingly well and Nudge can sense some things about people when she touches something which makes her really good with computers.

The actual plot of the story is really interesting. At the beginning, Max and the Flock are living in a house which their "guardian," who suddenly disappears, left them at. All's fine until one day, Angel is kidnapped by "Erasers," half wolf hybrids, sent by the scientists at the lab who want the Flock back. Max and the rest of the Flock want to get Angel back, which is no easy feat.

The book is really great because it is told most of the time from the point of view of Max. The character development is outstanding in this book, and Max is hilarious. She has a great attitude and the book is really great. Twists in the plot make it really interesting.

Note: This book is unrelated to "When the Wind Blows" and "The Lake House."

Reader reviewed by Dee

I picked this book up at the library when I wasn't sure what to read and asked my librarians for suggestions. They said that the Maximum Ride series was very popular. I read the summary and was a bit skeptical about it, but I took it anyways.

At first I wasn't to interested in the beginning of the book, but I kept on reading ( always a good thing ) and the story started to captivate me. So, they were part bird, that was a little weird, but once you get used to it I really started to get into it.

The story is about a "flock " of kids whose DNA was altered in a lab, and they got bird genes injected in them. The lab was called a " School " and was horrible. A caring scientist helped them escape and now they were living on an isolated mountain. The kind scientist disapeared years ago and they had a feeling he died. Then one day altered humans who were part wolf and worked for the school captured the youngest flock member Angel. The leader Max and the rest of the flock go after her, and slowly they past is unraveled. Read the book to find out if The kinda scientist Eb is alive or not.

This book is overall awesome, but it needs some more romance.
It is a do over of an earlier series and is aimed for teens. there is a story by the same author aimed at adults about the same flock.
Check this book series out !

Reader reviewed by msse

Thouroughly enjoyed. My two sons, age 14 and 13 each read within a two-day period. None of us could put the book down.

I am about to start Maximum Ride as our class book in my middle school special ed. classroom. I enjoy fantasy and this is a book that should help me relate my love for this genre to my students.

I could not wait for the 2nd book. We even enjoy the web site and the blogs written by the characters.

Reader reviewed by linda

Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel are six kids who have been genetically altered so that they are only 98% human, and 2% bird. They try to keep a low profile and live hidden in a house with only the internet to educate them. One day, other genetically altered animals "The Erasers," come after them and grab Angel, Max's favorite out of the 5 kids. They go on a fast-paced and exciting journey to find not only Angel, but the information about their pasts which will lead the to their parents. Max is worried though, not only is there a strange voice in her head, but there are clear messages that tell her that she is going to save the world. Max feels like she is independent and making her own decisions but each time she runs into the Erasers and a scientist who betrayed her, they tell her that she is merely a pawn in their game.

Reader reviewed by Alexandra

Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel are six kids who have been genetically altered so that they are only 98% human, and 2% bird. They grew up in cages, but now they're free, and live all by themselves. But when the mutant Erasers capture Angel, the Flock must leave the comfort and security of their newfound home and rescue her. Max, the oldest has a plan. But will it work, and what will they do after they find Angel? Find out in the young adult debut from James Patterson. Normally, this kind of book isn't my prefered genre but both the plot and the writing really held me.

Reader reviewed by Lavendermc

Maximum Ride: the title describes the book perfectly, not to mention introduces the main character of the novel to us. Written as the narrative thoughts of a young girl teen, Max, this book is both hilarious and serious. Warning: there are moments when the thoughts of this quirky teen may bring forth a random burst of laughter and other thoughts may bring forth a lone tear.


The story of a 'flock' on the run: six very different children, brought together as a family because of their genetic composition (98% human, 2% bird) and their past, striving to stay together (and alive) when everyone and everything in the world seems to be against them. Erasers, humans with wolf's genetic component and capable of transforming into their genetic counterpart at whim, are out to get our six comrades. What will happen? That question literally kept me on the edge of my seat for three days in a row, incapable of putting it down for more than a few hours.


I recommend this book to everyone and anyone who likes a good thriller/suspense novel with very modern ideas. I personally loved the 'genetic' spin; it's so 'today'. Anyhow, you read and decide for yourself, it's definitely worth the ride!

Reader reviewed by Jessie F

this book was awsome it was fantastic the book was for young adults so it didnt have anything to do with the other two books (which it says in the beginning) Max has to go through a lot of stuff she has to take care of 5 kids and has to save the world ,wow

Reader reviewed by Kristen Danielle

What was Patterson thinking? This book was horrible and had absolutly nothing to do with the original two books (When the Wind Blows & The Lake House) Most of thier names get changed, what happened to Max's two kids? I mean come on, at least stay with the story line here...

~ Kristen Danielle

Reader reviewed by Elljay

I have to be critical. I did really enjoy it, and I thought the idea and the plot-line were refreshingly original, but then again I haven't read When the Wind Blows.

The book: it's about six kids who escaped from a secret lab called "the School". They are 2% bird and 98% human, therefore they have wings, the ability to fly, and several other talents, one of which is telepathy. They are on the run from "Erasers" (mutants who are part wolf part human) who capture the youngest member of the group (Angel) and take her back to the dreaded School. The book is basically about how Max and her friends determine to find her, and so on and so forth.

The characters: Max, the main character who is caring, strong, brave and whatnot; Fang (my favourite) who is described as the "strong and silent type"; Iggy, who became blind when the scientists at the School attempted to improve his night-vision; Nudge, an eleven year old who never shuts up; the Gasman, an eight year old with, er, a problem concerning his digestive system; and Angel, the classic sweet little blonde cherub whom everyone seems to adore, especially Max.

What I think: well, I really liked it. It was action-packed and thrilling, and a real page-turner. I didn't tire of it. The problem is the ending, or lack, thereof. I was quite disappointed by that. It just doesn't finish. It's more like the end of a chapter than of a book, and I was left expecting more. Yes, it's the first in a series, but still...

My advice: buy it, buy it, buy it, and if you don't buy it, READ IT. You won't regret it.