MAX by James Patterson

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MAX
A Maximum Ride Novel
Book 5
Author: James Patterson
Source: Purchased at store
  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (September 15, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0316002909
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316002905
SYNOPSIS:

Someone–or something–is decimating ships and sea life off Hawaii’s coast, and Max and her flock find themselves sucked into the Navy’s top-secret investigation of the catastrophe. Their objective: Rescue Max’s activist mom from a wicked subterranean enemy. The hitch: They must dive deep into dark waters, where gruesome evil dwells… and for high-flying Maximum Ride, could there be anything more terrifying than being trapped in the great abyss? Now in paperback, this soaring new adventure takes Maximum Ride and the Flock into terrifying new territory–fans, hold your breath!
MY THOUGHTS:
I am now addicted again to this series.  The author has made a great comeback with Max.  The flock is together.  Max and Fang are finally accepting their love for eachother. Angel is getting even more creepier and the laughs keep coming!
In this installment the flock team up with the Navy to rescue Max’s mom from evil scientist’s.  They battle new mutants with a few surprises along the way.  The characters are maturing and getting better.  My favorite part of the book was the training the flock must go through with the Navy before being allowed to board a sub. You will be laughing at their antics and witty comebacks that the Navy wouldn’t even be able to not laugh at. 
Mr. Patterson has turned this series around and has made me fall in love with all the characters again.  I am thrilled to see them growing and maturing.  They are learning new things about the world and themselves.
MY RATING:


Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!
 

MAXIMUM RIDE: THE FINAL WARNING by James Patterson

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MAXIMUM RIDE: THE FINAL WARNING
BOOK 4 of the series
Author: James Patterson
Source: Purchased at store
  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (September 1, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0316002879
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316002875
SYNOPSIS:
Maximum Ride and the other members of the flock are just like ordinary kids–only they have wings and can fly. It seems like a dream come true…until they’re hunted by the world’s nastiest villains.

Max returns in a chilling adventure unlike any other. Safe havens for the six highly-sought-after winged kids have become increasingly hard to find, so the flock takes refuge in Antarctica with a team of environmentalists studying the effects of global warming. In this remote wilderness–whether pursued by corrupt governments, bioengineered bad-guys, or the harsh forces of nature–survival of the fittest takes a new twist!

MY THOUGHTS:
I am so glad I kept reading this series.  After the last book, I thought I would be disappointed in continuing.  The author made a great comeback with the next in the series.
Just when they think they might be safe for a little bit, all hell breaks loose again.  These kids cannot catch a break at happiness and safety for even a week it seems.  I have read around the internet, that a lot of people where disappointed in this book.  I think the author is figuring out what he wants to do now with the series.  There is still alot of witty wisecracks and still action.  The bird kids are still getting new powers as they grow. Fang and Max are still trying to come to terms with their feelings.  I think this is the book would be best described as a new beginning.  They are trying to figure out how to cope with exposure and learning to trust people.  The only drawback I had with this book was the preaching of Global Warming. Yada Yada. I hear it in the news all the time, so I don’t really want to read about it.  Yet, the author did do a wonderful job of explaining it on a kid level. 
MY RATING:



Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!

SAVING THE WORLD & OTHER EXTREME SPORTS by James Patterson

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MAXIMUM RIDE: BOOK3
SAVING THE WORLD & OTHER EXTREME SPORTS
Author: James Patterson
Source: Purchased at store
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (July 1, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 031615427X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316154277
SYNOPSIS:
In MAXIMUM RIDE: SAVING THE WORLD AND OTHER EXTREME SPORTS, the time has arrived for Max and her winged “Flock” to face their ultimate enemy and discover their original purpose: to defeat the takeover of “Re-evolution”, a sinister experiment to re-engineer a select population into a scientifically superior master race…and to terminate the rest. Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel have always worked together to defeat the forces working against them–but can they save the world when they are torn apart, living in hiding and captivity, halfway across the globe from one another? 
MY THOUGHTS:
To me, this book was the deal breaker so to speak on whether you would finish reading the series.  Some people hated it and some loved it. I on the other hand, fell in the middle of these groups.  I started off addicted to this series. I just couldn’t wait to see what the bird kids would have to face next.
First the bad points of this book.  Unfinished plot lines are bad.  I couldn’t stand how some of the stories were left with us scratching our heads wondering WTF?  I feel by this book, some things should have been answered and cleared up.  I am feeling like the author was trying to figure out what to do at this point, and didn’t have a clear plot figured out while writing this. I still enjoyed the book, but I wish some things would have been resolved by now.
On the other hand, the way he turned characters sides around was great. I love how Ari started out to be a bad guy and always trying to kill the flock. By the end of this book, you will see Ari in a new light and actually cry for him in the end.  I felt cheated with his story line.  The author could have done so much more with that character! 
We get to see how the flock survives when they are split up.  We get to see Fang and Max try to figure out what is happening between them and Angel just gets creepier and creepier in my opinion. 
Overall not a bad book, but not one of the better ones either.  Yet, I am a determined little book reviewer and will be finishing the series for you. 
MY RATING:


 
Perfect For Rainy Days From the Library!

Sick Day

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I sat at home taking care of my little ones all last week. I pampered them. I took them to the doctor. I gave them medicine and soup.  Do they give me a thank you in return? No. They gave me their sickness! So sad to say I am taking a blog break today.  My sick body is going to be lazy and either stay in bed or watch TV. Maybe both. Heck, I will probably read if you must know.  I have a stack of books here by my computer that are ready for me to post reviews on, so when I do come back on tomorrow, be on the lookout for a bunch of posts.
Hope everyone has a great sick free day today! I envy you!

(Guest Post & Review) Circle of Friends Book 5 by L. Diane Wolfe

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CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: Book 5 Heather
Source: Author submission
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 282 pages
  • Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press (March 16, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0981621058
  • ISBN-13: 978-0981621050
SYNOPSIS:
When confidence turns to frustration… A new beginning awaits Heather Jennings. The position at Clemson means she will finally realize her dream of coaching basketball. Heather is ready to focus on her duties, using sheer force if necessary to prove her independence. Sadly, her triumph is hampered as her father and greatest advocate lies dying of cancer. Battling her grief, she must also deal with a sister who appears incapable of responsibility or achievement. And once basketball season begins, a talented but cocky player who resembles her in every manner challenges all that remains of Heather’s patience. Heather’s life changes when she encounters a man capable of handling her bold and feisty attitude. Straightforward and smug, he entices her to date him, and despite his gruff nature shows a great capacity for compassion. However, the last thing Heather needs is a serious relationship with a man equally fixated on work and opposed to marriage…
MY THOUGHTS:

First of all, not only is L. Diane Wolfe a great author, she is also a great blogger! She always takes the time to review my posts and leave her thoughts on them for me. She is an author who makes you feel like a friend, not just another reviewer. So, I want to thank her for thinking of me to read and review her book! THANK YOU!
This is book five in the series, but my first book by this author that I have read.  I always have my doubts about books that are inspirational fiction.  I was think they are going to be preachy.  I was wrong in that thought process for this one.  The characters are strong and make choices based on actual thought process instead of flying off the wall with something stupid. Yes, the characters have brains! The author made sure to give Heather challenges that are true to life.  She made sure that Heather was not going to have a perfect life.  It made the character of Heather even more down to Earth for me.  

Overall, I will definitely be checking out the other books in the series.  This author has give me a new outlook on inspirational fiction. Thank you for that.

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

GUEST POST BY THE AUTHOR:

Those who’ve followed the series know that Heather is one tough customer. For those who’ve not read the other four books, never fear! Each story stands alone and you will not be lost. And just to help you understand Heather a little better, I decided to ask this feisty girl a few questions…
Tell us about your family.
I adore my parents. My father introduced me to basketball and we share a passion for the sport. My parents are strong people, and I’ve strived to be just as strong. My sister is a different story. She’s useless! Dawn couldn’t achieve anything to save her life. She tries to be just like me and that annoys me to no end…
What is your goal in life?
To coach a girl’s college basketball team. I’ll start as an assistant coach, but I intend to secure a head coaching position within five years. Or less!
Do you consider yourself an over-achiever?
No! I just excel at everything I do, from school to basketball. I mean, what’s the point of doing anything if you don’t give it one hundred percent?
Anyone special in your life?
Ugh! Are you kidding? Don’t get me wrong – I like boys a lot. Been with too many jerks though. Besides, the guy I had a crush on since we were kids went and fell in love with someone else. Jerk. At any rate, I don’t have time for a relationship right now.
Any last words?
Yeah, stay out of my way and we’ll get along just fine!
There you have it! And you thought vampires had bite…

Book Trailer:
Links to purchase:
Dancing Lemur Press L.L.C. : http://www.dancinglemurpress.com/id18.html