FANG
By James Patterson
Paperback, 309 pages
Published March 15th 2010
by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 0316036196
series Maximum Ride #6
3.5 stars
Being a kid with wings–constantly on the run–has never been easy, and Max and her flock are getting tenser than ever. First, on a trip to Africa, they meet a mysterious billionaire whose intense scrutiny of the Flock makes her fear the worst. And as if an impending apocalypse weren’t bad enough, canny birdkid Angel makes a dire prophecy about Max’s soul mate: Fang will be the first to die. Max’s desperate desire to protect Fang brings the two closer than ever. But can the team weather the storm, or will the turmoil rip them apart for the last time?
This is my very first book by James Patterson in his Maximum Ride series. Little Brown was kind enough to send me a copy for review and I just jumped right in. No expectations, and no emotional investment in the characters from five previous books.
Book six starts out with a flock of genetically altered bird children on their way to Africa for a CSM humanitarian mission. They run into evil scientists Dr. G-H and Dr. Chu. who are busy brewing up experiements advanced DNA mutation and want Max to offer the flock as subjects. Max the main character, MC and flock leader is sarcastic and hot tempered, with a chip on her shoulder. She tends to run away when things get tough. So as Dr. G-H introduces Dylan, another birdboy created expressly to be her perfect other half, she is out of there! She has just recently gone public in her relationship with Fang, her lifetime friend and second in command and the flock is not pleased.
There are two main male protagonists that are both vying for Max’s attention. Fang is closed secretive and strong while Dylan with his Caribbean eyes is open and wanting to learn. The ultimate question of the book is will Max be forced to choose between the one she’s always known and a new addition to her flock?
Fang is action packed as the flock faces wolf-like Erasers, mad scientists and a threat form within. One of the flock has double crossed the rest and Fang may pay the ultimate price with his life.
James Patterson has quite the happening series going on with a TON of online fans. I can see the appeal in his story and the fantasy. If I had read the entire series I think my rating would be higher. I would have liked to see more world building in their Colorado home where they retreat to for homeschooling and to hide out. Also, as Max and Fang head out on their own to Las Vegas there was a window of opportunity for fun, creative scenes which I felt wasn’t taken. As a reader I would hope down the line Patterson will expose us to more of what is going on inside Dylan and Fang’s mind. Fang fans will be happy to see the epilogue contains some of his secret memoirs that Max finds on their laptop. You’ll see a whole new side to the main man.
My favorite part is the letter Fang leaves for Max in the final chapter, and his promise for twenty years from now. I loved the additional materials in the back of the book which include a Chapter 35 1/2 written by a reader, a sneak preview to ANGEL due to be released February 14th and part of a new Manga adaptation of the book. I will pick up book 7 now that I’ve jumped in and need to know what happens! I found Fang entertaining and well suited for both boys and young women. There is minor violence, mention of underage tattoos and gambling but all around it’s a clean read. I’m looking now to try more titles by James Patterson. Visit the official site for James Patterson’s Maximum Ride at http://www.max-dan-wiz.com/
Fire and Ice giving away a paperback copy of Fang, a Maximum Ride Book #6 to our readers, donated by Little Brown. To enter to win fill out this form.
A Backwards Story
If you go back and read the first 5 books, you’ll get a lot of the backstory you wanted. Also, with the relationship between Max and Fang…it’s been building VERY slowly. That’s why there were so many missed opportunities. “Fang” is the book that made us go, “Finally, we’re getting somewhere!” …Which, of course, made the end that much more tragic. I’m on pins and needles waiting for “Angel” b/c I NEED to know what happens next!
I hope you’ll like the earlier books! Of the six, four is the weakest, imo 🙂
Donna
My daughter would love it.
Aik
I can’t wait to read this book!