“‘Lay off the freaking horn!’ I said, rubbing my forehead.”

From James Patterson’s Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports.

Life has never been easy for the group of genetically-experimented-on human-bird hybrid kids, but lately this ragtag family has faced some more dangers than normal.  When family leader Max learns about Itex, a company that has plans to radically depopulate the earth, she knows that the “flock” may be the only ones able to save the world… again.  Tired of the constant fighting, Max’s co-leader, Fang, wants to leave the chaos of the behind and find a safe place for the flock to live while the rest of the world tears itself apart, but Max refuses to let Itex carry out their plan.  When the flock is captured by the scientists that created/tortured them, lead scientist Jeb tells Max and the others that as test subjects, their lives are about to be ended, but they are too confused by youngest flock member Angel’s announcement that she stands with Itex to fight Jeb’s death sentence.  Just before they are killed, the flock is able to escape with Angel’s clever help, but Max’s decision to bring Ari, the flock’s former tormentor, along in the escape creates a split between the flock.  

The third book in Patterson’s young adult fantasy thriller series is filled to the brim with action, mystery, and heart.  The short chapters almost always end in a way that makes stopping nearly impossible, but the variety and emotions of the constantly-developing characters are the book’s true driving force. The characters are allowed to develop, in both positive and negative ways, and the mystery of the series is also more developed.  Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports is a fast-paced adventure that will leave readers ready for the next book.