“‘And a-one, and a-two–‘ Nudge said, leaning into a perfect forty-five-degree angle.”

From James Patterson’s Maximum Ride: Max.

After rescuing flock member Fang and stopping those responsible for his attempted murder, Max and the of human-bird hybrid kids that she considers family have partnered with Dr. Martinez to participate in public shows to help both the flock’s cause and Martinez’s CSM environmental protection movement.  However, Max and the others soon face dangers at their shows when a genetically-modified assassin and an ambush by a army of bionic “M-Geeks” all try to use the public shows to kill the kids.  After having an argument with Fang, Max goes for a flight to clear head, but she is shot by a M-Geek and the injured Max is taken to meet Mr. Chu who tells her to stop CSM.  Max refuses to follow Mr. Chu’s order, and she is let go with a warning.  When she returns home, the adults in their lives decide to send the flock to a school while they investigate the threats against the flock.  The flock does well living a normal life, but when they discover that Martinez has been kidnapped, they race to find and rescue her, and Max’s interaction with Chu quickly proves to be far from finished.  

Patterson’s fifth book in the Maximum Ride series picks up right where the previous book left off and easily carries the reader through the exciting story. The characters are allowed to develop, in both positive and negative ways, and the danger facing them is also more developed.  Max is a fast-paced adventure that will leave readers ready for the next book.