The Kiss of Death

The Kiss (Witch and Wizard #4) by James Patterson

Horrible.  This book was horrible.  Why was it written?  I am not sure.  The story ended with The Gift the third book in this series.  When I started this series, I read them with a dear friend.  We both enjoyed them for what they were, a young adult series by James Patterson, but I will no longer be reading these books, I do not care what happens, all the characters could die and I wouldn’t be upset.  Actually if they would have died on the first page of this book, I would have thought, “that’s weird,” and moved right along to the next book on my to-read list.  Don’t get upset with me, these aren’t real people.  People die in books a lot, get over it.

Anyway, I have already wasted too much time on this book.  Read something else now, Keep Reading my Friends!

Maximum Ride Comes to an End

Nevermore by James Patterson (Maximum Ride #8)

2013 has been the year of finishing series.  Many series that I have read for years have ended this year, or I have finally caught up.  This is the last book of the Maximum Ride series.  I am unsure why I have continued this series.  The characters are not well written, there are complete and utterly unrepentant undertones of environmentalism.  Not that that is a bad thing, but why not just have bird kids save the world because it’s entertaining and not just because you want to put a political statement out there?  

This last book begins with Fang still being gone and Max and Dylan are growing closer.  Angel is gone, like she exploded in France in the last book and the flock are just not talking about it.  The flock is going to school and living a non-violent life.  Meanwhile, Fang’s gang is trying to learn more about the 99% apocalyptic movement that is going to wipe out the whole human race except the 1% of humans with super mutant abilities.  It’s going to be the flocks goal to not only stay safe from Ary (Max’s mutant dead half brother) and his gang of wolf hybrids, but also save the world from the environmental woes that will surely be coming before this series ends.

Now that I have lost my reading audience with my recap of what the book is about, here are my thoughts.  Read this book if you have been reading the series.  If you haven’t started, don’t.  These books are for a young audience, like under 14.  These are not young adult books, but preteen books.  I am so glad that I borrowed each of these books from the library and only read/listened to them if there was not much going on.  My list of books to read is ever increasing and I need to stop adding to the list and take care of some books that are already on there, I’ll be more careful with the books I pick in the future.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.  Keep Reading my friends!

Fang and Angel, coming to the end of Maximum Ride

 
Fang by James Patterson and Angel by James Patterson (Both Maximum Ride Novels)

In Fang, we watch as Fang and Maximum Ride become a couple, separate from the flock and rejoin all with Angel trying to become the leader and undermining Max’s authority and telling Max and Fang that Fang will soon die and leave them forever.  We are also introduced to Dr. Hans and Dylan, a power hungry doctor and the clone that he created to be Max’s exact match. 

In Angel, Fang has left the flock and formed his own gang as Max tries to learn to live and lead the flock without her right hand man.  Angel seems to have let go of her need to lead and is submitting to Max’s authority but there is a new group out to destroy the world.  Their message is to save the world, kill all humans.  As both Max and Fang’s groups try and find the root of the world phenomenon The Dooms Day Group, they may have to form alliances to take down this seemingly evil group.  But while Fang is away, Dylan looses no time in letting Max know his true feelings about her and it quickly becomes a thing between them. 

This series is an interesting story, from the beginning we’ve watched the bird kids grow up a little and defeat all odds to not only stay alive, but to beat anyone who is trying to destroy the world.  These two books are the sixth and seventh book in the series and there is only one left.  The question of the day is, do I continue and finish this last book of the series or do I quit while I’m ahead?  I’ll probably finish it.  This series is written for a much younger audience than even I read.  It would be great for ages 12-14ish.  I of course am always behind so I’m reading it in my… well never mind.  So, if you have read the other books, go on and keep going, but if you have not started the series, then I’m not recommending this series.  Keep Reading My Friends! 

Sometimes Freedom Comes after You go to Hell and Back

Witch and Wizard: The Fire by James Patterson and Jill Dembowski

The Fire, the third book of the Witch and Wizard story, is a story about a sister and brother duo that tries to save the world, one magical spell at a time.  There is a prophecy about Whit and Wisty that says they will prevail over The One Who is the One, the evil world dictator.  This same dictator considers himself deity and wants to control all elements in his war for power.  He has outlawed all music, art, books, anything that could distract you from your current suffering.  In this last book he also has struck all problem children with a “blood plague” that has Wisty sick and on her death bed.  It seems that all that can go wrong has, but to what end?

This being the third book, I have invested some time and money, unfortunately, in this series.  I have read and forgotten most of the details about Witch and Wizard and The Gift and now I am quickly writing as much as I can remember about The Fire before I forget all of these details as well.  Although this series was a quick read, easy to follow and has some fast paced action packed scenes, the characters are pretty well developed, but it is what it is, a young adult book written by James Patterson.  I feel like my writing has gone downhill after reading this book and I also feel that I need to read something that will heighten my intelligence now.  I cannot say that I will continue this series if he decides to write any more, I probably will, but there was a good enough ending to complete the story and not pick it back up, but he did leave it open to where it could continue, let’s hope not. 

I have only read one other book series from Patterson and it is about mutated kids with bird DNA in them.  I read the first few of this series and stopped.  I never decided if I was going to continue, but the last book of the series is about to come out in a few weeks and now that I know it is ending, I’m kind of curious about what happens to these bird kids.  Isn’t it funny how I can dislike a book but if it’s a series I feel like I have to continue to give it a chance, especially if I see an end in sight?  Craziness. 

Have you read this series?  What have you thought?  Keep reading my friends!  

Another Maximum Ride Novel

Max: A Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson

Max is the fifth book in the Maximum Ride series, and much like the preceding books, Max is about the awareness of the pollution that humans are contributing to the earth. The Maximum Ride novels are a young adult series about 5 kids that were mutated with bird DNA and have small bone structure and have grown wings. They can fly, but besides that, they are normal kids, trying to save the world and grow up at the same time. In Max, the flock is helping the CSM, Coalition to Stop the Madness raise awareness of pollution and the environment by performing public air shows. By this time, the flock has grown very popular with sightings, public fights with the bad guys, and of course, Fang’s blog.

Since finding her real Mom, Max has been desperately trying to get to know her and her half sister Ella, she is with her all of the time, but when her mom is kidnapped, the flock has to try anything to get her back. It is discovered that she is under water and the US Navy helps the flock track her down. During their adventures, Max finally has a real first date with Fang, but all progress is lost when the young Dr. Brigid Dwyer comes back on the scene and continues to flirt heavily with Fang, much to Max’s disapproval. Before the end of the book, Max confesses her love for Fang, and there is still a hope that their young love will blossom.

Again, the main point of this series has turned into an environmental stance. I am very turned off by preachy books, so therefore, since the story line started to change, so has my interest in the series. There are two more books out at this point, and I have very little interest in continuing the series. The writing is just not that good and the story line has gotten weaker instead of stronger with time. The only thought of continuation is because I know I can get them for free from the library, and of course I hate leaving something undone. The next question that comes to mind, is this series ever going to end? Is Patterson going to keep it going forever? If so, I’m going to have to just stop while I’m ahead. If I knew there was only going to be 2 or 3 more books, I would probably continue, but thinking about the series going on and on makes me a little tired. I just can’t do it. There are too many wonderful books out there that wouldn’t feel like a waste of my time.

So, any thoughts, should I continue the series? If so, why? Happy Reading!

The Gift can also be a Curse, read on to see for yourself

The Gift by James Patterson

Whit and Wisty Allgood are still in trouble with “The one who is the one” and the government, The New Order. Since they were taken from their home, imprisoned, and continually on the run for their very lives, the Allgood’s keep learning new things about their abilities and the enemy’s abilities too. They have also found themselves as leaders of a revolution against the government that is trying to take away books, art, and even people’s imaginations. As the hunt for Whit and Wisty continues, they are both having inner struggles that could lead to more than just their capture and death, but the death of the revolt.
The Gift was ok. I read Witch and Wizard a while back, maybe when it first came out and was excited to hear that The Gift was out. While I was reading, this segment in the series ran a little slower than the proceeding book. By the end I was glad that I read it, but during I thought that it moved slower with a little less action than the first. By the end the characters hit some crazy times and it made it better.

The only problem with this series is that they are not memorable. I read it and picked up another book and now I really can’t remember what I liked and disliked about it. That is not usual for me, so I went back and read my blog for Witch and Wizard, and the craziest thing, I couldn’t remember what happened in it by the time I wrote my blog. So I came to the conclusion that it must not be very memorable.

Well if you have read the first, you might as well continue in the journey with Whit and Wisty, but if you haven’t, then no worries, there are other great books out there that you can read and remember later. If you’ve read it, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought!

Reduce, Reuse, RECYCLE

Maximum Ride: The Final Warning by James Patterson

The American Government has tried its hardest to get the flock to come to a regular special school where they can learn more about them, but they would still have some freedom that “the school” didn’t give them, i.e. growing up in dog crates. Max and the gang quickly turn down all offers, except when Max’s new found mom offers an option to help scientists do research down in Antarctica. The flock decides to give the research a try and have a small amount of time where they don’t feel hunted or pursued in any way, of course it wouldn’t be much of a book without a little action, so they are captured once again and offered to be auctioned off. Max during this time realizes her higher purpose when saving the world, she should actually be saving the world from global warming. As she continues to work out her plans she is learning more about her purpose all of the time.

If I thought the last book had a hint of environmental propaganda, that’s all that this fourth installment is about. Max goes to congress to get things changed, which is so not like her. I hope that something changes or the end of this series is going to be a major disappointment. A flock of mutant kids running from evil scientists, that’s something I can jump on board with, but them having a mission to save the world from people not recycling, is not my cup of tea.

Max and Fang are still not together, I have high hopes for the fifth book, I hope I’m not disappointed. I don’t have much to say about this one. I have since taken a break from the Maximum Ride and moved on. With the sixth installment coming out later this year, I’ll read Fang (currently at the Texarkana Library) and Angel, to come out in February 2011, whenever I get a chance. Because of this book, I'm in no hurry. What do you think? Is this story the best you've ever read or is it slowly dying a slow painful death?

You’re reading Fang’s Blog. Welcome!

Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson

Max and the flock have missed death and miserable science lab lives once again, they now have another member in the flock, Total, the talking dog. In this third book of the Maximum Ride series, there’s trouble in paradise and the flock breaks up. Max and Fang get into a huge fight and decide to go separate ways. Max, Nudge, Angel, Total, and Ari (the Eraser with an expiration date) decide to follow a lead to Europe, while Fang, the Gasman and Iggy go to the West Coast to see what they can make happen with Fang’s blog. As his popularity gains advancements, he believes that kids can take down these evil corporations and live a normal life.

In this particular book the reader will start to pick up on the hints of Environmentalism. One thing I do not appreciate is a preachy book. I didn’t realize that this series was headed in that direction, and it made me sad. Adults are ruining the world one aluminum can at a time. Well the action and the story are still good, so I will keep reading.

During the split up, Max realizes quite a few things about herself that she may not have been able to learn with the whole gang together. She knows now that nothing should separate them, the flock should always be together. Also, some of the flock members are mutating and getting a new power, which is interesting, they are not only flying bird kids, but now they can do extra-ordinary things. You’ll have to read the series to know what I’m talking about.

This was a great book, kept the story going, still loving Max and Fang and look forward that that story continuing the develop. There is a lot of give and take and I love watching the characters grow and mature in their part of the story. So far all three books have taken less than 6 months, but it’s been an interesting ride.

Schools Out for Now...

Maximum Ride: School’s Out-Forever by James Patterson

Now that Max and the other avian/human children have saved Angel from the school, they are on a mission. They want more than anything to find their parents, get some answers, and find out why they grew up in dog crates being poked and prodded by evil scientists in the school. As they get closer to the answers they are looking for, they also are closer to danger. With Erasers showing up at every turn and good things turn bad at each step, Max, Fange, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel have more hard times coming for them.

School’s Out-Forever was an exciting second edition to the Maximum Ride series, we find out a little more about the kid’s past even things they don’t want to know. Fang and Max have started to get closer and realize things about each other that they haven’t thought before.

I did like the Eraser Max and the Max II, Maximum learned a lot about herself in this book and she continues to find out who she is not only as the leader of the flock, but also as her own individual person.

Fang starts a blog about their travels and exactly what the school and the institute, other evil corporations are up too. I like Fang’s blog and within the series it’s good to see his point of view. There is a book later in the series that is called Fang and I’m excited about reading his story.

Genetic mutants or World Heroes?

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

Growing up in a cage can be hazardous to a person’s developmental health. Somehow the six, winged bird children that grew up in cages at “the school” made out ok. They were rescued by Jeb Batchelder who adopted Max as a child of his own, thought to be dead the flock has lived without adults, rules, and cages for some time. All goes horribly wrong when the flock is attacked by Erasers and Angel the youngest is taken back to the school. The flock including Maximum Ride, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, and the Gasman devise a plan to rescue Angel from most certain death.

The first book of the Maximum Ride series was great. The characters are easy to care about. I enjoyed Max and the others. The one character that I had a great time reading about was Fang. I think that throughout the series there will be a lot more coming from him. He’s a great character and I’m excited to see what develops between him and the other characters. I also enjoyed Max’s changing perspective of Fang and how Fang surprised the others with things that he said.

Brother and Sister vs. The One Who is the One on The New World Order

Witch and Wizard by: James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

Whitford and Wisteria Allgood, commonly looking kids. Whit is the allstar quarterback and Wisty is his always finds trouble little sister. Everything changes the night the New Order takes over. With Whit and Wisty taken from their home and placed in prison, what’s the charge? They are charged with being a Witch and a Wizard. Even during that first raid strange things happen with Wisty, she disappears, and then catches on fire. As they journey, they are utterly alone, they are moved to another prison because they are regarded as highly dangerous. Whit is scheduled to be executed on his 18th birthday which is less than 4 months away. They are starved and it doesn’t look like it can get any worse. They have no idea where their parents are or even if they are still alive. They didn’t know there was anything extraordinary about them until they were arrested for being different. As they learn about what the world is now about, they also learn that they will play a very special part of a prophesy that doesn’t look good for the Allgoods, but what if it’s better for all mankind?

Witch and Wizard was a good read. If it was a school report, I would give Patterson a B. It held my attention and was a fast read. The only problem is that I read it and then immediately started reading other books, so I can’t really remember all of the details of the story. Before the second installment comes out I’ll have to re-read it.

I do remember that I enjoyed Wisty’s character. Her sarcastic attitude was fun to read. She kept saying “I’m a scary witch,” which was a funny additive since she said it before she even believed it. The journey for the Allgoods to discover who they were was an exciting trip filled with laughs, scary moments, and sad times.

I also liked the dual point of view between Wisty and Whit. They had a special relationship that makes you think back to the days when you and your bother were kidnapped and imprisoned for just being yourself, oh wait, that didn’t happen.

Well this is a short blog, but I hope you give the book a chance, it was a quick read from an interesting view point.