Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

by: James Patterson; reader, Evan Rachel Wood

Published by: Hachette Audio

Reviewed by Megan Politte

Meet Maximum Ride, also known as Max. She, along with her companions–Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman and Angel–are mostly normal. Except for the fact that they’re ninety-eight percent human and two percent bird! All six children have wings and can fly! They grew up in a lab that they call “The School” and were broken out a few years before by an employee named Jeb, who has since disappeared. All six children live on their own in a secluded cabin until the day that the Erasers show up. Erasers are wicked wolf-like creatures that also grew up in the lab and were created to keep the children corralled. The children defeat the Erasers, but not before they take off with the youngest, six-year-old Angel. Angel is Max’s favorite and she is determined to get her back!

The story really “takes off” when they travel from Death Valley, California to the bowels of the New York City subway system. All the while, Max has started hearing a voice in her head that is giving her advice and telling her what to do. Who is this voice? Does it have to do with the chip she’s found in her arm? Or is she just going crazy?

I was excited to listen to an audio book by one of my favorite Authors, James Patterson. I was wondering how he would pull off a Young Adult novel! Need not worry! He not only pulled it off beautifully, but created a story that any age will love! Mr. Patterson blends the normal world with science fiction and Fantasy that will have readers young and old begging him to continue the series.

Evan Rachel Wood did an excellent job narrating the book. The emotion and personalities of the characters really showed through her telling of the story. There were times during the reading that I almost jumped in my seat with the sound effects and music that were included in the presentation. Over all this was a very well-paced and fun book to listen to!

I look forward to listening to the next installment in this captivating series!

Armchair Interviews says: A 5-star listen for Young Adult.

Author’s Web site: http://www.MaximumRide.com