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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
I honestly don't understand how Nevermore was ever supposed to be the last book. There were so many loose ends, so many unanswered questions. This book definitely answers them all and provides if not a good ending to the series, at least one more satisfying in its specificity.
What follows is a rant on the major plot points, good and bad. Warning: There are serious, serious spoilers ahead.
Some of the questions that get answered: 1) what exactly happened to cause the end of the world: A combo of a meteor hitting Earth, a deadly virus, a bunch of nuclear bombs, and a bunch of crazy assassins, all of which were more or less orchestrated by Dr. GH, Jeb (oh, how I hate that man), and the remnants of the crazy apocalypse groups ; 2) what happened to the rest of the flock after that big tidal wave + any other character you could possibly be curious about (what happened to Ella and Dr. Martinez? Jeb? Dr. GH, who we last saw on that plane crash a book or two ago?) (more on who lives or dies later); 3) definitively whether Max chooses Fang or Dylan though if you were hoping she'd somehow change her mind after the events in Nevermore and pick the other guy, tough luck. She picks Fang, which pleased me just fine :); and a bunch of other things.
Now, about who lives or dies. This book was CRAZY in terms of deaths. Seriously, I cried more than a few times (I know, I'm still too emotionally invested for a series that has really gone so downhill). People presumed dead at the beginning of the book (the ones we really care about anyway): Dr. Martinez, Ella, and literally everyone but the Flock (Max, Fang, Dylan, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, Angel, Total, Akila) . Dylan is soon presumed dead as well, shortly followed by Akila . Quite a few chapters later, the deaths start to get really ridiculous. Nudge shortly followed by Total , then Gazzy and Iggy a few chapters later, and then to my absolute horror, Fang . IT WAS CRAZY. It would be easier to say who didn't die. But then we found out surprise (!) , none of the flock, minus one tiny, unimportant character, had actually died and it was all just a big setup to fool Dr. GH who was out to kill them all. I mean, JP seriously had me going there . Who was that tiny unimportant character you ask? Fang. Fang was actually dead. And it was awful. I cried, Max cried, everybody cried. I guess I should have known, Angel did warn everyone quite a few times... But then Fang was no longer dead (!!!!!!) but Dylan was (and yes, those two things are related....
And the deaths weren't even the craziest part!!! MAX AND FANG HAD SEX AND MAX GOT PREGNANT AND WE DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL WAAAAAAYYYYY LATER IN THE BOOK AND SHE NEVER GOT TO TELL FANG BEFORE HE DIED AND IT WAS SO EMOTIONAL and did I mention CRAZY?! And then in the epilogue it's five years in the future and Max and Fang have a 5 year old daughter and it's sort of cute but mostly WTF?!? I get that they're teenagers now and it's the end of the world, but Jesus, could they not have used protection? Teen pregnancy is a thing, yeah, but what exactly was JP trying to accomplish here??.
One last gripe to get in: FANG LEFT MAX AGAIN!! AGAIN!!!!! Once was bad enough! This was way at the beginning of the book and everything ultimately gets resolved, but I was still pissed.
Okay, I think that's most of the rant out of the way.
So should you read this book? If you're still invested in the flock, definitely, especially if you were unsatisfied with Nevermore ending. Is it a good book? No. But there seemed to be a little more of that classic Maximum Ride spark that feels like it's been missing from the series for a while.
What follows is a rant on the major plot points, good and bad. Warning: There are serious, serious spoilers ahead.
Some of the questions that get answered: 1) what exactly happened to cause the end of the world: A combo of a meteor hitting Earth, a deadly virus, a bunch of nuclear bombs, and a bunch of crazy assassins, all of which were more or less orchestrated by Dr. GH, Jeb (oh, how I hate that man), and the remnants of the crazy apocalypse groups ; 2) what happened to the rest of the flock after that big tidal wave + any other character you could possibly be curious about (what happened to Ella and Dr. Martinez? Jeb? Dr. GH, who we last saw on that plane crash a book or two ago?) (more on who lives or dies later); 3) definitively whether Max chooses Fang or Dylan though if you were hoping she'd somehow change her mind after the events in Nevermore and pick the other guy, tough luck. She picks Fang, which pleased me just fine :); and a bunch of other things.
Now, about who lives or dies. This book was CRAZY in terms of deaths. Seriously, I cried more than a few times (I know, I'm still too emotionally invested for a series that has really gone so downhill). People presumed dead at the beginning of the book (the ones we really care about anyway): Dr. Martinez, Ella, and literally everyone but the Flock (Max, Fang, Dylan, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, Angel, Total, Akila) . Dylan is soon presumed dead as well, shortly followed by Akila . Quite a few chapters later, the deaths start to get really ridiculous. Nudge shortly followed by Total , then Gazzy and Iggy a few chapters later, and then to my absolute horror, Fang . IT WAS CRAZY. It would be easier to say who didn't die. But then we found out surprise (!) , none of the flock, minus one tiny, unimportant character, had actually died and it was all just a big setup to fool Dr. GH who was out to kill them all. I mean, JP seriously had me going there . Who was that tiny unimportant character you ask? Fang. Fang was actually dead. And it was awful. I cried, Max cried, everybody cried. I guess I should have known, Angel did warn everyone quite a few times... But then Fang was no longer dead (!!!!!!) but Dylan was (and yes, those two things are related....
And the deaths weren't even the craziest part!!! MAX AND FANG HAD SEX AND MAX GOT PREGNANT AND WE DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL WAAAAAAYYYYY LATER IN THE BOOK AND SHE NEVER GOT TO TELL FANG BEFORE HE DIED AND IT WAS SO EMOTIONAL and did I mention CRAZY?! And then in the epilogue it's five years in the future and Max and Fang have a 5 year old daughter and it's sort of cute but mostly WTF?!? I get that they're teenagers now and it's the end of the world, but Jesus, could they not have used protection? Teen pregnancy is a thing, yeah, but what exactly was JP trying to accomplish here??.
One last gripe to get in: FANG LEFT MAX AGAIN!! AGAIN!!!!! Once was bad enough! This was way at the beginning of the book and everything ultimately gets resolved, but I was still pissed.
Okay, I think that's most of the rant out of the way.
So should you read this book? If you're still invested in the flock, definitely, especially if you were unsatisfied with Nevermore ending. Is it a good book? No. But there seemed to be a little more of that classic Maximum Ride spark that feels like it's been missing from the series for a while.
adventurous
medium-paced
Nope. Nope nope nope.
Maximum Ride: the worse and most disappointing series in the history of books.
James Patterson: why do people even still pay him money for these turds?
Kids, this is what selling your soul looks like.
Maximum Ride: the worse and most disappointing series in the history of books.
James Patterson: why do people even still pay him money for these turds?
Kids, this is what selling your soul looks like.
Three stars because Fang somehow made it to the end alive. If Fang had actually died, this probably would have been a 2-star book. Other than that, I kind of wanted to punch everyone else in the face, especially Max and Angel. I never thought I would come to like Dylan, but he was actually the most rational character in the book, and it's killing me on the inside to admit that. The pregnancy was weird and unexpected, and I know a lot of people are mad because Max is 15, but honestly I think she's older, maybe around 17 or 18. I mean, still not old enough to be having children, but I don't think she's as young as she says she is.
If a spin-off series is made with Max's daughter as the lead character, I don't think I'll be reading it. I love Max and the flock, but I don't think I can commit to more books.
If a spin-off series is made with Max's daughter as the lead character, I don't think I'll be reading it. I love Max and the flock, but I don't think I can commit to more books.
HAHA. Okay, I'll admit, the only reason I read this is because I'm the most stubborn reader in the history of the universe, and I hate leaving series unfinished. But this has been a dead horse for a long time, and people denying it are pretty deluded.
Since the world ended at the end of last book, I bet you're wondering what this book could possibly be about. After I've read it, I'd have to say "same". At the beginning of the book, a character tells another character with rational questions not to question anything that happens because it won't make sense, and that's a really good summary of this entire series, to be honest.
Since this is my review of the last book, EVEN THOUGH I DEARLY WANT TO TEAR INTO IT, I'll refrain and give this review as much thought as Patterson gave this series.
That is to say, almost none.
Since the world ended at the end of last book, I bet you're wondering what this book could possibly be about. After I've read it, I'd have to say "same". At the beginning of the book, a character tells another character with rational questions not to question anything that happens because it won't make sense, and that's a really good summary of this entire series, to be honest.
Since this is my review of the last book, EVEN THOUGH I DEARLY WANT TO TEAR INTO IT, I'll refrain and give this review as much thought as Patterson gave this series.
That is to say, almost none.
It's been years since I last read a Maximum Ride book, but I have to say I expected more. Obsessed with the series through most of middle and high school, I've held it in high regard until now. I recognize I may feel differently if I'd read all the books, including this one, five years ago; I may have this unimpressed opinion of the rest of the series as well if I were to read the books today.
My opinion and somewhat disappointing change of mind about the series aside, I do want to make some comments on the book itself. Action-packed and fast-paced, coupled with the short chapter format, Maximum Ride Forever was definitely a page-turner. I think a lot of readers of the series will be satisfied with the book, maybe not throughout most of it, but at least by the end (that's not spoiling anything, right?). Max's wit and charming sense of humor are ever-present, and the other characters are represented well. Impressively, though I haven't read the previous books in years, I was able to follow the story and references to past plot points quite well. Another thing I noticed was, as I was reading, I could very easily visualize the characters, actions, settings and images portrayed. Regarding rumors of a Maximum Ride movie, I think the entire story would ultimately transfer to the screen quite well. From what I've read, James Patterson encourages Marvel to change things up a bit, potentially making the characters older, and I think this super-heroin action adventure would be a marvelous film/series.
My opinion and somewhat disappointing change of mind about the series aside, I do want to make some comments on the book itself. Action-packed and fast-paced, coupled with the short chapter format, Maximum Ride Forever was definitely a page-turner. I think a lot of readers of the series will be satisfied with the book, maybe not throughout most of it, but at least by the end (that's not spoiling anything, right?). Max's wit and charming sense of humor are ever-present, and the other characters are represented well. Impressively, though I haven't read the previous books in years, I was able to follow the story and references to past plot points quite well. Another thing I noticed was, as I was reading, I could very easily visualize the characters, actions, settings and images portrayed. Regarding rumors of a Maximum Ride movie, I think the entire story would ultimately transfer to the screen quite well. From what I've read, James Patterson encourages Marvel to change things up a bit, potentially making the characters older, and I think this super-heroin action adventure would be a marvelous film/series.
Okay, this website only lets you do five stars for a book review.
But I just gave this book 9 billion stars, because that was brilliant perfection right there.
When I first started this book, I thought Here we go. The end. Of. Maximum. Ride. Let's see if I cry at the end. By the end of the book, this was me:
I was absouletly WEEPING onto the floor ; I could barely even PROCESS that book.
Seriously, I was CONFUSED by that book, but it was pure genius. PATTERSON, YOU ARE BRILLIANT BRILLIANT BRILLIANT!!!!!!!
But I just gave this book 9 billion stars, because that was brilliant perfection right there.
When I first started this book, I thought Here we go. The end. Of. Maximum. Ride. Let's see if I cry at the end. By the end of the book, this was me:
I was absouletly WEEPING onto the floor ; I could barely even PROCESS that book.
Seriously, I was CONFUSED by that book, but it was pure genius. PATTERSON, YOU ARE BRILLIANT BRILLIANT BRILLIANT!!!!!!!
For original review: https://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/2018/02/maximum-ride-series-8-9-by-james.html
I have always enjoyed the Maximum Ride series since forever. I remember getting started with the series back in my early days of high school and have essentially faithfully followed the series since then. That being said, I am so glad and relieved that this series is finally over with a total of 9 books. It seemed as if the author wanted to end it with 8 books but later changed his mind for a 9th book 3 years later.
Honestly though, I did think that the 9th book was cut short because an apocalypse literally just occurred at the end of the 8th and somehow the author managed to wrap things up in just one book. It seemed a bit rushed for me and the ending wasn’t as conclusive as I would have preferred.
I also think I might have exceeded the age range for this series because upon reading the last two books, I found myself scoffing at certain scenes such as Ari appearing. Again. Even though he died twice already. I get that this book is all about sci-fi and creating “enhanced” beings but come on, don’t you think it’s a bit redundant to have the same “villain” reappearing again and again after Max and her flock had technically already killed him over and over again.
There was also the incident between Dylan, Fang and Max. To me, it was getting seriously drawn out and I was getting really frustrated with Max’s wishy-washiness between the two boys. By the end of the eighth book, I honestly thought she had figured things out but then once the ninth book started, it went back to square one and she was still confused as ever. It was really annoying because I kept reading about her whining and complaining about the two. I’m just glad that the author finally put a stop to things by killing one of them. Honestly, if they were both alive at the end, I swear Max will still be contemplating between the two.
The one thing that weirded me out at the really end was the fact that Max was pregnant. I thought maybe she was older by this point but I believe the author pointed out that she was only 15. I mean, what? 15 and pregnant? Okay, I get that she’s obviously different from the average girl but we’re going into teenage pregnancy right now? Not to mention, the apocalypse literally just occurred. Is it really the best time to be raising a kid? For some reason, it was just really off-putting for me.
Overall though, like I stated, I’m definitely relieved that this series have finally come to an end because it was starting to feel dragged out. And despite the random baby, the overall ending was okay but I would still recommend the books to those who have read the previous ones just so they can finish the series.
I have always enjoyed the Maximum Ride series since forever. I remember getting started with the series back in my early days of high school and have essentially faithfully followed the series since then. That being said, I am so glad and relieved that this series is finally over with a total of 9 books. It seemed as if the author wanted to end it with 8 books but later changed his mind for a 9th book 3 years later.
Honestly though, I did think that the 9th book was cut short because an apocalypse literally just occurred at the end of the 8th and somehow the author managed to wrap things up in just one book. It seemed a bit rushed for me and the ending wasn’t as conclusive as I would have preferred.
I also think I might have exceeded the age range for this series because upon reading the last two books, I found myself scoffing at certain scenes such as Ari appearing. Again. Even though he died twice already. I get that this book is all about sci-fi and creating “enhanced” beings but come on, don’t you think it’s a bit redundant to have the same “villain” reappearing again and again after Max and her flock had technically already killed him over and over again.
There was also the incident between Dylan, Fang and Max. To me, it was getting seriously drawn out and I was getting really frustrated with Max’s wishy-washiness between the two boys. By the end of the eighth book, I honestly thought she had figured things out but then once the ninth book started, it went back to square one and she was still confused as ever. It was really annoying because I kept reading about her whining and complaining about the two. I’m just glad that the author finally put a stop to things by killing one of them. Honestly, if they were both alive at the end, I swear Max will still be contemplating between the two.
The one thing that weirded me out at the really end was the fact that Max was pregnant. I thought maybe she was older by this point but I believe the author pointed out that she was only 15. I mean, what? 15 and pregnant? Okay, I get that she’s obviously different from the average girl but we’re going into teenage pregnancy right now? Not to mention, the apocalypse literally just occurred. Is it really the best time to be raising a kid? For some reason, it was just really off-putting for me.
Overall though, like I stated, I’m definitely relieved that this series have finally come to an end because it was starting to feel dragged out. And despite the random baby, the overall ending was okay but I would still recommend the books to those who have read the previous ones just so they can finish the series.
In general I do not enjoy James Patterson novels as I find them predictable and formulaic but for some reason I quite enjoy the Maximum Ride series. I found the characters to be interesting and I found the story to be fascinating. I liked how it was fantastical but also believable enough that it felt like the vents could maybe actually happen. The writing style is very readable if a bit simplistic.
This whole review is a spoiler. Too lazy to fix it.
Why? Why, James Patterson? To be fair, it wasn't that bad... Except it was. WHY WOULD YOU MAKE ME THINK EVERYONE WAS DEAD?! It's like... No... This apocalypse is wrong... Dylan is wrong...
Why would Dylan kill himself to bring Fang back? I know he said it because he apparently wants her happy, but that's just wrong. And here's the worst part... Max got pregnant. SHE IS FREAKING FIFTEEN!!!! What example are you setting for our future children Patterson? That it's okay to be pregnant at fifteen and it totally will not mess up your life? What would Max's mother say. I know she's dead, but the thought is still there. I barely understand the plot. Like, killing the Remedy? Is that the whole thing they were going towards? I have no words for this.
I don't know why, but after all this horror, I still love Maximum Ride. Is that weird?
Why? Why, James Patterson? To be fair, it wasn't that bad... Except it was. WHY WOULD YOU MAKE ME THINK EVERYONE WAS DEAD?! It's like... No... This apocalypse is wrong... Dylan is wrong...
Why would Dylan kill himself to bring Fang back? I know he said it because he apparently wants her happy, but that's just wrong. And here's the worst part... Max got pregnant. SHE IS FREAKING FIFTEEN!!!! What example are you setting for our future children Patterson? That it's okay to be pregnant at fifteen and it totally will not mess up your life? What would Max's mother say. I know she's dead, but the thought is still there. I barely understand the plot. Like, killing the Remedy? Is that the whole thing they were going towards? I have no words for this.
I don't know why, but after all this horror, I still love Maximum Ride. Is that weird?