I think I'll start with a quote again. A little melodramatic or cheesy, I know, but I think it gives a good feel of the book."I had to give him props, but how annoying of him to be a hero when I was trying so hard to dislike him. It was downright selfish." (Patterson)
There it is. Angel by James Patterson, mostly summarized in one line.
Angel is only one of - what, 7 books? - in the Maximum Ride series. I have to give Patterson credit - he took a somewhat overused idea - angels being people, human-animal hybrids - and made it into an action, romance packed series. I loved it in the beginning. If I could say one thing to Mr. Patterson, though, it would be to tell him that he is falling into the deep, dark pits of the cliche and melodramatic. The series was lovely in the beginning - but, really. Someone actually says "I've survived ten years of catholic school, and I will cut you off at your knees without a blink. Do you understand?" (Patterson). It makes a nice plunge into the character's personality; you couldn't have done it more obviously.
Onto the plot. This Maximum Ride book, like all the others, can be read in about an hour. A definite speed read, where you can zip past everything, and have a good idea of what happened. Or, you could read deeply, and come out feeling somewhat overwhelmed by all the drama after drama, angst after teenage angst.
There is yet another secret organization trying to do something amazing and awesome - no, this time it isn't taking over the world. Maximum Ride needs to save everyone once again - but this time, it isn't really her who does it. (Argh! Can't give away anything!) There are also scientists trying to convince her to proliferate for the sake of the world. She is caught between her old boyfriend and new one (ANGST) and needs to be a good leader for her flock.
If this book were a food, it would probably be a bag of chips, just the original Lays kind. You eat it out of habit, but once you get into it and eat too much, you feel sick. Not healthy nor amazingly yummy - just filler food. Fried and a not-too-original taste, but familiar and quick to eat.
I've always been curious about these books, but they are usually checked out from the library so I never get the chance to read them. From what you say, Elizabeth, they sound very much like what I expect. I think we all have those books that are pretty predictable but they are also a bit like comfort food. You know they aren't outstanding, and yet there's something that still compels you to read them. I think the equivalent for me is the Alice books by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. I get super excited when they come out, and then I remember that nothing much happens! But I do still sort of love them in their own way.
ReplyDeletehaha, I love your review. I was just looking up cover pictures on Google for this book so I could review it on my blog and discovered yours. I couldn't have put it better myself. Definitely a junk food kind of book; only checked it out because I had read the rest of the series. But then, it's kind of nice to have junk food once in awhile. :)
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