Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, published in the US on April 11, 2005 and in the United Kingdom on July 4, 2005, is the first installment of the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson. Taking place in the near future, the novel chronicles Max’s journey as she leads a group called the ‘flock’, which consists of human-avian hybrids. These hybrids are predominantly human (98%) with a small bird component (2%), and were initially created by scientists whom they are now fleeing from. The story is recounted through Max’s perspective, a fourteen-year-old girl who has firsthand experience of soaring high above the world.
The “flock” – Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, Angel, and Max – may seem like ordinary children at first glance. However, their possession of wings sets them apart as they have the ability to fly. While this might appear to be a dream come true for them, their lives can quickly become a nightmare when Angel, the youngest member of the flock, is kidnapped and taken back to the “School” where scientists had previously conducted experiments on all of them.
In order to save Angel, Max, Fang, and Nudge embark on a mission. During their efforts to rescue her,Ella’s mother comes across Max who had been shot while descending after encountering some boys. Eventually finding Ella in her backyard,Ella’s mother provides necessary assistance as she happens to be a veterinarian.
Max discovers a tracking device implanted in one of her arms, presumably placed during her childhood. Nudge and Fang anxiously await Max’s arrival at the top of Loch Mead for two days. In the meantime, Iggy and The Gasman detonate explosives in a small cabin, attracting the attention of Erasers. Despite being attacked, they manage to escape and make their way to Loch Mead, where they are reunited with Nudge and Fang. Eventually, Max shows up as well. Together, they embark on a daring journey to scorching Death Valley, CA, to rescue Angel. However, their troubles continue as they find themselves in another harrowing situation—battling against the hybrid “Erasers” in New York City.
Max and her adopted family are in New York searching for their parents, who are mentioned in a file. Whether they’re exploring the treetops of Central Park or navigating the depths of the Manhattan subway system, they embark on an unforgettable journey. Along the way, Max learns from Jeb—a former friend and father-figure who has now betrayed her—that she has a mission to save the world. However, she faces uncertainty about whether she can accomplish it.
1.) During the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, there was a terrorist act that overshadowed London being chosen as the host city for the 2012 Olympics. The incident involved four explosive devices detonating in an underground train network and a bus, resulting in 50 deaths and around 700 injuries.
2.) The death of Pope John Paul II was a significant moment in both modern history and for the Roman-Catholic Church.
3.) Wealthy European countries and Australia witnessed outbreaks of interethnic violence.
4.) The withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlements from the Gaza Strip and West Bank caused division within Israeli society. As a result, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon—who had initially authorized these settlements—resigned from his ruling party.
5.) Hurricane Katrina revealed deficiencies in preparedness by the United States, highlighting its struggle to handle the aftermath of such a natural disaster despite being a global superpower.
In 2005, a hurricane caused severe damage to New Orleans, known as the birthplace of jazz. At the same time, discussions about a potential civil war in Lebanon were reignited after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the withdrawal of Syrian troops from the country for the first time since 1975. In October 2005, an international commission presented a report to the United Nations indicating possible involvement of high-ranking officials in Syria and Lebanon in Hariri’s murder. Additionally, there was a significant leftward shift in Latin American politics that year, leading to the formation of a new political alliance among Venezuela, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and Bolivia due to their shared opposition towards America.
Evo Morales, an ultra radical leftist politician, became the president of Bolivia while the United States’ attempt to establish a free trade zone in the region failed. The trial of Saddam Hussein, former leader of Iraq, sparked a debate on its potential impact on stability and violence within the country. Additionally, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad’s anti-Semitic statements caused global outrage and complicated Tehran’s efforts to prevent their “nuclear file” from being transferred to the UN Security Council.
On another note, James Patterson’s book “Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment” unveils an exhilarating adventure featuring Max as the protagonist. Initially appearing as an ordinary 14-year-old girl, Max possesses bird-like characteristics that grant her wings and allow her to soar through the sky like a bird. However, prior to discovering these extraordinary abilities, she endured a life confined within a small cage at a place called The School.
Despite enduring a series of dreadful tests from the scientists responsible for genetically modifying her by incorporating bird DNA into her human genetic makeup, she encounters five other children with wings during her time there. Fortunately, aided by a compassionate scientist, the group of six manages to break free, forging a deep bond that brings them immense joy. Max, Fang, Iggy, the Gasman, Nudge, and Angel form their own family, as it is the sole familial connection any of them have experienced. However, abruptly, their past catches up with them when the Erasers locate their hiding place and seize Angel, who is merely six years old.
Another experiment of the school, Erasers are half-humans, half-wolves, and a whole lot of mean. Max and the others embark on a mission to save Angel from the clutches of the sinister scientists, plunging into an action-packed adventure that refuses to let up, even after the final page. As they journey, they stumble upon increasingly unsettling inquiries that they may not actually desire answers to; questions about their parents and the enigmatic voice that guides Max’s actions.
James Patterson is a remarkable storyteller, captivating the reader from the very beginning and maintaining their interest with his use of vivid language and clever wit. His characters are multi-dimensional and authentic, with their own aspirations, anxieties, and imperfections. Through his detailed descriptions, readers are transported into the sky alongside Max and the gang, experiencing the rush of wind on their feathers and the emotional depth within their hearts. I eagerly anticipate the release of the sequel in Spring 2006. Congratulations to Mr. Patterson! Review by Chris Shanley-Dillman on April 11, 2005.
