Saving the World: A Maximum Ride Novel (Book 3)

I have read every book that "THE MASTER" JAMES P. has written. I have never given him less that 5 stars (including Quickie). But this #3, I really thought I was reading an Al (sic) Gore proaganda paper or michael (sicko) moore, "Why we should have a Socialist Society." I sent my Grandaugther the trilogy and after reading #3 she ask me if I was joking giving her such left wing liberal junk. I still love patterson and his writings, but does not have implant his personal beliefs into his books or his personal agenda. Please send my opinions to him.

Reader thoughts:
How can I not have reviewed this? These were some of my favorite books!

Okay. I love the sarcasm and witty banter in these books. Seriously. "I vill now eat de snickuhs bahs!" I love it. The plot's okay, too, but the witty banter is the best. "Let me check my tummy altimeter. Huh, it's gone. It was there this morning."

Warning, book 4 is a monumental disappointment. Anyway, if you like fast-paced stories with kids vs the world and evil scientists, go read Max Ride books 1 and 2 and 3.

Writer thoughts:
If you want to learn how to write witty banter, you can either watch some television (super hero movies are a good place to start), or you can read these books. If you want to learn to start late and end early, you can watch TV or read these books, too. Hmm, maybe these books feel so fun and fast-paced because JP wrote them in a similar style to movies and television shows. That would fit the attention span of my generation.

The third in a nine book series

It's cool that Fang's blog is now a part of the book as it adds another dimension and gives another main character a chance to provide his voice along with Max's. Thankfully the action and story lines stay stead so it makes moving through it very quickly as my kids and I want to know what's going to happen next.

My only big problem with it was the idea that Fang could amass an army of kids that would change the tide of this war the flock is waging against the 'evil scientists'. I just can't get that thousands of kids with access to computers and blogging have no adults in their lives that would stop them from potentially getting themselves seriously injured or killed much less not go with them to help out. As a parent who is reading this with their kids I still have some concern over the level of violence where children are being used as soldiers, experimented on, and treated like property. But at least this is lending itself to ALOT of discussions with my kids.

Max and the Flock are on, yet another, adventure. Itex is a huge incorporation all around the world and it is also the people trying to destroy it. Max learned that the School was funded by Itex, so that is where they are going to start. Another test is in order for Max and the Flock.... Can they stand to have the cretin, Ari, join their flock. He saved them from certain death and comforted Max when she learned of whom gave birth to her. With Ari around conflict engraves itself in the group and the flock splits. Fang and Max both take on the role of leadership to their mini groups. Max sets her priorities on finding the Itex Headquarters, while Fang begins saving the world through his blog. Max is in trouble and all of the stuff the flock has been through could have been a test! What is going on? Who is Max's parents?

I loved the twists in this book and the suspense. It truly surprised me. I can usually tell what is going to happen, because of the clues throughout the story, but I didn't think of this books twists. I love the romance that James Patterson has sewn into the pages. It's very strange, but refreshing. I love this book series so far! I can't help, but keep reading, because whenever I get into a good book series.... It's almost impossible to stop, unless the next book hasn't come out yet. This book series, so far, is for a wide variety of kids. There is mild cussing, like once in a while it says hell, but it's in the right context most of the time.

Maximum Ride and her winged "Flock" face their enemy. In doing so, they discover their original purpose: to defeat the takeover of "Re-evolution," a sinister experiment to re-engineer a select population into a scientifically superior master race.

Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel are colorful and memorable characters. They are put in danger and press through. They have an impossible mission and move toward conquering it.

Want a book that will affect your dreams? I've taken to the skies in the night hours. Love this series. Love the Sci-Fi. (Hopefully, it stays in Science Fiction and doesn't become reality.)

I’m pretty sure this series just keeps getting better as it goes. I feel that there was depth added to the characters in the flock in this one, especially when they were split up.
Max and Fang are both incredible leaders, but they need to learn how to work together to lead as a team. I feel that by the end of this novel they figured that out. I hope so, at least.
We got a peak into some of the inner workings of the big, bad corporation that is trying to take over the world. I wasn’t aware that they were stationed all over the place, but we learn that they are.
The new flying creatures they created were pretty comical. They were very strong, but they were so dumb and often ended up in destructing themselves.
We finally figured out the truth about Max’s origins as well. It will be interesting to see how that plays out and if she will return to her real family at all.
This book just left me wanting to dive right into the next book in the series, so I would say that it did its job!

4/5 stars

Very action packed, though a little crowded with everything going on that I can’t really recall what happens in the beginning. That’s alright though because it’s so engaging.

Finally, no forced romance in this book, unless it just isn’t obvious to me, though there is a good bit of teasing, which is understandable.

Quite a few plot twists in this story, a few surprises that I didn’t see coming, though this was my first time reading the book, I didn’t get a chance to read it years ago with the others.

I would say that one of the flock acts childish but, they are children who have had to grow up very fast so, I think they’re entitled to act like children every now and again.

Usually by the third book, the writing style changes or it just isn’t the same. Not the case with this book, the writing stays the same so I feel the urgency, the family connections, the anger and sarcasm. I am still loving these books.

Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel have been captured by The School again. The evil laboratory known as The School is no longer interested in experimenting on the kids, however, or even just containing them. The scientists have decided that it is time to "retire" the human-avian hybrids permanently in favor of a new generation of mutants. Max and her flock won't go down quietly, though, and surprisingly, they get a little help from an old enemy.

Ari, the last remaining Eraser, wolf-human hybrids created by The School as guards and hunters, helps the flock escape. He's a little ticked off at the School since he's been slated for "Retirement" also. So with Ari's help, the flock escapes. Max, being the old softy that she is, decides it is only fair to let Ari come with them, but Fang disagrees. He thinks Ari is still a dangerous psychopath. For the first time ever, the flock finds itself divided. Fang, Iggy, and Gasman go one way, while Max, Nudge, Angel, and Ari go the other.

Max doesn't let this latest development in her already complicated life get in her way, however. While they were imprisoned, Max learned that The School is only a small part of a large, multi-national, evil corporation called Itex. It is Itex's ultimate goal to eliminate half of the world's population. The hand-picked few chosen by Itex to survive will therefore be able to create a utopia in the much emptier world. Max learns that it is her destiny to save the world. This is what she was created for. School is definitely out for Max, and it is time for her to step into her role as savior.

Maximum Ride: Saving the World And Other Extreme Sports is the third audiobook in James Patterson's Maximum Ride series and brings the storyline to an end. Of the three audiobooks, I would have to say this one is my favorite, mainly because it finally answers a lot of questions. As with the first two audiobooks in the series, this one has plenty of action to keep the story moving along.

Nancy Wu and James Jenner team up again to provide the narration for Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports. I enjoyed Nancy Wu's reading as usual, but just like in the second book, James Jenner has way too much saliva in his mouth. I don't know if he stands too close to the microphone or what, but I can't stand listening to him read. Luckily, most of the narration is done by Wu so I was able to fast forward over Jenner's parts without missing too much of the story.

Maximum Ride: Saving the World And Other Extreme Sports is an exciting conclusion to the Maximum Ride audiobooks. James Jenner is a little bit gross, but I didn't let him ruin the audiobook for me.

Before I start, I will mention this is not exactly spoiler free.

I mentioned in my prior reviews (The Angel Experiment and School's Out -- Forever) that the flock had an established routine. The Baddies came, the flock fought, the flock fled. Rinse and repeat. This time Mr. Patterson switched it up on us a little. The Baddies came, the flock fought, the flock was captured, the flock fought, the flock fled. Rinse and repeat. So I asked myself, why in the world am I continuing to read this book if it's so predictable. Then the answer came to me on the next page where I cracked up laughing. I turned the page again, and I had another bout of the giggles. This book is just plain hilarious. And the dog, Total, his dry sense of humor is just too much for me sometimes. I have to hand it to Mr. Patterson, he knows how to keep me amused.

As for the plot... sucky sucky. Like I said, predictable and stale. Well... not always predictable. Sometimes the story was just plain fantastic. And when I say fantastic, I'm not talking about awesome, great, I'm talking about outrageously unbelievable.

For one, the head honchos had some serious faulty logic going on, which made the entire villain aspect crazy dumb. Which brings us to the intelligence of the scientist-crazy dumb. I still don't understand why Max and her flock are alive. How hard is it to kill a bunch of kids confined to cages? Call me crazy dumb (tee hee), but a few bullets to the head at close range could do it, right? It's not rocket science. It's just ridiculous. They can gene splice but can't figure out how to exterminate a bunch of kids in cages.

I could deal with the scientist taking oxymoron to a whole new level, but it was an impossible escape which had me in an uproar. Here's the thing... the book is in Max's POV most of the time... first person. So it would make sense that I would know what she knows, right? After all, she's telling me her story. Only thing... we get to the place where the flock is doomed... no way out... the end. Then all hell breaks loose and then Max hits us with the bomb. She's planned it this way all along. What!??! I didn't hear about any plan, and I should know cause I was right there INSIDE Max's head!

The only logical explanation I have for this is Mr. Patterson wrote this by the seat of his pants and backed himself into a corner. Instead of having a viable solution he build a secret magic door and let everyone hop through. OMG! Just thinking about that lame ass escape upsets me. I thought about not finishing the book. That lasted about an hour then I continued. Two pages later, I was laughing again. Did I mention this book is highly amusing despite the below substandard plot?

So we know Max et al. are looking for their real parents. This time Max gets thrown a bone. It was so Jedi like too... except it wasn't. If Max had been Luke, the scene would have gone like this.

Darth Vader: Luke, I am your father. (yeah... for you fact nuts, I know he doesn't actually say that... but go with me.)
*A few scenes later, Luke meets up with Obiwan.*
Obiwan: Darth Vader is a liar. I am your father.
Luke: What?
Obiwan: And Yoda is your mother.

You don't believe me? I swear, it went down like that in Saving the World. Read the book if you think I'm lying!

Anyway, I picked out my favorite line from the entire book. I swear this sums up my reaction perfectly... if you take out the "probably life threatening part." Spoken by Max:

"Something asinine, probably life threatening, and guaranteed to make me angry every time I remember it for the rest of my life."

Now tell me she didn't nail that one!

I feel dumber after reading the book, but I have to admit, it amused me. 3 stars for keeping me entertained.

And yes, I am going on to the next book. Why? I have no idea, but I'm pretty sure I'll be in for a lot of laughs.

This is another very exciting continuation of Maximum Ride and her "Flock". I'm looking forward to Book 4. Along with the enjoyable and, sometimes terrifying, yet impossible situations the flock encounters, James Patterson has the unique insight and ability to feed accurate environmental issues into this series. I wish this one had been longer. Cheers to J. Patterson!

Once again the maximum ride books where good, but this book just got me frustrated. I still really enjoyed the whole book, but there where parts where I was ready to scream at Fang in frustration. Even through there where frustrating bits there where also so many parts that I was laughing so loud everybody was yelling at me to be quiet. I have to say that Iggy is my favorite character and to me is super funny. In this book Max and the flock finally figure out how to save the world. They get answers to very haunting questions, and they are unexpected answers. I am very satisfied with the ending, and can not wait to read the next one.

How would you feel if you were a human hybrid (half human and half bird)? Did I mention that you are being chased by humans that morph into werewolves called Erasers? That is what Max, Fang, Iggy, Gasman, Nudge, and Angel go though every day!
Maximum Ride by James Patterson is a story of young hybrid humans that live as a family in harmony until they get attacked by mutants like themselves called Erasers. The Erasers and the scientist that created them are trying to cut the world's population in half. Of course Max and the rest of the flock do not like that idea and try to stop them. There are many twists to the story like the secret compassion of love that both Max and Fang have for each other.
My review on the story is that it is the most wonderful and extravagant book that I have ever read (Also loved other two books!). This is because the author uses language that I can understand (slang) and fills the book with amazing adventures and scandals. For example, the flock has decided to go to a Dallas Cowboy's football game (great idea right?). Then all of a sudden someone screams out "is that one of the bird kids?" The next thing Max new they were a star! They were telecasted on the big screen TV! Max had a plan (the theme!). Her plan was to fly out of the half covered stadium and leave the ruckus. I got visualize ever second of that moment almost like I was sitting right behind them. I recommend this book to young adults from the ages of 12-17 because I don't think most kids under 12 could understand so of what's going on in the story, and I think people over 17 would be board of the Sci-fi/ adventurous book. This book has changed my thoughts of reading because I use to be a hater of reading and complained a whole lot about reading assignment but now I love to read but only the Maximum Ride series!! I thank you for reading my book review and I hope I inspired you to right your own.

What is the book about?

Max and the flock split up due to conflicting opinions about Ari. Angel, Nudge, Max and the mutant talking dog are in one group while Fang, Iggy, and the Gasman are on their own reaching out to other kids through Fang's blog.

They may figure things out while being separate but we all know they work best as one family flock.

What did I think of the book?

Third book in the Maximum Ride series. I immediately finished the same day I started School's out Forever. This series is so captivating, you will be hooked from the very first sentence I first read from book one "If you dare to read this story, you become part of the Experiment. I know that sounds a little mysterious - but it's all I can say right now."

This book has the most action compared to the others before it, and I loved it. Without giving up too much, I will tell you this much, Max really is saving the world with a little help from Fang and his blog. Patterson really takes you through an exciting ride that you won't forget.

This is the last installment in the Maximum Ride trilogy. At least Patterson thinks that this is the end, but after finishing it, I can see that he can wring at least another couple of books out of the characters and the story line.

Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports is the "final" book concerning Max and her "flock." In case you aren't familiar with the characters, they are all genetically altered humans as they have avian DNA in them. They have wings, so they are referred to as a flock. Max and her friends have been on a mission to save the world. The first two books have built up to this climax. Unlike the other books, this one finds her flock separated. Half stay in the United States, while Max and the others are in Europe. This is the first time they have been apart and it provides some additional suspense and more character development. And, keeping current, one character has a blog. Some of the chapters are excerpts of the blog, which added to the story, as they enlist help from the children of the world to assist in saving the world.

If this is the end of these books, Patterson has concluded the story in a very satisfactory manner. Most of the major questions have been answered: Does Max save the world? Who are her parents? Does the flock survive? Why are the scientists genetically altering people? All of those questions, and more, are answered for you. From that standpoint it was a very good ending to the series. There was, however, one part of the book that really threw me. And from that point on, I was questioning everything that came after. I think that Patterson alleviated some of thoughts, but I still couldn't shake the 'revelation.' All in all, this was a very good series. I think that most children (and adults) will enjoy the books, as they are well written, tight, and speak about some very global issues. Plus, there is a satisfying ending.

Max and the Flock are on the run again, from the company Itex, along with the Erasers from the dreaded School.

Going to Dallas, in my homes state (Texas baby!) they go to a Football game and are surprised that when they are found out, no Erasers go after them.

The Voice soon tells them that all the Erasers are dead, and that every School around the world are killing their experiments, and that the Flock are next.

Then the Flock is plunged into a spiraling adventure in which (SPOILER!!!) Max finds her mom...who she wishes she had never found. (SPOILER ENDS!!)

As always, there are some confusing things in the book.

One, what happens to Marian?? She isn't even mentioned in book four!

Two, what's up with the sudden `we're not getting out of this' thing going around? They've always been in tight spots, and now they lose the will to fight!

Three, I thought that all the Schools were killing their experiments? What's up with all the stuff at the end? And the FBI knows about this, but they didn't stop the reenacting of the Holocaust???

Four, what happened to Max II after this? Was she just conveniently killed?

Five, what is this about Jeb not even taking the 'expiration date thingy' out of his own SON? He just let him die and pretends to love him!

Six, if Max has an expiration date, how is she supposed to save the world? Surely Jeb would have been smarter then that?

End of rant, and thank you yet again James Patterson for a great novel, but please stop being so mysterious!

I am not one of those book huggers but when my sibilings said to "read this book" I took thier advice. At first, I was only reading the book because I had to read a threehundered paged book and I was despriet. Once I started reading the book I feel in love with it. There was so much action packed chapters and there was so many twist that could have never seen coming. For example, "your a lyind tratior" said Max to Angel, "Angel's not a tratior", I said. "she's been me spy". That was a big twist because I really thought that Angel was on the the dark side (the Erasers and Scientist). Also without that twist the flock had a very big possibility that they would not escape from the school. Another twist in the story that helped the flock escape was the fact that Ari was on Max and the other's side and he used his teeth to rip open the cage that was holding everyone in. Something that I could realate to was the fact that Fang kissed Max and said that he loved her. I'm not in love with my sibiling but I can realate to the idea od Fang falling in love and he his going through some changes like me! I think the theme in the book Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports, was that you always need to have a plan in your life. I think this because I the book Max is always repeating "there's always a plan" and that is what always helping them prepaire for all the event to come. The setting of the book is in the School ( Institute were all the experiments have taken place) and is in present day. The author changed my way of reading because I will no longer complain about reading assinments because I have the wonderful series of Maximum Ride to read an enjoy. Hint to the author I would like for you to continue the series!!

This is a really good book. It's the best Maximum Ride book (But not by far, the first one was really good too)but also the saddest. It was really sad The-person-who's-name-I-will-not-name-or-else-I-will-give-away-a-part-of-the-book died. *Before I start the pros and cons I have a quick note. I really liked the book, but I have more cons than pros, so be warned.*

Pros:
-It made more sense than the previous books
-You FINALLY find out who Max's dad, mom, half-brother, and half-sister are.
-It is more interesting than the previous books
Cons:
-It's kinda obvious from the end of book 1 who Max's dad and half-brother are
-Ari's coming back to life is never really explained. All he said was that those people whose names I cannot remember fused his neck bones back together (Thank you James Patterson! That clears things up tons! NOT!).
-Fang is now a complete jerk. He has gone to dark and mysterious, to annoying and abnoxious. The same with Iggy. They were my favorite characters too!
-Nearly every character that was important in the previous books is forgotten. Anne (Who played a MAJOR role in Schools Out Forever) is completely forgotten. Sam,JJ,Tess,the red haired girl- all forgotten.
-Max 2's reappearance was pointless.
-Omega was an uncessecary character additon.
That's really it. Like I said, I love the book, but I have a lot more cons than pros.

So if you have read the previous books, go ahead and read this one. If you haven't- A word to the wise, read the first and second books in the series BEFORE you read the third.

okay so i really like the characters in this book, max is like really witty and funny and her replies to people are savage. i like how they finally (i would have put caps) work together with ari and its really touching. also the immense plot twists were exellent and (i dont want to spoil anything) finding out max's parents.

but then okay maybe this wont matter to you if you're not chinese, but then they have this event in the book (spoiler alert) that 'china wants to buy you as weapons' offended me. i have two uncles that actually work as scientists in china, and its just kind of a bummer that many americans think china is a very idk?? violent country?? because it actually isnt?? wow so you say something like 'communist countries are violent and wsnt to blow up the world and oh look our president says china infinite times (cough cough donald trump) so surely china is a bad country' then uh no? not all chinese are like that lmao thsts all i had to say great book apart from that and its kind of personal anyway

oh yeah btw my caps is broken oops

My review is of the book Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson. This book's genre is science fiction and adventure.
Maximum Ride is third book of a four part series. It is about six mutant bird kids (Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel). They were created by an evil place called the school, but not a learning school, but an evil one with evil scientist called white coats. These white coats make mutant creatures like Max and the rest of the bird kids. After many years of having to live and be tested by the white coats they finally escape but now they are back. The School is planning on killing everyone and everything that is not useful with something called the by-half plan. They are also going to kill the bird kids with the rest of the mutant creatures they created. Will Max and the rest of the bird kids survive, escape, and save the world from the school. Read Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports to find out.
I really liked this book because it is full of action and adventure. This book is good for boys and girls from 5th to 8th. The first book of the series is Maximum Ride: the Angel Experiment and the second book is Maximum Ride: Schools Out Forever.

The third book in the Maximum Ride Series entitled Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports came with a full deck of fun surprises! While I still believe the writing is meant for a younger teen (this never really improves throughout the series), James Patterson is an excellent storyteller! He is fabulous with coming up with suspenseful plot lines that include a bunch of twists and turns. In this third installment, there are character developments and even more revelations. We finally get to the bottom of who Max's father is (I had guessed correctly, by the way!) and Jeb becomes an even more complicated character then he already was. I'll admit that at certain points I had to go back and re-read different sections just because there are many different sub-plots and it is easy to become confused if you aren't careful.

This time around, Max is forced to save the world (surprise!) and we finally know what all of the kids are trying to save the world from! At least so far, anyway! The company Itex is becoming out of control and it's up to the kids to save the world from (drum roll please) the Director who wants to pollute the planet and kill half the world's population. Strangely, the flock seems to be more concerned with the Global Warming and pollution, which was a minor annoyance that I had with this particular book in the series. I guess James Patterson really wanted to voice his opinions on global warming and the pollution of earth. The Erasers are completely destroyed on the exception of Ari, and are now replaced with creatures called Flyboys, which are basically an upgraded version of Erasers; they can now fly, which makes them all the more dangerous.

Romance is kicked up a notch in Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports. I kind of knew it was coming, especially with the events of the last book. There are some swoon-worthy moments involving Max and Fang in a cave where it becomes apparent that Fang has feelings for Max, but at first Max doesn't voice her feelings for Fang. This all changes when Max has her chip removed at Dr. Martinez's home and Max (finally!) tells Fang that she is in love with him. I really enjoyed how their relationship progressed and I love how James Patterson took it nice and easy with these two characters.

However, Mr. Patterson throws us another curve ball later on in the story with an announcement from Jeb. Things become even more complicated when Max extends an invitation to Ari to join their flock. Not everyone is particularly happy about Max's decision and half of the flock leaves because of it, including Fang. After this point, a ton of action takes place and many secrets are uncovered, including the revelation of who Max's parents are. A major fight is about to take place between Max and the Director's latest experiment, an extremely strong male character named Omega Boy.

I still love Max. She just gets funnier and more sarcastic as this series continues. She also makes for a great heroine who can handle her own business without needing any man to safe her. Good job James Patterson, good job!

The final installment of James Patterson's young adult trilogy, Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports, is as fast paced, humorous, and thrilling as its predecessors, The Angel Experiment and School's Out Forever. Though it is marketed as a young adult novel, adult fans of Patterson's Alex Cross or Women's Murder Club series would find it entertaining and engaging as well.

Patterson's Maximum Ride series is based on the sci-fi premise of recombinant human-avian DNA splicing resulting in six children who have feathered wings and can fly. They are, of course, the result of an scientific experiment of a corrupt megalomaniacal group who plan on reducing the world's population by half, leaving only perfect, healthy human beings who they would have power over. While some of the scientists are two dimensionally evil with no redeeming qualities, the character of Jeb, the sometimes-good, sometimes-bad scientist is fully realized in this final story.

Max, the 14-year old self-appointed leader of the bird kids, and her compatriot, Fang, have a falling out and the flock separates, even though both Fang and Max want to save the world from its impending doom. Max takes the physical route and attempts to defeat the scientists with brute strength and caustic wit while Fang rallies the support of children all over the world through his blog. There are several twists and turns along the way. Some are predictable (readers finally discover who Max's parents are), and others will throw readers for a loop.

Patterson deftly captures the cynicism and self-deprecating humor with which intelligent teenagers communicate. Max sometimes speaks directly to the reader, acknowledging she is in a book. Sometimes the reader is privy to her innermost thoughts of inadequacies, usually covered by the response of a bored, "Whatever" and a condescending roll of her eyes. Patterson easily blends the dichotomy of child with emerging adult to create a very realistic, very fun protagonist. Who wouldn't want to be best friends with Maximum Ride?

The character of Max was inspired from his adult books When the Wind Blows and Lake House. Little, Brown and Company have heavily marketed the Maximum Ride series to schools and claims it is "the fastest growing adventure series in America." Patterson's ability to churn out novels should make even Stephen King proud. His 6th Women's Murder Club book was released just two weeks prior to this third Maximum Ride book. He has two more novels due out in the next few months, The Quickie (co-written with Michael Ledwidge) is a thriller with a female protagonist due out July 2, and You've Been Warned (think The Nanny Diaries as a thriller) is due out September 10.

While there are a few metaphors, a good theme, a few allusions (including one of The Wizard of Oz), and much witty repartee, I'm not sure the series is useful for studies in schools. It would be, however, a wonderful way to entice reluctant young adult readers to engage in active reading.

Plot SPOILERS all over the honking place!!!

Raised in a laboratory, kept in dog crates, tortured and experimented on. Grafted with avian genes, granting them retractable wings and the wondrous gift of flight. 14-year-old Maximum Ride (call her Max) and her younger charges, her flock, escaped from the infernal School four years ago. And they've been on the run since then. The School isn't about to let them go, constantly sending out its murderous enforcers, the genetically manipulated, werewolf creatures called the Erasers. Sucks for Max and the others, but the School has a way to always trace them. The flock lives day to day, in fear, with Max desperately striving to keep everyone together and safe.

Moving on now to MAXIMUM RIDE: SAVING THE WORLD & OTHER EXTREME SPORTS, the third entry in James Patterson's riproaring, bestselling Maximum Ride novels, which picks up four days after the flock's escape from the Itex Corporation's Floridian headquarters (check out School's Out - Forever (Maximum Ride, Book 2)). This one, for all intents and purposes, puts the capper on the series, even though a fourth book did come out later. But SAVING THE WORLD has Max and her fellow fugitives, after four years of endless running and being relentlessly hunted down, at last coming face to face with the head of that shadowy organization which had been plaguing them all their young lives. This is the one where Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel (and, yes, even Total the talking dog) are pushed like never before. The one where the globe-spanning Itex Corporation's alarming By-Half Plan is finally exposed (and, yes, it's pretty diabolical). Itex, by the way, is the controlling entity behind the School and the Institute. And where Max is pitted against her most lethal adversary yet, a mutant who happens to be the ultimate in genetical manipulation. But, thing is, this mutant, he doesn't have Max's heart...

Other things that happen (remember, SPOILERS): Fang's blog really takes off; the Erasers are decomissioned; Itex plays head games with the flock; Max and Fang have an argument which divides the flock; the conflicted Eraser, Ari, is showcased more; several of the kids go gallivanting around Europe (but Paris is their favorite); we find out what's up with Max's inner Voice; and Max finds out some deeply personal stuff. Oh, and the flock kind of saves the world.

MAXIMUM RIDE: SAVING THE WORLD & OTHER EXTREME SPORTS might be a ponderous title, but that doesn't change the fact that it's also exciting and unputdownable and reads like you're watching a riveting sci-fi/fantasy/action movie. Patterson makes you care for these characters, and, above all, for Max, who continues to narrate the story from her very conversational, first-person perspective. She remains a person you'd want to root for, with her guts and her resoluteness and her moments of despair and fear and, as ever, her caring for her friends. Plus, she's got that snarky, sarcastic, irreverent vibe going on...

Even though James Patterson wrote this book for a much younger generation, I, an old dude, tore thru this one like a mongoose after a rattler. I defy any reader to not fall in love with the flock and the sheer wonder of their world. It's a cautionary tale on a humongous stage, yep, but you can't help but marvel at the genetical variations which the nasty, evil Itex Corporation has come up with. I dearly enjoy reading Patterson's Alex Cross suspensers, but I'd drop Alex like a hot potato if given a chance to read more of Maximum Ride's adventures. Only some of my favorite moments in SAVING THE WORLD: the battle taking place over Los Angeles (involving the flock, robots, and gangbangers), the flock's hilarious frustrating of that scientist ter Borcht (you know, with the thick German accent), Max's touching reunion with Dr. Martinez and her daughter Ella, and Max's contest with Omega.

Now, here's the downside: Enjoyable as it is, the book could've used some tightening up. Patterson does get lazy with some of his writing and ends the book with several dangling threads. How the School keeps tracking the flock is never really explained (Was it Max's chip? Was it Total? Was it someone else in the flock?). And what about Ari, whose conversion is so abrupt it gave me whiplash? Oh, and, somehow, somewhen, a streak of environmentalism manages to sneak in from out of the blue. And if I let myself, I can even fixate on how this megalomanical cabal of genius scientists turns out to be a pretty lame bunch of fumblers in the end. To me, the showdown with the Itex Corporation could've had more punch; the mad whitecoats should definitely have been given more of a smackdown. Still, even if the bad guys aren't that well developed, the young protagonists are overwhelmingly appealing and remain the series' strongest asset. Who hasn't had dreams of flying? James Patterson takes that fondest of wishes and applies it in a hell of a thrillride. But it wouldn't have worked as well if you didn't give a crapolla about these kids. The flock endearingly exudes childish glee and vulnerability while flaunting formidable abilites (mind reading, breathing underwater, explosives expertise, computer wizardry, uncanny mimicry, and, of course, flying). And Max, the leader of the bunch and the toughest of the lot, well, shucks, she's simply unforgettable.

The Maximum Ride books (so far):
- Maximum Ride : The Angel Experiment (Teen's Top 10 (Awards))
- School's Out - Forever (Maximum Ride, Book 2)
- MAXIMUM RIDE: SAVING THE WORLD AND OTHER EXTREME SPORTS
- The Final Warning (Maximum Ride, Book 4)

And, if you're curious about the book which inspired this series, look up James Patterson's excellent When the Wind Blows, which features a winged character named Max (but not this same Max).

It's nice to see that once again, the cast of Maximum Ride is portrayed as young people, rather than just little adults. Even in their not so perfect world, the episode where Max and Fang butt heads over Ari and Fang's reactions further down the line illustrate what it would be like to not only have to take on an evil multi-national conglomerate, but what it's like to be fourteen and taking on such a task.

The use of the internet as a rallying cry to bring other young people into the scene to help out the flock shows readers, young and old alike, that young people are bright and resourceful, not just running to the closest adult (who'd hear a kid telling a crazy story and blow them off) to resolve the situation.

Mr. Patterson has done a great job at creating a universe where young readers will very much enjoy themselves and want to come back for more. Heck, I've got a Master's degree and am ten years out of high school, and I can't wait for the next book in this series.

Another Maximum Ride release, "Saving the World...." brings Max and Fang to the brink of confessing their love for one another. While dealing with this issue, it was -- naturally -- important for Max and Fang to save the world. To destroy the evil-mad scientists who were preparing to reduce the world's population by one-half and to keep the flock together.

While the Maximum Ride series is designed for the preteen (maybe teen) reader, it is actually a lot of fun for anyone. An esteemed author with the mission of truly writing something that would engender excitement to a young person while still being easily readable ... Patterson holds to a creative style of writing with a positive message.

It might be a little too much "tree-huggish" even for a youngster. But, still, it's a slam-bang roller coaster adventure with Max and the gang of ... ummm .... bird-kids and talking dogs ... I think.

Has a good beat. Easy to dance to. I give it at least a 90.

Densel Myers
Yukon, Oklahoma

A less well written "Twilight-type" fantasy series, mostly harmless for the young adult reader. I wouldn't be thrilled if my son read books like this exclusively, though I've read the first three books pretty quickly so there must be something to them. Hence the three stars. If it weren't so cold I'd call them good "beach books". Fluff with a lot of action and likable characters. The writing is just not demanding or enlightening in the quality of descriptions or the smoothness of the plots. I've read a lot of fantasy and some of them feel real. These plot turns and histories are awkward and artificial. Kind of like a comic book without pictures. THis third one is particularly choppy.

In sum. Easy to read, harmless, and mildly entertaining.

A much better series for young adult and adult fantasy is the Bartameus Trilogy. Deep Character traits that grow with each book.

Maximum Ride: Saving the World And Other Extreme Sports Little, Brown, 2007, 405 pp., $7.99
James Patterson ISBN 0-316-15427-X

"There's always a plan." Max's life is different than any other teenager's. She and her family are chased by evil scientists' minions every day. It's up to her to make sure her family survives. The amazing thing about Max and her family... they have wings!
Max is a headstrong fourteen year old human-avian hybrid. She is as tough as nails and she never gives up. She and her family had bird DNA put in them when they were babies. Her family consists of Fang (14), Iggy (14), Nudge (11), the Gasman (8), and Angel (6).
They all grew up together. Jeb, a scientist at the School, took them from The School and raised them. The School is the secret foundation that did experiments on them. As Max and her flock (family) are trying to escape from Flyboys (the scientists' minions) every day, they eventually get caught. When their execution date arrives Ari does something very unexpected. Afterwards the flock splits up and goes different ways. Max, Angel, and Nudge go to Europe to destroy Itex once and for all. Will they defeat Itex or be destroyed?
Anybody who likes fast paced action and suspense should definitely read this book. Maximum Ride: Saving The World And Other Extreme Sports is the one of the best books I have ever read. It is the third in a series of three.

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

Pages: 405

Time spent on the "to read" shelf: 2 years.

Days spent reading it: 2 days.

Why I read it: This is the third book in a series.

Brief review: This third book in the Maximum Ride series begins to show the real overall plot of the books. I was saying to myself "Finally!" and then "Lame." Threaded through the books so far have been not-so-subtle hints that there is indeed an overarching plot. I am still not sure how Max and her flock fit into it, but essentially this book reveals that the evil nemesis is pollution by evil giant companies. That's a little lame in my mind.

Patterson has written a great series. Max and her flock of misfits are lovable characters. The books are easy to read, quick paced, and have a tinge or cynicism that will certainly appeal to every teenager. I really enjoy reading them. But this book turns from unique and fun to a higher degree of absurd plot. Patterson has one of his characters start a blog that soon has millions of kids following it. They become a children's army that is willing to raise their tiny fists against "the man." So we have teenagers throwing rocks and protesting outside of giant corporations at one point in the book. Do I believe in the power of the teenager? Absolutely. But this was a little ridiculous. I think Patterson envisions millions of little eco-terrorists crying in the streets to save their planet. I just can't buy it . I will suspended my disbelief for a bunch of genetically altered bird-kids, but teenagers becoming tree-hugging protesters is a little too much for me.

The same problem runs through Christopher Pike's Alosha series (which I reviewed elsewhere). These are fun writers, and I'm sure they want to do something significant with their words. But they are not believable. A believable writer in this area of ecology is Carl Hiaasen. Check out Hoot or Flush for a great story with a believable teenager stepping up to help the environment.

I still enjoy these books, but the plot is starting to get annoying. Will I keep reading them? Yup. I'll finish the next two at some point in the near future, I'm sure. I had some great hopes for this series, but it seems like they keep getting a little worse each time. Oh well, I guess that happens when the author writes like 10 books a year. Quality is sacrificed for quantity (and profits!). Such is life.

Favorite quote: "'You should really try one of these cookies,' she said, holding out a chocolate-chip chunk of treason."

Stars: 3.5 out of 5.

Final Word: Eco-friendly.

The first half was very good. The second was aight. Mainly, I wasn't feeling it when the blog really kicked in towards the end. I didn't mind the cliffhanger though.

There are certain parts of the dialogue throughout the book that throw me off. They're mainly Maximum's attitude towards Jeb and The Voice, but I guess it was James Patterson's way of showing her age.

The manga is a lot better and this is probably so for all of James Patterson's books to be honest. He uses some interesting concepts, but doesn't seem to "do it" very well at certain points throughout the second and third Maximum Ride books. In the manga, however, everything is done properly. It's as if they were done by people who knew what they were doing.

The Angle Experiment was amazing mind you. The second was great (as if he could possibly top the first one). The third was really good up until the second half. After that, it got meh for me.

I've only read the first four Maximum Ride volumes and the first three Maximum Ride books as far as James Paterson's books go. Might read the two books that inspired them. After that, I'm done.

Adults will find the third in the Maximum Ride series, the immodestly titled, "Saving the World" disappointing. Although some reviewers have chosen to favorably compare James Patterson's DNA enhanced flying kids series to the Harry Potter series, this reviewer says: No Way No How. J.K. Rowling gave us a complex society of wizards and witches. Everything was carefully thought out, from the dragon feather in Harry's wand, to the temperamental goblins who ran the bank where Harry's long dead parents had stashed their fortune for him (money is just one of the things the kids always have access to that Patterson doesn't seem to have explained - unless it was in an earlier book in the series). In contrast, Patterson gives us genetically enhanced kids without going into much detail as to how this was done - unlike, say, Jurassic Park - unless, again, this was covered in an earlier book. It seems to be the work of, as the heroine Max is fond of saying, "Mad Scientists." Can you imagine Rowling dismissing Lord Voldemort's similar plans to take over the world as the work of "Mad Wizards?" No, she had more respect for her reader's intelligence than that. Voldemort's plans to assume power had a carefully crafted, meticulously macabre aspect to them, and his power was unasailable, except ultimately by Harry himself, and even then, almost by accidents stemming from Potter virtue than from magic. In contrast, Patterson actually expects us to believe that a team of Mad Scientists (there's that term again) could form a multinational corporation, apparently without scrutiny of any kind except by various high-level politicos who go along with the dream of genetically "re-evolved" humans uncritically, even though the Mad Director's dream include annihilation of half - or more - of humanity as well. They do all this in largely unprotected factories - they have to be largely unprotected or else how would the seven member "flock" be able to enter and escape from them, repeatedly, while foiling Itec's dasteredly plans? Patterson talks down to his tween readers. Rowling never does. Since this is not a review of Rowling's work, I'll just say she gave us worlds; Patterson gives us flying kids in our world, and as such they fall flat. Flat is a way to describe their personalities too; aside from Max - whose singular trait is a smart-alecky attitude, only Total, the talking Scotish Terrier, seems to have much personality. The other kids have abilities - or disabilities, in the case of blind Iggy, who is, inexplicably able to fight and fly without any apparent trouble, just like the others - but they don't have much character. Perhaps if I had read the first in the Maximum Ride series I would have had more sympathy for Max and the gang, whom we are led to believe have had a pretty rough childhood so far, but as it is, Max's relating to the reader in the first person her troubles, doesn't allow us to feel them for ourselves as Rowling did in the Potter series. One feels sorry for Harry long before we know he has powers, due to his living situation with the Dursleys, and when his powers become gradually apparent, we are glad because they promise a way out for *him,* not because he can use them to Save the World - though, ultimately, that is what he will do. Another contrast between these two authors is that Rowling, while focusing on the kids, still has a firm place in the world for adults - as teachers, beloved, or feared, parents etc. - while Patterson sees the adults as either evil and too dumb to realize their plans could never work - if for no other reason than that a world suddenly devoid of half its population would be so chatoic as to be not worth being Grand Empreror over, (or whatever title the Mad Director ultimately envisioned for herself) - or the adults are simply too dumb to realize the evil plans exist. Is this how tweens see adults? Really?
True, a certain set of tween readers, mostly boys, I think, will enjoy the action uncritically, and judging by the numbers, they are already buying this book in large numbers (Full discloser: my two volume novel, Neitherworld Neitherworld Book One Akiiwan (CreateSpace Version) Neitherworld Book Two Ishpiming is so NOT selling in these numbers), but I calls 'em as I sees 'em. Saving the World is a low altitude thrill ride.

Great book series. I've read many, many of Patterson's books in the past, but I find this teen fantasy to be his best work. Fans of Maximum Ride will be happy to find out many unanswered questions will be answered in this third installment. I have no clue if he planned this to be the last, but I sincerely hope not. In this book, Max has decided to "save the world," only her normally obedient flock has decided to not be so obedient anymore. Fang, who normally says no more than two words, is contradicting her command and the flock has decided they don't want to save the world but settle down. Max is at her wits end, but despite what her flock wants, the school and the men in white have other things in mind.

Love this book. Max is witty and sarcastic. There are parts that I laughed out loud. The crazed German scientist with the thick accent was was the best. There is even a little bit of romance, but don't worry parents it is very tame. Happy reading!

My 13-year-old son reads the novels in Mr. Patterson's Maximum Ride then it's my turn. Yes, we mothers do enjoy a well written book for teens and I certainly enjoyed "Saving the World". The reviews are numerous on this tale, but I'll add my brief thoughts.

I thought it was the best of the series, although I was little disappointed in the ending. The story is fast paced and kept me interested. I understand that this book is the final but I hope that the author decides to continue the series with another book.

As a mother I am certainly excited that known authors, such as Patterson, Hiaasen, etc are getting involved in the young adult book market. Mother's like me can only benefit from their exceptional writing, and storytelling.

I love this one, but i've got to say #2 is my favorite, #3 right after that, then #1, then #4. (out of the first 4 books) I don't know why so many people don't like this one, but i'll tell you the next (#4) is worse if you don't like this. This one has a mind spiing sudden, action packed flip, in the story. Characters very strong, like the first 2. Max is looking for her mission, with the help of voice. Fang uses his blog to stir up emotions in kids. I would love to tell you all more but don't want to spoil a good story! Love this book. :)

this review is written by a 7th grader.

I love this one, but i've got to say #2 is my favorite, #3 right after that, then #1, then #4. (out of the first 4 books) I don't know why so many people don't like this one, but i'll tell you the next (#4) is worse if you don't like this. This one has a mind spiing sudden, action packed flip, in the story. Characters very strong, like the first 2. Max is looking for her mission, with the help of voice. Fang uses his blog to stir up emotions in kids. I would love to tell you all more but don't want to spoil a good story! Love this book. :)

this review is written by a 7th grader.

The (sort of) final book in the series (at least the fugitives series) in some ways lives up to expectations and in other ways disappoints. I'm glad it isn't the actual end of the series because there are still questions unanswered.

The things I didn't like:
-The dynamic of the flock splitting up because of Ari is interesting, but this book ends up a lot slower because of it. Mostly, Fang's plan is sort of lame. It has potential for something bigger.
-The Martinez storyline was a little too convenient. Okay, a lot too convenient.
-The one thing I don't get is how Max didn't question the Voice or ask for any means of "proof" of goodwill. I also didn't get the whole Max as an Eraser thing, but from what I understand, the story isn't over.
-There was a missed opportunity with all those recombinants that they saved in book two.

That being said, there were good points too. I like the battle between Max and the perfect soldier and Angel's betrayal. Basically, you come out of this thinking, you never can know who you trust.

as with James Patterson's other maximum ride books, maximum 3 was a great page turner. I loved the action and I read the whole thing in a little over 5 hours straight. definite recommend. that being said, I think that it is slightly weaker than her other two (the first and second.

my issues with the maximum #3:

1. the romance. I did not think that it was very well done. dont get me wrong - I am a big supporter of romance in action novels - however the relationship between max and fang is very unclear, and IMO starts a little too early in the novel. It would be better if it was underlined a bit more: ie through thoughts, holding of hands, whatever. at the end I wasnt really sure if she was just happy to be with fang as a friend, or if she was still romantically attracted to him (although it seemed to lean towards the latter). I would have been alot happier if it had been more clear what thier feelings were.

2. The fangs blog/kids saving the world. again. in my humble opinion, the part about Fangs blog and all the kids that saved the world by mobbing it was a.) overplayed and b.)unbelievable in the context of the story. first of all it is not believable that all the kids all over the world would "band together" and become an army. second, if Fang had a blog - wouldnt that go against their lie low and not be noticed plan? i thought it took away from the book.

3. Finally, I felt that the events could have easily been stretched out into at least 2 books, and that things where kind of crammed into this one 405 pages, which is not that much for a book as popular as this series has been.

OKAY, now that my ranting is out, I just want to underline the fact that despite all of this, I still gve it 4/5 stars and I did really enjoy it. the last sentence is: "Hopefully we'll be back, and if we are, it won't be pretty"

I defintly hope that that is hinting at a Maximum Ride pt.4

=)

Max and the gang - Fang, Iggy, the Gasman, Nudge, and Angel - have barely escaped the flying Erasers with their lives. Now Fang has a blog, getting help from kids around the world, and the younger of the Flock want to disappear and settle down. And Fang agrees. But when things go really wrong - Flyboys, the newest Erasers, are after them, and Fang decides to split, taking two of the Flock with him - hard life for the Flock might just get harder, what with Itex controlling the world and all. And while Jeb claims Max alone can save the world, she might need a little help from her family.
______________________________________________

My thoughts -
Yeeeee!!! Fast fast fast fast!! That's how I feel every time I read these books, and this one is no exception. So much actions, all the time, and yet there are still so many personal aspects that draw in the readers and connect them to the characters. Saving the World was still not as good as the first book, but it was definitely better than the second. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Character notes -
Like I just said, I'm totally attached to the characters. In fact, this is the #1 reason I am still reading and enjoying this series. The way the Flock has to fight and work together and survive is inspiring, despite how unrealistic it all is.

Once again, Fang is my favorite. He makes me smile....and yes, giggle. I love his version of "changing Max's mind". ;) The other characters, as always, were amazing. And Ari was much better this time around.

Story notes -
I really like this story, but honestly, it's not the main draw for me. It's fun, fast, and enjoyable, but I'm not as emotionally attached to it or as fascinated by it as, say, Incarceron, or Entwined. However, I still love the story and am looking forward to reading more, even if the world and story-line aren't my favorites. Plus, this book had some WAY cool twists that raised questions and have me looking for answers!

Summing it up -
A lovely adventure. I look forward to what the fourth book, The Final Warning, has in store! I've heard - the Arctic? :)

For the parents -
Fang and Max throw each other "the bird". They kiss once. Fang and the Gasman describe pretty girls on the beach for blind Iggy, but not inappropriately. Ages 12+

I didn't realize that this book was the third in the part of a young adult series. I read When the Wind Blows and the Lake House and was quite intrigued by both. Most of James Patterson's novels are alike, some sort of criminal mystery, and not all that eloquently written. They do make for an enjoyable quick read though. So, here I was, excited to see another story about "Max". What a disappointment to find that it was just a reworking of the original ideas, but with complete disregard for story continuity. I was perplexed as to why the publishers, editors and author himself would think this was a good idea. Now that I realize that it was written for a young adult audience, I can sort of understand. Perhaps jumping into book three, whether unknowingly or not, was not the best way to start. I don't personally plan on reading the rest of the series, but I would definitely recommend the series to someone who hasn't read the original adult titles.

I don't know which one came first, but this character "Max" reminds me an awful lot of the "Max" from James Cameron's TV series Dark Angel. The character in Dark Angel was a genetically manipulated super soldier that is part cat. Both Maxes were out to stop the evil corporation that created them. I found the similarities uncanny, anyone else notice that?

I rated this a two instead of a one because it's a children's book so I'll cut it some slack. Note that I said children's book, not teen's. In my mind, anyone above 12 should be insulted by how confusing, contrived and unfocused the plot is. This book caused me to drop the series, so I never got around to reading the Final Warning (which, according to reviews, was much worse than this one).

Spoilers follow:

The entire story is a mess. Max, the sweet, sarcastic supersoldier girl who can do no wrong, gets most of the book's attention and is having a problem with a voice inside her head. To solve this, she decides to undergo a procedure to remove a chip from, not her head, but her arm (huh?). This of course leaves her arm damaged and the voice remains. It's revealed that the flock's werewolf-esque foes, the Erasers, are all dying because the company that made them has decided to destroy all the projects they spent so much money on (what?).

In the middle of the book, the flock gets captured and we get a subplot where it's revealed that the flock never escaped because the company placed them in a virtual world where they could simulate escape, a la the Matrix (buh?). To prove this is true, Max's arm is healed and she no longer hears the voice. BUT THEN, it's revealed that the company made up the Matrix thing, so the flock really did escape, making the entire subplot pointless (WHAT?).
Max's arm is still healed, however. How? Never explained.

Max teams up with Ari at one point and near the end of the book gets captured again by the company's leader the Director. She claims to be Max's mother and like any loving mother arranges a fight to the death between Max and the company's latest creation Omega. This is all in Germany, by the way. Max, of course, escapes and the flock defeats the Director and it's revealed that she isn't actually Max's mother (big surprise). Instead her real parents are Jeb, who was also the voice in her head and deserves some sort of worst-parent-award by now, and (get this) the random doctor Max found when she crash landed in Texas in the first book! What are the chances?

Finally, Ari dies since he's an Eraser and all the Erasers are killed by the company. Great parenting, Jeb. You worked so hard to protect your estranged daughter, even telepathically communicating with her (How? Also never explained) that you couldn't protect the kid who was actually under your protection.

I cannot recommend this book. It doesn't completely ruin the characters, so if you like the previous two books you may like this, but the plot is just fiction at its worst.

I loved this series! I was apprehensive to read these as the first book made it seem like it would be a boring kids book....but alas, it was not! After reading the first book I was hooked and had to quick get on the store to buy the rest of the series! I love Max and root for her and her flock to save the world, and get with Fang.
This book had me on the end of my seat as Max and her flock are out to stop the end of the world again. Max finally finds out who her mother and father are and the adventures are on. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone, and parents would like them as they are older kid friendly. Great job!

In the third book of the Maximum Ride series, the suspense, humor, and action has been pumped up from level 1 to level 5.
The suspense was just right for this book. I couldn't stop reading because it was so suspensful.
The humor in this book was fresh!! There were like 3 to 4 times I was laughing out loud, it was so hilarious.
The action in this book was amazing!!! For the last 100 to 150 pages all it was was action. That really amused me.
Mr. Patterson is an amazing author and this book is my absolute favorite in te series so far!!!

Once again our feathered mutant friends are asked to save the world and once again they come through.wouldn't it be nice if we could hire them to solve the world's problems? Nice work Mr. P. MAYBE I WILL SEE YOU IN FLA.

So the white coats decide to kill the flock, but instead of gassing the flock to death in the flock's room, the white coats gas the flock unconscious in the room and then take the kids outside and lock them in a barred cage in the middle of a field where the they're allowed to regain consciousness so they can be shot by "men with guns," apparently through the bars on one side of the cage without hitting the bars on the other side of the cage, thus sparing the spectators, who have already arrived although the men with guns have not, which gives Ari time to rip open the bars of the cage allowing the flock to escape while the white coats fail to invoke the unexplained weapon that neutralized Max and Fang on page 129 where Angel, apparently with Max's consent, fails to intervene in order to make possible an excursion that neither of the characters would ever have considered.

Prefer stories that proceed by the author's arbitrary choices? This one's for you. Not insulted by attempted manipulation? It doesn't get much better than this.

This was a super great book! I enjoyed hearing more about how the characters grow and develop more abilities. I was a little annoyed with Fang in this book. I thought he was going to follow Max to the end of the world right? But he literally abandoned her and took half the flock with him. Okay scratch that, I was really annoyed with him. But I like how when he has to be a leader he realizes how much work Max actually does for the flock. And I liked all the twist and turns in the story. It was a little confusing but really epic. Highly recommend.

For starters I have to say this book was awesome definitly the the best of the first three books(so the best in the series). I think this entry definitly has the most action which is an awesome thing. My only major complaint is that Fangs idea to save the world is kind of lame. He went from being this dark bad*** to being a herioc, blog posting, latte drinking, compassionate, kind, idiot. Honestly this is Fang like you couldn't imagine. Max is awesome like always and you won't see as many lame one liners like in schools out forever ("ordering a pizza?" that was stupid) I loved the whole idea of the white coats killing half of the entire population. It does however seem like patterson just made up a random character for max to fight with (but the fights pretty good). I would have rather had Max fight with Fang or someone close to her. All in all if you liked the previous books youre going to love this entry.

It was almost a really awesome book. It was good until the end came. All of the kids around the world banned together to take over the bad guys. What did they do, throw rocks at crazed scientists planning to take over the world? He totally made it hokey at the end.
The rest of the book I thought was really good. Part of the book was even a bit sad. The sad part was in a bit of a different style than had been in the other two books and surprised me.

cdm

I'll admit that Patterson is cranking out a lot of titles this year but really! suggesting that books be gotten from a free source is not a review or that like others who say they read a chapter and threw it in the trash bin. What a poor attitude toward the years of craftmenship James Patterson and others have spent their whole life perfecting for your pleasure. I read all the Where the Wind Blows series and when I saw this new version of it, I couldn't wait and was not disappointed.
If you like this cross-genre mix of action/thriller and fantasy, then you'll agree that Patterson is unequaled in this genre.
He's always five stars, and I don't blame him for putting out as much as he can ... he's not getting any younger, folks!

I am no longer a fan of this series after reading that horrible last book. But this book is really the only book worth reading. This is how the series should be, filled with action and making me want to read more. And this book is full of twists. I don't wanna spoil what happens cause like I said it's really the only book worth reading in this entire series.

I was a fan of the first two books, both of them were very good reads. I was really dissapointed at this book though. A lot of the mysteries never get solved. Also, there were a lot of "miracle" fixes to everything. I don't want to spoil anything, but several times it's solved instantly without the flock actually doing anything. The ending was also bad because, a blog saved the world. Really, it did. It still had a few funny moments in it, but it was a huge let down. I would recomend reading this if you want to know what happens at the end of the trilogy. But you'll be disapointed, it seemed like a rushed ending to a (formaly) good story.

I was easily hooked into this series, and I loved it right from the start. James Patterson has done an amazing job with this very interesting story. And I read all the books with great joy really. And I would have given it five stars, if and only if James Patterson had done a better job at connecting some things in the book.. Sometimes the things that happened in the earlier books had nothing to do with the last books... And the end of last book was quite ridiculous and I didn't like it that much... But it's a good series, it was a bit depressing time to time but it definitely draws you in and gets you mesmerized to read them.

unlike all of you who are "dissapointed" by this book i was throughly in love with this book. the plots twist and turn leaving you at the mercy of Mr. Patterson hoping the next book will be out soon. while the book has moments (key word moments) where it is dull most of the book is entertaining. it delves further into the flocks history while keeping pace with the flock currently. in my opinion theres no better book to buy for you children. the main character is girl whose life has been very hard i.e. fighting for her life, providing for her flock all of these things apply to both girls and boys. while boys might be less inclined to read this because the main character is girl rest assured that this story is one action packed ride with vivid details about fights and other things simply put a good book for all ages

Saving The World and Other extreme sports was amazing.... Full of twists and turns.... Angel scared me in the beginning.... i really thought she was evil. Fang is soooooooooooo cute. I am his biggest fan. Warriors yet again seriously is vanishing now, Maximum Ride taking over. Lets face it Warriors Fans, Max could kick Firestars butt. You too Hunger Games freaks. Max could knock that braid off Katniss.

james patterson has done it again. maxium ride saving the world was amazing. i waz a bit confused but it still made it the best. i waz off the edge of my seat. i couldnt put it down at all even though i got yelled at for reading too much. i dont know about you but i think fang and max are so right for each other. SPOILER ALERT: i was really mad when Ari died. Yea i know he was EVIL but at the end he turn out to be a nice guy...kid...thing. btw i always knew Max and Ari were bro and sis. And i was so hoping that director wasnt max's mom. I LOVE THIS BOOK. if your a fan like me you wont ever stop reading

I really enjoyed this book. It's hilarious, snarky, sarcastic, and pure genius!! I really recommend it. It's amazingly written.

Max and her flock-Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel- have to save the world, and themselves from the evil flyboys.

Reed the book!!!!!!

I was extremely dissapointed in this book, and a little relieved that it should be the last. The story was terrible, and was not believable at all. The kids would have had to be extremely stupid to go to anartica. The entire book read like an infomercial for the Green movement. It lacked all the saving graces of the first book. It was a waste of money.

I love this series! The flock's sarcasim and Max's commentary make it a really fun read. I think this is the best book in the series both because it is the most exciting and because it has the funniest lines. It's totally worth everyone's time to read this book.

This is a great book. I loved how all the kids went into rebellion, and blew up all the flyboys. It was just so awesome!!

Edit: did anyone else notice that the characters never have wings on any of the covers?

Again, the only thing I can say about this series is that it is flat out a lot of fun. These books are not going to win any awards for literary content, but if you are looking for a fun, quick read that will entertain you, this series is for anyone of any age.

Fifth novel overall about these characters and the third aimed at the young adult market this book shows Patterson has just plain run out of ideas and doesn't even fully develop the ones he did come up with as to what to do with these kids with wings. Don't pay money for this, borrow it from your library to avoid maximum disappointment of both the storyline and throwing away your heard earned cash!

In this adventure Max and Fang are having relationship issues, even though neither seems to want to admit their feelings for one another. They haven't seen any Erasers for a while and some of the flock just want to settle down and forget about saving the world. Scientists have been given orders to terminate these winged failures and they've got some cyborg Flyboys with instructions to bring them back to The School. Meanwhile an evil dictator residing in Europe has plans for mass genocide that make Hitler look like a choir boy that when successful will reduce the world's population by half. Of course the voice in Max's head keeps telling her only she can save the world!

This book starts off extremely slow with the entire part of Part One "In Search of Hot Chocolate Chip Cookies" pretty much just being Max rehashing the first two Young Adult books resulting in you the reader pretty much just going, come on get on with it! Great young adult (and even junior) fiction like any good PG movie should be just as enjoyable to adults as well. The first novel in the Young Adult series wasn't that much different writing wise to the two adult adventures, the second was more like your usual young adult novel but Patterson seems to struggle as to which target market he is writing for with this book with parts reading like a junior fiction book. This novel spends more time with Max trying to make wise cracks then actually having a storyline. At the end not much has happened, not much is resolved (obviously Patterson is leaving the option for more books in the series) and the reader is left feeling pretty unsatisfied. The reader is forced to believe in massive coincidences when it comes to Max's parentage.

The first book of this series was pretty good, the second no where near that quality and after this disaster I won't be continuing the ride when the fourth novel comes out.

Not For Adults!!!
I wanted to like this series. My daughter asked me to read them and we have enjoyed many books in the young adult catagory. Unfortunately, this is not one. James Patterson had a good idea and the beginings of some good characters but after the tenth amazing escape and all the really poor dialog I had to stop. Although James is experiencing success with this series, his characters are a really poor rendition of the super hero. Even the teen angst falls flat. If you are looking for a book to read with your teen stick to Harry or try the Stephanie Meyer series Twilight.

My daughter is 13 and has passed the entire Maximum Ride series around her 7th grade class. As far as I'm concerned, anything that gets teens to read and not play games is impressive. Hats off to James Patterson!

The entire series was not worth reading. Patterson is trying to capitalize on the current popularity of Y/A dystopian literature like Hunger Games. I really like the genre...a much better choice would be the Uglies, Pretties and Specials trilogy...but I seriously hope these books never make it to film.

More than half the book is actual blank pages. There is no story to speak of, except "wouldn't it be cool if I could fly like Max?" Huge gaping inconsistencies in the tale, and it is repetitive to the point of nauseating. It shamelessly tries to drive you to web sites that can generate more money for this loser project. No redeeming qualities, I wasted a week of my life hoping for some salvation in the end. Boy was I fooled. I'm no snob when it comes to books, but it's an insult to 9 year olds to say this would be good for them. Shame on you Patterson, I will not read you again because of this insult to readers of all ages.

I love fiction young adult fantasy, sci-fi, and similar genres. I promise you will not regret this read! I cried, laughed, and eve gasped in surprise or horror once in a while. Max and her flock (her family) embark on a fantastic adventure of love, discovery, battles, and, of course, saving the world!!

I. Love. This. Book. This book is amazing it is so hard to describe. I couldn't put It down. Here it from my sister.

-this is her sister and she was muttering all night because she didn't know what was going to come next and she COULD NOT take her eyes off of it!!!!!! Whoever reads this I promise is going to LOVE it I'm going to read it and I KNOW it's going to be GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!

I know this book is written for a younger audience, but I thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 installments. Now that I've read the third I WISH I HAD NEVER GOTTEN STARTED! There are so many things that are left hanging or "closed" in nonsensical ways!

(1) We never find out how the flock was being tracked.
(2) The whole business with Max's Mom/Dad ended way too unsatisfying -- just boom, now we know and everybody hugs and is happy even though BOTH Mom & Dad should have had some accountability.
(3) The whole betrayal by Jeb is turned into (what?) some kind of under-the-radar helping the flock?
(4) Angel can read minds, but never can or does at the crucial moment of deciding whether we can trust someone. Why not?
(4a) Contrary to some other reviews I thought Ari's "turn" was well done and believable, but why couldn't Angel just confirm one way or the other?
(4b) Why couldn't she figure out what was going on with Jeb right off and let everybody know?
(5) Fang somehow manages to hack into the systems of these super-secret corporations even though Nudge isn't around. Did I miss something?
(6) Angel's being a traitor and then resolving itself is WAY too simplistic. What? "Oh, I forgot to mention this to the rest of the flock." Either there needs to be a reason for it being so secretive or it would have been shared with the rest.
(7) You have these super-enhanced robotic fly-boys that are designed to beat anything and (a) the flock can fight them about 10-1 and (b) when a child throws a rock over a wall and hits one suddenly it sits down and doesn't move anymore.
(8) The whole thing of kids the world over being able to violently overthrow high security installations is a bit of a stretch.
(9) Would have been nice to see better closure on the whole Itex thing. I suppose we can imagine, but it just felt too rushed.
(..) I could go on and on.

I liked the style continued with the earlier books. The romance with Fang went very nicely and believably. The split of the flock showed some change in the characters which I thought enhanced the book.

The series has been a really fun read, but for me much of a book is based on the ending. You can't have a great series of books which ends on a completely inconsistent and rushed note and not have the whole series judged negatively.

Sorry, I really wish I had never started the series.

I have to agree with other reviewers that this series is targetted strictly for kids - unlike the Harry Potter series. The plot meanders to whatever suits the author's fancy - Patterson feels absolutely no sense of duty to explain why characters act the way they do. **MILD SPOILER ALERT** The final revelation of Max's parents contain massive plot holes which James sees as unecessary to even acknowledge - much less explain. A real shame since this could have been a good series.

I read the entire book in one day, I just couldn't put it down. In the book we learn who Max's mom and dad are and who "the voice" is. Fang's Blog takes off to new international heights. And Total the talking dog gets to eat at the table in a French resturant. What more could a Maximum Ride reader want? How about new improved flying Erasers equipped with guns, budding young love, and tons of explosions. All in all, this was a very enjoyable book.

I love the maximum ride series. I think it is because James Patterson makes you feel like you are there and makes you care about the characters. Each chapter makes you want to read the next and you hope the series never ends, but it does. There are really funny parts, and really sad parts, and adventurous parts. This series has everything and even more than it needs to keep you reading it.

In Maximum Ride Saving The World And Other Extream Sports the flock survives through another harrowing adventure none of them die... but there is a suprise to be had when they go greek style and battle it out in the arena, I'm sorry what were you trying for here, did you attempt to combine Rick Ryorden with J.K Rowling and see if they made beautiful angel babies? Write what works, and although its advertized as the next book in the series its actually a stand alone novel three books in.

In Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports, Max returns better, bolder, and louder than before. This book is amazing. It has more action than the previous Maximum Rides. It has more humor. I found myself laughing out loud numerous times. It still is a fast read like the previous books(I read it in about 4-5 hours in one sitting.). The combination of action, humor and, ROMANCE is fantastic. I could rave on and on about this book, but I'll restrain myself to this short writing piece. My advice is read the book and if you haven't read the other previous books than do it. You won't be disappointed.

this book is amazing. there is so much action first of all. second there are many twists and turns. like jeb is the voice. and ari helps them out. also it was unexpected that fang and max seperate into flocks becuz they disagree over ari. amd i loved the action and humor. this is the funniest book by far. A MUST READ.

This book is amazing! I couldn't stop reading. I could write so many pages on how much I like this book but I'm just gonna try to do it in a few sentences. This book has fantasy, humor, and some romance. I seriously couldn't put it down and I was cracking up at some parts. I got so into it that I read it in like 5 hours. I'd definately say buy this book and read it because it's awesome

Well, Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports was fun. The whole series is a few major events that tie together a great deal of, "Well, what should we do?"

Max and Fang and the rest of the flock are entertaining, and I would say that the characters are the strongest point of these books. I recommend the first Maximum Ride book to anyone who is looking for a fun light read, but there's nothing of substance in the rest of the series.

The reason for the 1 star is that this book adds nothing to a plot that fizzled out at the end of book one, and there is not a good reason to read this book.

Book 3: Saving the World continues to be a great series about Max and her flock who in book 3 try to save the world from evil scientist. Erasers are replaced in book 3 with flyboys- flying robots. Max finally finds out who her mother is.

The book was really good I just loved the book to death I just wish redecorate more books in this weird cuz this is my decent time reading the debris all you New comers are in for a lot of surprises!!!!!

I. Love. This. Book. This book is amazing it is so hard to describe. I couldn't put It down. Here it from my sister.

-this is her sister and she was muttering all night because she didn't know what was going to come next and she COULD NOT take her eyes off of it!!!!!! Whoever reads this I promise is going to LOVE it I'm going to read it and I KNOW it's going to be GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!

I know this book is written for a younger audience, but I thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 installments. Now that I've read the third I WISH I HAD NEVER GOTTEN STARTED! There are so many things that are left hanging or "closed" in nonsensical ways!

(1) We never find out how the flock was being tracked.
(2) The whole business with Max's Mom/Dad ended way too unsatisfying -- just boom, now we know and everybody hugs and is happy even though BOTH Mom & Dad should have had some accountability.
(3) The whole betrayal by Jeb is turned into (what?) some kind of under-the-radar helping the flock?
(4) Angel can read minds, but never can or does at the crucial moment of deciding whether we can trust someone. Why not?
(4a) Contrary to some other reviews I thought Ari's "turn" was well done and believable, but why couldn't Angel just confirm one way or the other?
(4b) Why couldn't she figure out what was going on with Jeb right off and let everybody know?
(5) Fang somehow manages to hack into the systems of these super-secret corporations even though Nudge isn't around. Did I miss something?
(6) Angel's being a traitor and then resolving itself is WAY too simplistic. What? "Oh, I forgot to mention this to the rest of the flock." Either there needs to be a reason for it being so secretive or it would have been shared with the rest.
(7) You have these super-enhanced robotic fly-boys that are designed to beat anything and (a) the flock can fight them about 10-1 and (b) when a child throws a rock over a wall and hits one suddenly it sits down and doesn't move anymore.
(8) The whole thing of kids the world over being able to violently overthrow high security installations is a bit of a stretch.
(9) Would have been nice to see better closure on the whole Itex thing. I suppose we can imagine, but it just felt too rushed.
(..) I could go on and on.

I liked the style continued with the earlier books. The romance with Fang went very nicely and believably. The split of the flock showed some change in the characters which I thought enhanced the book.

The series has been a really fun read, but for me much of a book is based on the ending. You can't have a great series of books which ends on a completely inconsistent and rushed note and not have the whole series judged negatively.

Sorry, I really wish I had never started the series.

I have to agree with other reviewers that this series is targetted strictly for kids - unlike the Harry Potter series. The plot meanders to whatever suits the author's fancy - Patterson feels absolutely no sense of duty to explain why characters act the way they do. **MILD SPOILER ALERT** The final revelation of Max's parents contain massive plot holes which James sees as unecessary to even acknowledge - much less explain. A real shame since this could have been a good series.

I read the entire book in one day, I just couldn't put it down. In the book we learn who Max's mom and dad are and who "the voice" is. Fang's Blog takes off to new international heights. And Total the talking dog gets to eat at the table in a French resturant. What more could a Maximum Ride reader want? How about new improved flying Erasers equipped with guns, budding young love, and tons of explosions. All in all, this was a very enjoyable book.

I love the maximum ride series. I think it is because James Patterson makes you feel like you are there and makes you care about the characters. Each chapter makes you want to read the next and you hope the series never ends, but it does. There are really funny parts, and really sad parts, and adventurous parts. This series has everything and even more than it needs to keep you reading it.

In Maximum Ride Saving The World And Other Extream Sports the flock survives through another harrowing adventure none of them die... but there is a suprise to be had when they go greek style and battle it out in the arena, I'm sorry what were you trying for here, did you attempt to combine Rick Ryorden with J.K Rowling and see if they made beautiful angel babies? Write what works, and although its advertized as the next book in the series its actually a stand alone novel three books in.

In Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports, Max returns better, bolder, and louder than before. This book is amazing. It has more action than the previous Maximum Rides. It has more humor. I found myself laughing out loud numerous times. It still is a fast read like the previous books(I read it in about 4-5 hours in one sitting.). The combination of action, humor and, ROMANCE is fantastic. I could rave on and on about this book, but I'll restrain myself to this short writing piece. My advice is read the book and if you haven't read the other previous books than do it. You won't be disappointed.

this book is amazing. there is so much action first of all. second there are many twists and turns. like jeb is the voice. and ari helps them out. also it was unexpected that fang and max seperate into flocks becuz they disagree over ari. amd i loved the action and humor. this is the funniest book by far. A MUST READ.

This book is amazing! I couldn't stop reading. I could write so many pages on how much I like this book but I'm just gonna try to do it in a few sentences. This book has fantasy, humor, and some romance. I seriously couldn't put it down and I was cracking up at some parts. I got so into it that I read it in like 5 hours. I'd definately say buy this book and read it because it's awesome

Well, Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports was fun. The whole series is a few major events that tie together a great deal of, "Well, what should we do?"

Max and Fang and the rest of the flock are entertaining, and I would say that the characters are the strongest point of these books. I recommend the first Maximum Ride book to anyone who is looking for a fun light read, but there's nothing of substance in the rest of the series.

The reason for the 1 star is that this book adds nothing to a plot that fizzled out at the end of book one, and there is not a good reason to read this book.

Book 3: Saving the World continues to be a great series about Max and her flock who in book 3 try to save the world from evil scientist. Erasers are replaced in book 3 with flyboys- flying robots. Max finally finds out who her mother is.

As a frequent reader, I encounter many kinds of books - AWESOME, good, okay, or no point. And this definitely goes in the AWESOME column. It's got everything: suspense, action, doubt, a talking dog, and - you HAVE to love this - flying. Max Ride is trying to save her flock with the help of the Voice in her mind. She also wants to find out who her parents really are.
So who are they? And where are all the Erasers?
Well. You'll just have to find out yourself.

The book was really good I just loved the book to death I just wish redecorate more books in this weird cuz this is my decent time reading the debris all you New comers are in for a lot of surprises!!!!!

I really liked this book but he is taking a little to long to get to the point. He is on book three now and other than knowing Max is going to save the world we dont hve a broad idea.....this series should of ended at book two or three

i always was excited throughout this whole book! there was not one single part that was boring!!!! this is a must read for all tweens and teens!!!! there is something for everyone in this book! romance, humor, action, adventure, etc.

Purchased for my 15 year old son, his review:
The first two books were great to read, couldn't put them down. This third book from the Maximum Ride series was just as interesting as the others...Once you start, you can't stop reading!!! Can't wait to read the next one!!

This book is so amazing cuz' it is so exiting and it cuts to the chase and it explanes enogh to understand but not so much it gets boring. althogh it could usea little more explaning of what the people look like. but other than that it is amazing!

one of the best series i have ever read! i couldn't put the book down! i would say u should be 9 years old or older to read it! full of actio, fun, and a bit of romance! james patterson does it again! i would give it 5 stars!

I've read this series through so many times I sometimes find it frustraiting when almost noone in my family understands my reference to a realy funny joke from the books. This is my all-time favorite series. Fax forever!!!!^3^

This is the third book in the series and it still get's better. I highly recommend not only this book but the whole series. These are fast reads and non-stop action. James Patterson will not let you down with these stories. They are a must read.

I was kind of disappointed with this book....although I love the 2 previous books! For one thing......in my opinion.....it sounded a bit chessy......especially toward the end of the book when Max and the other 2 girls get capture......and those 3 tests that she had to pass because of that lunatic lady. Also finding out who her dad wasn't a surprise but finding out her who mother was....this book felt a bit rush to me....

Overall it is okay, not really that great though.

James Patterson does a wonderful job of actually feeling like you are the character. Every single page is action packed and a must for kids. This book will make any and I mean ANY reluctant reader begging for more.

If you've never read about Maximum Ride, this is the book you will NOT want to start with. TONS of spoilers, some extremely rash and severe actions, and the flock's parents being revealed is part of the must-read long-anticipated third sequal of Maximum Ride, leader of a flock of half human, half avian bird kids!!!!!!!!! GO MAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again, amazing the only problem I have with this particular series is that it may not be received as well as Pattersons' other series. I certainly hope that the story of Max, Fang, Iggy, and the rest continues. If not at least we'll have these three to read again and again.

The second book in this series left a lot to be desired, but this book brings the series to a nice end. There are some good ideas that could have been expanded a little bit, and everything just seems to jump from one thing to another. The ending also never really tells what happens to the bad guys but we can assume they get whats coming to them

The 3rd in the series was shallow and contrived. It has all the depth of a book written over a weekend and rushed to customers before the story was really developed and thought out. This book is a complete disappointment.

Not many of you will know that Patterson published books 1 & 2 twice! When the initial series became a hit, he sold the movie rights, and then completely rewrote the series, changing crucial parts and in many readers opinions, not for the better! Patterson employs other writers on many books so let the buyer beware!

This is yet another example of James Patterson's ability to keep you on the edge of the page. Not to mention begging for more at the end of the book. Please Mr. Patterson, tell me you have almost finished the next installment in this great series.

I know these books are meant for adolescents, but I like the series. I read all of James Patterson's books, and these do not disappoint. This book is full of action and humor, and was a quick, easy read.

I was easily hooked into this series, and I loved it right from the start. James Patterson has done an amazing job with this very interesting story. And I read all the books with great joy really. And I would have given it five stars, if and only if James Patterson had done a better job at connecting some things in the book.. Sometimes the things that happened in the earlier books had nothing to do with the last books... And the end of last book was quite ridiculous and I didn't like it that much... But it's a good series, it was a bit depressing time to time but it definitely draws you in and gets you mesmerized to read them.

Max and the gang - Fang, Iggy, the Gasman, Nudge, and Angel - have barely escaped the flying Erasers with their lives. Now Fang has a blog, getting help from kids around the world, and the younger of the Flock want to disappear and settle down. And Fang agrees. But when things go really wrong - Flyboys, the newest Erasers, are after them, and Fang decides to split, taking two of the Flock with him - hard life for the Flock might just get harder, what with Itex controlling the world and all. And while Jeb claims Max alone can save the world, she might need a little help from her family.
______________________________________________

My thoughts -
Yeeeee!!! Fast fast fast fast!! That's how I feel every time I read these books, and this one is no exception. So much actions, all the time, and yet there are still so many personal aspects that draw in the readers and connect them to the characters. Saving the World was still not as good as the first book, but it was definitely better than the second. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Character notes -
Like I just said, I'm totally attached to the characters. In fact, this is the #1 reason I am still reading and enjoying this series. The way the Flock has to fight and work together and survive is inspiring, despite how unrealistic it all is.

Once again, Fang is my favorite. He makes me smile....and yes, giggle. I love his version of "changing Max's mind". ;) The other characters, as always, were amazing. And Ari was much better this time around.

Story notes -
I really like this story, but honestly, it's not the main draw for me. It's fun, fast, and enjoyable, but I'm not as emotionally attached to it or as fascinated by it as, say, Incarceron, or Entwined. However, I still love the story and am looking forward to reading more, even if the world and story-line aren't my favorites. Plus, this book had some WAY cool twists that raised questions and have me looking for answers!

Summing it up -
A lovely adventure. I look forward to what the fourth book, The Final Warning, has in store! I've heard - the Arctic? :)

For the parents -
Fang and Max throw each other "the bird". They kiss once. Fang and the Gasman describe pretty girls on the beach for blind Iggy, but not inappropriately. Ages 12+

As a frequent reader, I encounter many kinds of books - AWESOME, good, okay, or no point. And this definitely goes in the AWESOME column. It's got everything: suspense, action, doubt, a talking dog, and - you HAVE to love this - flying. Max Ride is trying to save her flock with the help of the Voice in her mind. She also wants to find out who her parents really are.
So who are they? And where are all the Erasers?
Well. You'll just have to find out yourself.

Do not purchase this work of fantasy for your child. Characters, that on the surface, seem harmless and fun can warp your child's view of the world. The characters are demonic and will take your young child to places they should avoid. Solutions to fantasy predicaments are dealt with in supernatural ways and are not helpful in building character in a young child. Although the author has not stepped into overt sexuality he toys with the sensations and feelings. Titillation, the occult and demons sell and the author is cashing in. I wish I had known.

Not many of you will know that Patterson published books 1 & 2 twice! When the initial series became a hit, he sold the movie rights, and then completely rewrote the series, changing crucial parts and in many readers opinions, not for the better! Patterson employs other writers on many books so let the buyer beware!

This is yet another example of James Patterson's ability to keep you on the edge of the page. Not to mention begging for more at the end of the book. Please Mr. Patterson, tell me you have almost finished the next installment in this great series.

I know these books are meant for adolescents, but I like the series. I read all of James Patterson's books, and these do not disappoint. This book is full of action and humor, and was a quick, easy read.

Do not purchase this work of fantasy for your child. Characters, that on the surface, seem harmless and fun can warp your child's view of the world. The characters are demonic and will take your young child to places they should avoid. Solutions to fantasy predicaments are dealt with in supernatural ways and are not helpful in building character in a young child. Although the author has not stepped into overt sexuality he toys with the sensations and feelings. Titillation, the occult and demons sell and the author is cashing in. I wish I had known.

OK, I will accept right up front the fact that based on the sterling reviews from everyone else here, this review is going to be ignored and/or disparaged by anyone reading this page. So if you are a young reader in the 9-12 age range for whom this book is targeted, stop right here and go ahead and buy the book. The truth is, you'll probably enjoy it, just as have all the other young readers.

However, if you are an adult James Patterson fan who is thinking about purchasing this book, let me very strongly advise you to think twice. Juvenile books fall into two categories: those that, while pitched to young readers, are brilliantly written and appeal to everyone...and those that are not. In the first category are the really superb crossover children's literature masterpieces, such as JK Rowling's Harry Potter series, Ian Flemming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Roald Dahl's Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, and even the Dr. Seuss oeuvre.

But unfortunately Patterson is no Rowling (or Flemming or Dahl). Maximum Ride, from an adult perspective, is an unbelievably bad book. I'm talking not just bad, but truly execrable. This is all the more remarkable because Patterson has been so successful with his adult work. But it seems that in targeting down the age range, Patterson also can't help writing down...and that just doesn't work. It doesn't bear going into all the gory details, because either you're going to ignore this review and buy it anyway, or you'll be warned off and move on to something else. But suffice it to say that this book reads like the worst of the hack teenage fiction, not even rising to the level of the Stratemyer Syndicate series like Nancy Drew and Tom Swift.

I'm honestly sorry to have to be so negative, because I very much like Patterson's adult work, but this book is simply not worth reading...if you're an adult [sigh].