Don't like any of those? Feel free to make your own! But let's all vote for Max :)
Showing posts with label James Patterson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Patterson. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Team Max!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Booking Through Thursday
Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme you can find HERE.
This weeks question:
You’ve just had a long, hard, exhausting day, and all you want to do is curl up with something light, fun, easy, fluffy, distracting, and entertaining.
What book do you pick up?
What book do you pick up?
MY ANSWER:
Agh. That's a hard one, because there are so many!
I guess I'd say something from James Patterson's YA collection, like the Maximum Ride books or the Witch and Wizard books. They may not be the best books in the world, but the narration is witty and fun, the action definitely distracts me, and they are all really quick to read.
Another selection would be something from Kelley Armstrong's YA collection. All of her characters are fun and cute and her plots are super original.
What about you?
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Maximum Ride: School's out - Forever (REVIEW)
In this stand-alone sequel to The Angel Experiment, bird-kid Max and her flock fly south to reunite with their parents. But their perilous mission runs into stiff winds when they are apprehended by an FBI agent who dispatches them to the worst nightmare destination: school! Max's homework assignment include decoding documents that might have help save the world and protect her from Max II, a clone who knows her every move. Action; suspense; plot surprises: all James Patterson specialties.----------------------------
MY THOUGHTS:
So, I've mixed feelings on this book. Because I kind of sort of loved it and couldn't stop reading it, but it wasn't actually that great. There's nothing especially phenomenal about the writing, and the premise is a little strange. These kids are pretty smart for a group that has never attended an actual school before this book. They haveseveral adult traits, and maybe that was because they have been through a lot and they were forced to mature early, but I kind of get the feeling that James Patterson forgets just how young each of the characters are.
Reasons I liked it:
- The protagonist. Despite my claims of the whole "acting too old" I happen to like Max a lot. I think she's funny and not entirely stupid. Okay, she's pretty damn smart and I like the whole mother hen thing she has going on with her flock. I like her total naivity when it comes to relationships and her romantic feelings. Max definitely makes the Ride much more enjoyable with her flippant and dry narration.
- The creepy wolf kid. Ari. I'm not sure why I like him. He's malicious and hateful and really confused about his feelings for Max. But come on, he goes into a store and causes all of this commotion just for a Game Boy. Gotta love it.
- The flock. They're fun and cute. Nuff said.
My rating:
3 out of 5 stars. Cute and light read and definitely worth a shot.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
In James Patterson's blockbuster series, fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride, better known as Max, knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the "flock"--Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel--are just like ordinary kids--only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time...like when Angel, the youngest member of the flock, is kidnapped and taken back to the "School" where she and the others were experimented on by a crew of wack jobs. Her friends brave a journey to blazing hot Death Valley, CA, to save Angel, but soon enough, they find themselves in yet another nightmare--this one involving fighting off the half-human, half-wolf "Erasers" in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives. Along the way Max discovers from her old friend and father-figure Jeb--now her betrayed and greatest enemy--that her purpose is save the world--but can she?(goodreads.com)
-----------------------------
MY THOUGHTS:
So, the only reason I began this series was because I recieved a lot of reccomendations for it. I was very hesitant to read, because--Come on! Bird people? I thought it sounded a bit...wonky. And then I saw that it was 422 pages and I thought "Oh man. Do I really want to read this? I do have a book about werewolves and vampires..."
But then I did begin to read it, and I must say it was much better than I had anticipated. The protagonist is fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride (a self proclaimed nickname) who is generally smart, caring, and humorous.
I was a little shocked at first by the narration, where James Patterson has his protagonist actually talk to the reader, but as I read further it began to really pull me and I found it quite cute, actually. One little quibble I have, though, is the intelligence level of the children. There are six in all: Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel. Max, Fang, and Iggy are each 14 (also sort of self proclaimed); Nudge is 11; Gazzy is 8; and Angel is 6. I mean, I know that they are genetically modified and that their intelligence level should probably be above level, but I'm only slightly older than them and I consider myself fairly intelligent, yet the six year old knows more than I do! These kids don't even attend a school to educate them.
Reasons I liked it:
- The protagonist. She is tough yet soft, stoic yet vulnerable. There are several moments when she has to remind herself that she is only 14, and not exaclty cut out to raise children, but then she reminds herself that they are a family and that she would do anything for the other five. She is also sarcastic, which is undeniably awesome! She is always alert, even when she wants more than anything to relax. And instead of gushing about boys and her hair and what she's wearing, she focuses on her "flock" and their happiness--even when she begins to hear voices in her head.
- The variety of characters. There is a blind pyromaniac (Iggy, who happens to be my favorite!) who doesn't let his disability stop him from anything--even blowing up his enemies! There's a black little girl who is sweet and adorable and will talk your ears off (Nudge). There is the dark and brooding boy who actually kind of cares even though nobody but Max really knows it (Fang). There's an 8 year old boy who tries really hard to be tough and who is a junior pyromaniac (Gazzy, short for Gasman). And there is the precious little six year old who can control minds and breathe under water and a lot of other crazy things that I can't even begin to fathom (Angel).
3 out of 5 stars. Worth a shot!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Suzanne Collins, James Patterson, and Daniel Waters
Lately, without a T.V. or anything productive to do, I have been able to buckle down and do a very good amount of reading. I had been slacking a lot lately because I just moved for about the ten billionth time this year, and there were countless things that needed to be done.
But, after a good amount of time at the library, I left with a stack of carefully selected books.
First, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I know you are probably wondering how in the world I have just approached the wonderful series. Sadly, I have to admit that I was incredibly hesitant to read the book. I had no explanation for my reluctance; I had heard numerous fantastic reviews about it and the plot seemed interesting enough. I just couldn't bring myself to get the cover page. Perhaps it was the lack of mystical creatures or the surplus of action, but I just couldn't. I had checked the book out at least three times from the library but I never got around to reading it. Then, when I checked it out this time I promised myself that I wasn't allowed to read the other books I got until I read The Hunger Games.
It's safe to say that I am one hundred percent blown away by the first installment. I know I am not the first and I certainly wont be the last when I say it was the perfect young adult action novel. It had emotional depth and a love story that exceeds the expectations of all love stories. The whole book is about betrayal and trust, and unless you read ahead there is no way of knowing what is going to happen next or who is going to die next.
What surprised me is the amount of tears I shed while I was reading it. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I cried at least one time each chapter. Because really, how could you not tear up when there is this fifteen year old girl that sacrifices herself for her little sister and thrown into a barbaric game of slaughter, when the only hope she really has is luck. Granted, Katniss is skilled and resourceful and quite intelligent, but there were others who had been trained their whole life for the Hunger Games. It was really just an emotional ride for me.
My only regret upon taking that novel out of the library is that I forgot to snatch the following two, which were readily available for check out. I'm excited, though, to see how the story goes from there on out with poor, love-struck Peeta and poor, confused Katniss. I have been informed, though, that I will cry a lot harder and I will be tearing my hair out.
The second book was Witch and Wizard by James Patterson. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to say what compelled me to take that book off of the shelf. I don't know anybody who has read it, and I could tell from the description that there was an extreme lack of romance. There wasn't particularly zero romance, it's just not the kind that leaves you at the edge of your seat with an "AWWW" threatening to burst from your mouth.
However, the novel was a surprising good and quick read. It was a very fast-paced novel with sneaky little tricks around each corner. The narration, in my opinion, was excellent, alternating between fifteen-year-old Whisty and her seventeen-year-old brother Whit. Very cute, very comical, very fun.
To say the least, I would recommend this book to those looking for light read.
The last book I am going to discuss in this post is Generation Dead by Daniel Waters. Please, don't get me wrong, it was a good book. An original idea, cute little background. The narration just seemed so artificial to me. Like Waters was trying much too hard to sound like a teenager. I'm not really sure how I can explain how I feel about the novel. But I can say that I felt very disconnected from the characters. All, that is, except for Adam, who I felt was the best portrayed.
Even with that in mind, I'll admit that the end left me wondering what was going to happen next, and very much craving the sequel.
All three of the above books are worht reading, and I am happy I selected them. Input on my oppinons? Good or bad, you can leave it in a comment below.
-BookBreather
But, after a good amount of time at the library, I left with a stack of carefully selected books.
First, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I know you are probably wondering how in the world I have just approached the wonderful series. Sadly, I have to admit that I was incredibly hesitant to read the book. I had no explanation for my reluctance; I had heard numerous fantastic reviews about it and the plot seemed interesting enough. I just couldn't bring myself to get the cover page. Perhaps it was the lack of mystical creatures or the surplus of action, but I just couldn't. I had checked the book out at least three times from the library but I never got around to reading it. Then, when I checked it out this time I promised myself that I wasn't allowed to read the other books I got until I read The Hunger Games.
It's safe to say that I am one hundred percent blown away by the first installment. I know I am not the first and I certainly wont be the last when I say it was the perfect young adult action novel. It had emotional depth and a love story that exceeds the expectations of all love stories. The whole book is about betrayal and trust, and unless you read ahead there is no way of knowing what is going to happen next or who is going to die next.
What surprised me is the amount of tears I shed while I was reading it. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I cried at least one time each chapter. Because really, how could you not tear up when there is this fifteen year old girl that sacrifices herself for her little sister and thrown into a barbaric game of slaughter, when the only hope she really has is luck. Granted, Katniss is skilled and resourceful and quite intelligent, but there were others who had been trained their whole life for the Hunger Games. It was really just an emotional ride for me.
My only regret upon taking that novel out of the library is that I forgot to snatch the following two, which were readily available for check out. I'm excited, though, to see how the story goes from there on out with poor, love-struck Peeta and poor, confused Katniss. I have been informed, though, that I will cry a lot harder and I will be tearing my hair out.
The second book was Witch and Wizard by James Patterson. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to say what compelled me to take that book off of the shelf. I don't know anybody who has read it, and I could tell from the description that there was an extreme lack of romance. There wasn't particularly zero romance, it's just not the kind that leaves you at the edge of your seat with an "AWWW" threatening to burst from your mouth.
However, the novel was a surprising good and quick read. It was a very fast-paced novel with sneaky little tricks around each corner. The narration, in my opinion, was excellent, alternating between fifteen-year-old Whisty and her seventeen-year-old brother Whit. Very cute, very comical, very fun.
To say the least, I would recommend this book to those looking for light read.
The last book I am going to discuss in this post is Generation Dead by Daniel Waters. Please, don't get me wrong, it was a good book. An original idea, cute little background. The narration just seemed so artificial to me. Like Waters was trying much too hard to sound like a teenager. I'm not really sure how I can explain how I feel about the novel. But I can say that I felt very disconnected from the characters. All, that is, except for Adam, who I felt was the best portrayed.
Even with that in mind, I'll admit that the end left me wondering what was going to happen next, and very much craving the sequel.
All three of the above books are worht reading, and I am happy I selected them. Input on my oppinons? Good or bad, you can leave it in a comment below.
-BookBreather
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