It’s been a while since I posted a book review and I’m real sorry for the inconvenience. Hope you guys bear with me and my late postings. ;) 

THE FLOCK IS BACK!

James Patterson creates an equally loved sequel for Maximum Ride:The Angel Experiment.

In “School’s Out-Forever”, the plot revolves around The Flock and their struggle to be normal kids and not genetic anomalies who are 98% human and 2% avian as they are discovered by the FBI and taken in by a woman named Anne who begins to act like their mother. With Fang critically wounded and still no sign of The Flock’s parents and origins, Max is faced to deal with what she has now and compromise with the situation. She and The Flock have to live with Anne and attend one thing all teenagers must face-SCHOOL. The Flock tries to blend in. Iggy and the Gasman try not to blow off bombs or get into trouble. They try to bear with the strict and horrible headmaster while passing their subjects and improving their social skills. Max gets in her first date and gets her first kiss and Fang makes out with a “redhead wonder”. Even if the Flock enjoys being normal kids, the fear and paranoia haven’t gone away yet. In the coming of Anne into their lives, Max feels as if she is losing her role as leader and the “mother” of the Flock. She starts to doubt herself on whether the Flock still wants her to lead them and whether they’ll stay together forever. But that’s when she needs to stand by them the most because Max’s greatest enemy has already surfaced and it’s none other than Max herself. 

First of all, nothing much has changed from the first book to the next. The 6 of them are still genetic prodigies. They still run away from Erasers. They manage to escape. They get caught again. They use their powers. Max still has that Voice. Max still needs to save the world, nada nada. There wasn’t much twist in the fast-paced novel but I got to say, I loved a few things about it. 

First, I loved how Max’s character grew from the first book to its sequel. Somehow, this girl is getting braver, feistier and more of a leader. I love it how she tries to act like a normal teenager, how she suppresses her feelings for Fang and ends up getting jealous, how she doesn’t want Anne to replace her in the Flock’s lives. She shows that she’s HUMAN and she also has emotions and weak points. That’s what I love most about characters. I love to see their flaws because it makes me accept myself for who I really am and who I’m not. 

Second, I liked hearing Ari’s side in the novel. I’m always interested in the side of the bad guys because I want to know their reason for being “bad” at all. Some guys aren’t really bad or really hate. Most of them lack love, just like Ari. Imagine, having your own father love a bunch of experiment kids more than you. It’s sad. I believe Ari is just a trapped soul in the body of an Eraser who would do anything just to get his father’s love.

Third, I just love the characters and their own special capabilities. Nuff said. 

And fourth, I love MAX II. Although she’s only an exact copy of Max and a villain as well, I find her very interesting and intimidating. While watching her copy, she reflects on the life of Max and tries to find out how she bears with those 5 other kids she looks out for. I believe, just like Ari, Max II is just finding a place in this world, somewhere where she is accepted, somewhere where she isn’t just a clone or a tool, somewhere where she’s the best of the best and not just a carbon copy. She’s a worthy opponent although I wished the book focused a bit more on her and Ari.

Oh, and I also adored the book’s cover! Fang looks so cool in those shades. ;) 

The down side of this novel is like the previous one I placed in The Angel Experiment. I believe it still lacks some sort of punch although the series has gone better and bolder. The scenes have gone stronger and more nerve-wracking. Still, I give the book a rating of 6 out of 10. :) 

For those who like fast-paced and quick chapters, this book is definitely for you. It’s been a while since I read it but, it was worth it.