School's Out - Forever (Maximum Ride, #2)

by James Patterson

Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride and the other members of the "Flock" -- Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel -- are just like ordinary kids -- only they have wings and can fly.
After their last wild adventure, the Flock members are taken under the wing of an FBI agent and try to live "normal" lives by going to school, making friends -- and continuing their relentless search for their parents. But the Erasers return, forcing the Flock to abandon their search and make their escape once again. The voice inside Max's head keeps telling her that it's up to her to save the world, but this is especially challenging to do when she is faced with her ultimate match: a newer and better version of herself, Maximum Ride II. Max's heart-stopping quest to investigate the mind-blowing mystery of her ultimate destiny continues in the scariest, strangest, and funniest James Patterson novel yet.

• ISBN10: 0316067962
• ISBN13: 9780316067966
• Publish Date: 1 April 2007 (first published 1 January 2006)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Little, Brown & Company
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 448
• Language: English

Reviews

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

Yes, yes, I know. Everybody loves Max. I think that phrase is written across all three of the Patterson books I own. I'm still trying to love Max. I still don't.

The series is not bad. I liked the first book better than I liked School's Out - Forever. I think that they idea of these kids going to school is a little far-fetched and ridiculous, and as much as the travelling annoyed me before, their goals seemed more realistic to their situation. And I simply couldn't get past Anne, their caretaker. The lack-of-FBI-esque qualities that abounded in her character made me want to chuck the book across the room, and several times I found myself telling the page "Ha! And FBI agent would NEVER say that." Obviously later on the lack of traits becomes explained, but the lack of even trying bothered me enough that it distracted me.

I have issues with the characters in general, still. The older children are less frustrating - Fang and Max, namely. Total, the dog, bears a Toto (coincidence? I think not) like resemblance to me but he's annoying, and Angel is simply too bossy/innocent... she gets away with too much. That leaves "comic relief" to fall to Gasman and Izzy... and thus it makes them seem less vital to the story, other than being part of the flock. I do, however, give kudos to Patterson's method of handling the situation with Izzy's parents.

I still believe that for grades 8 through 12, the Maximum Ride series should be a huge hit. The characters are relatable, and there is less need for suspension of disbelief. Patterson's pacing is amazing, though. As much as I may find the series disappointing (and that, too, is a danger of a series with so much hype), I can move through the books very quickly, making them a good choice for a light read.

Read my review of: The Angel Experiment.

((Cross posted to my blog: The Literary Phoenix.))

[ladygrey]

As exciting and fast paced as the first, this book allows the personal interplay and relationships of the characters to surface more. Which turned out to be really good, because I like all the characters a lot. I especially like some of the different developments between them and seeing the characters evolve and grow up.