Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel - Audio Book Review

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Title: Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel
Series: Maximum Ride, book 8
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Audio Books
Narrator: Jill Apple
Duration: 5 hours, 28 minutes
Copyright: 2010
Genres: science fiction, action, juvenile
Filed in: Audiobook reviews

THE GIST: Maximum Ride and the flock are really getting into all this saving-the-world stuff. Their work for the activist group CSM, the Coalition to Stop the Madness, has now brought them to the impoverished African nation of Chad. Their job is to help feed the hungry. A noble effort, but nothing ever comes easy for these kids.

Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel are not ordinary kids. Genetically engineered in an evil laboratory called “The School”, they are 98% human and 2% avian. That’s right, they have wings and all the other equipment to help them fly: light-weight, porous bones, increased lung functionality, as well as enhanced strength and reaction time. All this makes them the perfect candidates to save the world, but it also attracts a certain type of attention.

Shortly after arriving in Chad, the flock meets a billionaire-scientist named Doctor Gunther Haagen, and whoa, what’s this? Doctor Haagen’s companion is a boy named Dillon who has wings just like Max and her flock! According to Haagen, Dillon was created to be Max’s perfect match. That's news to Max since she has already admitted to herself that Fang is her perfect match. That Doctor Haagen is just full of surprises because he also wants the flock to join him so he can perform experiments on them in order to further his stemcell research.

That’s a bit much for Max and she quickly gathers up her family and gets the flock out of there. As a matter of fact, the bird-kids decide they are a little tired of whack-job scientists so they decide to hide out for a while. So it’s off to the Colorado mountains, where CSM has built them their very own house as a thank you for all their volunteer work. As usual, the peace and quiet are short-lived.

During a birthday party that the kids have decided to throw for themselves, who should show up but Jeb Bachelder. And wouldn’t you know it, Jeb has Dillon in tow. Jeb is one of the scientists who created the bird-kids, and even though he was revealed to be Max’s biological father, she still doesn’t trust him. Jeb thinks it's time for him to rejoin the flock and take over leadership of the group. Shortly after Jeb arrives, the house is attacked by Erasers. Erasers are half-human, half-wolf hunters also created by The School. Coincidentally, while the house is being attacked, Max and Fang are away “grocery shopping”, and only arrive back when the battle is over. Dillon and the younger kids were able to fight off the Erasers, but they are not happy that Max and Fang were away. In fact, the flock members think that Max has not been fulfilling her duties as flock leader, ever since declaring her love for Fang. A vote is taken, and it’s unanimous; Max is out of the flock and seven-year-old Angel takes over as leader!

The arrangement doesn’t last long, however, as Angel soon gives in to Doctor Haagen and decides to join him. Even worse, she lures Fang into the Doctor’s evil clutches. Haagan can’t wait to begin experimenting and his henchmen quickly strap Fang to an operating table. But Doctor Whacko makes a gross miscalculation with the sedative he injects into Fang. Angel watches on in horor as Fang’s heart-monitor slows, slows, and finally resolves into one continuous beeeeeep.

Angel can’t think of anything else to do but call Max. Sending out the strongest telepathic signal she can muster, she calls for help. Max an the rest of the flock, including Dillon, arrive within minutes and defeat Doctor Haagan and his henchmen, but is there any way to revive Fang who has been dead now for several minutes?

MY THOUGHTS: “Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel” is the sixth audio book in James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series. These books are written for a younger audience so the plots and storylines are not great. Having said that, I have to admit that Patterson threw a lot of twists and turns into “Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel.” A new member joins the flock, an old one leaves, someone dies, and someone gets married! All in one book!

I like what Patterson is doing with these audio books. In Maximum Ride, Patterson has created a popular character for kids to identify with. Now that Max has gained everyone’s attention, he is using her to educate our youth. In "The Final Warning" Patterson spoke out about global warming, then in "Max: A Maximum Ride Novel" the topic was pollution. Now, in “Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel” Patterson initially discusses world hunger,before touching briefly on the ticklish topic of stem-cell research. I applaud Patterson’s efforts, it's never too soon to get kids thinking about these things.

NARRATOR: Jill Apple is starting to grow on me. She read the previous audio book, “Max: A Maximum Ride Novel" and I wasn't sure if I liked her or not. I think she slowed down her pace for "Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel”, or maybe I’m just getting used to her.

FINAL WORD: Overall, “Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel” was a nicely put-together audio book. Hachette Audio again enhances the story with music and sound effects, and that is really starting to grow on me. The way James Patterson shook things up in this book, You just know there will be more to the Maximum Ride story. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
“Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment” by James Patterson
“The Final Warning: A Maximum Ride Novel” by James Patterson
“Max: A Maximum Ride Novel” by James Patterson


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This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audio book.
Audio book review by Steven Brandt
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