Jenny-fa

WARNING: 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. — Max.

That is the cryptic warning a certain heroine named Maximum Ride gives right before the opening chapter of James Patterson's novel, Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment. But the intrigue doesn't end there. In fact, the novel proved so engrossing that after stealing this book from my brother (ahem), I flipped to a random page in the middle, began reading, and couldn't stop until I reached the back cover. Which is really something, since 1) I don't usually begin reading a book from the middle unless I think it's worthless, 2) this novel is written for middle schoolers, whereas I'm already a high school sophomore, and 3) I loved it so much, now I'm reading the first half.

Why? Maybe because the story centers on a "flock" of mutant, winged children with 2 percent avian DNA, their escape from the School, the laboratory from whence they came, and a plethora of adventures, trials, and encounters with other mutants, especially the wolf-like "Erasers." And the whole premise of the novel, winged kids with superhuman abilities struggling to find the answers to their past, and especially the part about wings, is just so appealing.

I hardly ever recommend a book, especially one intended for a younger audience, but Maximum Ride proves to be an exception. If you have any free time in your busy schedule, you should most definitely head to the library and give it a try.

[Edit] Also, the official Web site will show you the way. [/Edit]