Friday, June 12, 2015

Fang (Maximum Ride, #6) by James Patterson

Fang: A Maximum Ride NovelFang by James Patterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Angel says that Fang will be the first to die, and Angel is never wrong. Maximum Ride is used to living desperately on the run from evil forces sabotaging her quest to save the world--but nothing has ever come as close to destroying her as this horrifying prophetic message. Fang is Max's best friend, her soul mate, her partner in the leadership of her flock of winged children. A life without Fang is a life unimaginable.

When a newly created winged boy, the magnificent Dylan, is introduced into the flock, their world is upended yet again. Raised in a lab like the others, Dylan exists for only one reason: he was designed to be Max's perfect other half. Thus unfolds a battle of perfection versus passion that terrifies, twists, and turns . . . and meanwhile, the apocalypse is coming.

My Review:

This was much better than the last two in the series, The Final Warning and Max, but not good enough to warrant a higher rating. I mentioned before that I may or may not continue in this series based on the outcome of this book. That being said, there is a possibility I'll subject myself to the potential punishment which could be Angel. However, I have grown to despise that little girl, so maybe not. Eh, time will tell.

Favorite Quote:

“Never underestimate the power of funny, it moves mountains.”

Read from April 06 to 21, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Fiction
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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Max (Maximum Ride, #5) by James Patterson

Max (Maximum Ride, #5)Max by James Patterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

When the planed faced destruction, they saved it. Now, Max and the flock have traded in Antarctica's subzero temperatures for sunny Los Angeles, where they're taking over the skies with their hair-raising air show. But far below, a deadly assassin watches their every move. waiting for the perfect moment to send them plummeting to earth.

Now the battle for survival rages on. Suddenly, the flock learns that millions of fish are dying off Hawaii's coast and that someone—or something—is destroying hundreds of ships. When they are confronted with the most frightening ecological catastrophe yet, they have no choice but to go deep into the murky waters. Now, nowhere is safe.

While Max and her team comb the depths of the ocean, a powerful enemy tracks them. He has his own plans for the flock and will stop at nothing until they're under his control.

My Review:

What am I doing? I must be a glutton for punishment because I keep reading on in the series. Yes, I love James Patterson, but this is just bad. I'm hoping it doesn't taint my overall view of his work.

Anyways, with that being said, here are the few many issues I had with this story in general.

1. Max went from being very confused about Fang's intentions and wanting to keep the brother/sister aspect strong to being head over heels in love. They are also only 14 years old. Plus, they live alone and travel together, I think it's time they have some supervision. In truth, I'm hoping for a teen pregnancy in a future installment.

2. Max repeatedly made mention of how under educated they are, but smart when it comes to the streets. That is fine and all, but while narrating, she used some big words that I didn't even use until college, and I was well educated prior to that. The writer doesn't necessary have to dumb down the narration, but they should make it a little more believable.

3. Total's storyline got super corny. Yes, I know he loves his dog friend, he is a dog too, but talking about marriage? Really? Even if he understands the concept, I'm sure his lady friend doesn't give a crap. She just wants to sniff his butt and be sniffed in return.

4. Angel was a complete pain in the butt. She kept putting herself and others in extremely dangerous situations. Fortunately for her, she kept getting away unscathed, but someone should discipline her in a way she'd get the message.

5. Jeb was there in the beginning, traveling with the Flock and Max's mom, but once she is kidnapped he disappears? That's strange. However, he does show back up after she is rescued. I'm wondering if that was a set-up for the next book.

6. Last but not least. In fact, this was my biggest peeve, all of Max's lists. She felt necessary to list everything, even if it didn't make sense.

Overall, I wasn't that impressed. Despite that fact, I'll probably read the next installment, just because I already have it checked out from the library, but if it gets much worse, I might have to draw the line. So bummed this is going down hill, and fast.

Favorite Quotes:

“I'm not Stubborn; I'm right!”

“Sometimes when you're at your most certain, that's when everything you know is wrong.”

“Irony sort of reaches up and slaps you in the face sometimes, doesn’t it?”


Read from March 25 to April 06, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, Fiction
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

The Final Warning (Maximum Ride, #4) by James Patterson

The Final Warning (Maximum Ride Series #4)The Final Warning by James Patterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride and the other members of "Flock"--Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel--are just like ordinary kids--only they have wings and can fly. It seems like a dream come true--except that they're still being hunted by new threats at every turn.

This time, the US government wants to keep the Flock under observation, offering a safe haven and schooling in return. But after their incredible adventures in books 1-3, Max and Flock have grown to love freedom- -after all, haven't grown-ups always found a way to ruin their lives? After escaping the control of the feds, they are surprised to find themselves allied with a group of environmental scientists who just might be trustworthy. Besides, what enemy could find them in one of the remotest locations on earth--Antarctica--on an expedition studying the effects of global warming up close?

There is one: The Uber-Director--literally, brains on a stick--an evil being who has developed mechanical soldiers far more frightening than Erasers. Their quest? To retrieve the Flock and sell them in a global auction for billions of dollars. Will the Uber-Director nab them before Max, Fang and the flock succumb to the dangers of the harsh Antarctic wilderness? Kids, parents and educators tuned into the issue of global warming will find this latest episode of the blockbuster Maximum Ride series not only a particularly riveting adventure beyond their wildest dreams, but also a motivating cautionary tale about a real-life peril that may affect their own future.

My Review:

Sadly disappointed. The story was decent until the end, then I almost moved this to my DNF shelf. I have never even considered that with a James Patterson book. I thought it was a little pretentious, with so much talk about global warming throughout the book, but at the end, I wanted to scream "get off your soapbox!"

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It's not that I disagree, but I understand. I feel this book was used more as a platform to preach to the younger generation. We all must do our part, I get it, but if I wanted to read a book about that subject, I wouldn't go looking in this genre. Oh well, at least it was a quick read.

I chose to read this book for a challenge that required I read a book with little to no romance, and I think I succeeded. Unless you count the puppy love, and I mean that very literally. Total, the talking dog was googoo-gaga over a normal dog. I'm not going to count that.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. I will probably read the next in the series, but I'm thinking if you don't feel like being talked to as you read this, just skip onto the next. James Patterson seems to do a decent job summing up the previous stories to get you going.

Favorite Quotes:


“Right now, America looks like a fatheaded, shortsighted, gas-guzzling arrogant blowhard to the rest of the world.”

“You stand out like a fart in a church.”


Read in February, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, Fiction
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (Maximum Ride, #3) by James Patterson

Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (Maximum Ride Series #3)Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the third installment of James Patterson's Maximum Ride series, the time has arrived for Max and her winged "Flock" to face their ultimate enemy and discover their original purpose: to defeat the takeover of "Re-evolution", a sinister experiment to re-engineer a select population into a scientifically superior master race...and to terminate the rest. Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel have always worked together to defeat the forces working against them--but can they save the world when they are torn apart, living in hiding and captivity, halfway across the globe from one another?

My Review:

What is the one thing you are not supposed to do in a horror movie? Split up. What does the flock do? Split up. This was a stupid move, however, it did allow us to get to see Fang more as an individual, rather than Max's second in command.

In the end, things worked out and everyone is back together. I have a hard time visualizing the flock as 14 years and younger, especially when a spark of romance is worked into the storyline. I wish they had been written just a little bit older. Otherwise, no more complaints, as this was a quick and entertaining read.

Favorite Quotes:

“Basically, I have two speeds.... Hostile or smart-aleck. Your choice.”

“I don't damsel well. Distress, I can do. Damseling? Not so much.”

“The trick to having obedient, unquestioning children was to have death be the other option”

“There you have it: our lives in a nutshell. Emphasis on nut.”

“On the other hand, sometimes a happy delusion is better than grim reality.”


Read from November 13 to 25, 2014

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, Fiction
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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

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

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

The heart-stopping quest of six winged kids--led by fourteen-year-old Max--to find their parents and investigate the mind-blowing mystery of their ultimate destiny continues when they're taken under the wing of an FBI agent and attempt, for the first time, to live "normal" lives. But going to school and making friends doesn't stop them from being relentlessly hunted by sinister spies, who lead Max to face her most frightening match yet: a new and better version of herself.

My Review:

Decent continuation. I'll admit that this round of events "the Flock" experienced did raise a lot of questions and it was starting to disturb me because the logical answer didn't fit into the story line. Then I remembered, this is a fun story, quit being so technical, and I was able to get back into things happily.

I admit, Angel is my least favorite character because she is unpredictable and a little selfish, which is a bad combination. I really like Iggy & Fang for their own reasons, which I don't feel the need to get into. I do like the rest of the Flock, but those two are my favorite.

I'm not one for angst, but I can feel some pull between Max & Fang, and I'm hoping things will develop naturally (especially for their age). I have also wondered why the story wasn't written to work between Max & Iggy, they are the same age. Is it because Fang is dark and mysterious or is it because Iggy is blind? I'm not sure, but will probably read on to find out.

Favorite Quote:

“Homework is a term that means grown up imposed yet self-afflicting torture.”


Read from September 16 to 18, 2014

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Adventure
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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Monday, June 8, 2015

The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, #1) by James Patterson

The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, #1)The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Characters based on James Patterson's international bestsellers When the Wind Blows and The Lake House are re-invented in Maximum Ride and are launched on the ultimate action-packed adventure full of humor and suspense.

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 genetically engineered by sinister scientists. Her friends brave a journey to 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?

My Review:

I read The Lake House and enjoyed it. I then saw this book, by the same author, James Patterson, and thought this might be the same story under a different name. I didn't think much about it after that. However, it came up in a challenge and I thought I'd re-read it.

I was wrong, it isn't exactly the same. There are many of the same characters and some of the same elements, but different and just as good. If you like James Patterson, if you like sci-fi/fantasy, if you like a strong female heroine, and if you like the idea of being true to your family/friends - you'll enjoy this book too!

Favorite Quotes:

“Because what’s worse than knowing you want something, besides knowing you can never have it?”

“There's nothing more annoying than cold logic and reason when you've got a good fit going.”


Read from August 02 to 20, 2014

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Adventure
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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Friday, June 5, 2015

Croak (Croak, #1) by Gina Damico

Croak (Croak, #1)Croak by Gina Damico

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fed up with her wild behavior, sixteen-year-old Lex's parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape.

But Uncle Mort's true occupation is much dirtier than shoveling manure. He's a Grim Reaper. And he's going to teach Lex the family business.

She quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. But Lex can't stop her desire for justice - or is it vengeance? - whenever she encounters a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again.

Will she ditch Croak and go rogue with her reaper skills?

My Review:

Interesting concept. Lex, the main character was a pain in the ass and could be quite frustrating to read. I fought the idea of liking her, but supposed I fell for her in the end. I loved Driggs and Uncle Mort immediately, and I think they were just the people to counter Lex's behavior.

I enjoyed the fact that there wasn't a love triangle, or a sexual angst (that can get old when it's in every other book I read). I do have to admit that I was caught way off guard at the part where Driggs & Lex are yelling at each other and Gina Damico mentions that once they were done they could rip each others clothes off and have crazy sex (of course I'm paraphrasing - I should have remembered exactly where that quote was). It just seemed so out of the blue considering the pace of the story. I feel that the little bit of tension between Driggs & Lex was perfect, and that this was unnecessary to the storyline. I suppose it didn't hurt anything, but nothing was gained either.

What makes this book totally worth it? The dead Presidents and Edgar Allen Poe! Hilarious!

I'd recommend this book to someone who is interested in afterlife, paranormal activities (in a sense) and a story that has friendship and bonding, sprinkled with a little bit of romance in a g-rated sense.

Read from November 10 to 12, 2014

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy/Paranormal, Fantasy, Fantasy/Urban Fantasy, Mystery
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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Scorch (Croak, #2) by Gina Damico

Scorch (Croak, #2)Scorch by Gina Damico

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby is a teenage grim reaper with the bizarre ability to damn souls. That makes her pretty scary, even to fellow Grims. But after inadvertently transferring her ability to Zara, a murderous outlaw, Lex is a pariah in Croak, the little town she calls home.

To escape the townspeople’s wrath, she and her friends embark on a wild road trip to DeMyse. Though this sparkling desert oasis is full of luxuries and amusements, it feels like a prison to Lex. Her best chance at escape would be to stop Zara once and for all—but how can she do that from DeMyse, where the Grims seem mysteriously oblivious to Zara’s killing spree?

My Review:

I enjoyed the first in this series, Croak. I liked Lex from the beginning, although she could be quite frustrating. I loved Driggs to, as well as the rest of the supporters. I really liked the heightened adventure and sense of doom in this story, it amped the story up quite a bit.

Without saying too much, I feel like Gina Damico took a taste from George R.R. Martin's books, although it was just a taste, thank goodness.

I'd recommend this book if you have already read Croak, it did not disappoint me. I will probably read on as there was a huge cliff hanger at the end.

Read from December 04 to 08, 2014

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy/Paranormal, Fantasy, Fantasy/Urban Fantasy, Fantasy/Supernatural
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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Rogue (Croak, #3) by Gina Damico

Rogue (Croak, #3)Rogue by Gina Damico

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Lex is a teenage Grim Reaper with the power to Damn souls, and it’s getting out of control. She’s a fugitive, on the run from the maniacal new mayor of Croak and the townspeople who want to see her pay the price for her misdeeds. Uncle Mort rounds up the Junior Grims to flee Croak once again, but this time they’re joined by Grotton, the most powerful Grim of all time. Their new mission is clear: Fix his mistakes, or the Afterlife will cease to exist, along with all the souls in it. 

The gang heads for Necropolis, the labyrinth-like capital city of the Grimsphere. There, they discover that the Grimsphere needs a reboot. To do that, the portals to the Afterlife must be destroyed…but even that may not be enough to fix the damage. Things go from bad to worse, and when at last the fate of the Afterlife and all the souls of the Damned hang in the balance, it falls to Lex and her friends to make one final, impossible choice.

My Review:

5 huge stars for this book, and the series as a whole, even though I rated Croak only 4 stars. With each new installment, the series continued to surpass my expectations. Gina Damico kept things natural (well, as natural as a supernatural story could be), down-to-earth, sarcastic, and dark. A great combination in my opinion. It wasn't all rainbows and butterflies when it came to young love, there were complications, stressors, obstacles, and heartbreak.

Lex continues to run headlong into danger while thinking she is finally making unselfish decisions to help others, and of course, without too much forethought, she keeps making things worse. She manages to come through in the end though. Her sarcasm in stressful situations was something I could definitely relate to, as I have said many an inappropriate thing during the most inappropriate times for this reason alone. I think this personality, and Driggs' as well, is what kept this story from plunging into the dark abyss. They kept it right on the edge.

Driggs was optimistic as always, especially despite his situation. He stuck to his values and reacted appropriately. I'm glad Lex and him got to experience something "cracktastic", that is something most teenagers think about when the concept of dying young comes up. I also enjoyed the struggle they had to get there.

All the other supporting characters provided the right amount of dialog and background to give this story the depth it deserves. The sacrifice of Mort, Pip, Skyla, etc., Grotton's change of character, Ferbis' grudge and help, A.J.'s circumstances, Pandora's position, Cord's and Zara's support, and Edgar Allen Poe's presence (my 2nd favorite supporting character).

The story ended beautifully. I don't want to go into too much detail because I want you to experience it the way I did. If you liked the first in the series, they only get better from there. I'd recommend this series as a whole, and will not hesitate to pick up another from Gina Damico.

Read from June 01 to 05, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy/Paranormal, Fantasy, Fantasy/Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Ghosts
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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Wednesday, June 3, 2015

The Postcard Killers by James Patterson

The Postcard KillersThe Postcard Killers by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Paris is stunning in the summer

NYPD detective Jacob Kanon is on a tour of Europe's most gorgeous cities. But the sights aren't what draw him--he sees each museum, each cathedral, and each cafe through the eyes of his daughter's killer.

The killing is simply marvelous

Kanon's daughter, Kimmy, and her boyfriend were murdered while on vacation in Rome. Since then, young couples in Paris, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, and Stockholm have been found dead. Little connects the murders, other than a postcard to the local newspaper that precedes each new victim.

Wish you were here

Now Kanon teams up with the Swedish reporter, Dessie Larsson, who has just received a postcard in Stockholm--and they think they know where the next victims will be. With relentless logic and unstoppable action, The Postcard Killers may be James Patterson's most vivid and compelling thriller yet.

My Review:

Ah, another successfully entertaining and well-written James Patterson book, of course with the help of Liza Marklund.

Sometimes I think I like his books that are not apart of a series. This story had all the right ingredients for a quick, thrilling read. As a reader, I became invested in the lives of Dessi and Jacob, both professionally and romantically. The ending was nice and could have gone either way. A happy ending or a tragic ending, and either would have been just as satisfying.

I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in a quick read with shocking details, and for those who enjoy a JP book.

Read from May 26 to June 02, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery/Crime, Suspense, Thriller/Mystery Thriller
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

View all my reviews