false 2235597 0316002925 9780316002929 1707 439 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2235597.The_Dangerous_Days_of_Daniel_X 3780 James Patterson 321166 24883 2 2 false Mon Dec 15 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Sun Sep 28 13:26:27 -0700 2008 Mon Dec 15 20:51:58 -0800 2008 1
I would like to say, that despite this "care," it featured a seriously nasty fight scene gross enough that I had to skip part of it. Ewwwwwwwww.

The formula just isn't working in this case. I think part of it is because all of the tiny things that I didn't like about Maximum Ride (and I love that series) are multiplied many times in this book. First of all, I wish Daniel wouldn't spend the first section of the book telling us how awesome his powers are. Don't tell us, SHOW us. And stop telling us how important things are - we're not stupid. If it's that important to the plot, we'll notice.

I didn't dislike Daniel as a character, but he wasn't nearly as engaging as Max and the flock. Also, the number of pop culture references, presumably thrown in to make the book seem cool, has even increased from those in Maximum Ride. Once in a while they can be amusing, but they feel sooooo contrived, and they're going to make the book feel dated in just a few years. To me, this just indicates that Patterson(/Ledwidge) doesn't expect the book to have any real staying power, and doesn't CARE that it dates itself, as long as his readers enjoy it for now. Fair enough.

(I would like to point out, though, that Stephenie Meyer purposely did not say that Bella was listening to Linkin Park - although she will tell you so in interviews - purposely to prevent this problem in Twilight.)

As usual it was a lightning-fast read. I read it basically in one sitting. It didn't suck me in even so much as the BAD Maximum Ride books, and I don't know if I'll even pick up the sequel.

(Another side note: Why are there previews into two different "further adventures" in the back? Why not just a preview chapter or four for the next book? Odd.)]]>