Max (Maximum Ride #5) by James Patterson Start Date: October 11, 2013

[Vicki]

We are continuing to follow the Flock with book number 5, hopefully on October 11 if this date jives for everyone who wants to join.

[Becky]

I'm in.

[Becky]

Hey Vicki, you need to put the date in the thread title. :-)

[Vicki]

Haha! Guess I was in a hurry! I'm on cell now so will fix later.

[Kathy]

Yay! I can't wait! :)

[Vicki]

I know! I'm really excited for this one. This series is definitely one of my favorites!!!

[Kathy]

Yes!! Mine too! :)

[Becky]

I just hope it's a vast improvement over the last one. LOL!

[Vicki]

Yes, I agree. Almost anything would be an improvement! Lol

[Vicki]

YAY!!! Tomorrow is the big day! I am SO excited for this one, one of my favorite series. I can hardly wait to see what the Flock is up to and hoping this one is better than the last book.

I sure hope you girls are still on board!

[Kathy]

Yep! I'm good to go!

How do we want to do this? Just 2 parts this time; prologue, 76 chapters and then the epilogue. Mine is large print and 398 pages.

We could do:

day 1 - prologue to part 2 (chapter 27)
day 2 - part 2 (chapter 27) to chapter 51
day 3 - chapter 51 to epilogue

I need to get Sweet Shadows started, so I'll start this one later today. :D

[Vicki]

That sounds perfect to me! I love this series!! Lol

[Kathy]

Great! I love it too! I hope this one is better than the last one! :D

[Vicki]

Oh, I know. I can't believe MAX won't be better!! LOL

[Becky]

That sounds good. I'll be a day behind you because I'll be out of commission all day Saturday!

[Kathy]

Yay! I can't wait to get started! :D

[Vicki]

OMG every time I get into a new book I realize AGAIN how much I love the Flock and Max's smart mouth! LOL

This book is a lot better than the lost one. Thankfully! I am falling in love with all these kids again, and Total has just really grown in his character and my love for him, too. I love when he asked (view spoiler)[ Ms. Hamilton if they could use calculators for math and if they were "paw-ready." LOL (hide spoiler)]

I love how Patterson is able to review the past books and the Flock's problems without just totally repeating everything. His talking to the reader again, such as "see book 3" is just so fun for me to read. I feel like it's an old friend reminding me of what they've gone through, their ages and "gifts" and so forth.

This can cover up to chapter 22: The new character Devin (view spoiler)[failed to kill Max. (hide spoiler)] YAY!

I love how when the agent Steve asks Angel her name she says, (view spoiler)["Isabella von Frankenstein Rothschild. (hide spoiler)] OMG she cracks me up! I'm so in love with her, like to the point that I truly want to meet her. LOL

And then Nudge as she (view spoiler)[ licks her fingers says her name is "Cinnamon Allspice La Fever." (hide spoiler)] It's words and phrases like this that makes me want to come here and just post and share the pleasure in how Patterson is able to be so original and come up with such original and fun stuff!

Fang's blog (view spoiler)[ has sure grown since the last book, right? (hide spoiler)]

Max is my idol! She (view spoiler)[ calls Mr. Chu Chuey, Chu-ster, and Brigid Dr. Amazing and some other special nicknames. But OMG I love that she and Fang made out! She had so many different feelings, and then she said, "It was pretty much the worst thing that could ever happen to a girl. I highly recommend it" and "This is my brain O. This is my brain after making out with Fang [little bullet]." (hide spoiler)]

Nudge: I feel so bad for her because she (view spoiler)[ just wants so badly to be "normal" and go to school and learn, but just seems like that is never going to happen. (hide spoiler)]

Max's mom: (view spoiler)[ I can't believe that she got kidnapped. Poor Max and all the kids, really. But I still don't know if I even trust her. (hide spoiler)]

Jeb: (view spoiler)[ Not much has happened with him yet, but I still don't trust him 100% either. (hide spoiler)]

Ms. Hamilton: I was concerned about her when Max said that she had (view spoiler)[ heard that voice before, but she couldn't quite remember where. And anyone who works for a school in these books is suspect. LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Okay, I am done with the reading for today and just might finish it today.I'll read in other books I'm behind on and see, but based on how quiet everyone else is in the group I am assuming you aren't reading yet or not up to our finishing spots?

I am really excited that (view spoiler)[ Max is falling so hard for Fang and loves their kissing sessions, but why do they always have to have something bad follow it? I hope she doesn't think it's bad omen. (hide spoiler)]

What is with Dr. Chu? He is really quite (view spoiler)[ scary and actually dangerous. I worry about what he'll do to the Flock when he gets his hands on them! (hide spoiler)]

Oh, and I am totally THRILLED that (view spoiler)[ Nudge came back. I knew that she'd join them at some point, but was wondering how it'd come in to play. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky]

I haven't even started. Sorry! I just got home from a conference and I'm leaving in a hour for the evening! I'm glad to see you are enjoying it!

A quick read I take it?

[Vicki]

Very quick! I can't wait until you read it and post your comments too. But no pressure because you have been so patient with me! LOL

[Becky]

LOL Vicki! Thanks! I hate having my whole day used up, but sometimes you can't help it!

Hugs!

[Vicki]

Amen to that! LOL ENJOY life as it comes along. Sometimes things take precedence and I think we all (or at least most) understand. You KNOW I do! LOL

[Kathy]

Yeah, I haven't started either. Prob tonight or tomorrow! :D

[Vicki]

Yay!!! I love it and I'm finishing it today.

[Kathy]

Vicki wrote: "Yay!!! I love it and I'm finishing it today."

Wow! Ok, that must mean it's better than the last one? Sweet! :D

[Vicki]

Absolutely better! I am pretty sure you'll agree!

[Vicki]

Becky, are you putting this one on the back burner, or are you reading it and just keeping quiet? LOL

I'm ready to schedule when you are done. I know you've been busy, so no pressure. I am still working on Spark (after I finish I Hunt Killers). LOL

[Becky]

No I'm going to read it. It's been a tough 4 days here at my house - mostly busy wise! I ahve it right next to me and it's due back October 18, so I'll get on it next, but I HAVE to finish book 7 in the Grey Wolves series, it's killing me, it's so sad. It better redeem itself, darnit! LOL

[Vicki]

Awe, that darn gray wolf! Lol NO problem at all!!!

[Kathy]

Becky wrote: "No I'm going to read it. It's been a tough 4 days here at my house - mostly busy wise! I ahve it right next to me and it's due back October 18, so I'll get on it next, but I HAVE to finish book 7 ..."

I hope things get better for you Becky! Sending a soft and warm hug your way! :)

[Kathy]

I'm only 13 chapters in and I have to go to bed. I have an early day tomorrow.

I love Max and the flock too! I love her voice, when she talks directly to us about previous books and jokes about things, it's so funny! I really love her sarcastic and snarky attitude! I wish Fang would kiss her again and then Max would let him! lol!

Not sure what to make of (view spoiler)[ these M-Geeks! That's where I am right now, they shot Max out of the sky and are taking her to see 'Mr. Chu'. (hide spoiler)]

I have a meeting in the morning and then I go back to work in the afternoon, but I'll be home after dinner and I'll catch up on reading then. :)

[Vicki]

Kathy wrote: "I'm only 13 chapters in and I have to go to bed. I have an early day tomorrow.

I love Max and the flock too! I love her voice, when she talks directly to us about previous books and jokes about t..."

The (view spoiler)[M-Geeks (hide spoiler)] are explained later in the book.

I will tell you this much if you want to read this: (view spoiler)[ Max and Fang do get some romance in but that's all I'm saying. (hide spoiler)]

[Kathy]

27 chapter done!

Vicki, I'll look at your spoilers later...after work, I'm just going to make a couple of comments.

The leader guy (view spoiler)[ They made him look like Ari!! They are some really sick dudes to do that to Max! And taking her mom? That's low! I can't wait for Max to kick Mr. Chu's butt! (hide spoiler)]

Fang (view spoiler)[ Yes!! I they did kiss again!! But I think this thing with Max and not knowing what to do about her feelings toward Fang is an on going thing, all the way to the last book. I read a blurb on the back of one of the books and it said "He loves her, she loves him not" WTH?? I don't know I guess we'll have to see! (hide spoiler)]

[Becky]

I'm on page 98, chapter 23 and wow, I don't know what to say.

Although I love the flock, it seems like the same stuff just keeps happening over and over with different bad guys,... Maybe I'm just too tired, lol!

I love that Fang and Max finally spent some quality time together tho!!! Yay! :-)

[Kathy]

Yes! Love all the little names Max gives to people she doesn't like and the names they give themselves! Max's interpretation of their (view spoiler)[make-out scene is just hilarious! (hide spoiler)]

I don't know if I'm ready to (view spoiler)[ think about Max's mom being a potentional bad guy! I don't want her to be bad!! I want her to have at least one person...a grown up and outside the flock that won't betray her!!! She had better not be bad! (hide spoiler)]

I can't believe (view spoiler)[ Nudge didn't go with them! I feel bad for her too! I mean I would be tired too! All these people wanting me dead and trying to kill me! (hide spoiler)]

Ms. Hamilton (view spoiler)[ I had not even thought about that! Even when Max said that she hadn't heard the Voice in her head in a while, it did not dawn on me that she thought that as soon as Ms. Hamilton opened her mouth! And she is supposed to be one of Max's mom's BFF! So what does that say about her mom is she's bad too! Or at least she's the Voice and maybe her mom knew about that?!? *sigh* Just not good! (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Kathy wrote: "27 chapter done!

Vicki, I'll look at your spoilers later...after work, I'm just going to make a couple of comments.

The leader guy [spoilers removed]

Fang [spoilers removed]"

Oh NO! I hope she doesn't continue to fight it!

[Vicki]

Kathy wrote: "Yes! Love all the little names Max gives to people she doesn't like and the names they give themselves! Max's interpretation of their [spoilers removed]

I don't know if I'm ready to [spoilers remo..."

I agree with your spoilers. I totally understand why Nudge did what she did...that's all I can say for now.

I hope you still like the book enough to continue with the series. It is better than the last one, right?

[Becky]

Oh I still plan to continue. Is it just me or is the plot just repeating over and over with different peripheral characters?

I'm not as far as Kathy yet, but I do wish Max would just love Fang, lol, and stop worrying about it! And I don't like Nudge being gone, but I totally get why she wanted to stay. I hope she's safe!

[Kathy]

Oh yeah! I'll continue with it! It is better than the last one! Though I think Becky is right, it seems to be the same plot, just with different bad guys. But I just love the flock! Love Max and Fang! I wish she would stop averison for emotions! I mean she's a girl!! Girl's are supposed to feel! A lot!! *Sigh* lol!! :D

I'll read more later! :D

[Becky]

What she said, lol.

[Vicki]

Haha! I just love you girls! I think I have the answer! It's not the series or the plot line that is so amazing, it's the characters! At least for me. I LOVE Max's snarky attitude and Angel is just way to big for her britches!! I love them so much that I feel like I'm going to miss them!

I'm just glad you both plan to finish with me. :o)

[Kathy]

LOL!! Love you too, Vicki! I agree with you about it being the characters! They certainly make this series enjoyable!!

Gazzy (view spoiler)[ Poor little guy getting a man-of-war on his head! I was cracking up when Angel scolded those hammerheads though! Loved it when she shook her finger at them!! (hide spoiler)]

Max and Fang (view spoiler)[ Yes!! Glad she is getting over her emotion allergy! And I agree, Vicki! Why doesn't it always have to end on a bad note?? I don't like that! (hide spoiler)]

I glad too! (view spoiler)[ Nudge is back!!! Yay! I was hoping she would come back too! (hide spoiler)]

Mr. Chu (view spoiler)[ Why are the M-Geeks made they way they are? There aren't very strudy are they? I'm woried about what he plans to do with Max's mom and our flock too! (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Oh I agree with you, especially about EVIL Mr. Chu!! And that (view spoiler)[ Nudge came back. I knew she would! (hide spoiler)]

[Kathy]

OK!! I'm done! Wow! I didn't expect that ending!

Do you think (view spoiler)[ Brigid is evil?? Or is she just trying to help them by putting herself in harms way? I don't know what to think! Only that I always thought that she was waaaayyy too old to be making moon eyes at Fang. But that could have been the scientist in her, being in awe of him? It's a good cover I guess, but if she is bad then I'm going to be pissed because he trusted her! (hide spoiler)]

I thought it was kind of odd that (view spoiler)[ all of a sudden Angel is telling them that they have gills just like she does. I don't remember that ever coming up before. It just seemed to come out of no where or is that just me? (hide spoiler)]

I'm so glad (view spoiler)[ that she finally let go of her reluctance to let herself feel her feelings toward Fang and her emotions! Maybe this won't be an ongoing thing! (hide spoiler)]

What date do you want to set up for

[Becky]

I really need to wait to November if we can. I hate that I am so overbooked, but there are just way too many books and not enough Becky time, lol!

[Kathy]

Becky wrote: "I really need to wait to November if we can. I hate that I am so overbooked, but there are just way too many books and not enough Becky time, lol!"

Yes!! Way too many! Nov is perfect for me too! How about Nov 20? Or we can do later too! Whatever you want Becky! :D

[Vicki]

Nov. 20 is perfect for me too if it works for Becky. :o)

Kathy, regarding your spoilers, unfortunately, I have always thought that (view spoiler)[ Brigid is evil, mainly because of how she's "come on to" Fang. Not good at all!! So only time will tell. (hide spoiler)]

I didn't think it was odd that they (view spoiler)[ grew gills. I just figured they needed them for their task at hand and they came in at the right time. LOL (hide spoiler)]

And I think we are all glad about your last spoiler. LOL

[Becky]

Nov 20 is completely awesome guys! Thanks!!!!!!!

I <3 you guys. sorry I haven't been around much. Been at my ex-sil's house (fun!) and haven't had much time to read or be on the computer!

Can one of the 2 of you make the thread?

[Kathy]

Becky wrote: "Nov 20 is completely awesome guys! Thanks!!!!!!!

I <3 you guys. sorry I haven't been around much. Been at my ex-sil's house (fun!) and haven't had much time to read or be on the computer!

Can o..."

No worries Becky! Just do what you can and we'll be here when you're ready! <3 you too! :D

I'll make it now! :)

[Vicki]

Thanks, Kathy. Glad the 20th works for all of us.