Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel represents the sixth installment in the Maximum Ride collection authored by James Patterson. It was first published on February 5, 2010, across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, followed by a March 15, 2010 release in the United States. The book's promotional tagline reads: He has always been there for her. Now he may be gone forever.
In January 2010, James Patterson’s official website offered complimentary audio previews of the initial six chapters.
Plot
The Flock journeys to Chad to distribute medical aid and food supplies as part of the Coalition to Stop the Madness initiative but encounters resistance from local insurgents opposing external assistance. After overcoming these adversaries, they provide rice and support to the inhabitants.
Angel foresees Fang as the first member destined to perish, unsettling the group until Dr. Hans, a former Itex employee, intervenes. He introduces Max and Angel to Dylan, a bird kid with limited flight capabilities. Dr. Hans discloses his intention to accelerate human evolution using the Flock as prototypes and requests Max’s cooperation, demonstrating innovations such as self-regenerating fingers. Max declines and returns to alert the Flock.
Back in the United States at their cliffside residence known as the E house—where they lived during Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment—the group remains secure. Total rejoins after staying with Max’s mother. Following some tension with Angel, Max implements a self-directed homeschooling regimen aimed at better comprehending their adversaries. A museum visit prompts Iggy to voice frustration about his blindness.
Tensions rise within the Flock until Max proposes a collective birthday celebration. During this event, Jeb arrives accompanied by Dylan, who struggles with flying. Max starts instructing him by encouraging him to leap off a rooftop. The Flock remains displeased with Max; angry at Jeb’s presence, Max departs with Fang trailing behind. Concurrently, Erasers—thought extinct since Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports—attack those left behind. Dylan reveals he has combat training and regenerative abilities.
Upon returning, Max and Fang discover they have been voted out for neglecting their responsibilities in favor of their relationship. They set off for Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the house’s water supply becomes contaminated with a genetic accelerator that induces mutations. Angel replaces Max as leader and leads the Flock to a Hollywood party where they experience adverse effects and face attacks. Jeb is shot defending them but survives.
After recuperation, Angel aligns with Dr. Hans while Max resumes leadership duties. Fang warns Max against following him through a letter before being captured and injected with Dr. Hans’s genetic accelerator drug, which nearly proves fatal. Angel telepathically signals Max for assistance; although initially unresponsive, Fang is revived using adrenaline. Dylan attempts to assassinate Dr. Hans but ends up injuring himself in a failed suicide attempt and survives.
The epilogue reveals Total marrying Akila; Fang departs early from the reception. Upon returning home, Max discovers a letter from Fang explaining his departure due to their relationship putting the group at risk and urging her not to search for him. He promises that if they both survive peacefully for twenty years, they will reunite at their childhood flying cliff.
Max reviews Fang’s files on an old laptop, including his evaluations of her leadership style and records of recent events in Africa and Las Vegas. Among these is a heartfelt letter expressing his conflicted emotions regarding Dylan’s interest in Max and responses to fan questions revealing his internal struggles. Fang concludes that his resentment toward Dylan impairs his judgment, leading to his departure despite lifelong loyalty to Max.
Main characters
- Maximum (Max) Ride – Serving as the protagonist and narrator, Max leads the Flock and fulfills a maternal role within the group. She possesses the ability to fly at speeds exceeding 200 mph and can hold her breath underwater. Max hears a guiding Voice in her mind that offers counsel. Throughout the story, she is romantically connected to Fang but later forms a relationship with Dylan. At 15 years old, Max stands approximately 5'8" tall, has dirty blonde hair, and sports a 14-foot wingspan adorned with light brown feathers highlighted by blonde streaks.
- Fang – Acting as co-leader alongside Max, Fang is characterized by his introspective and strategic demeanor. He can blend seamlessly into his environment by remaining motionless and is capable of underwater breathing. Also 15 years old, Fang shares a romantic bond with Max. He measures about 6'3", has olive-toned skin, dark eyes, and black hair with a 14-foot wingspan covered in glossy black feathers that shimmer purple under sunlight. Eventually, Fang departs to establish his own flock.
- Iggy – The Flock’s expert in weaponry and Gazzy’s closest companion, Iggy is blind due to an accident during night-vision research in a laboratory. Despite his blindness, he can perceive colors and recognize individuals through touch. He also turns 15 during the narrative.
- Nudge – Known formally as Monique, Nudge is a loquacious African-American girl who celebrates her 12th birthday. She possesses skills in computer hacking and has the ability to attract metallic objects.
- Gasman (Gazzy) – Nicknamed for his unpredictable digestive issues, Gazzy is Angel’s older brother and one of the two siblings related by blood within the Flock. At 9 years old, he can emit large volumes of foul-smelling gas and imitate any sound he hears.
- Angel – The youngest member at age 7 and Gazzy’s sister, Angel has the power to read and influence minds, breathe underwater, communicate with aquatic creatures, and transform into a bird of paradise. She harbors ambitions to lead the Flock but frequently finds herself at odds with Max.
- Total – A winged dog capable of flight who communicates verbally. Total falls in love with Akila and ultimately marries her by the conclusion of the book.
- Dylan – The newest addition to the group, Dylan was created through cloning after the original Dylan died in an automobile accident. He serves as Max’s ideal counterpart, featuring blonde hair, blue eyes, tan skin, superior flying and combat abilities, and a singing voice said to be powerful enough to "stop a rabid dog."
- The Voice – A supportive entity residing in Max’s mind since The Angel Experiment, offering guidance though its presence diminishes in later books.
Reception
A reviewer from Booklist remarked that this installment will captivate fans of the Maximum Ride series.