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

Itex has come up with a genocidal scheme to reduce the world's entire population by one half. It's up to the flock to stop the insane scientists from following through with their plan. Itex has several new tricks up it's sleeve, including an array of mutants they consider superior to the flock. (Which probably has something to do with the fact that the flock has zero respect for authority.) Itex isn't going down without a fight. They've assembled a force of robotic "Flyboys" that have replaced Erasers, and the organization is committed to capturing Max.

Meanwhile, the flock is trying to work out some smaller problems. They have to stay safe and away from Itex, but there is a slight dispute about hoe to go about it. Fang wants to lie low and use his blog to spread the word about Itex's plan. Max, however, thinks that the grop needs to take action and destroy Itex. When the two can't compromise, they split. Iggy and Gazzy head west with Fang, while the girls and Total move to Europe with Max to fight Itex. Max is heartbroken by the separation of her family. Of course, that;s not the only reason. Max is starting to have warm fuzzy feelings for Fang, but the two of them just don't get it yet. Regardless of their argument, the group will need to work together to stop Itex and save the world.

I can't say it enough - Max is a great heroine. She's brave, smart, funny, you name it. Even so, she's trying to be keep an eye on the mission and do the same for the kids. She's all business when it comes to Itex, and she has a hard time relaxing and letting the kids have fun. While they're exploring Europe, Max lets the kids look at all the famous site, from England's crown jewels to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. She's very tightly wound. It's a trait I've noticed in the other books, and I'm glad she's changing. It lets the kids enjoy life in the flock more if they don't have to be on edge all the time, I think.

I can't say I agree with the idea to split. First of all, the reason was a little crazy. Fang was triggered to leave when Ari starts hanging with the flock. (Oh, yeah. Ari goes with Max when the flock splits. Always the loyal little brother, that one. Even when he tries to kill his sister.) Fang can't believe that Max would be in the same place as the guy who tried to kill her willingly and gives Max a choice: Ari or him. "Course Max is going to choose Ari when you're being dumb like that, Fang. Ever heard the quote, "Keep in mind that people change but the past doesn't?" That's sort of what Max was thinking when she decided not to make Ari leave. I also think the flock needs to stay together. If they're going to save the world and kick Itex's evil butt, they need all the numbers they can get. Itex is a pretty big company, after all. In any case, I basically thought Fang was being stupid to split and it killed me to see the flock broken up. When Max cries, I cry.

Max and theflock always have a snappy comeback and a joke, which helps make the book funny and gave me plenty of laughs. Even though the book is funny, the race to save humanity adds plenty of suspense. The book has more than it's fair share of action-packed fights, and I love the mystery of Max trying to figure out who's trying to use her and test the flock. I am eager to read the next book, and Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports gets a good 4/5 stars!

#madscientists #jamespatterson #humor #survival #friendship