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

Saving the world
Apr 15, 2015
3 min read

Max and the flock have a pretty impressive list of achievements. Between the wings, superpowers, and seemingly endless humor, one would wonder why so many evil, power-hungry nutjobs keep underestimating them. Now the flock is traveling to Antarctica to work with a team of scientists researching global warming. Of course, having the flock to observe is an added bonus. At the bottom if the world, the flock's troubles seems so far away. Of course, danger follows the flock everywhere, and new enemies are biding their time in the backround. If that wasn't trouble enough, Max is seeing the effects of global warming firsthand. Something needs to be done, but not enough people are listening to her.

After the events of Saving The World and Other Extreme Sports, Max, while still dishing out her trademark humor, isa bit more serious and tactful. I was so proud of her when, confronted with a good chunk of the US government, she didn't say anything snappy when the ticked her off. Max isn't exactly a model of self-restraint, but she's getting there. I never want her to be serious. Being funny is such a huge part of her personality. Without it, she'd still be brave and strong, but she just wouldn't be Max, y'know?

How to express... Like, okay: Max and Fang's relationship, if you can call it that. God, it's just another reason why I love them so much! Neither of them have zero experience, and it's so cute, but also a bit frustrating. On one hand, Max caresf or Fang, but she keeps pushing him away because she's scared about being in a relationship. Then she gets jealous when he spends time with other people, like the Red-Headed Wonder. Fang is so patient with Max. He gets how she works, but I think he's also a little hurt she keeps pushing him back. Who wouldn't be? Thumbs up for having the guts to make a move on Max.

As always, there was tons of snappy, witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud scenes. Every time the flock displayed their trademark blatant disrespect for authority. Maybe Max wont' talk back to the US government, but when it's a pyscho with dreams of world domination, it's no holds barred! There were plenty of action-packed fight and chase scenes, a dash of romance and drama from both Max and Total, and a great, thickening plot to destroy or save the world. I also was touched my the flock's bond, which is sometimes stronger than family as it has been forgedt hrough all the hardships they've endured together.

As much as I love the flock and think that Patterson is a talented writer, I think he fell a little flat with The Final Warning. As a book, it was good, don't get me wrong. There was more of the flock's sidesplitting humor, a dash or romance and drama from Total and Max, anda thickening plot to save or destroy the world. Even so, I feel like not much happened. The group goes to the South Pole, Max realized how much she wants to save the world, etc. There just wasn't a lot of new things happening. Humor, Max taking care of the flock, bad guys hunting them - it's all entertaining. New? Not so much. I guess I sort of expected more to happen to the kids. And the stuff about global warming? I can sort of see where Patterson isg oing with this, but it wasn't totally clear.

Overall, the book wasn't terrible, but it wasn't as good as the previous three, either. I wish more new stuff had happened and I felt like a lot of the book was filler. I hope more interesting stuff happens in the next book and that the plot progresses! Regardless, I enjoyed the flock and can't wait to see what happens next in the next book, Max. I was a little bummed about how short and uneventful The Final Warning was, but I have faith in Patterson. 3.5/5 stars.