Angel by James Patterson (Maximum Ride #7)

The flock is fractured, and Max is heartbroken. Fang is gone, leaving her without her right-wing man to confide in and support her while she takes care of the younger flock memebers. Dylan is much too eager to take Fang's place in Max's heart, and the worst bit is that she is almost starting to believe that he should. Of course, she has bigger problems to worry about. A weird cult of mutant children called "The Doomsday Group" is calling for the end of humanity with everything from rallies to demented campfires songs, and nobody is willing to take the off chance that they're all bark and no bite.

Max is different now that Fang is gone. She's bitter and upset, especially when Fang starts building his own flock. Max thinks that he doesn't love her anymore and that she wasn't good enough for him, and I loathe that Fang made her feel that way. Even a crushed heart doesn't stop her from being a total badass, though! Max still has her trademark wisecracks, and she's perfectly capable of taking care of the flock. Of course, I never doubted her for an instant. Max is the poster child for the strong, snarky heroine.

Max's strength, as much as I sort of hate to admit it, is partly because of Dylan. He comes on a little strong, but it's clear that he's undyingly loyal to Max and would do anything for her while no longer following her around like a lovesick puppy. The only reason I'm not welcoming him with open arms is because I'm a total Mang shipper, but he's a sweet kid. Dylan hopes that maybe he has a chance now that Fang is gone and is very kind to Max, and they really do have a lot in common, able to finish each other's sentances despite the short amount of time they've known each other. I'm warming up to him, and so are all the characters.

Fang... oh, Fang. What's happened to my second favorite winged guy?* Fang is becoming that one book character that smashes my heart into a million tiny splinters but still has totally stolen my soul. I don't like that he left,b ut it shows that he really cares about Max. He doesn't want to put her in danger because someone might be after him, and he wants to help save the world because he's putting yogether his own little squad. Fang misses Max, though, even if he thinks he did the right thing in leaving. He wishes he could be with her, and an old character comes back that reminds him of her. (I'm sort of ticked that he recruited Maya, of all people!) I still love you, Fang. Don't worry. You're just so much more conflicted now!

The Doomsday Group isn't just the latest in a parade of crazy pyschos, but this time they're less "Stay out of the ocean!" and more "BLOOD BLOOD KILL THE HUMANS KILL THEM ALL!" And they're all kids, which makes it even more unsettling. Most of them also have powers, which packs some serious punch, too. I don't thinkt his will be the only appearance they'll have in this series, and I can't wait to see more of them.

Angel had all of the snarky humor and kick-assery of the previous books in the Maximum Ride series and new doses of feels and broken hearts for not just Max, but also for me as the reader, alongside a blossoming love triangle. I'm pleased that the series is picking up after the disasters of Final Warning and Max, and it's racing along with a fast plot and a looming final showdown. I loved Angel and while I can't wait to read the next two books, I don't want the series to end. 4/5 stars!

*Although, it's not that hard to be my second favorite winged book character. Most of them are awful. And no, I'm not going to disclose my favorite.

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