Maximum Ride Book #2: School's Out - Forever

James B. Patterson (born March 22, 1947) is an award-winning American author. Formerly an advertising executive for J. W. Thompson in the early 1990s, Patterson came up with the slogan "Toys R Us Kid". Shortly after his success with Along Came A Spider he retired from the firm and devoted his time to writing. The novels featuring his character, Alex Cross, a black forensic psychologist formerly of the Washington, D.C. Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation, now working as a private psychologist and government consultant, are the most popular books among Patterson readers. James Patterson has been criticized by Stephen King, who called Patterson's books "dopey thrillers".[citation needed] Patterson shrugged off the comments, stating that he wants to be the "thrillingest thriller writer of all time".[citation needed] James Patterson has also been put as one of Forbes magazine's top 100 celebrities.

In the second installment in the Maximum Ride series, Max and her flock of genetically altered children are moving closer to understanding the reason for their existence--or at least for the modifications that have been made to them. Valentina de Angelis sets off at a strong pace in a narration that betrays a fondness for her characters in a tone pitched for kids. The periodic musical background is a bit of a distraction, however. It varies in length and at times appears to be a signal that a chapter is ending, at other times an indication of abridgment, and at still other times simply background. The longer passages add a sense of sentimentality that seems unwarranted. J.E.M. [Editor's Note: A soundreview is available at Audiopolis, www.audiofilemagazine.com] © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine