“Angel” by James Patterson
From Goodreads.com:
“Maximum Ride and her friends have always had each other’s backs because they can’t trust anyone else. No. Matter. What. But now the flock is up against a threat unlike any they’ve ever faced. Just when they need each other the most, Fang is gone. He’s creating his own gang that will replace everyone—including Max.”
In this novel “Angel” I found out how much friendship really means. I haven’t always stopped to think about how much one person could mean to myself or who would fight for me like the characters in this novel did. It really opened up my eyes and I’ll be thinking differently of people. The way that Max risked her life multiple times is one of the few reason I truly enjoyed this novel. I enjoyed the wonderful setting, theme, and plot of this novel the most and I highly encourage anyone into supernatural books to have a read!
The astounding setting in this book really knocked me off my feet. I couldn’t believe the amazing detail it gave in each place the flock went. When the birdlike people flew in the air it told in mesmerizing detail on how they were two thousand feet in the air and how magnificent the view was looking down on Paris. I could feel the wind in my hair and the coldness on my cheeks while reading about how fast Max had to fly through the tunnel to save all of the world. I feel like the writer of this novel has definitely been in intense situations to have written some such as these in such intense places. The overall setting of the book was fantastic!
While I very much enjoyed the setting of this book the theme really took me buy surprise! I started reading this novel thinking that it would be about a girl who falls madly in love and has a wonderful life. However I could not have been more wrong. The book had a theme of an apocalypse and not the “zombie” kind. When reading it I found out the theme is more of a love story than anything else. Max and Fang struggle with each other while also saving the world and it is all very sweet. Though you have to think there can only be so much romance while trying to deactivate a bomb set off to kill the whole world. I really think the theme overall was to show you have to put your own feeling in front of others, because in the end you are all you can trust.
My personal favorite part of this book has to be the plot. The plot goes into such amazing detail on how each person or bird in this case feels. It tells that Max and Dylan don’t really need to be programmed to love each other. It also tells how Angel really does know what is going to happen and when you look back on it she really does try in everyway possible to keep everyone else safe. Which I think is a very big thing for a seven year-old to do! I am amazed at how much time there was put in to telling who can do what. When the world was coming to and end and all the gang members from each side had to work together they used each of there strengths to there ability. I think that the plot was very well written and detailed.
In conclusion to this book the setting, them, and plot really supirsed me in a wonderful way and I plan on reading James Patterson’s other novels. I recommend this book to anyone who is into supernatural novel’s and any teenager who is going through a time of feeling faced with a tough decision of any kind. I very much enjoyed this novel.
Paperback Paparazzi 
Allyson,
I feel like i might actually be interested in reading this novel! I think yo did an overall good job on focusing the body of your paper on your thesis! it is really important to have effective transitions–meaning that the last sentence or two introduce what your are about to discuss in your next paragraph. It doesn’t have to be “next I will talk about plot” but maybe how you can tie the current paragraph to the next one. For example to tie your third and fourth paragraph together you could say something like ” Considering the theme being so effective in this novel, the plot is also and is full of emotion.” Also, being too repetitive with words that are “big” words or words that add a lot of emphasis tend to lose their importance the more you use them. Please keep these two ideas in mind. As always, re-read your paper out loud and slow to help you find little things! Great work Allyson! Super proud!
Christina
Alyson,
Great job!
I noticed that you applied a transition sentence suggestion I gave to you previously to link together your second and third paragraphs! I’m so glad that helped you! Don’t forget to continue to transition from each paragraph. While you transitioned very well from the second to the third paragraph, your transition was a little weak from the third paragraph into the fourth. Just be sure to keep those up to help your paper flow together!
While your paragraphs are very descriptive, be sure to watch your sentence structure.
There are spots throughout your paragraphs that are run-on sentences. Remember, sentences can be short, not all of them need to be long. Reread your paragraphs and see how you can break these sentences up. Also, think about where you could add a comma in your sentences. There are some sentences that are good, but they need a brief pause in between the clauses.
Watch out for the differences in their and there. Remember, “there” is talking about a direction. The way I remember this is because “here” is located within “there”. Perhaps that little trick will help you remember the difference!
Overall, you did a great job! I’m actually considering reading this book when I get free time now. Your hook was very intriguing and automatically caught my attention. You gave your introduction a personal feel, which is good because it made it very relatable to the reader. You also gave a suggestion as to who might be interested in reading this book, which is a great point to make!
Keep up the good work!
Celeste,
Thank you for commenting on my hook! I really have been working on how to combine my sentences and my teacher has just recently went over where to put commas so my next essay should have better structure! It also made me really excited that you said you would consider reading this book. I am glad I could inspire someone to read a different book choice! You said previously that I should watch my transition and I am for sure working on that! I am glad you commented on when to use ‘there’ and ‘their’ and your little trick seems to help a lot since I have read your comment! If you have any specific tips on how to break up sentences that would be very helpful! Thank you for such a helpful comment!
Alyson
Alyson,
I’m so sorry it has taken me this long to reply! I thought I had this set up to automatically e-mail me, but for some reason it did not this time!
I’m glad that my tips have been helping you with your writing! It’s great you’re learning all about sentence structure, transitions, and when to use the proper forms of “their” and “there”.
When breaking up a sentence, I always read my sentence out loud to myself. Make sure to pause if you have inserted a comma, because this what a comma is supposed to do to the reader. This way you know whether or not the comma works where it is located. Also, when reading your sentence, see if you run out of breath when reading it. Sometimes this helps me if I think I have created a run on sentence. Often you will find if you run out of breath reading your sentence, then it is probably too long and can be broken up in different ways. Once you figure out the little tricks like that, it will help you determine whether or not to break your sentences up.
I hope this helps you! Keep up the great work with your writing!
-Celeste