Kids in Peril: Maximum Ride to A Series of Unfortunate Events

Many people new to the world of fantasy fiction are pretty unadventurous when it comes to trying new series or material. Because of this hesitancy, I try to share my love of this genre as gently as I can.

So, I am offering a comparison of two fantasy book series that are aimed at young teenagers, but enjoyed by adults as well.

At the end of the 1990s, James Patterson wrote the popular adult fantasy, When the Wind Blows, a novel centering on a group of kids who were experimented upon, mixing their human DNA with Avian DNA. The sequel to this book was titled, The Lake House. Both fantasy books were quite popular.

With the aim of using the idea of the experimentations, Patterson wanted to create a series of fantasy books aimed at a younger crowd. He made it more "youth-friendly" and named the series for the main character: Maximum Ride. In the forward to The Angel Experiment, the first book in the series, Patterson claims that the characters in Maximum Ride, although having many similarities to the group (or "flock") from When the Wind Blows and its sequel, are completely different.

Similar to the previously mentioned fantasy books, there are 6 kids in the group or flock as they are called. They are, in order of age: Max (14 years old), flock leader, Fang (14 years old), considered by Max to be her "right-wing man," Iggy (14 years old) who is blind because of experimentation done one him by the lab, Nudge (11 years old), the effusive motor-mouth, the Gasman or Gazzy (8 years old), named because of his frequency to pass gas quite effectively, and Angel (6 years old), an incredibly powerful telepath who can not only read minds but place thoughts in your mind as well. They consider themselves a family even though they are from different families. However, Gazzy and Angel are actually biologically brother and sister. Max has taken on, as her personal responsibility, the task of keeping everyone safe. She feels a special bond toward six-year-old Angel, who she treats as a daughter. Indeed, she has been taking care of Angel since she was very small.

At the beginning of the series, we are greeted by Max. She explains to us, the readers of the flock's story, that they are a group of six kids. Six kids who grew up in "the school," an evil, cold, unwelcoming place, where they lived their lives as experiments, kept in cages, and put through arduous tasks. She warns us of the unknown dangers out in the world and why she is risking their lives by telling the story.

The "school" performed many experiments mixing human and animal DNA, with the flock being the most successful. Mostly, the other results were horrible failures, however, there was another species developed called Erasers, part wolf, part human, all predator. However, their life span was not very long, and they were used as killers and enforcers until their time expired.

The flock's DNA, we are told, is 98 percent human and 2 percent avian. Their bones are lighter than in full humans, they are stronger, and very good fighters. And, oh yeah, they can fly.

They escaped with the help of Jeb Batchelder, a scientist who apparently didn't approve of their treatment. He became a father figure to all six, someone that the flock trusted with their lives.

They lived in hiding with Jeb Batchelder for 2 years when he suddenly disappeared. Assuming Jeb to be dead, the flock stayed together, solidifying the group as a family and learning how to defend themselves and work together as a cohesive unit.

Thus begins the first book in the series. Shortly into The Angel Experiment, their hiding place is discovered and Angel, the youngest member, is kidnapped by a group of Erasers. Bruised and momentarily beaten Max and the others vow that they will get her back.

There are many shocks and surprises awaiting the flock. Nothing is as it seems. Who can they trust? How do they even begin to know what to do?

Throughout each book Max and her flock encounter enemies, experimental creatures and all kinds of challenges and encounters that they must overcome. As each book progresses, flock members acquire new abilities and find they are better able to handle different situations. And, through Fangs "Web site," or Maxes commentary we get to share in their adventures.

Max is a take charge no nonsense leader. She doesn't accept when her enemies set out to defeat her and she has enough attitude for a whole platoon of fighters. They are not going out without a fight, and boy do they have a lot of fight left.

In contrast, we have the series by David Handler titled, A Series of Unfortunate Events, thirteen novels aimed at children "written" by Lemony Snicket. It concerns the adventures of three children, the Baudelaire orphans (Violet, Klaus, and Sunny) after their parents suspiciously perished in a fire.

In telling the children's story, Lemony Snicket is quite cynical, if not downright depressing. In fact, when beginning each book, Snicket warns the reader of the misery he will experience when learning about what happens. Maudlin and despondent, he suggest that they stop reading the books altogether. The dark humor and sharp wit are what makes the adult appreciate these so-called children's books.

Each of the kids has a different skill, helping them get through their troubles and adventures. Violet can invent anything, Klaus is very good at learning anything using the appropriate book, and Sunny has sharp teeth that can bite through anything. Sunny also speaks in one word utterances in the first few books, that only the other two siblings can understand. Well, they and Lemony Snicket of course.

In The Bad Beginning, the first book, the children's lives are suddenly thrown for a loop when they become orphans, their parents killed in a fire. After briefly living with Mr. Poe (a family friend who also happened to be in charge of the rather substantial family funds) the children go to live with Count Olaf, a distant cousin.

They quickly find out that Count Olaf wants to use them to get the family fortune. They escape and throughout their adventures live with different relatives or friends. Count Olaf, a master of disguise, follows them throughout these books.

As we progress through these books, Lemony Snicket continually warns of the dire straits in the children will find themselves. We read with relish, wanting to see in what clever way the children will get themselves out of each diabolical situation. Each time the kids are taken to another relative, Count Olaf manages to either remove the person or remove the children from their new surroundings.

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny ingeniously move from one plot to another, and we can't help but root for them and cheer when the menacing Count Olaf is again foiled by the Baudelaire kids.

I enjoy both of these series even though they are very different. Maximum Ride is action packed, leading us on an exhilarating race against the bad guy. The flock perseveres through every situation with a determination and a never-surrender attitude. We know that Max will stand up to whoever attacks her family and we smile with her, knowing her enemies are in for a very tough fight.

A Series of Unfortunate Events is also action packed and full of adventure. However, the attitude, although humorous at times, is much grimmer. These children are bombarded time and again with horrible situations, and they almost seem defeated, but they never actually get beaten.

I consider it a major advantage that these books, considered to be children's books, also can and do achieve success as adult fantasy fiction. It succeeds on many different levels, offering something new to each group who reads them.

I highly recommend you go to your local bookstore or library and pick up the first books of both series. You will not be disappointed.