Hawk lives in the City of the Dead, called this because of a wave of unexplained deaths that swept through the streets years before. Others slowly filled the vacant apartments, so now it is a City of Opes (drug addicts), gangs, rebels, and everything dangerous imaginable.

At only 15, Hawk is 2 metres tall, strong, determined and resourceful and has wings which she hides under a poncho. She is now living in the McCallum Children’s Home which was built right next to a prison. She looks out for four others who also have strange mutations. Clete is an Ope with serious anxiety, but a brilliant mind. Moke has blue skin, Rain looks like her skin is melting and little Calypso has insect-like tendencies. There used to be more than two dozen children at the home, but bit by bit they’ve all been taken by the doctors.

10 years before, Hawk remembers being left on a street corner by her parents, and told to stay right there. They’d be back. She hasn’t seen them since, but for half an hour a day has returned to the corner, hoping…

The City of the Dead is ruled by the governor, a madman by the name of McCallum. There are huge vidscreens everywhere that blast his wide, fleshy face and messages across them, cajoling and controlling the residents with propaganda and constant reminders on correct behaviours. When the poplace don’t behave, or even if they do, he blasts the resident’s ears with the Voxvoce – a noise that is so loud and sometimes so long, it can send citizens mad.

One day, after more violence on the streets she couldn’t avoid this time, she returns home to find all but one of the kids (lab-rats) have been taken by soldiers. Hawk wants them back. In her search she discovers a connection to her lost parents. But can she trust it? Especially when it involves the legendary Maximum Ride.

What she discovers is a group called The Flock and a promise that they have been looking for her for 10 years – ever since the day she was left on that corner. She hadn’t been left alone after all. A freak accident seconds later had determined it all.

Hawk, used to being on her own, struggles with this new concept of family and trust, but marvels at these adults like her. They too can fly, so much better than her. They are strong, brave and help her find her young friends, her parents and her true self.

Then there’s McCallum to deal with. After all, that’s what The Flock do. Start revolutions, fight injustice and urge others to do the same. One things for certain – Hawk’s life will change forever and The City of the Dead along with it.

Quick Review

Set in the future, with butterflies long since extinct. A new episode in the heart-pumping and popular series – Maximum Ride, HAWK is a welcome return to this world of mutants, courage, kick-ass, and action. Its mega short chapters pull you through the book at a fast clip, with death defying flying, ruthless street gangs, explosions aplenty and character sass.

There is also reflection as the story morphs into two points of view – Hawk’s and Maximum Ride herself who has been held in a barbaric prison for a decade. But not for long….

Loved it.

Author – James Patterson

Age – 12+

(Series, Maximum Ride, Mutants, Loyalty, Crime, Power, Action, Betrayal, Murder, Future, Revenge, Blended Family)