Book 1: The Angel Experiment

Max and five other kids, "the flock," were created by evil scientists at a place called the School, by combining human and avian DNA. They can fly, are unusually strong, and have a variety of other talents, some just emerging. Before the book begins they have escaped from the School, where the scientists were keeping them in cages and torturing them with experiments, and have been living on their own.

The youngest of the flock, Angel, is recaptured, and the rest fly back to the school to rescue her. Now they are being hunted by Erasers, human/wolf mutants also created at the School, while they travel across the country, trying to discover the secrets of their origins and purposes.

Book 2: School's Out- Forever

Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride introduced herself and her flock in THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT, and no one would dare forget these unusual characters. Born into the world as normal kids, they were kidnapped by scientists who fused bird DNA onto their human DNA. As a result, Max, Fang, the Gasman, Angel, Iggy and Nudge have incredible and amazing talents. Their beautifully feathered wings are for more than just show --- they literally can fly, soar and dance among the clouds. And why did the scientists do all of this? One reason is to save the world. What does this mean? Max sure would like to know the answer to that.

The voice in her head won't tell her, though it won't keep quiet with all sorts of unwanted advice. And Max still doesn't know from where the voice is coming --- perhaps from the chip implanted in her arm. But it all comes down to the fact that Max and her flock are still running for their lives and their freedom. The scientists want them back and have ordered the unrelenting Erasers, the half-human/half-wolf hybrids, on a constant hunt for the youngsters' return.

One such showdown with the Erasers leaves Fang dangerously wounded and quickly bleeding to death. An unsuspecting passerby calls for an ambulance. Does Max dare let doctors get their hands on Fang? Does she have a choice? He will die without help. At the hospital, the doctors quickly discover that they aren't dealing with a normal patient, and the FBI soon arrives. One of their agents, Anne, invites Max and the flock to stay at her house for a little while to recuperate, rest and heal. In exchange, they allow Anne to get to know them, ask questions and witness their talents. Max is skeptical and suspicious; she can't afford to trust anyone outside of her flock. But with Fang injured, she doesn't know what else to do. So they decide to hide out at Anne's fancy farm --- complete with a horse, a pond and plenty of fresh air --- and they find a bit of normality for the first time in quite a while.

Soon Anne insists on everyone attending school. There, the children start making friends, and a boy asks Max out on a date. They enjoy their first traditional Thanksgiving and even have a bit of spare time to discover new talents, and to follow up on some clues as to their real parents' whereabouts. But something isn't right and Max is eager to move on. She has no idea what is about to transpire and is shocked to see a very familiar face.

Book 3: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports


(Book 1 summary thanks to common sense media. Book 2 summary thanks to teenreads.com. )