Rating: 
Summary: Way Out There
Review: My first introduction to James Patterson, and a bizarre one. "When The Wind Blows" deals with highly illegal genetic experiements on human children, and one of them, "Max," escapes from the Colorado school/laboratory and arrives in Black Bear, Colorado, a tiny town in the Rockies. Black Bear is the home of widowed veterinarian "Frannie," who is more or less the main character of the story."Kit" is a talented but troubled FBI agent who belives the genetic testing is taking place, but he's investigating the case on his own--and under the radar of the FBI--since his supervisors aren't taking him seriously and would prefer he disappear. He and Frannie meet and eventually unite, and eventually they gain the trust of Max, who is part human, part bird, and can actually fly. The climax of the story is the revealing and horrible tour of the "school" in which Max escaped--dead and dying children litter the laboratories and are referred to as "rejects." Ultimately, a handful of children/birds are saved, and Frannie and Kit fall in love. The web of 40-50 scientists, biotech CEO's, government officials and even high-ranking political people who were all trying to get rich under the dastardly scheme are all arrested or die trying to escape, once local and then network news coverage takes place. I have two problems with this book: While an agreeably quick read, the almost 130 chapters are literally 3-4 pages long, and many are as short as a page and a half. Other reviewers have joked at how much paper was wasted by an author who features an animal-loving environmentalist for a main character, but the brief chapters are really a distraction after a while. The dialogue is also trite at times, and while several points of view are fine, one of them was Frannie's own narration. This seemed out of place, since it was the only narration in first-person. And ultimately, this plot is much too far-fetched. Kit, Frannie and Max are likable, and Patterson's descriptions of the mountainous regions of Colorado ring true enough. Maybe I'm just not into fantasy, however, since it was hard to stay interested in something that was so far removed from reality. I'll have to try the Alex Cross series, since several of the novels are highly recommended. But I sure wouldn't recommend Patterson on this novel alone.
Rating:
Summary: Egh.....
Review: Although Patterson has never been my favorite author, I have really enjoyed the previous books I've read from him, especially the new Lindsay Boxer ( I believe that's her name) series. Absolutely wonderful. But this book was very poorly written with bad dialogue, uninteresting characters, and a silly story line. This is something I would expect from a young writer just starting out, not one as seasoned as Patterson. Although he had the usual 2-3 page chapters (or less) it was absolutely dreadful getting to the end. Unless you're a compltely devoted Patterson fan, skip this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Best of the best
Review: I just had to write a review because I think that this book deserves praise! It's actually my favorite of all his works. Try it. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Stop it now for the sake of us all
Review: Does this guy have a medical condition that prevents him from writing more than five words without adding a full stop? This was a style that worked most successfully for me - for a year 8 creative writing essay. And really with all the rainforests dissappearing does he really need to start a new chapter every other page. I think basic grammar lessons are in order.
If this guy really needs the money that much i am quite willing to start up a collection.
You have one more chance Mr Patterson.
Rating:
Summary: Very Weak Entertainment
Review: Reading this book reminds me of those nights when I plopped down in front of the tube and flipped channels until I found some half-witted but vaguely entertaining made-for-tv movie. At the end I felt like I'd just wasted an chunk of my life without receiving any real value. This book might be a real scare story for people who have such a simplistic view of genetics that they find plausible the idea you can shake a bunch of bird DNA together with some human DNA and voila you get a flying girl! But for most of us the basic premise is just going to seem laughable. It's a thin and dopey story populated by cardboard thin characters. Do yourself a favor and find something else to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Strong characters, justs lacks something.
Review: James patterson does indeed have a strong story here, ...somewhere. As usual this book is written in the classic writing style of the great Patterson. Extreamly strong characters that are easy to identify with, even the ones that fly, however the story its self lacks something that is just hard to put my finger on. I still was entertained with this read but I think he could have done more with the actual story line.
Rating:
Summary: You'll want to finish it in one day! Great story!
Review: I've read a few James Patterson books and enjoyed them immensely -- this one is the first I would characterize as a bit of science fiction fantasy. He carries off a science mystery thriller with flair and skill that'll keep you glued to the edge of your seat. I must say this is one of the BEST books I've read by Mr. Patterson. The main character, Frannie O'Neill, is a veterinarian whose doctor husband was killed a year and a half earlier outside the local hospital/clinic where he worked. More recently, a friend's husband, also a doctor at the same clinic, is brutally murdered as well. Is there a connection? You'll have to read to see the answer. Enter the next character, Kit Harrison, an FBI agent on a mission forbidden by his agency. He's on the trail of a band of rogue scientists who had been carrying on illegal genetic experiments. He suspects they're back at work on those experiments in an instillation hidden somewhere in Colorado. He is also fighting his own demons, the death of his beloved wife and two sons a few years ago. Both Frannie and Kit are committed to their work and struggle to reconcile their pasts with their present. Kit has rented a house Frannie owns and after going over a few stumbling blocks they develop a friendship where finally Frannie feels brave enough to confess something to Kit that she has never told anyone else -- she has seen a little girl with wings and watched her fly away. Soon both Frannie and Kit find the little winged girl again and the evil medical mystery begins. This novel takes off at break neck speed and never lets up. Though it has a science fiction aspect with it's portrayal of genetic experimentation and the outcome, it still has the classic James Patterson flair we all know and love -- tons of action, murder and mayhem, fast pacing, solid plot, and a story you can sink your teeth into. Don't let this excellent story pass you by. It's a MUST READ that'll keep you glued to the edge of your seat until it's stunning, action packed conclusion!
Rating:
Summary: Patterson should stick to Alex Cross novels!
Review: Luckily, this wasn't the first Patterson novel I'd read or it likely would have been the last. I nearly gave up on it early on but stuck with it and it did manage to get better, but not nearly as good as the 6 or so other books of his I've read so far. It starts out too creepy too fast and the writing is clumsy in places (especially when it comes to "romantic" scenes). When the Wind Blows proved an entertaining enough book to read, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it when there are so many better offerings by Patterson. I'm now reading Violets are Blue and enjoying Patterson's direct but not heavy-handed treatment of Detective Alex Cross and his current, gruesome case.
Rating: 
Summary: Imaginative--Scary--Entertaining
Review: WHEN THE WIND BLOWS is a fascinating and entertaining tale about genetic engineering. The story is a little slow to get started, but well worth reading. Frannie O’Neill is a dedicated veterinarian who lives in a secluded area of Colorado. As a young widow she’s still trying to get over the accidental death of her husband who was a successful scientist. Lonely and sad, she left their house and moved into the building where she has her medical practice and where she could be with her animal patients. Since her nearby cottage is vacant, Frannie agreed to allow a realtor to rent it for her. The individual who leases the place is Kit Harrison a very attractive man who tells Frannie that he’s on a brief vacation. One evening, after visiting a friend who has also lost her husband in a freak accident, Frannie sees a strange sight in the woods near her home. It appears to be a young girl, but something is very wrong with her body. She tries to follow the girl, but the child gets away from her. After Frannie and Kit become friends, she tells him about the mysterious girl that she’s seen in the woods. Frannie’s worried about his reaction to the story, but Kit amazes her by believing what she told him, and confesses that he works for the FBI. After endlessly searching the wooded terrain, the two meet the girl, Max and discover that diabolical experiments have been taking place in a well-hidden laboratory. This was a very interesting story and a nice change from the other books written by James Patterson.
Rating:
Summary: When the Wind Blows
Review: Very interesting reading, the characters are likable (at least most) and believable. Worth reading. Almost hated putting down, the story line flows easy from chapter to chapter that I wanted to read it from the first page to last.
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