Maximillian Fly

by Angie Sage Narrated by Sean Welsh Brown, Jennifer Nittoso, Fred Berman, Josh Hurley, Tavia Gilbert

Overview

The bestselling author of the Septimus Heap series, Angie Sage, delivers a gripping and darkly humorous tale of Maximillian Fly-a human with cockroach features-whose quiet life is upended when he aids two human children in their escape from an oppressive governing power.

Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket and Adam Gidwitz.

Maximillian Fly wants no trouble. Yet because he stands at six feet two, with beautiful indigo wings, long antennae, and more arms than you or me, many are frightened of him.

He is a gentle creature who looks like a giant cockroach. This extraordinary human wants to prove his goodness, so he opens his door to two SilverSeed children in search of a place to hide.

Instantly, Maximillian's quiet, solitary life changes. There are dangerous powers after them and they have eyes everywhere. But in this gray city of Hope trapped under the Orb, is escape even possible?

Maximillian Fly*is a masterful story brimming with suspense, plot twists, and phenomenal world building. This compelling novel delves into family dynamics and themes of prejudice, making the case for tolerance, empathy, and understanding.

* Junior Library Guild Selection * Kids' Indie Next List * New York Public Library Best Books of 2019 Selection * 2020 LITA Excellence in Children's and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable Book:*The Eleanor Cameron Notable Middle Grade Books List *

Editorial Reviews

JULY 2019 - AudioFile

Driving rock music sets the scene for this gripping audiobook set in a bleak dystopian world. Maximillian Fly looks like a human-sized cockroach, but his gentle voice reflects his sensitive nature. When he harbors two children who are running from the oppressive government forces that killed their parents, his quiet life takes an adventurous turn. All the narrators in the ensemble cast contribute to the richness of the story’s characters. Kaitlin sounds tough and street-smart, and her younger brother sounds terrified and confused. The full cast also helps listeners keep track of the story’s different perspectives and has the fascinating effect of letting listeners hear Maximillian’s voice the tinny, robotic way that humans hear it, in contrast to the way he hears himself. S.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

The book is remarkable, often because the world building is sublime.   A remarkable story that will land hard with the right kind of audience. I have never seen the like.   Pulse pounding action from the first page.   It’s not for everyone. It was never meant to be. But it is good and strong and fun and desperately exciting. You have been warned.” (Five stars) — Betsy Bird, librarian

“Maximillian Fly is the middle-grade mash-up you didn’t know you needed! Metamorphosis combines with Lemony-Snicket-esque prose to perfectly tell the strange and fascinating tale of Maximillian. Wacky, fun, and so satisfying, Maximillian Fly will steal your heart!” — Laura Graveline, Brazos Bookstore, Houston, TX

“An exciting tale full of double blinds, double crosses and unexpected family connections. Thanks to Ms. Sage’s skill at parceling out information while ratcheting up suspense, neither [Maximillian] nor we grasp the full contours of the shocking truths and biosphere-shaking consequences until well into this satisfying tale.” — Wall Street Journal

“Shaken readers . . . will appreciate the author’s dexterity, as well as the way she uses mistaken, misunderstood, or misconstrued incidents as an ongoing motif. Watching Maximillian escape the influence of his demonic mother to rediscover loving connections with a long sundered [family] circle give the tale a sweet aftertaste.” — Booklist (starred review)

Praise for the Septimus Heap series: “Youngsters will lose themselves happily in Sage’s fluent, charismatic storytelling” — Booklist

“A deliciously spellbinding series opener.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Readers will be indubitably hooked—worrying, laughing, and gasping over the nonstop adventures of this engaging troupe.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)

“Sage at her best; it’s full of fun, adventure, humor, irony, friendship, loyalty, and nonstop action.”   — School Library Journal

Laura Graveline

Maximillian Fly is the middle-grade mash-up you didn’t know you needed! Metamorphosis combines with Lemony-Snicket-esque prose to perfectly tell the strange and fascinating tale of Maximillian. Wacky, fun, and so satisfying, Maximillian Fly will steal your heart!

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)

Readers will be indubitably hooked—worrying, laughing, and gasping over the nonstop adventures of this engaging troupe.

Wall Street Journal

An exciting tale full of double blinds, double crosses and unexpected family connections. Thanks to Ms. Sage’s skill at parceling out information while ratcheting up suspense, neither [Maximillian] nor we grasp the full contours of the shocking truths and biosphere-shaking consequences until well into this satisfying tale.

Booklist

Praise for the Septimus Heap series: “Youngsters will lose themselves happily in Sage’s fluent, charismatic storytelling

Betsy Bird

The book is remarkable, often because the world building is sublime.   A remarkable story that will land hard with the right kind of audience. I have never seen the like.   Pulse pounding action from the first page.   It’s not for everyone. It was never meant to be. But it is good and strong and fun and desperately exciting. You have been warned.” (Five stars)

Booklist (starred review)

Shaken readers . . . will appreciate the author’s dexterity, as well as the way she uses mistaken, misunderstood, or misconstrued incidents as an ongoing motif. Watching Maximillian escape the influence of his demonic mother to rediscover loving connections with a long sundered [family] circle give the tale a sweet aftertaste.

Booklist

Praise for the Septimus Heap series: “Youngsters will lose themselves happily in Sage’s fluent, charismatic storytelling

Wall Street Journal

An exciting tale full of double blinds, double crosses and unexpected family connections. Thanks to Ms. Sage’s skill at parceling out information while ratcheting up suspense, neither [Maximillian] nor we grasp the full contours of the shocking truths and biosphere-shaking consequences until well into this satisfying tale.

Booklist (starred review)

Shaken readers . . . will appreciate the author’s dexterity, as well as the way she uses mistaken, misunderstood, or misconstrued incidents as an ongoing motif. Watching Maximillian escape the influence of his demonic mother to rediscover loving connections with a long sundered [family] circle give the tale a sweet aftertaste.

JULY 2019 - AudioFile

Driving rock music sets the scene for this gripping audiobook set in a bleak dystopian world. Maximillian Fly looks like a human-sized cockroach, but his gentle voice reflects his sensitive nature. When he harbors two children who are running from the oppressive government forces that killed their parents, his quiet life takes an adventurous turn. All the narrators in the ensemble cast contribute to the richness of the story’s characters. Kaitlin sounds tough and street-smart, and her younger brother sounds terrified and confused. The full cast also helps listeners keep track of the story’s different perspectives and has the fascinating effect of letting listeners hear Maximillian’s voice the tinny, robotic way that humans hear it, in contrast to the way he hears himself. S.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173492289
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	06/11/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	537,456
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

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