Heartbroken after her best friend and soul mate, Fang, leaves her flock, Maximum Ride begins to believe the evil scientists trying to convince her she needs to save the world, and that Dylan, the newest member of her flock, is her perfect mate.

Hawk accepts her mother Max's help to prevent vengeful hybrids, amoral scientists, traitorous politicians, and a deadly virus from overwhelming her beloved, polluted city. In the City of the Dead, life happens in the shadows. That's why a war is brewing against an enemy no one can see. For Hawk, being a hero weighs heavily on her wings. But Hawk and Maximum Ride never back down from a conflict, or from each other, and they argue more than they agree....