Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
I liked the concept and thought the outworking was mostly done well. It was a little cliched and melodramatic at times, but this didn't greatly detract from my enjoyment of the book. I liked all the characters, even though they felt a little wooden at times and didn't always act in realistic ways (specifically the human ones - who knows how a celestial being in human form would actually act in any given situation!)
This book handled some serious issues but it still felt like a light and easy read. the message of compassion, kindness and helping others came through strongly, maybe slightly overpowering the storytelling at times. But ultimately I enjoyed it, and I would recommend it to the right readers. I would pick up other books by this author.

Maxie, a cosmic being in the form of consciousness, watches over Earth and sees the stories of different humans. Her power is sharing empathy by touch. She chooses a human form and travels what she has been seeing from above. She ends up doing what she must not do. Intervene to save her human charges.

On point and plentiful details, quirky embellishments that give a clear present picture of the setting and what is going on, soft and beautiful in its immersivity. A narrative with relatable, grounded dialogue whereas in its appearance of simplicity, we begin to get little insights into the protagonist's otherness. We also get insight into the human condition, so many emotions in so many varieties. There are tiny ominous tidbits that set a sense of foreboding and melancholy as to what's to come.

Along with Maxie we become spectators to harsh unfairness, to some of life's instances of cruelty, sadness and tragedy. But also lovely examples of kindness reminding us that there is good in the world. I really like how Maxie uses her consciousness (you'll see what I mean) and her power. She is inherently kind without even realizing it.

This was a slow burner, maybe too slow in parts and some subplots needed to move at a faster pace. I wish the book dealt more with what Maxie is. Even though Maxie was the 'excuse' for us to care about the three young charges and Joseph. I know it is cool for some things to remain a mystery, but I still think the story needed more of Maxie's truth.

The book's concept of cosmic begins helping us regain balance is an allegory for humanity saving itself. We need to treat the planet, ourselves and others better.

Quite gripping, the cosmic being's true purpose on Earth amping the intrigue, this is an interesting study on human nature. A story like a warm blanket of compassion with thorns trying to rip into in but failing, hope being its armor.

I am afraid I didn't connect with this book. I hope other readers enjoy it more than I did. You can't win them all I guess.
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I did enjoy the story but it was a bit confusing with all the jumping between the characters and I didn't really get what the purpose of the character we follow was. I did also think the romance in the story was rushed and predictable. I did get bored some times but it was interesting enough to keep reading.
Overall it was okay, might just not have been for me.

The whole concept of this book is something i had never read before. Following Maxie a celestial consciousness in a human body looking after three 19 year olds. As the story progresses you feel the same distant affection for her charges as she does and the same deep friendship for the man Joseph. There is a lot of diversity of background, ethnicity and sexuality in this book which is always a good thing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The end is surprising but in a good way, completely.

When a book doesn't work for you, you start asking whether you picked the wrong book or the wrong genre. Perhaps "Maxie" is targeted more to the tween set. In any event, "Maxie' starts out with a real interesting concept -- that of an alien being in the form of a consciousness who can slip in and out of any manner of beings from a person to an eagle. Her kind is apparently here to influence things and bring a balance to things. To that end, Maxie hitchhiker cross-country and hangs with the homeless at San Diego's Ocean Beach, incognito of course. The promise of things to come holds these novel together for the first third, but then it just never goes anywhere with it. A bit dull if you ask me.