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booksthatburn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Slavery, Ableism, Gore, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Confinement, Violence, and Body horror
Minor: Death of parent
sarahdm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I will start by saying that I did not read these as a child even though I was in the correct age range for them. This is because 1) My school never had book one available and 2) My family did not have money to spend on the Scholastic book fair. So this is my first time interacting with this series at the age of 30.
This shit absolutely slaps. It is incredibly mature and dark for a series targeted at 3rd graders. It has themes about death, war, personal sacrifice, grief, escapism. All while still keeping it appropriate for the 5-8 year old audience. I recently read the first Percy Jackson book as well and in comparison, The Invasion kept my attention, was less repetitive, and had deeper emotional writing. This feels like Coraline meets Power Rangers. Its got the vibe of a weekly children's TV action show while still having the heavy themes of a psychological thriller.
I will say I'm not sure I'm in love with the entire cast yet. This book is in Jake's point of view, so we only really get to know him. He is very much the reluctant leader, Red Ranger type. And he is so emotionally mature and has incredible insight into the danger of the situation they are currently in. But he still feel like a child. He loves video games, as a crush on a girl, doesn't like math homework, is interested in sports, and idolizes his big brother. He isn't just some one dimensional "leader" character and I have a feeling once I get to other books, I will feel the same way about the rest of the cast.
The only negative is that the books have very dated references. Which makes sense given that Applegate has stated that she took a lot of inspiration for the characters from tween magazines of the time. So I guess Animorphs is just a 90's time capsule in that way.
I also wanna shout out the audiobook. MacLeod Andrews does an AMAZING job with all the voices and emotions. I might pick up Warrior Cats just to listen to him read.
I finally decided to take a dive into Animorphs as a pick me up between books. I do not regret it. I can not wait to get to book two. 10/10 would recommend to all ages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPRKzwgqvAA&t=1906s
Minor: Violence, Kidnapping, War, Grief, Police brutality, Slavery, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Torture
lynxpardinus's review
4.5
Moderate: Confinement, War, Violence, Grief, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Blood and Fire/Fire injury
trashcanmoose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Murder, and Body horror
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Gun violence, War, Toxic friendship, and Blood
Minor: Vomit
emmsiej95's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I'm 27 and I am traumatised by the body horror and psychological horror in this book.
I loved it.
The kids become Animorphs and need to found out about their new parasitic foes.
Graphic: Slavery, Murder, Colonisation, Death, and Body horror
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Vomit
kstericker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Kidnapping, Confinement, and War
Minor: Bullying, Abandonment, and Vomit