Reviews

The Departure by K.A. Applegate

tbspencer's review

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Wow, this is an intense one. A look into how Cassie is dealing with everything, with perspectives we haven’t seen before. Wish they were more normal about blindness rhetoric but I see the point regardless. 

augustlight's review

5.0

The best Animorphs book. Cried on a train when I first read it. Animorphs is great when it leans into the "wacky fun adventure" aspects, AND it's great when it leans into the implications and ethics of being a child soldier, and this one does the latter superbly.

katyamuffin's review

1.0

"It's over, Anakin! I have the moral high ground!" - Pretty much Cassie in this book

Let's see here. In 99% of cases, Cassie's choices in this book would either lead to -
A. Cassie's death by the cruel, cruel forces of nature.
B. Death by controller.
C. Capture and annihilation of all Animorphs and the last hope of mankind.

She makes them anyway because she's not willing to kill in self-defense, or even in defence of the entire human race. And she happens to get lucky and stumble upon the nicest, most honest and selfless yeerk in the entire galaxy. No. Just no.

bookishbarnowl's review

5.0

I devoured this book. It was gripping. Its message was so powerful for a children's book. Until this book, we're led to believe that all Yeerks are evil. However, it is not as black and white as this, as it often is in war. The Yeerks are not inherently evil, and the book promotes a message of saving life and achieving peace where possible.

rilobilly's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective sad fast-paced

• 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

2.75

breezyjean's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• 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

4.75

tallahasseefloyd's review

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

KA Applegate was in her bag on this one. 

readingwithstardust's review against another edition

5.0

I'll be honest, Cassie's books aren't usually my favorite, but this book specifically is one that always has me having to consciously remind myself that these are technically children's books because if I tried to summarize the central discussion within book it would absolutely not sound like a book you'd hand a child. Which is what makes this entire series so special.

thedavidg13's review

5.0

Of the Animorph books I've read thus far (this is #19), this is probably the best. A very strong plot and theme for a YA novel - I was surprised by the depth it delved into the character / story and it truly forces the reader to think how they would act. I was impressed.

kateoclaire's review

4.0

I wanted to really love this one, because I think the ethical questions raised are fascinating. Midway through I was ready for a 5⭐ but the second half knocked it down. No spoilers here, but the outcome felt..... super risky, to say the least. Not that I'm surprised, this is the norm with Animorphs. I still love it all!