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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
The Solace: OMG, buckle up because this is the start of a mini three-part series inside the series. We meet a new character and have a new Yeerk mission to ruin with major risks and consequences. Kicking this off from Marco's perspective was perfect for suspense because, no offense to Marco, but he's suspicious of most things and not the best judge of character for it, which only heightens the readers' sense of do I trust or suspect this new person?
The Dread: The cliffhanger at the end of this book is unbearable - I immediately picked up the next book to read more. We are also continuing with the repetitive recaps of the series at the beginning of the book.
Overall, this was an amazing revitalization of the series that we needed, something crazy and gripping.
The Dread: The cliffhanger at the end of this book is unbearable - I immediately picked up the next book to read more. We are also continuing with the repetitive recaps of the series at the beginning of the book.
Overall, this was an amazing revitalization of the series that we needed, something crazy and gripping.
This is part 1 of a 3 part continual story. A sudden surprise here in the middlish part of the animorphs series. The first two parts end in a very similar way, which I thought was a nice artistic touch.
It was pretty good, but it's the first time Applegate has written a book that had "To Be Continued" at the end.
Can't wait to read the next one...
Can't wait to read the next one...
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
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
The Animorphs are preteen kids. I have to remember this whenever I want to shake them and yell “YOU ARE MAKING A TERRIBLE CHOICE!!” Still, the terrible choice they make in this book sets up one of the best – and darkest – plotlines in the whole series, leading to the much more terrible choice they are forced to make two books down the line.
This choice is made as the crew votes to accept David as an Animorph or turn him over to the Yeerks . Here is a case – perhaps unlike in #19, The Departure – where even without the hindsight of knowing how the trilogy turns out, Marco’s ruthless practicality should be trusted. But you can sense that the Animorphs are desperate for any sort of help, and adding in a dose of empathy and guilt, they set horrible things in motion through the best intentions. They just can’t leave an innocent kid to be infested by Yeerks – the same choice, in reverse, played out in the last book .
Marco is an interesting person to have narrate the first interactions with David. He’s not really a nice guy, and his conversations with David are all utilitarian. It’s no wonder David felt unwelcome from the beginning. I wondered if reading this trilogy as an adult would elicit more sympathy for David and, well, it does, but not nearly as much as I thought it might; as soon as he kills a bird for fun and lies about it it’s pretty obvious he’s different from the other Animorphs. The reader feels the same sense of anxious dread the Animorphs do: did they trust the right person? Did they make a horrible mistake? It’s an excellent emotional setup for the rest of the trilogy: the stakes are high, the risk is great, the payoff may be incredible, but things are not looking up. The dread only grows as the Animorphs are thrown into action and must trust their new Animorph with their lives against mounting indications that their trust is misplaced. And this is only book one! Strap in, buckaroos.
Miscellaneous notes:
• I continue to chuckle at the unintended period piece these books have become, evident every time the Animorphs interact with (human) technology.
• Each Animorph’s vote in the pivotal decision (making David an Animorph or leaving him to the Yeerks) is really interesting. Rachel’s, especially. Marco’s choice makes perfect sense (and is smart), but is also based on some pretty big assumptions about David’s character. And the fact that Jake, usually the one to make the tough choices, backs off entirely and doesn’t even offer an opinion until the rest of the group has spoken.
This choice is made as the crew votes to
Marco is an interesting person to have narrate the first interactions with David. He’s not really a nice guy, and his conversations with David are all utilitarian. It’s no wonder David felt unwelcome from the beginning. I wondered if reading this trilogy as an adult would elicit more sympathy for David and, well, it does, but not nearly as much as I thought it might; as soon as he
Miscellaneous notes:
• I continue to chuckle at the unintended period piece these books have become, evident every time the Animorphs interact with (human) technology.
• Each Animorph’s vote in the pivotal decision
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Violence