You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Huh. All I knew of these books were their creepy covers, but someone highly recommended them so I decided to give them a spin. They were all checked out from the library, which I thought was kind of weird. So I started with book 2, and... I was pleasantly surprised. It's a pretty good, solid, grade school/middle school chapter book. (And it does that thing I love in kids books, where it catches you up on everything you missed, so I don't feel too bad about missing book 1) Some of the characters (okay, Marco) are a little annoying, in that 90s, TMNT Raphael way, where their sarcasm is supposed to pass for humor; but it was still a cute little read. Might continue the series, because it was a quick read, too.
This first Animorphs sequel continues the thrilling fun of the debut, while simultaneously deepening the darker themes of the series. Turning into an animal and back is now described in a way that emphasizes the unnatural body horror of the experience, and the danger of succumbing to a morph's instincts is even worse. In shrew form, Rachel is overwhelmed with the fear of a prey creature and fixated on its desire to eat maggots. That evening, she has a nightmare that wakes her in a cold sweat and sends her rushing to the toilet to hurl. Meanwhile, her friend Melissa is dealing with the crushing despair of not understanding why her parents don't seem to love her anymore, unaware that they've been taken over by alien operatives. The previous volume wasn't exactly a walk in the park either, setting up the stakes of the invasion that the kids are fighting against, but the ratio of wacky antics to existential terror is skewed further here.
It's not a perfect story. Although the book takes a clever path to send the larger plot moving and show the group congealing into the trusting squad they'll need to be, it also introduces one of my least favorite elements, the pointless rehashing of the premise as if readers can't be trusted to pick up the novels in order and retain basic information across them. And I get it -- the publisher wants to keep things accessible for folks who do assume they can just start anywhere and follow along. Harry Potter, another Scholastic project of the era, exhibits the same behavior. But I remember finding that frustratingly insulting during the initial monthly release schedule for this franchise, and it feels like it's going to be maddening as I reread everything in quick succession as an adult.
The current adventure includes a bit of tedious 90s sexism too. I give credit to author K. A. Applegate for including the scene where the young teen protagonist is subjected to a pickup attempt by a catcalling "high school or college" aged driver as she walks home one day, and for letting her fend him off with her newfound abilities, but I groaned aloud when her teammates later blame her for being in that situation as though she's the one who's done anything wrong. Marco's jokes at the heroine's expense can likewise come off as a bit cruel. It's hardly the most problematic piece of fiction for its time, but I hope these issues are merely a sign of everyone still settling into their long-term characterization.
On the worldbuilding front, we learn that the Yeerks are governed by a Council of Thirteen to whom the villainous Visser Three reports, and that his harshness towards his underlings is somewhat passed on from above. It's an early look at the enemy factions and internal politics that will prove far more complicated than was apparent before. (I was expecting to detect Stargate SG-1 parallels in the parasitic infiltrators, but I'm starting to feel some Star Trek: Deep Space Nine vibes as well!) He also provides us with that indelible phrase "Andalite bandits" -- reflecting the assumption that his opponents are fellow nonhumans instead of local resistance fighters -- which will recur with surprising frequency from here on out.
All in all, this isn't the slam dunk of its predecessor, but it's a strong demonstration of how the narrative could continue to unfold in a serialized fashion that's worth investing in.
[Content warning for gaslighting, claustrophobia, and gore.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
It's not a perfect story. Although the book takes a clever path to send the larger plot moving and show the group congealing into the trusting squad they'll need to be, it also introduces one of my least favorite elements, the pointless rehashing of the premise as if readers can't be trusted to pick up the novels in order and retain basic information across them. And I get it -- the publisher wants to keep things accessible for folks who do assume they can just start anywhere and follow along. Harry Potter, another Scholastic project of the era, exhibits the same behavior. But I remember finding that frustratingly insulting during the initial monthly release schedule for this franchise, and it feels like it's going to be maddening as I reread everything in quick succession as an adult.
The current adventure includes a bit of tedious 90s sexism too. I give credit to author K. A. Applegate for including the scene where the young teen protagonist is subjected to a pickup attempt by a catcalling "high school or college" aged driver as she walks home one day, and for letting her fend him off with her newfound abilities, but I groaned aloud when her teammates later blame her for being in that situation as though she's the one who's done anything wrong. Marco's jokes at the heroine's expense can likewise come off as a bit cruel. It's hardly the most problematic piece of fiction for its time, but I hope these issues are merely a sign of everyone still settling into their long-term characterization.
On the worldbuilding front, we learn that the Yeerks are governed by a Council of Thirteen to whom the villainous Visser Three reports, and that his harshness towards his underlings is somewhat passed on from above. It's an early look at the enemy factions and internal politics that will prove far more complicated than was apparent before. (I was expecting to detect Stargate SG-1 parallels in the parasitic infiltrators, but I'm starting to feel some Star Trek: Deep Space Nine vibes as well!) He also provides us with that indelible phrase "Andalite bandits" -- reflecting the assumption that his opponents are fellow nonhumans instead of local resistance fighters -- which will recur with surprising frequency from here on out.
All in all, this isn't the slam dunk of its predecessor, but it's a strong demonstration of how the narrative could continue to unfold in a serialized fashion that's worth investing in.
[Content warning for gaslighting, claustrophobia, and gore.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
I’m having such a good time with these (2 down, 52 to go) Fluffers McKitty really stole the show here (or rather Rachel as Fluffers). The tragedy of human controllers continues with the reveal of how Mr Chapman became one (to save his daughter - a school friend of the animorphs) from the same fate. The stakes begin to crystallise for the kids as they realise the enormity of what they are up against.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Animorphs. The books the cool kids read and I could never get my hands on. Yep, another one of them. I accidentally thought this was the first book in the series so man... was I confused.
Regardless, I need to read the first book and reread this one because this series is actually super cool. I remember these books being EVERYWHERE but my parents wouldn't let me read them. The school was also out of them, so was the library. My city ate these books up.
The science fiction aspect is intriguing and I really am glad I got to finally pick it up. It's so cool and weird and odd... I think it's a great middle grade read book. But, the first book needs to give me all of the info I didn't understand in the second book for me to keep going. And I want to keep going. The science nature wasn't re-explained in book two, which is disappointing. But regardless, a great read.
Three out of five stars.
Regardless, I need to read the first book and reread this one because this series is actually super cool. I remember these books being EVERYWHERE but my parents wouldn't let me read them. The school was also out of them, so was the library. My city ate these books up.
The science fiction aspect is intriguing and I really am glad I got to finally pick it up. It's so cool and weird and odd... I think it's a great middle grade read book. But, the first book needs to give me all of the info I didn't understand in the second book for me to keep going. And I want to keep going. The science nature wasn't re-explained in book two, which is disappointing. But regardless, a great read.
Three out of five stars.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
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:
No
dark
emotional
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:
No
The voice really improves in this book.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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:
No