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sapphiremarie's review against another edition
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
bookishbarnowl's review
4.0
This was a good one!
The introduction of a new character really boosted this book and with Marco being the comedian of the group, it was interesting to see him tackle some complex concepts regarding war, violence and pacifism.
*spoiler upcoming*
I still find the idea of the 'doggy' pemalites with their advanced technology kind of ridiculous. Can't get past this.
The introduction of a new character really boosted this book and with Marco being the comedian of the group, it was interesting to see him tackle some complex concepts regarding war, violence and pacifism.
*spoiler upcoming*
I still find the idea of the 'doggy' pemalites with their advanced technology kind of ridiculous. Can't get past this.
c_dmckinney's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Slavery, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Grief, War, and Violence
marcel's review
dark
funny
4.0
'"Excuse me? I must have something wrong with my ears." I tapped the side of my head with my palm. "Because, see, I thought I heard you say the word 'spider'. And I remember saying 'no insects'."
Cassie held her hand out to me. And in that hand was a spider. "It's not an insect. Arachnids have eight legs and two body segments. Insects have six legs and three segments."
I swear, I took a look at that spider and almost passed out.' marco just like me fr
Cassie held her hand out to me. And in that hand was a spider. "It's not an insect. Arachnids have eight legs and two body segments. Insects have six legs and three segments."
I swear, I took a look at that spider and almost passed out.' marco just like me fr
rhia42's review
5.0
I really liked this one. This really took a look at what it means to be violent. What it means to be at war. What if there was peace? What if we could be a peaceful race. Pretty big stuff for a young adult novel... love it.
garnetofeden's review
4.0
Both as a child and as an adult, I find the ending profound. Human memories fade over time; this is why it is easy to see throughout history that the same 'mistakes' are repeated. However, the fact that time can dull the pain of memories is what makes it possible to heal from traumatic experiences.
I knew what he meant. See, win or lose, right or wrong, the memory of violence sits inside your head. It sits there, like some lump you can't quite swallow. It sits there, a black hole that darkens hope, and eats away at everyday happiness like a cancer. It's the shadow you take into your own heart and try to live with.
I shrugged. "I guess I try not to think about it. I try and forget. And after a while, the nightmares don't happen as much."
Erek put a finger to his head. "Android," he said. He made a bitter, ruined smile. "I can't forget. See? I can never forget . . . anything."
I looked at him. Already in my own human mind, the memories of that night's horror were fading. The flash of blades and the pain and the sickening feeling of my fist closing around the Hork-Bajir's throat . . . they were being covered over by scar tissue.
What if I could never forget?
What if all those memories were fresh forever?
I realized then why the Pemalites had forbidden their creatures to kill. The Chee lived forever. Forever was a long time to remember what Erek had done.
"I'm sorry," I said.
(...) We went to our homes and crawled into beds our parents never knew we'd left.
I was beyond exhausted. But I couldn't sleep. Too many images. Too many memories. And I was afraid of the nightmares. (...) I closed my eyes and wandered lost and afraid through my nightmares.
And already, my mind was forgetting. (pg. 164-165)
On a happier note, it was pretty funny for the author to suggest that there would ever be a concert with Alanis Morrissette, Offspring, and Nine Inch Nails performing together (pg. 5). I just can't see it happening. I would imagine that in the reprint, if/when they get to it, that will be one of the pop culture references that gets updated. Hopefully whoever is charged with that task does a little more research next time around, haha. They will probably also update the names of magazines (pg. 21). YM ceased publication in 2004, and Teen magazine stopped being printed in 2008. I wonder if they'll do anything different for the part where they look someone up in the phone book (pg. 25).
Another fabulous joke was Marco suggesting that the theme song for dogs would be "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (pg. 12). Girls just love to be similar to dogs.
As a geologist, I found the spiel on the evolution of spiders entertaining/interesting (pg. 72).
An interesting connection I thought of between Animorphs and Harry Potter: Since Ron and Marco are both the comic relief, it is kind of funny they both dislike spiders.
Rating reviewed 1/23/2023.
Spoiler
Because he is an android and a computer, Erek can't forgot the violence he committed.Spoiler
"How do you . . . how do you live with the memory?" he asked me.I knew what he meant. See, win or lose, right or wrong, the memory of violence sits inside your head. It sits there, like some lump you can't quite swallow. It sits there, a black hole that darkens hope, and eats away at everyday happiness like a cancer. It's the shadow you take into your own heart and try to live with.
I shrugged. "I guess I try not to think about it. I try and forget. And after a while, the nightmares don't happen as much."
Erek put a finger to his head. "Android," he said. He made a bitter, ruined smile. "I can't forget. See? I can never forget . . . anything."
I looked at him. Already in my own human mind, the memories of that night's horror were fading. The flash of blades and the pain and the sickening feeling of my fist closing around the Hork-Bajir's throat . . . they were being covered over by scar tissue.
What if I could never forget?
What if all those memories were fresh forever?
I realized then why the Pemalites had forbidden their creatures to kill. The Chee lived forever. Forever was a long time to remember what Erek had done.
"I'm sorry," I said.
(...) We went to our homes and crawled into beds our parents never knew we'd left.
I was beyond exhausted. But I couldn't sleep. Too many images. Too many memories. And I was afraid of the nightmares. (...) I closed my eyes and wandered lost and afraid through my nightmares.
And already, my mind was forgetting. (pg. 164-165)
On a happier note, it was pretty funny for the author to suggest that there would ever be a concert with Alanis Morrissette, Offspring, and Nine Inch Nails performing together (pg. 5). I just can't see it happening. I would imagine that in the reprint, if/when they get to it, that will be one of the pop culture references that gets updated. Hopefully whoever is charged with that task does a little more research next time around, haha. They will probably also update the names of magazines (pg. 21). YM ceased publication in 2004, and Teen magazine stopped being printed in 2008. I wonder if they'll do anything different for the part where they look someone up in the phone book (pg. 25).
Another fabulous joke was Marco suggesting that the theme song for dogs would be "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (pg. 12). Girls just love to be similar to dogs.
As a geologist, I found the spiel on the evolution of spiders entertaining/interesting (pg. 72).
An interesting connection I thought of between Animorphs and Harry Potter: Since Ron and Marco are both the comic relief, it is kind of funny they both dislike spiders.
Rating reviewed 1/23/2023.
booksthatburn's review
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, War, Body horror, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Death of parent, Slavery, Death, Grief, and Genocide
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Sexism, and Torture
brunettejnas's review
4.0
I skipped this as a teen because - ew - spiders. BUT HOLY GUACAMOLE- the end. wow.
the1germ's review
5.0
I... forgot how this ended lol. Holy cow.
This one introduces the Chee, which I mostly forgot about and I'm a little startled to see them introduced so early. It was only in book 10?? The ending is absolutely brutal, another one on the "must read" list of the series.
This one introduces the Chee, which I mostly forgot about and I'm a little startled to see them introduced so early. It was only in book 10?? The ending is absolutely brutal, another one on the "must read" list of the series.