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A review by quadrille
The Discovery by K.A. Applegate
4.0
FIRST REVIEW / MAR 31, 2015
This book brings in a gamechanger and introduces a major plot arc, the first 'trilogy' of the series, as the Animorphs recruit a brand-new member and decide to give him morphing abilities. I didn't realise that David joined the group so early(ish) in the series -- it's a little delightfully unpleasant revisiting this all over again, because my feelings towards him are so freakin' visceral. I hate this arc but also absolutely love it at the same time. The Discovery plants the seeds for a story that will unfurl over the next several books (this one literally ends with a "To be continued...", which probably made me fling the book across the room and shriek back in 1998).
The stakes are also WAY HIGH as the Animorphs try to quash the most ambitious Yeerk scheme yet: infesting the leaders of several major world powers at a political summit.
I won't say much, for spoilers -- it goes much further in #21 -- but what is so fantastic about this arc is that the Yeerks are no longer the biggest threat. The Animorphs' biggest threat comes from within: from an unknown factor, an untested quantity, an unreliable addition to the delicate balance of their team, which was already a fragile machine.
As usual, I also love the hints of Marco's analytical mind, his keen dissection of a situation and how they should approach it, his ruthless bottom line, and how much he and Rachel actually jive in opinion, but simply expressed in different ways.
Other things I loved: Cassie's empathetic nature being shown as also making her really really good at manipulating people, reading them well enough to play their feelings in order to get them to do what she needs them to do. I'm finding the Marco and Cassie dynamic especially interesting too, since they're such opposites, but he's realising her strengths even as he doesn't trust her due to the shenanigans she pulled in the last book, even as he's also grateful to her for saving his life over and over (plus there was her guilt complexes over saving him in the first Megamorphs, and they have another great moment in the next book)... I dunno, I just really appreciate the balance between this entire cast, and the complex relationships they have with each other.
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SECOND REVIEW / MAY 18, 2020
I don't have that much to add to my previous review, besides that I love Marco's relationships with Jake, with Cassie, with Rachel; I love this trilogy so much!!; I love the slow build-up of the conflict, as you can initially feel so much sympathy for David and the painful position he finds himself in overnight, and find yourself hoping that it'll all turn out okay.
Favourite quotes moved to Google Docs.
This book brings in a gamechanger and introduces a major plot arc, the first 'trilogy' of the series, as the Animorphs recruit a brand-new member and decide to give him morphing abilities. I didn't realise that David joined the group so early(ish) in the series -- it's a little delightfully unpleasant revisiting this all over again, because my feelings towards him are so freakin' visceral. I hate this arc but also absolutely love it at the same time. The Discovery plants the seeds for a story that will unfurl over the next several books (this one literally ends with a "To be continued...", which probably made me fling the book across the room and shriek back in 1998).
The stakes are also WAY HIGH as the Animorphs try to quash the most ambitious Yeerk scheme yet: infesting the leaders of several major world powers at a political summit.
I won't say much, for spoilers -- it goes much further in #21 -- but what is so fantastic about this arc is that the Yeerks are no longer the biggest threat. The Animorphs' biggest threat comes from within: from an unknown factor, an untested quantity, an unreliable addition to the delicate balance of their team, which was already a fragile machine.
As usual, I also love the hints of Marco's analytical mind, his keen dissection of a situation and how they should approach it, his ruthless bottom line, and how much he and Rachel actually jive in opinion, but simply expressed in different ways.
Other things I loved: Cassie's empathetic nature being shown as also making her really really good at manipulating people, reading them well enough to play their feelings in order to get them to do what she needs them to do. I'm finding the Marco and Cassie dynamic especially interesting too, since they're such opposites, but he's realising her strengths even as he doesn't trust her due to the shenanigans she pulled in the last book, even as he's also grateful to her for saving his life over and over (plus there was her guilt complexes over saving him in the first Megamorphs, and they have another great moment in the next book)... I dunno, I just really appreciate the balance between this entire cast, and the complex relationships they have with each other.
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SECOND REVIEW / MAY 18, 2020
"No problem-o," Rachel said. "He's not a Hork-Bajir, he's not a Taxxon, and he's not Visser Three. Us versus some kid from school? Puh-leeze. It's a walk in the park."
Normally, I have a superstition about ever saying something is going to be easy. But this time, even I didn't worry.
Now I have a new superstition: Anytime I'm not worried, I worry.
I don't have that much to add to my previous review, besides that I love Marco's relationships with Jake, with Cassie, with Rachel; I love this trilogy so much!!; I love the slow build-up of the conflict, as you can initially feel so much sympathy for David and the painful position he finds himself in overnight, and find yourself hoping that it'll all turn out okay.
Favourite quotes moved to Google Docs.