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cellardoor10 's review for:
The Unexpected
by K.A. Applegate
The definition of non-plot-advancing sidequest, this features Cassie accidnetally flying to Australia, meeting an Aboriginal boy, performing another surgery, though this one was way more graphic, I struggled with it a little bit, morphing a kangaroo, fighting, and being rescued. My biggest issue is that while Applegate seemed to care about depicting the Aborigines realistically (poor and in a desperate situation, but not devoid of resources, joy, spiritual beliefs, etc.), she really edges into the "mystical indigenous person" trope with their easy acceptance that Cassie might be a spirit related to some sacred ground. This is something that Applegate has leaned on a couple times - Inuit and other humans who are "more connected to nature or spirits" being helpful to the Animorphs.
I did like that Cassie is incredibly smart and competent in this, really shining for her survival skills and quick wits, and got to spend time with some other black folks that aren't her parents. We haven't seen much of that in the series, so this was nice. And there's definitely some commentary about how her skin color just lumps her in with the Aborigines in the eyes of white tourists who fly overhead. It doesn't totally miss the mark, but it also doesn't feel completely comfortable, either.
I did like that Cassie is incredibly smart and competent in this, really shining for her survival skills and quick wits, and got to spend time with some other black folks that aren't her parents. We haven't seen much of that in the series, so this was nice. And there's definitely some commentary about how her skin color just lumps her in with the Aborigines in the eyes of white tourists who fly overhead. It doesn't totally miss the mark, but it also doesn't feel completely comfortable, either.