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A review by missflyer
The Visitor by K.A. Applegate
4.0
January 11, 2020 re-read
Coming back to this five years and twenty years after first reading this series, different details keep popping out. This time, it was the details about Visser Three (two more alien morphs! Including a named one which is) and Yeerk hierarchy/invasion methodology. And what tantalizing tidbits do we learn about the Yeerk invasion force! And Visser Three as well – it’s early in the game, so he still (mostly) has his head on straight and doesn’t make impetuous decisions – he’s determined to get the “Andalite bandits”, or at least, have Chapman get them for him. I found myself hungry for any and all details I could get about the Yeerks and their plans, since this is the closest we have ever gotten to them since the series began, and one of the few instances where the Animorphs directly spy on them for any length of time. As for the quote for this book, that has to be:
Love is pretty important. It makes you strong.
Notable quotes:
I hugged my sister a little closer. I hated the way suspicion had crept into every part of my mind. I hated the way I wasn’t sure, not really, totally sure, that I could trust her. – page 69
But [Visser Three] was not a creature who made impetuous decisions. – page 100 – Oh, I am amused since
Mechanics:
It takes 1 minute to acquire DNA (page 55)
It takes about 3 minutes to morph (might have been in The Invasion that this was specified, but I didn’t mark it at any point)
“think-speak” page 20 – I think this is the only instance in the entire series where it is referred to “think-speak” instead of the more usual “thought-speak” and occasional “thought-spoke”
“remorph” is used instead of “demorph”, by Visser Three (page 135) – for the first, and probably only, time
Typos:
…so mom feels guilty… – page39 – ‘mom’ should be capitalized ‘Mom’
I was horribly hungry. – page 61 – looks like there’s an extra space after the verb.
First re-read: April 3, 2015
At this rate, it will take me quite a while before I feel I have truly taken off my rose-colored glasses about this series. That, or I was never wearing them to begin with, and just haven't realized it yet.
Going back and reading it now, I notice that while the pacing and story center around action and keeping the reader's attention (it is for 9-12 year olds, after all), there are tidbits scattered around that would make for excellent book discussion groups. Themes of loneliness, of not being loved, of the value of love in life, of not understanding the changes in people around you, and even fear and how to deal with it. Ms. Applegate touches on all of those themes, while still keeping the story moving, and not allowing the reader to dally too long in the harsh realities of it all. The balance she has going on between the fearsome reality of the Yeerk invasion, how the Animorphs deal with what is now their guerrilla war, and how the Animorphs manage to 'stay sane' through events both terrifying and awesome -- it manages to work in the favor of the series.
To top it off, there are some simple, concise, very true lines in the book, that just hit the reality nail on the head (especially where Tobias is concerned -- yes, he is my favorite, and I will most likely be showing him a lot of favoritism). A couple that really stood out to me:
"Love is pretty important. It's like wearing a suit of armor. It makes you strong." -- Rachel, pg. 112.
/Flying is like the nicest thing in the world,/ I said dreamily.
/Yes, it is,/ Tobias agreed. /One of the nicest things. But there are things you miss, too. Sitting back on the couch with a can of pop and a bag of chips and no school the next day and something good on TV. That's a good feeling, too./
He didn't sound like he was feeling sorry for himself. Just like he was mentioning something that happened to be true. -- pg. 113
Coming back to this five years and twenty years after first reading this series, different details keep popping out. This time, it was the details about Visser Three (two more alien morphs! Including a named one which is
Spoiler
specifically a Yeerk predator, the Vanarx!Love is pretty important. It makes you strong.
Notable quotes:
I hugged my sister a little closer. I hated the way suspicion had crept into every part of my mind. I hated the way I wasn’t sure, not really, totally sure, that I could trust her. – page 69
But [Visser Three] was not a creature who made impetuous decisions. – page 100 – Oh, I am amused since
Spoiler
he makes more and more impetuous decisions regarding the “Andalite bandits” as the series goes onMechanics:
It takes 1 minute to acquire DNA (page 55)
It takes about 3 minutes to morph (might have been in The Invasion that this was specified, but I didn’t mark it at any point)
“think-speak” page 20 – I think this is the only instance in the entire series where it is referred to “think-speak” instead of the more usual “thought-speak” and occasional “thought-spoke”
“remorph” is used instead of “demorph”, by Visser Three (page 135) – for the first, and probably only, time
Typos:
…so mom feels guilty… – page39 – ‘mom’ should be capitalized ‘Mom’
I was horribly hungry. – page 61 – looks like there’s an extra space after the verb.
First re-read: April 3, 2015
At this rate, it will take me quite a while before I feel I have truly taken off my rose-colored glasses about this series. That, or I was never wearing them to begin with, and just haven't realized it yet.
Going back and reading it now, I notice that while the pacing and story center around action and keeping the reader's attention (it is for 9-12 year olds, after all), there are tidbits scattered around that would make for excellent book discussion groups. Themes of loneliness, of not being loved, of the value of love in life, of not understanding the changes in people around you, and even fear and how to deal with it. Ms. Applegate touches on all of those themes, while still keeping the story moving, and not allowing the reader to dally too long in the harsh realities of it all. The balance she has going on between the fearsome reality of the Yeerk invasion, how the Animorphs deal with what is now their guerrilla war, and how the Animorphs manage to 'stay sane' through events both terrifying and awesome -- it manages to work in the favor of the series.
To top it off, there are some simple, concise, very true lines in the book, that just hit the reality nail on the head (especially where Tobias is concerned -- yes, he is my favorite, and I will most likely be showing him a lot of favoritism). A couple that really stood out to me:
"Love is pretty important. It's like wearing a suit of armor. It makes you strong." -- Rachel, pg. 112.
/Flying is like the nicest thing in the world,/ I said dreamily.
/Yes, it is,/ Tobias agreed. /One of the nicest things. But there are things you miss, too. Sitting back on the couch with a can of pop and a bag of chips and no school the next day and something good on TV. That's a good feeling, too./
He didn't sound like he was feeling sorry for himself. Just like he was mentioning something that happened to be true. -- pg. 113