Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

The Visitor by K.A. Applegate

1 review

phillyhufflepunk's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This is the 2nd book in the series. It does a great job of expanding on the teens understanding of their new abilities and the narration by Rachel gives a welcome different perspective.

That being said, I have some problems with this one, starting with the concept of

Spoiler

morphing outfits. It makes no sense, and the argument that this is a book meant for kids does nothing to change that. It is clearly a sloppy throwaway device the adults in charge threw into the story to make it clear that teens could never possibly be nude near each other. Oh no kids, don't worry. Nudity isn't real. Bodies are shameful  You'll never have to change your clothes in gym class.

I feel like if a kid is mature enough to read about war, harassment, and death, this shouldn't be a problem either. 

Also,

Spoiler

Cassie is somehow 80 pounds? In one of the early chapters, it clearly states that she is fully morphed back into her human form, except that she still has her bird wings and that she could not fly like this because her body is 80 pounds. According to average growth patterns published by the CDC and the Cincinnati Children's hospital, this would only be normal if she was the shortest and skinniest possible for her age group, which is very unlikely.

What is she 8 years old? This is a teen girl who is active and healthy. Any young girl reading this is going to question if this is normal, and media that perpetuates weird characterizations like this only steers girls toward disorders. 

And finally...
Marco is the most ignorant boy on the planet when it comes to girls.

Spoiler

In one chapter, he calls ugly girls skanks. In another, he berates Rachel, calling her dumb for using her morph to protect herself from getting kidnapped and raped. Rachel is left feeling guilty and ashamed.

Keep in mind, they are teenagers who have been traumatized repeatedly over the previous week so this is yet another thing Rachel has to process.

I have always loved the series, even as a kid, but this one was never my favorite.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexism, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Toxic friendship