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pumaomega's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.5
helizzes's review against another edition
3.0
Se me a hecho aburrido en muchos momentos y muy parecido al primero
7,5/10
7,5/10
moonprismbooks's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.0
A great second book in this series! These books are already so addicting! The narrator for the audiobooks made it so engaging!
Although this one focused mainly on Melissa’s family and their mystery, we learned more information about the Yeerks and saw some exciting anitmorphing!
Although this one focused mainly on Melissa’s family and their mystery, we learned more information about the Yeerks and saw some exciting anitmorphing!
rat_girl_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kristasorocks's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
toebean5's review against another edition
4.0
Huh. All I knew of these books were their creepy covers, but someone highly recommended them so I decided to give them a spin. They were all checked out from the library, which I thought was kind of weird. So I started with book 2, and... I was pleasantly surprised. It's a pretty good, solid, grade school/middle school chapter book. (And it does that thing I love in kids books, where it catches you up on everything you missed, so I don't feel too bad about missing book 1) Some of the characters (okay, Marco) are a little annoying, in that 90s, TMNT Raphael way, where their sarcasm is supposed to pass for humor; but it was still a cute little read. Might continue the series, because it was a quick read, too.
lesserjoke's review against another edition
4.0
This first Animorphs sequel continues the thrilling fun of the debut, while simultaneously deepening the darker themes of the series. Turning into an animal and back is now described in a way that emphasizes the unnatural body horror of the experience, and the danger of succumbing to a morph's instincts is even worse. In shrew form, Rachel is overwhelmed with the fear of a prey creature and fixated on its desire to eat maggots. That evening, she has a nightmare that wakes her in a cold sweat and sends her rushing to the toilet to hurl. Meanwhile, her friend Melissa is dealing with the crushing despair of not understanding why her parents don't seem to love her anymore, unaware that they've been taken over by alien operatives. The previous volume wasn't exactly a walk in the park either, setting up the stakes of the invasion that the kids are fighting against, but the ratio of wacky antics to existential terror is skewed further here.
It's not a perfect story. Although the book takes a clever path to send the larger plot moving and show the group congealing into the trusting squad they'll need to be, it also introduces one of my least favorite elements, the pointless rehashing of the premise as if readers can't be trusted to pick up the novels in order and retain basic information across them. And I get it -- the publisher wants to keep things accessible for folks who do assume they can just start anywhere and follow along. Harry Potter, another Scholastic project of the era, exhibits the same behavior. But I remember finding that frustratingly insulting during the initial monthly release schedule for this franchise, and it feels like it's going to be maddening as I reread everything in quick succession as an adult.
The current adventure includes a bit of tedious 90s sexism too. I give credit to author K. A. Applegate for including the scene where the young teen protagonist is subjected to a pickup attempt by a catcalling "high school or college" aged driver as she walks home one day, and for letting her fend him off with her newfound abilities, but I groaned aloud when her teammates later blame her for being in that situation as though she's the one who's done anything wrong. Marco's jokes at the heroine's expense can likewise come off as a bit cruel. It's hardly the most problematic piece of fiction for its time, but I hope these issues are merely a sign of everyone still settling into their long-term characterization.
On the worldbuilding front, we learn that the Yeerks are governed by a Council of Thirteen to whom the villainous Visser Three reports, and that his harshness towards his underlings is somewhat passed on from above. It's an early look at the enemy factions and internal politics that will prove far more complicated than was apparent before. (I was expecting to detect Stargate SG-1 parallels in the parasitic infiltrators, but I'm starting to feel some Star Trek: Deep Space Nine vibes as well!) He also provides us with that indelible phrase "Andalite bandits" -- reflecting the assumption that his opponents are fellow nonhumans instead of local resistance fighters -- which will recur with surprising frequency from here on out.
All in all, this isn't the slam dunk of its predecessor, but it's a strong demonstration of how the narrative could continue to unfold in a serialized fashion that's worth investing in.
[Content warning for gaslighting, claustrophobia, and gore.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
It's not a perfect story. Although the book takes a clever path to send the larger plot moving and show the group congealing into the trusting squad they'll need to be, it also introduces one of my least favorite elements, the pointless rehashing of the premise as if readers can't be trusted to pick up the novels in order and retain basic information across them. And I get it -- the publisher wants to keep things accessible for folks who do assume they can just start anywhere and follow along. Harry Potter, another Scholastic project of the era, exhibits the same behavior. But I remember finding that frustratingly insulting during the initial monthly release schedule for this franchise, and it feels like it's going to be maddening as I reread everything in quick succession as an adult.
The current adventure includes a bit of tedious 90s sexism too. I give credit to author K. A. Applegate for including the scene where the young teen protagonist is subjected to a pickup attempt by a catcalling "high school or college" aged driver as she walks home one day, and for letting her fend him off with her newfound abilities, but I groaned aloud when her teammates later blame her for being in that situation as though she's the one who's done anything wrong. Marco's jokes at the heroine's expense can likewise come off as a bit cruel. It's hardly the most problematic piece of fiction for its time, but I hope these issues are merely a sign of everyone still settling into their long-term characterization.
On the worldbuilding front, we learn that the Yeerks are governed by a Council of Thirteen to whom the villainous Visser Three reports, and that his harshness towards his underlings is somewhat passed on from above. It's an early look at the enemy factions and internal politics that will prove far more complicated than was apparent before. (I was expecting to detect Stargate SG-1 parallels in the parasitic infiltrators, but I'm starting to feel some Star Trek: Deep Space Nine vibes as well!) He also provides us with that indelible phrase "Andalite bandits" -- reflecting the assumption that his opponents are fellow nonhumans instead of local resistance fighters -- which will recur with surprising frequency from here on out.
All in all, this isn't the slam dunk of its predecessor, but it's a strong demonstration of how the narrative could continue to unfold in a serialized fashion that's worth investing in.
[Content warning for gaslighting, claustrophobia, and gore.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
sharnibee's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
I’m having such a good time with these (2 down, 52 to go) Fluffers McKitty really stole the show here (or rather Rachel as Fluffers). The tragedy of human controllers continues with the reveal of how Mr Chapman became one (to save his daughter - a school friend of the animorphs) from the same fate. The stakes begin to crystallise for the kids as they realise the enormity of what they are up against.