Reviews

The Visitor, by K.A. Applegate

56bumblebees's review

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

redchaosvoid's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Spoiler

** Contains Spoilers ** (Added if you're on mobile. My mobile app doesn't tell me when a review contains spoilers).

I've listed this as containing spoilers because this is a continuing series. The first book was from the perspective of Jake. This one is from the perspective of his cousin Rachel. Each book seems to be from the perspective of a different character; the next one is from the perspective of Tobias.

It's interesting how slow paced these books are and yet so much is happening at the same time. In this one, Rachel is noticing that a friend of hers has distanced herself from her. Melissa, the daughter of Vice Principal Chapman, and Rachel used to be pretty close. Knowing that her father is a controller (a yeerk controlled human), she decides to sneak into the Chapman home and see what she can find out. First, she needs to "obtain" the DNA of Melissa's cat, Fluffer McKitty. Once inside, she sees the controlled Chapman (Father) talking to Visser Three on a hologram screen that appears in a locked room in the basement.  She ends up going in twice. The second time, it doesn't go too well.

I found it interesting that this book goes back to where it all began; the construction site. The Yeerk's seem to have an obsession with this spot even though their first presence there was seen by countless people (brushed off as basically National Enquirer/junk magazine fodder). It was also interesting to me to first read this as Jake and then someone else. It really helps you get to know each character.

There's another description of Visser Three in this one that I felt was better than the one in the first book. Correct me if I'm wrong, but VT is that blue creature that looks half human and half horse that can be seen on some of these books. At least when he's in Andalite form. I'm still new to this series so I may be mixing things up a bit.

I did notice an emphasis on Jake still being grossed out by something in the first book. It was mentioned multiple times. Also, the thing with Tobias had me scratching my head a little. What with the ending of the first book, I really question his guardians and their priorities. I mean, if they don’t notice a certain something (avoiding this spoiler), then something is really wrong there.

4 out of 5 stars.

snowbenton's review

5.0

Gah, my childhood heart is breaking all over again. This is the one where the Animorphs decide what they are fighting for: freedom.

bentheoverlordsbooks's review

4.0

A strong follow up to the first volume 1. I really liked having Rachel’s Pov in this book, and the growing powers each of the teens are learning. I’m liking the team dynamic, everyone seems important and has a part to play, and it’s nice seeing how they bounce off each other.
I really liked seeing the Yerks involvement with Chapman this book, and added an extra level of depth and drama, and there was some great heart tug character moments. I also loved Rachel’s want to help her friend, and the pain it was obviously causing her, making her more gun hoe with situations.
Overall an excellent second book and I hope this trajectory stays strong for a bit (I know there are some bad books To come but I hope they aren’t for a while)

crypticbutton's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

xsamwise's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

dzengota's review

3.0

"Ah man, I sure do love these thermals." ---> "Ah man, I really hate that I'm watching my best friend think that her parents hate her and that I can't tell her that they're being controlled by aliens otherwise they would have controlled or killed." A normal progression of teenage hijinks.

kengore's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

le_voleur's review

adventurous medium-paced

3.75

case_closed's review

5.0

I was on the edge of my seat worried that it would end on a cliff hanger. A completely action packed book that would always have you worried for our main characters.