Book Review–The Secret (Animorphs #9) by Katherine Applegate

 

 

This is the 61st book from my 114 in 2014 Reading Challenge.

 

 

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The Secret (Animorphs #9) by Katherine Applegate
Published June 1st 1997 by Scholastic

 

There’s something pretty weird going on in the woods behind Cassie’s house. The place where Ax and Tobias call home. It seems the Yeerks have figured out one very important thing: Andalites cannot survive without a feeding ground. Visser Three knows the “Andalite bandits” don’t feed where he does, so there can only be one other place.

Now Cassie, Marco, Jake, Rachel, Tobias, and Ax have to figure out a way to stop a bogus logging camp. Because if Visser Three finds Ax in the woods, nothing will stop him from finding the Animorphs…

——

 

The plot continues to thicken in this series, and with it, the characters are also beginning to develop since we first met them in the first book. In this one, Cassie is the narrator once again.

While I didn’t find the Yeerk plot all that interesting, I loved the skunk subplot, as well as the dilemma concerning nature and life that Cassie struggles with after having to kill an animal to survive.

The last chapter ended on a humorous note, though I have mixed feelings concerning whether or not I like it. As far as the book goes, it was a fun and fast read.

 

 

 

Book Review–Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

I’m skipping Book vs Movie until I figure out what to read/watch next. If you have any suggestions, let me have them!

This is the 8th book from my 114 in 2014 Reading Challenge.

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Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
Published April 24th 2012 by Balzer + Bray

 

Sixteen-year-old Janelle Tenner is used to having a lot of responsibility. She balances working as a lifeguard in San Diego with an intense academic schedule. Janelle’s mother is bipolar, and her dad is a workaholic FBI agent, which means Janelle also has to look out for her younger brother, Jared.

And that was before she died… and is brought back to life by Ben Michaels, a mysterious, alluring loner from her high school. When she discovers a strange clock that seems to be counting down to the earth’s destruction, Janelle learns she has twenty-four days to figure out how to stop the clock and save the planet.

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So I was really looking forward to this book since I first heard about it about a year ago. I’m very disappointed. For this one, it’s easiest to do my review via list format.

Things I Didn’t Like:

1. It felt too much like Roswell, the TV show.

I know that the author was inspired by the show, but I felt there were too many similarities. So many that I couldn’t help but think of the show the entire time I was reading. While I love the show, that doesn’t mean I want to be constantly reminded of it in this book.

2. Janelle.

I really wanted to like her, but it was hard. While she did have a lot on her plate, I just had a hard time connecting to her.

3. The Writing.

While the writing wasn’t bad and was in short chapters (which I do like), it also didn’t draw me in. At all.

4. Repetition.

I felt like certain details were repeated so often throughout the book that I could have played a drinking game. Refreshing the reader’s memory is one thing, but to bring something up constantly is annoying.

5. Plot wasn’t well executed.

While the plot itself was interesting all Roswell aside, it didn’t feel well executed.

6. How badly I wanted to finish this (and not in a good way).

7. Sometimes these teenagers didn’t sound like teenagers.

Things I Did Like:

1. Janelle’s family life.

2. Janelle’s dad.

3. Alex and his relationship with his mom (though sometimes it bordered on being humorous).

4. Ben. I liked him.

5. The “marriage” debate in English, particularly between Ben & Janelle. Loved the “fucking marry me” part.

6. Struz.

7. Alex’s first memory of Janelle–it was sweet.

Final verdict: 2.5 stars. Had potential, but missed the mark for me.

 

 

Book Review–The Message (Animorphs #4) by K.A. Applegate

This is the 52nd book from my 200 Book Reading Challenge.

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The Message (Animorphs #4) by K.A. Applegate

Published 1996

It all started with the dreams. But Cassie didn’t pay much attention to them. She and her friends had all been having weird dreams since they’d first learned to morph. Maybe it was just some crazy side effect.

That’s when Cassie discovers that Tobias has been having the exact same dreams. Dreams about the ocean. And a strange feeling that someone is calling to them. Calling for help.

Now Cassie, Tobias, Jake, Rachel, and Marco have to figure out if the dreams are a message – or a trap. And if it is a trap, it could mean the end – for everyone…

 

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***Review may contain slight spoilers from previous books. You have been warned***

I used to love this series growing up. And while I do not love them as much now that I’m re-reading them–mostly due to the reading level/writing style–I am still finding them enjoyable. This one was one of my favorites growing up and it may be my favorite in the series so far as I’m re-reading them.

Cassie is my favorite female character of the group. She’s a good person who really cares about both people and animals. Her little crush with Jake is also too cute. I like dolphins pretty well, so reading about them was another plus. I also liked this plot the best out of all of them.

A new character, who I remember adoring, has also made their appearance. Who is this new character? You’ll have to read to find out.

Overall I believe the plots are getting better, the relationships between the Animorphs are growing, and things are getting even more interesting.

 

Book Review–The Encounter (Animorphs #3) by K.A. Applegate

This is the forty-sixth book from my 200 Book Reading Challenge.

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The Encounter (Animorphs #3) by K.A. Applegate

Published 1996

When Tobias, Jake, Rachel, Marco, and Cassie were given the ability to morph, they were also given one very important warning: Never stay in a morph for more than two hours. It seemed a small price to pay, since the kids know that humans everywhere are being forced to let slimy, spineless creatures creep into their brains. And the only way the kids can fight back is not to be human.

But Tobias stayed in his morph too long. And now he’s a hawk — with a boy’s mind — forever. Tobias knows they can’t give up. That they all made a promise. So now it’s four kids and a hawk against a force that’s determined to destroy them. Or die trying..

 

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***Review may contain slight spoilers from previous books. You have been warned***

Tobias is probably my favorite of the Animorphs, even before his fate. It was neat to read from his perspective (as well from a POV of what it might be like to be a bird) and especially of how he had to battle between his human brain and the brain of the hawk’s body that he is currently inhabiting. I believe that the series gets stronger with each book.

The Visitor is probably my best liked one so far, but The Encounter comes in second. I really do hope that one day Tobias and the others will discover a way for him to transform back into his human body again.

 

 

Book Review–The Visitor (Animorphs #2) by K.A. Applegate

This is the forty-second book from my 200 Book Reading Challenge.

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The Visitor (Animorphs #2) by K.A. Applegate

Published 1996

Morphing is certainly more fun than Sega — you can soar as an eagle and walk as a cat. But being an ANIMORPH is by no means just fun and games. Rachel knew better than anyone. One of her best friends, Melissa, is acting very strange. And it looks like Melissa’s dad, who is also the school’s Assistant Principal, may be connected to evil aliens. Rachel can’t tell Melissa what the ANIMORPHS have learned, but Melissa doesn’t seem interested in talking to Rachel these days anyway. Could Melissa be one of “them?”

With the help of Jake, Cassie, Tobias and Marco, Rachel plans to enter her friend’s house as a cat, intent on unlocking the secrets from within. If only Rachel could keep her mind off mice…

—-

I’ve decided to re-read this series since I now have them all in one form or another. I remember this one being one of my favorites when I was a kid because it was A) The first one I read; and B) I have always adored cats.

The writing style was good for the grade level and even at my age, I still enjoyed it. The characters for the most part are unique and likable. I think Cassie is my favorite. Then Tobias. Jake is probably the character I like the least because he’s bland to me.

I liked Rachel’s POV because she’s a strong character and I think it’s important for young girls to have strong female characters to read about. The plot in this one was more interesting than the last as well. This book made me wish that I had the ability to morph into an animal. How cool would that be?

Book Review– The Invasion (Animorphs #1) by K.A. Applegate

This is the thirty-eighth book from my 200 Book Reading Challenge.

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The Invasion (Animorphs #1) by K.A. Applegate

Published June 1st, 1996

 

Sometimes weird things happen to people. Ask Jake. He may tell you about the night he and his friends saw the strange light in the sky. He may even tell you about what happened when they realized the “light” was only a plan — from another planet. Here’s where Jake’s story gets a little weird. It’s where they’re told that the human race is under attack — and given the chance to fight back.

Now Jake, Rachel, Cassie, Tobias, and Marco have the power to morph into any animal they choose. And they must use that power to outsmart an evil that is greater than anything the world has ever seen…

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I used to love this series growing up, even though I was never able to get my hands on the first one. I finally found a copy at my local Goodwill last week and decided it might be fun to read the entire series. I’m still missing some books, but I think it will be much easier to get them now.

Overall The Invasion (Animorphs #1) has an interesting and engaging story. Who wouldn’t want the power to transform into an animal? I know I would love to be a part of that. I also liked several of the characters, but I honestly wasn’t really all that impressed with Jake’s POV. I remember liking his cousin, Rachel’s, much better. Guess I will find out since Book 2 is told from her POV. Tobias and Cassie are my favorite characters.

I’m interested to see how this all goes down in the end.