Title: The Encounter
Author: K.A. Applegate
Series: Animorphs #3
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 5/5 stars!
The Overview: 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…
The Review:
There’s something incredibly fascinating and heart-wrenching about someone’s struggle to hold onto their humanity after a horrific event. The books from Tobias’s viewpoint always have a different, more introspective tone then the rest of the series. I guess you’d be pretty insightful too if you spent every day alone with nature and your thoughts. I don’t think I was old enough to appreciate its depth as a kid, but I sort of do now. Back then, I was mainly just disappointed that the potential to try new animal morphs was gone. This time around, however, I’m enjoying it more than ever before… and that’s an exciting thing (I also notice more plot holes than ever before. I guess when you’re writing a series like this in under 100 pages it’s difficult to be completely thorough… right? Just go with it – lol.)
Title: The Message
Author: K.A. Applegate
Series: Animorphs #4
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 5/5 stars!
The Overview: 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…
The Review:
After careful consideration, I’ve made a decision (which, of course, is subject to change at any given moment): Cassie is my favorite Animorph. She gets along with everyone, is humble, hard-working, and compassionate. But what I love most about Cassie is her remarkable affinity for animals. She is the character I always envied because she knows the most about animals out of the group and she can control her morph on how amazing would it be to be able to control your morphing – how cool is that. As far as the books go, her stories aren’t always the most action-packed, but they are often the most powerful and profound. At least for me.
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