A review by epsilina
Animorphs Megamorphs #01: The Andalite's Gift by K.A. Applegate

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.75

I was excited to read a book from multiple perspectives in a single volume, but I was a little disappointed in how it was executed. I felt like they flit too quickly between viewpoints and had too much repetition, so it made it hard to really connect emotionally with what was going on. I think it makes sense to use multiple perspectives when the party is really split up like this, but I think it could have been executed better.

I am in the vast minority, but I didn't mind the amnesia storyline so much. I liked getting to see how much of that character is just innate to who they are.
In particular, I thought it was really interesting to see Rachel, confused and scared when the police are at the house, react not by trying to run away, but her instincts making her big and large and ready to confront. Same with when she is a bear. She doesn't know who she is, she doesn't know what's going on or what she's fighting for, but she won't go down without losing a few limbs first, and she won't simply run away. I also thought it was so interesting to get this weird glimpse into the former controller from the perspective of someone who had no context. Whoever this woman may be, Rachel in this book isn't able to connect any dots or find out anymore real information, and I don't think she'll really end up synthesizing that information in her head later on. But now we the readers have the stakes raised a little more, because we can see the effects having a yeerk in your head too long can have on you. Eventually, it may he too late even if the yeerk could be removed.


I loved the plan at the end, I thought it was really clever. This was more plot driven than character and I didn't totally mind that, but I do think the flow was weak. I also felt some character moments were overshadowed by the pacing and switching narratives.
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