The Visitor (Animorphs #2)

Spring 2020 / Animorphs 2020 Read;

I cannot lie. I have been dying to get in my read of this book since I realized Rachel was the second narrator (and we all know Rachel, and Jo's love for Rachel, and Amanda's love of fiesty blonde violent girls is really what got me here), even if I've been so sick I've missed out on anything the book club said about it this week. I piled through this one at about an hour some evening in the middle of the week and then passed right out after.

I love the idea of how each of these puts us more and more into the minds of each character to see how they feel about things, people, the events around them, their responsibility or lack thereof. While it continues to be incredibly middle grade (not an insult to show more Applegate or Animorphs, just a fact it's impossible to avoid while I'm concurrently reading Sanderson's [b:The Way of Kings|7235533|The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1)|Brandon Sanderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388184640l/7235533._SY75_.jpg|8134945] through this whole month), I do find myself getting more drawn into things.

I did like that Melissa wasn't one of the controllers, and how that wound itself around the choices Rachel wanted to make as a friend and the choices she wants to make as an Animorph, and how very different those two things are already (even though that pathway will narrow and blur so fast, as all hero's journeys do). I love that you can already see Rachel's willingness to play it so hard and fast and close to the breaking point in faintest whispers already of what will come at the end.

I wrote down a lot of quotes. It's very sad the downloads don't upload over like kindle books, but oh well. Just know there was a wealth of Rachel things, Rachel feelings, discussions between people. A lot of the last lines of the book again, like last time. show less

Reread again in 2018. While some of the morph stuff (like the bit with the shrew) is a bit paint-by-numbers and the portrayal as house cats as these aloof, solitary creatures isn't terribly accurate, I absolutely loved how true the emotional moments in this book rang. Even with just a few pages here and there, I felt for these characters again and definitely agree with my younger self's assesment of the book's emotional climax. Original slightly spoilerish review below.

- - -
Back in the day, this was actually the first Animorphs book I bought and read. I have no idea why, as I I was (and am) a bit obsessive about always reading/playing/watching the first instalment of a series first, but in any case, Rachel was the one who introduced me show more to Andalites, Yeerk and the idea of turning into a kitty - or a shrew.

I don't know how often I read and reread the book as a young teen; I thought the scene towards the end with Chapman-the-human was very powerful. Rereading it now, I note that The Visitor's scale is definitely smaller than that of The Invasion, but that's nothing to hold against it: For Rachel here, it's not so much about a big ideal like saving the world, it's about saving one of her best friend from losing her family in more ways than one. It's a personal story, and I think it's good that the series brings it up so early. Got to know what these kids are fighting for.

I was a little annoyed at Rachel's instance on pitying Tobias but other than that, I enjoyed her narration and the differences from Jake's - she's more obviously reckless, she's the one with a streak for vengance. One thing I'm getting a bit tired of (for both narrators) are the many, many instances where the narration goes as follows:
"Oh, it's nothing, just the usual" I said, and thought, "Like turning into animals, fighting aliens that control your brain... you know, the usual."
It's funny the first few time's but it's getting old.

Favourite scenes: Rachel and her sister after Rachel wakes from a nightmare, and Rachel talking about it with Jake on the bus. Also the aforementioned scene with Chapman. show less

After the fast-paced world building and action of book 1, The Visitor is much slower and smaller in scope. It focuses on building up the characters and their roles on this team as they engage in what is basically a book-long reconnaissance mission.

I don't remember liking this one very much when I was a kid, but I think I understand better now what the author was trying to do. She's building personal stakes and helping you understand why the team is willing to get into this fight for the long haul that it's going to be.

Jake's Review: There was a little too much talking and not enough action in this one, I think maybe because it was narrated by a girl. (Mom's note: points for knowing the word narrated, smack upside the head for the sexist comment). There was lots of funny and gross stuff which I liked. Liked the part where Jake turns into a lion. I don't like the Taxxon dudes because they are super scary. I think this would be awesome if they remade it into a movie or TV show -- not like the old one you showed me. Hopefully the next story will be told by Marco -- you are going to buy me more of the series right mom. (Mom's note: darn straight I will, I have to make sure you become a lifelong reader -- unlike some other male members of this show more family)
Jake's Rating: 9/10

Mom's Review: I can see why Jake didn't like this one as much as the first story, it s narrated by a girl. There is also a lot less action than in the introductory story. That being said, I enjoyed it more than the first one. Found it fascinating when the kids morphed into the animals and described their experiences as the animal. Sort of a way of teaching the kids something, but not having them realize it. I think this will be a great series for both boys and girls, as long as they keep switching the narration up. I never read the Animorphs series before, so I don't know if these are just reprints or updated stories. What is nice if it is just a reprint, the stories are told in such a way that it won't become dated. I Like that there are strong female characters in it. That's right lovely son, chicks can and do kick a**. A good continuation of the story and I actually look forward to reading the rest of the series. That is right followers -- I have never grown up.
Mom's Rating: 9/10

We received this from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review show less

The changes in narrator between books is going to take some getting used to (it took me almost this entire book to remember Rachel was narrating, and by then i was already so close to it changing again). But other than that, solid story and great progression and I'm still looking forward to the next one!

A very decent YA story. This particular story in the Animorphs saga had a decent blend of character development, tension, action, and plot expansion.

Cute book and a nice continuation of the Animorphs books. Loving cats, I was thrilled to get this book as a kid. I really enjoyed it.