Unparalleled insight into the Hork-Bajir, Andalites, and Visser 3. Also deeply, deeply tragic. ( )

Very cool prequel backstory. A must ( )

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I didn't go back into Goodreads to mark as read all the Animorphs books, but they were (mostly) all read. I read this one now because it's the only Animorphs book that exists at the Toronto Public Library (there may be some uncatalogued paperbacks floating around but it's highly unlikely, and I'm not going to 100 branches to search). It's interesting, because Animorphs was just the greatest series of all time to my 8-year-old self, I remember seeing the cover of #1 in my Scholastic book order form and that was the beginning of the end. Animorphs was my first introduction to real science fiction that was actually written at my level (I tried to read 1984 when I was 10 because the plot sounded interesting to me, but I just couldn't do it until I was older), and I think it helped to shape my preferences and relationship to reading and sci-fi quite a bit. I re-read #1 a few years ago, and while the writing didn't really hold up, it was a nice trip down memory lane. I'm tempted to read the entire series again, mainly because I actually outgrew it before it ended so there are a couple of books in the series that I've actually never read. Also because I could probably read each in an hour.

Anyway, The Hork-Bajir Chronicles was great. The writing was simple, but not annoying (for an adult reader) and the sci-fi/philosophical concepts were pretty solid. Dak is awesome, and the Hork-Bajir are so lovely. Fuck the Andalites, those guys are jerks. ( )

Although this one is a prequel to the main series, covering events that happened generations before the core Animorph characters, it's intended to be read in the middle of the series... I was doubtful I'd enjoy a story about other aliens on a far-away planet, not the familiar Animorph kids on Earth but I could not have been more wrong. Like Enchantress from the Stars, this story tells of a clash between civilizations, and alternates between the viewpoints of each. The main characters are Aldrea- a female Andalite, daughter of the famous Seerow who unwittingly taught the evil Yeerks how to use technology; Dak-Hamee, a young Hork-Bajir of rare intelligence; and oooh, Esplin 9466- the Yeerk who would become Visser Three. It was actually really cool to read some chapters from the Yeerk's point of view, it makes you realize why they parasitize other species. It doesn't make them likeable, but a bit sympathetic. If you'd never had eyes to see the world with, you might do anything to gain a pair, too. So the story tells how the Yeerks were unleashed by the Andalites, how the peaceful Hork-Bajir planet was overwhelmed, how one small group of Andalites there struggled to hold them off until help arrived- too late. It's about a peaceful society attempting to learn the arts of warfare to save themselves- but is it worth the cost. It's about one friend taking advantage of another who doesn't know as much- until he learns what's really going on. It's about how brutal and senseless war is, does a personal sacrifice mean anything if they all die in the end. There's even an interspecies love story- told subtly, but it's there. And if you want some excitement, know that the story moves at a nice clip, with space battles near the end. I also enjoyed the environmental aspect, the description of nature on this alien planet and how delicate its balance was to keep certain species alive.

In spite of the very simple writing style, I was hooked on the story and very interested in all the complex developments that arose as each character became more aware of what was going on and more invested in the outcome, even when they saw the huge negatives along the way. Aldrea driven by her desire to be more than what's expected of a female Andalite- to become a warrior, and later on, to get revenge for the death of her family. (The Andalites can be rather arrogant, it turns out). Dak-Hamee driven by curiosity and hunger for knowledge- until he knew enough to be horrified, ashamed, and realize it was too late to turn back. Also inner perspective on the Yeerks- Esplin in particular driven by ambition, needing to set himself a higher rank and earn recognition from his peers- and he did it very cleverly, too. There's so much wrapped into this story, its sophistication belies the page length or age level, really.

from the Dogear Diary ( )