(Animorphs #9-12) + (Animorphs #12.5) [March 1, 2024]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Soon, yea... Me and Nirkatze read Andalite Chronicles, Choko read 9-12... Emily read 9-11...

[Katie]

Thanks for the update!! What’s the schedule look like for the next book??

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

There's an April thread for 13-16... similar to this thread for 9-12.5... the threads are linked to the box sets...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Nirkatze]

@Iain--what is "nothlit"?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Those who stay in morph longer than 2hrs and get stuck

[Nirkatze]

Hm, that term totally went by my head. Does it stand for anything or is it just a made-up word?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Just a made up Andalite word...

[Nirkatze]

Roger that, thank you!

[Katie]

“The Secret” (#9)

Man do I love a Cassie narrated book. (view spoiler)[We start of in a kinda funny place where Cassie and Rachel morph into rats to test out their maze for science class. But some jerks get in the way and try to destroy the girls and their rat Courtney!! Luckily they manage to escape.

The big plot of this book is that the yeerks are trying to destroy a nearby forest via a logging company. Not good. So of course the kids are gonna stop it. How? Bugs. Again?! Seriously?! I get the Infiltration….but what about the ant incident?! Or the cockroach one?! How can Jake even suggest that. And Cassie’s inner monologue is true fear too.

How did the bug mission go? Not great! At least they weren’t scared. Or controlled in the first half of the morph. But when they found the termite queen. Oh boy. Losing that control is so scary!! If it weren’t for Cassie. Her and her friends might still be mindless drones.

But her lethal actions freaked her the heck out. Nearly blowing their cover. They do what they need to do. But Cassie is left with this feeling of confusion, and disgust, and fear. Is she as bad as the yeerks? By killing the queen she has destroyed that entire colony! She had no right to be there…

Luckily some wildlife takes her mind off of things as she tries to save some baby skunks whose mom was injured. These moments were my fav. Of course or girl almost was a skunk forever. Because cozy den and babies. But thankfully she has a watchful hawk at her back. Jake gave her a bit of tough love. But the whole team is worried.

There were some really interesting talks with Cassie, Jake and Tobias. About what is natural. How can they fight but still be good. All the morality questions of war and just the hierarchy of nature.

Philosophy aside the gang finally make it back to base to fight of Vissor 3 again. Cassie gets caught after some bug themed ptsd. But luckily her new skunk morph came out on top! What a fun way to end a scary battle.

Skunks are so cool. I’m glad they get some love in this novel. And I’m glad the kids have each others backs after terrifying morphs and captures.

The kids are still hanging in there! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

I completely agree with all of your thoughts for #9 in that they should stay away from hive bug morphs O.O

[Nirkatze]

Katie wrote: "I completely agree with all of your thoughts for #9 in that they should stay away from hive bug morphs O.O"

And yet... I feel like we get one of those almost each book... to be fair, insects are really good spies... they're everywhere.... *looks around nervously*

Really enjoyed your synopsis & comments!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Yea... I mean... spoiler alert... there's a Magic Schoolbus-esque trilogy... (view spoiler)[where they have to chase micro-aliens inside someone's body... among other things with these micro-aliens (hide spoiler)]

Bugs are small, everywhere, and hard to target...

They just need to stick to fleas and less ants/termites/bees/etc...

[Katie]

Nirkatze wrote: "Katie wrote: "I completely agree with all of your thoughts for #9 in that they should stay away from hive bug morphs O.O"

And yet... I feel like we get one of those almost each book... to be fair,..."

Thanks Nirkatze! You're so right in that bugs are great for stealth ops. Still. So scary O.O

@Timelord. Omg yeah! Loved the Magic School Bus growing up :D

[Katie]

"The Android" (#10)
Back into Marco’s perspective. This was an ok read. Kinda follows the same formula after a while of the kids trying to stop the yeerks in some way. And because of that being involved in multiple near death episodes. Despite that it was as still very enjoyable. And I could see kids picking these books up to read out of order with how it’s written.

(view spoiler)[I loved the beginning when Marco and Jake turned into dogs to see an outdoor concert. Being a dog must be so carefree and great!! Still. I can’t believe Jake was so ok with this after him telling Cassie to not morph carelessly. Ok my dude. lol.

This is where we meet Erek. What a weird spelling. Low and behold this is the big mystery. Why is their schoolmate working for the sharing?

Many nasty morphs are had to discover what’s what. Including the wolf spider. Oof. Marco almost getting eaten by a bird was terrifying!!!

But due to some close calls we figure out Erek is an android called the Chee. And they’re actually against the yeerks too. Even wanting to fight them.

It’s neat to learn of more alien species involved. The Chee and their creators the Pemalites grew too peaceful and forgot of evils of the world and war. Leading them to be destroyed by the Howlers. A few escaped and the souls of their creators were put into wolves. Ala dogs. I love that!! It’s so random but makes so much sense. Love this little tie in.

Most of the Chee don’t want to fight. They’re peaceful beings. And don’t inflict harm. These are the kind of androids I could get behind.

But then we have some scary infiltration missions to get the Pemalites crystal. The team is almost defeated if not for Erek. He sacrificed his peaceful android soul for them. Killing the aliens and controllers. In an instant. But that memory won’t soon be forgotten. Computers don’t forgot. While Marco is just grateful of being alive his brain protects him from those memories. What a life that must be for Erek. Poor dude.

In a bit confused at the end. They gave the crystal to their dogs? Only for it to be tossed in the sea?? Didn’t they want to use it? Or did they just not want the yeerks to have it? Hmmmm…. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Tossing your questions to Iain. :) My guess is the latter, but I'm just as fuzzy.

Good point about how (view spoiler)[computers can't forget... he can't ever undo what he did... though maybe he could be erased, or remade, but then it wouldn't be him anymore... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

They refused to use it, because they couldn't deal with the changes it would have brought... So only Erek gets to suffer with guilt and PTSD....:(

[Choko]

I finished Andelite Chronicles #12.5 ... This was packed with information!

(view spoiler)[ It was so disturbing that Elfangor had to experience so much in his first engagement with the enemy! He was bright eyed and bushy tailed, and reality made him grow up at once! The morph into the alien, the ravenous hunger it experienced, his friend getting stuck in it... And then the general being taken over by what we know today as Visser Three... I actually really wanted him to kill all those Yeerks, but am also proud of him for not wanting to do something like that to anyone...

The scene with Lauren taking off her boots was absolutely hilarious! Best scene in the book, hands down!

Chapman was apparently an asshole even before becoming a Controller, which makes me sad for his daughter... She deserves better! That girl is so traumatized...

The cigarette advertising and how Elfangor perceived it was funny:)

The Time Matrix creating this mishmash of a universe was very interesting! I liked Elfangor and Lauren getting to know each other there, although their mutual declaration that they care for one another was waaaaaayyyyy too premature and out of left field. I could have been more on board if he had already changed into a human, but as a whole other species, it feels very unlikely... Now, once they got back to Earth and he morphed into human, that is a different story.

His meeting with the Elimist and going back to the other Andelites, was unexpected. Even more unexpected - him being the biological father of Tobias! Wow! And I guess Lauren went to look for him and somehow got infected by a Yeerk? I guess we will wait to find out... (hide spoiler)]

I continue enjoying this series! Looking forward to this new month:)

[Katie]

Choko wrote: "They refused to use it, because they couldn't deal with the changes it would have brought... So only Erek gets to suffer with guilt and PTSD....:("

Noooo!!!! That's so sad Choko T_T Maybe they can do what Nirkatze said and overwrite/delete his memories. Or maybe he should remember? Gah. Such a hard choice >_<

Thanks for explaining~

[Choko]

I never understood people or characters who can do horrible things to others and not be profoundly changed and diminished by those actions... Maybe because I am not that person. Erek and his folks aren't either. Sometimes I envy those who can just move on. Their lives must be so much lighter...

[Tonari no Emily]

Read #12 and 12.5
Rachels book definitely had some literal LOL moments for me! The crushing on the boy celebrity reminded me a lot of my middle school days lol

SOooo much happened in The Andalite Chronicles! (view spoiler)[ I am also not sure how Elfangor could have fathered Tobias if the Ellimist went and reversed the whole timeline.. other than The Ellimists needed Tobias and the other humans to defeat their ancient enemies... (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Choko wrote: "I never understood people or characters who can do horrible things to others and not be profoundly changed and diminished by those actions... Maybe because I am not that person. Erek and his folks ..."

I am in total agreement Choko >_<

[Nirkatze]

Loving y'all's comments...

Thinking about what @Choko said about 12.5 romance--I think I agree on the speed... but I just accepted it as "short YA book no time to waste"... that's not really an excuse though.

[Katie]

"The Forgotten" (#11)
(view spoiler)[I was very much surprised when we had a nice timey wimey book. Jake having flashes of jungles and unknown times with the gang. Only for it to actually become a reality when their alien spaceship chase ends in a crash. Oh boy.

I feel like every book has a severe PTSD moment for the group. In this case Rachel in bear morph is slowly being consumed by jungle ants as she’s unconscious. Quick thinking on Jake’s part. To get a rival colony to act!! But dang!! Always the bugs!! At least say when they were flies they were a bit luckier.

The monkey moments were super fun! I bet it would be awesome to have a tail! Think of all of the multitasking you could do! lol

The brutal killing of the jungle wildlife was a tough one. Those darn yeerks. I’m sad the animorphs couldn’t save more.

The tree alien was a very sneaky and deadly disguise for the leader yeerk. Oof. Thank goodness was Polo was there to the rescue! Makes me wonder what timeline they were really in… was it just a few days ago?

Jake’s death was so abrupt I didn’t know what happened until the whole explanation. To be the only one who knew and remembers. Dang. I don’t know if I’d take it as well. Time messes with you! I hope Jake will be ok!!

It was a fun story, but a little average to me compared to some of the other arcs. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

"The Reaction" (#12)
(view spoiler)[Well of course we start out this book with Rachel coming to some kids rescue at the zoo! My gosh! I'm amazed that no one saw her morph! Thankfully she was able to help the lil tyke escape from the crocodile pen...but that's when her real problems start....

First she's gotta deal with Jake. lol. Everyone harping on Rachel, but Jake would have done the same thing. Good idea Tobias. haha. I'm just glad everyone is ok!

Seeing teenage girls crush over some celebrity is kinda cute.

But my favorite part of this book is the terror of beginning to morph without control!? What is this werewolf crap??! That's terrifying!! Just think of who you could hurt!! Thankfully Rachel manages to have these episodes unseen. Though not without some tv reports of her having crashed through her house (ala elephant morph). I'd take the win Rach.

I get a bit annoyed how Rachel tries to stay on mission and keep it all hidden. Being tough. Trying to be in control. But that's her teenage flaw, isn't it? It doesn't make logical sense to us, but it's her thing. lol.

When the team and Ax finally figure out what's going on after some deep sea mishap we find out Rachel is allergic to the crocodile morph? The heck?! That's crazy!! So she has to 'burp' the being out of her. And it will be a full on creature. O.O No pressure?

And of course the time in which this process is ready to happen is on live television when they aim to uncover if Jeremy Jason is a Yeerk. Offff Courseeeee.

Honestly it was really fun to read through all of the tension and high stakes! Luckily people made it out ok! And the croc is no more! These kids just are in really lucky scenarios. Like where and animal star comes on tv so of course there are animals on set. The luck. XD

My big question is at the end of the book Cassie morphed into Rachel??? When did they find out they could morph into each other? Or humans?? I mean Ax can...but is this the first time the kids did??

Anyways. Always fun to read this series! And to see some flaws to some morphin' powers! (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

First, great recap! Second, I was wondering about the mutual morphing too... They kind of did it without discussing anything like it before.... But this book was fun for sure:!:)))

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I did a google, and this was the first (view spoiler)[human to human morph...

Ax did the melded morph when he was introduced to have a human form, and did Jake when Jake was infected by a Yeerk, to fool his parents/Tom...

It happens a few other times throughout the series, for reasons, but someone pointed out that the series never does a human to human morph in 1st person, avoid answering the posed questions about the ethics/morality of morphing another human and hearing their thoughts/etc... we never really get details about what Cassie experienced as Rachel... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Dittoing Choko on the nice recap, and definitely thinking more about those repercussions...

[Katie]

Thanks all!! I really love these reads so much!! I gotta try to catch up to you this week if I have some time after work!!

Thanks for the info on morphing Timelord! I had remembered the Ax bit. I forgot about (view spoiler)[when he was Jake during dinner too. And you're right in that we kinda don't know how much personality they take on as their human counter part. Probably for the best. But makes me wonder too, you know??

It just seemed like a new morph and I'm like...wait...did I miss them trying to morph into other humans or something? Like in the tv show Marco tries to morph into a mall cop or something but it doesn't work I think. But these kids are getting seagull morphs and other stuff out of the context of the stories. Which I think is pretty neat. We get to play catchup and all. But I was curious!! Thanks for digging! (hide spoiler)]