7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reader over 25, September 20, 2002
This review is from: The Andalite Chronicles (Elfangor's Journey, Alloran's Choice, An Alien Dies) - Animorphs (Paperback)
Here I am back again on my quest to reread and review all of the Animorphs books in the series. I noticed there are other reviewers who are older than the target audience, and I'm one of Those out there who enjoyed the series even though it "was for kids." This novel has a broad based appeal to it, for many reasons, and on many levels.
This book is more in depth and has better character development/longer story than most of the others simply because its twice as long in page count. For some readers, like myself, that's an advantage, but for others who have less patience for reading, this probably isn't a good one to start out with. The novel stands fine on its own, but reading the rest of the series of Animorphs 1-13 would be helpful, if not critical to understanding the small bits and parts to the plot.
The main character is Elfangor, known in books 1-13 as the dying alien called an Andalite who gave five young humans the ability to become any animal they touch. This process, called "morphing" was technology known only to the Andalites until that time. This novel tells the story of his life from the time he enters the military, until his gruesome death which began the Animorphs series in book #1: The Invasion. Full of fire to leave his cadet status behind and become a full warrior, Elfangor finds himself and a fellow cadet in a small mission which balloons out into something much larger. What begins as a standard boarding of a Skrit-Na ship (think the famous aliens from Close Encounters, although they're expanded on as having two different life cycles in the book), lands two humans in Elfangor's daily life. One of them is a girl named Loren, and the other is a name fans will recognize from previous series, Chapman. The humans were abducted by the Skrit-Na as either medical experiment fodder or to be placed in a zoo, and they're promised to be returned home. Elfangor and his comrade Aubron are assigned with a less-than-favored War Prince to take the humans back to earth, erase their memories, and send them on their way. It turns out, however, that Aubron learns something from the data downloaded from the Skrit-Na records, and to the entire crews amazement, they have a location for the most powerful weapon ever known, the Time Matrix. Believed to be a creation of the Ellimists, it has the ability to alter history itself, wiping out entire races before they ever have a chance to exist. As if the fact this super weapon has been found is not enough, its destination is enough to knock the Andalites off of their hooves. The Time Matrix is destined for the Taxxon home world, which is riddled with their most vile enemy, the Yeerks. They will not hesitate to use it as a weapon of mass destruction or worse. Taxxons and Yeerks have an alliance, the huge centipede like Taxxons become voluntary hosts for the parasitic, slug like Yeerks. Their home world is far from any place either cadet wants to go, but duty demands they grow up very quickly and go to war if necessary. The chase for the Time Matrix results in both action, humor, and tragedy as the reader is introduced to who we know as the ultimately evil Visser Three. There are several interesting twists and turns to this book, although nothing which immediately leaps out until the end. It's a very well written, well thought out story with the usual blend of suspense, battle, humor, fleshes out more thoroughly what the Andalite world and life is like, and a story about growing up. In my opinion, part of the appeal which reaches all audiences of all ages is we can relate to the characters. We feel for Elfangor, even as he has to make some harsh decisions, such as killing thousands of defenseless Yeerks. Even if they're his enemy, is that not murder? Will he defy direct orders of his commander and ruin his future by doing what he thinks is right? Is it truly right at all? These aren't the main points of the book, as it focuses on the story itself much more. They do, however, exist, just as the strength of the human spirit is shown with Loren, and the devious greed and darker side of human nature is displayed by Chapman. At one point, he tries to strike a trade with the Visser by selling out the entire planet earth to be slaves. In contrast, Loren's inner strength keeps the Visser from completely taking control of the awesome power of the Time Matrix. This book also gives a very, very interesting twist to the character of Tobias. That one, I admit, caught me completely off guard, and Tobias fans will love it. What's told in this book is important in some of the others in the series which come after it, particularly those which deal with Tobias directly. All in all, this is a very good book which is well written, and an overall good read. It's a very refreshing approach to Sci Fi, taking a very old idea of time travel or meddling with time and remaking it to be new again.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Andalites and Yeerks, October 7, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: The Andalite Chronicles (Elfangor's Journey, Alloran's Choice, An Alien Dies) - Animorphs (Paperback)
"Just give the humans over to the captain,they aren't your problem." I was wrong, the humans were my problem. Infact,I was about to have alot of problems.' These are the words and thoughts of Elfangor Sirrinial Shamtul,an Andalite aristh or cadet in training to become a warrior. The Andalites and the Yeerks have been at war for many years. Neither side seems to be able to destroy the other. Arasth Elfangor has has been called to the battle bridge, to be sent on a mission within the hour. The mission that will change his life forever. This is a colorful book in which Applegate throws in some good descriptions of what is happening at the time. *A thrilling book that keeps the pages turning. Visser Three's story is also told in this story. It tells who is responsible for creating the abombination that calls itself Visser Three,the only Yeerk to have aquired and Andalite body. Let us hope he is the last. When danger rears its ugly head, Elfangor puts his hoof down and stands up to the Visser. A must read.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five and a half stars, August 25, 2004
A Kid's Review
This review is from: The Andalite Chronicles (Elfangor's Journey, Alloran's Choice, An Alien Dies) - Animorphs (Paperback)
This book is my favorite of the Megamorphs Alternamorphs etc. except for the Hork-Bajr chronicles. I loved hearing Elfangor's story and learning about Tobias's mother. You also get part of Visser Three's story, and an inside scoop on Arbon and the Taxxons. (The Answer #53)
I think that it is a definate must-read in the series, and it explains a lot. For some parts of it, it helps if you have read a few other books in the series.
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