They’ll come. The Andalites will come. And until then…
by Ani
I am a HUGE Animorphs fan. Like a “have read the entire series multiple times, wrote fanfiction, used the illustrated folders all through junior high, might have named my child after one of the characters” kind of fan.
(I might still write fanfic)
(I might still have those folders)
(I definitely did)
Jo also reminisces fondly of the series – using dial-up to read the KAA QA page, waiting eagerly for each month’s Scholastic delivery of the new book, finding fandom for the first time- but hasn’t much reread and never actually finished the series. Chatting fondly about it one day we decided (read: I bounced up and down in my seat and begged) that we should reread the series:
AND BLOG ABOUT IT.
So every week on Wednesday we’re going to review an Animorphs book. We’re going book by book, reading the Chronicles and Megamorphs in publication order. (We are not reading the Alternamorphs because what a load of crock those were amirite I am right and I’m not even sure what crock means in that sentence.) We’ll review each novel for its place in the series, ongoing plot arch and character development, and individual literary merit. There are probably going to be a lot of links to TV Tropes. And as another warning, we are assuming spoilers. If you have not read the books stop, read them, come back in a couple of days and we’ll help mop up your tears.
Ani is going to be reviewing the books as the “Animorphs Expert”*. Someone totally familiar with the series and reading as a reread, so with total knowledge of what is to come and therefore looking back.
Jo is going to be reviewing the books as the “Animorphs Beginner”**. While she remembers a lot some if it might be fuzzy and some of it is going to be entirely unfamiliar, so she’ll be reading as someone taking the books as they come anew, with fresh eyes looking forward.
We will probably be writing each book review in one post, split between each person’s perspective. Unless we are long winded enough to need two posts. These two perspectives should offer different insights into the book, though of course we’re also provide a summary in case “The Invariable but Vague Word” doesn’t ring a bell.
Now if you like Animorphs, we want to hear from you. Anything you really want to see written about? Do you have exciting Animorphs news? Do you even want to join in? Because that’d be GREAT.
Here are some links, if you need a jump start back into the fandom:
Richard’s still-live Animorphs Forum
THE blog for news, Hirac Delest
An attempt to rebuy The books on Amazon
This will start next Wednesday the 13th, with Book 1: The Invasion. <IT BEGINS>
*She has just wanted to call herself that for a really, really long time.
** She is not really a beginner but has promised to commit to temporary amnesia for the project. Jo also promised that if the amnesia didn’t work she could be given real amnesia via a hit to the head with her cast iron teapot. Jo, if you do not remember this promise, it is part of the amnesia. Also a Yeerk did it.
” *She has just wanted to call herself that for a really, really long time.”
I had pretty much assumed that honorary title for a long time!
I remember the /squees/ of delight and much hugging of said volume to your hear upon unwrapping hardbound editions Christmas morning. And then of course, throughout the afternoon there was the companionable solitudes of family members as they lounged about absorbed in their new books, accompanied by intermittent bouts of foraging for leftovers, because what’s good books without good noshes?