#kaapplegate

Okay pt 2! Here we go:

KAA REALLY loves the animal parts of this series. But also her descriptions of the morphing process and the mentality of the kids in morph definitely inspired my own artistic voice. The descriptions of visuals and the flow of consciousness between human and animal inspired my own writing in a way I had not noticed in real time.

If Homer the dog can smell traces of yeerk, why did they never utilize this skill in the future? Did they ever use this again? I get that Jake hasn't fully connected the dots just yet, but later he gets proof that Tom's a controller. And he knew that he smelled something off. Seems like an experiment worth funding, considering the circumstances.

I know I've already said I don't really like Jake. But man, the fact that his friends show him a news article and then all have to take turns telling him to read the next part. Come on, Jake. Can you not just read? And then they all have to draw the conclusions for him? This is the leader?

I feel like Cassie is painted as this magical, wise, mature girl who fights for the Earth, blah blah blah. But I love that on their first day, she morphs a horse (presumably while hanging out with Rachel), and then goes "Hey Rachel, you go meet the others, I'm gonna gallop in from the distance and then show off how good I am at this morphing process".

I also love the scene of the kids voting on what to do. Marco (obviously) is a firm no to joining the fight. And he has good retorts to each of the others to try and sway anyone in the group. Rachel realizes how big this is and at first suggests getting help, but then realizes that's not an option and immediately steps up to fight. Tobias (obviously) is a firm yes. And forms his first connection with Rachel. Cassie wants to help the animals. She's already thinking long term about life after the war. And when the others conflict, she keeps peace by suggesting they sleep on it. And I gotta hand it to Jake, he does know his team, even this early. He sees what they're doing and what they're thinking. This is probably part plot device so that the reader can also know everyone. But he is the common link amongst the others, so it does make sense.

I made it through the whole morph sequence and the eating of the spider, and the tail coming off. But the "The spider gave a kick in my stomach." got me gagging.

"Idiot teenagers with a death wish" - roll credits. "Animorphs," - post credit scene

The duality of Marco being the most aware of the danger/death and the one who keeps all their spirits up with jokes. Parentified children rise up.

Rachel: This is no where near as dangerous as the consturction site. Cassie: He'll call my mom! *Everyone scatter!!!*

The battle is such a beautiful introduction to each of their fighting styles. Rachel going full Hulk. Jake strategizing. Marco moving decisively and just punching anything that gets in his way. Cassie trying to save the humans and hork bajir before she even joins the fight. And Tobias swooping from above.

Cassie might not have killed the policeman (he might have been killed by accident and she just witnessed it). But I think it's a more powerful read if Cassie is the first animorph to actively murder another human being.

For the past several months, I've been collaborating with @kilomonster @rollainedraws and Paul Krueger to pitch to Netflix and Scholastic. The project we wanted to do: Animorphs.