The whole science-fantasy aspect of the plot rarely rings true. A lot of the scenes involving aliens, battles with aliens, alien technology and other worlds never quite invoke the wonder/terror/authenticity that they should. Instead, what these scenes evoke is the voice of a ten year old boy exclaiming over and over “ISN’T THIS JUST AWESOME!”. No doubt it works for the target audience (it did for me when I first read the series), but now I’m older I find it all a bit too silly.
A severe case of mood whiplash. KA Applegate and the other writers of the series seem to have difficulty balancing the darker aspects of the series with the silliness of the sci-fantasy elements.
Interesting idea’s not executed as well as they could be. This tends to happen a lot when the series goes dark. One novel involves the Animorphs deciding to allow a serial killer live, because he kills Yeerk controlled humans. The decision itself is well done, but the Animorphs never have to live with the consequences of it. None of the Animorphs reflect back on this decision in subsequent novels and the character never appears again.
The rampant abuse of wacky sound effects during action scenes.
About 80% of the series attempts at humour fall flat.
The large number of filler novels, often badly written.
What does work:
The characters are all unique and for the most part compelling.
Doesn’t hold up as well as some claim, but not bad.
First what doesn’t work:
The whole science-fantasy aspect of the plot rarely rings true. A lot of the scenes involving aliens, battles with aliens, alien technology and other worlds never quite invoke the wonder/terror/authenticity that they should. Instead, what these scenes evoke is the voice of a ten year old boy exclaiming over and over “ISN’T THIS JUST AWESOME!”. No doubt it works for the target audience (it did for me when I first read the series), but now I’m older I find it all a bit too silly.
A severe case of mood whiplash. KA Applegate and the other writers of the series seem to have difficulty balancing the darker aspects of the series with the silliness of the sci-fantasy elements.
Interesting idea’s not executed as well as they could be. This tends to happen a lot when the series goes dark. One novel involves the Animorphs deciding to allow a serial killer live, because he kills Yeerk controlled humans. The decision itself is well done, but the Animorphs never have to live with the consequences of it. None of the Animorphs reflect back on this decision in subsequent novels and the character never appears again.
The rampant abuse of wacky sound effects during action scenes.
About 80% of the series attempts at humour fall flat.
The large number of filler novels, often badly written.
What does work:
The characters are all unique and for the most part compelling.