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FIRST REVIEW / MAR 15, 2015
The last time I reread this book, just a few years ago, I was reduced to ridiculous weeping over the ending. I looooove tales of alien species and their A.I. companions (don't get me started on the tears I've shed for the Geth in Mass Effect), so this is up my alley: something about the Pemalites and Chee and dogs just really, really hit close to home and left me staggered. The mission starts off cool and awesome (I am perpetually in favour of anything that is like a pitch-black heist, sneaking through air vents and stealing a priceless jewel and all!!), and the second half of it turns horrifying, terrifying, the stuff of which nightmares is made of -- the image of Marco looking down and looking directly into his own insides is something that stuck with me ever since I read this in my childhood.

Erek King is one of my favourite minor characters in this series, and what happens in this book breaks my heart. Marco's livid anger over the Yeerks targeting his father is also gutting, revealing the poisonous toll that this war is having on all of them -- all of the Animorphs obviously feel that anger at times, but that poisonous, strangling, out-of-control rage was very similar to what Rachel described in her previous book. I love seeing the different costs this war is having on them (e.g. Jake's is more inward-directed and self-flagellating; heavy is the head that wears the crown).

The direct status quo might not have changed by the end of this book, but the worldbuilding has just taken another big expansion -- there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, indeed -- as it's revealed that it's not just them fighting, there are other chess pieces in play, and they've now gained a valuable ally.

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SECOND REVIEW / MAR 9, 2020
There's not much I can add to my previous review because I already hit on the most prevailing notes, but suffice it to say: yep, this book remains one of my early favourites in the series!

I also just love how Erek King is both an incredibly wise and ancient being but also having to pretend to be a teenager, but he's also incredibly invested in this war. His sacrifice and trauma at the end-- ugh. My heart. And the Chee and Pemalites are so great!!

That last terrifying fight at the very end, just, woof. That moment when Marco is looking around at all his friends and can't understand why they're not jubilant about having survived, with the sound of Erek crying softly in the background, but it only sinks in for Marco when he sees tears in Rachel's eyes, too.

Some separate but important details to take note of, for down the line: 1) the Howlers, 2) the logistics of morph mass going into Z-space, and 3) how far Marco will go to protect his sole remaining parent.

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