Graphic novel adaptation of middle grade sci-fi series Animorphs
The novelty of my favourite series as a ten year old being adapted into graphic novels has not yet worn off, and I eagerly ordered the next one for my Short Stack Reading Challenge.
“Animorphs The Graphic Novel: The Encounter” adapted by Chris Grine is based on the science fiction middle grade novel of the same name: the third book in the “Animorphs” series by K. A. Applegate and Michael Grant. Trapped in the body of a red-tailed hawk, Tobias discovers a Yeerk ship while exploring the skies. He and the Animorphs develop a risky plan to disable it, however Tobias is struggling to grapple with his hawk instincts and the prospects of living the rest of his life this way.
This is an especially grim chapter in the Animorphs series which poses tough questions about what it is to be human and balancing risk against reward. Tobias struggles considerably with his mental health and his new identity, and it is his friends who are able to intervene and talk him off the proverbial ledge. Grine does a really good job capturing these challenging emotions through illustrations.
I didn’t have any clear memories of reading this book and revisiting the story, I’m not surprised. The setting and morphs were a bit unexciting, and the book is really more of a character study of Tobias after he is trapped in morph.
I definitely prefer the books with more interesting morphs, settings or aliens and I’m looking forward to how Grine interprets later books in the series.
Tinted Edges 