Visser, Animorphs

One of the better stories in the Animorph series so far.I really enjoyed this book. I liked that it was told from the perspective of Visser One and Marco’s Mother, Eva. The plot and story went a long way in answering a lot of questions about how The Sharing was started, how the infiltration first started, and how Eva became the Visser’s host.The only thing it didn’t answer was the question of how Eva was taken. Was she taken because of The Sharing or other. I think with everything that was said, I think she was taken against her will. This would allow Edriss, Visser One, to keep a needed emotional distance, and even use that hatred and internal fight with the host personality, as a way to strengthen that distance and keep her past a secret from her Yeerk compatriots.Being the ruthless creature she is, she won’t even turn in the Animorphs, because it won’t help her in the short term. Better to keep that knowledge to herself and then if she is ever back on Earth and has to take over, she can do so expeditiously.The explanation of how her first take over of a human was done in amazing detail. I like how it was explained about the separation of hemispheres in the brain and even how such varied brain functions allow for humans to think in a different way then other species. Possibly even different and superior to the Andalites, which I would say would be a kick in the teeth for the Andalites, if they had teeth in their natural form.I did think it was a mistake that the Animorphs let her know about the rest of the bandits being human, except for Ax. Even making the mistake of her hearing Cassie’s name. I think Eva would have recalled that name at the very least as a schoolmate of Marco’s and would wonder about her. I think the Animorphs would have been much more careful and maybe let her think one or two more were maybe human but the rest were Andalites. Being as she was in a hologram when she interacted with them, couldn’t the Chee, likely Erik, have created a holographic show of a creature morphing into an Andalite? No they wouldn’t have been able to interact, but it would have given Visser One a false trail to follow if she ever did try to attack them. It wouldn’t have been all that difficult either. Record Ax, coming out of a morph, superimposed over the real animal to beast morph, but modify the Andalite body and face to look larger and more grown then Ax. The Chee, have shown they can do hologram within a hologram visuals before this, so it was possible. Maybe not easily, but it would have fit within their non-aggressive programming parameters, and given a better protection for the Animorphs themselves.The interaction of Eva with her son, Marco, was poignant and especially well done. That the mother could see so much as to how strong her child had become, and was even able to see him use some of those same attributes that Eva had herself, to see through to the outcomes of a situation. Truthfully, if enough Yeerk were to see that sort of mindset and strength, I’d hope they’d realize they never would take over the entire race. Yes, they’d get some, but never all.Plus it seems that from each host body, the Yeerk grows and develops its own personality and thought processes from the host to a degree. Visser One obviously got to her position because of Allison Kim and Eva. They have both influenced her to he point she now even sees herself as female, and has learned more about the multiple layers of thoughts humans possess so regularly, instead of the direct minded lives of Yeerk, Taxxons, or even Hork-Bajir. This has allowed the Visser to create more sophisticated plans and even allowed for the slow infestation instead of the usually direct assault approach the Yeerk typically have used. If the Yeerk pick up those concepts, then they will likely start to pick up other ones too, such as humility, love, friendship, altruism and more. Maybe there will be a portion of their own species that will realize what they are doing is wrong and fight with the humans. This has been partially broached in the regular series, with some Yeerks wanting to not fight or take involuntary hosts, but hasn’t yet been fully developed either.The above would be a great story arc to add to the series. Another would be to give more information regarding the Yeerk Council of Thirteen and the Emperor. There is obviously more going on with the Council and its’ home world that the main series hasn’t touched on.Another story that could be introduced is the addiction issue that was brought up in this book. Yeerks obviously can become addicted to the sensory input they receive from various hosts and is likely what helps to drive them in their conquering of hosts. They may not see it this way but they refuse to live their lives in their natural forms, so their is some form of addiction. Expanding on that process, a past Taxxon hosted Yeerk, once in a new host body might still retain some of the voracious hunger the Taxxon body has. Humans like food as well, and can even be an addiction for some, incorporating that with the past hosts Taxxon hunger could push the human into a gluttonous frenzy.It was brought up as well that Edriss’ first female human host, Jenny Lynne, had a substance abuse issue which she continued after taking her over. Wouldn’t mind altering drugs affect the Yeerk too. Not only would it be even more sensory data for the Yeerk to experience, but could’t they also become just as incapacitated from this addiction. Physically couldn’t some drugs impact the Yeerk body, as many drugs pass the blood-brain barrier so it wouldn’t take much before the Yeerk itself would be exposed and possibly addicted. We know Yeerks have the potential for chemical addiction from some instant oatmeal, why not human drugs or at least from the sensory experiences of these drugs which would then cause them problems too, just as it does their host. Possibly it could impact on any future hosts, because the addiction follows the Yeerk body and mind.Last thing to bring up, the easter egg of when the Helmacron are mentioned. Comparing their over-inflated egos to the Andalites and Visser One, in particular, just made me laugh. It was a fun cute addition that only long time readers would appreciate.