Animorphs #8 - The Alien by K.A. Applegate

Title: The Alien (Animorphs #8)
Author: K.A. Applegate
Publication Date: July 1997
Length: 159 pages

Note: This is a review of the eighth book in a series, and may therefore contain spoilers from the earlier books.

The main plot in this installment of Animorphs starts when Ax, thinking he's playing a computer game, accidentally advances the work of some scientists by a few centuries. When he realises that he's created something that could be used to contact his home world, he decides to take the opportunity to contact his parents. Of course, trouble ensues...

The Alien is the first Animorphs book narrated entirely by Ax (short for Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill). That was a refreshing change in perspective. He's the one character who has different knowledge than the others. There was a lot of delightful, children's book style foreshadowing, with Ax talking about how his friends can never know his shameful secret, and stuff like that. Such fun! Eventually, though, he does share his deep dark secret, and it fills in some interesting backstory for the series.

Ax also continues his efforts to learn more about humans, and once again gets in trouble for his extreme reactions to taste. He discovers the joys of popcorn, chocolate, and very hot chili. He also starts reading books the others give him to help him learn, including the World Almanac, and a book of famous quotes. These scenes are fun from any perspective, but I'm looking forward to more books narrated by Ax.

5 stars.

This book counts towards the Read Your OWN Library! Challenge (hosted by The Beauty of Eclecticism) for December. This book also counts for the Mount TBR Reading Challenge.