As the start of a brand new series, this book has a lot of exposition to get through and deliver to the reader but I think it does a good job. The way they avoid a straight out exposition dump is a little silly (Tobias basically having a file of information dropped into his mind to sort through that will never be mentioned again after this first book) but it makes everything a little more streamlined. There is also a ton the kids dont know and have to learn for themselves, like how to conquer a morphs instincts and how they can find and best hurt the Yeerks. Thus we are given just the right amount of information to understand whats going on with plenty more to discover during our journey.
Were not given all that much of the characters personalities to begin with, especially because we need room for the exposition. However, I think thats okay. Were shown the basics and we know well be given more as the series goes on. Since each character will have the opportunity to narrate their own books, I think its excusable that we dont quite have a feel to these characters just yet. We know Jake is the reluctant leader with a brother to fight for, Cassie is the kind and gentle one who wants to protect everyone, Rachel is a girl with attitude who doesnt want to back down from a fight, Marco is a funny guy who can see the danger and has reason to stay away, and Tobias the loner who wants to be part of something bigger and find a place to belong. These are the basic facts presented to us that will have over fifty books to be fleshed out.
I see it less of a big novel that needs to have all the details up front, like the first Harry Potter book, and more like the pilot episode of a TV show, where we want to know the basics but will be content to flesh out the details as time goes on. That said, for being the narrator, Jake is pretty bland. While I know hell grow into the role of leader, he doesnt show any qualities for it and even his friends cant say anything beyond the fact that he just is a natural born leader. But Jake and the others will have plenty of opportunity to grow as time goes on.
Definitely a good start to the series. It had a lot to set up for the status quo of the books but it did well and certainly brings in the action that well see in every book to come.
Were not given all that much of the characters personalities to begin with, especially because we need room for the exposition. However, I think thats okay. Were shown the basics and we know well be given more as the series goes on. Since each character will have the opportunity to narrate their own books, I think its excusable that we dont quite have a feel to these characters just yet. We know Jake is the reluctant leader with a brother to fight for, Cassie is the kind and gentle one who wants to protect everyone, Rachel is a girl with attitude who doesnt want to back down from a fight, Marco is a funny guy who can see the danger and has reason to stay away, and Tobias the loner who wants to be part of something bigger and find a place to belong. These are the basic facts presented to us that will have over fifty books to be fleshed out.
I see it less of a big novel that needs to have all the details up front, like the first Harry Potter book, and more like the pilot episode of a TV show, where we want to know the basics but will be content to flesh out the details as time goes on. That said, for being the narrator, Jake is pretty bland. While I know hell grow into the role of leader, he doesnt show any qualities for it and even his friends cant say anything beyond the fact that he just is a natural born leader. But Jake and the others will have plenty of opportunity to grow as time goes on.
Definitely a good start to the series. It had a lot to set up for the status quo of the books but it did well and certainly brings in the action that well see in every book to come.
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