In good animorphs fashion, not even 40% in and

someone's family had already been charred to death in front of their eyes

. 

This entry in the saga keeps the tradition of depicting the Hork Bajir as 'noble savages'. Sure, Aldrea, Esplin, and the Arn underestimate them, so it makes sense from their perspective. But the book itself kind of buys into that trope too, and it's been an issue in the series. I liked how Dak Hamee calls Aldrea out on it and stands up for his people, and how that even affects their relationship, but it feels a bit like a retcon that doesn't quite work. 

Still, it's my favorite Chronicles book. I adore the interspecies love story with duplicitous dynamics but ultimately living on, the rebellion doomed to fail, the continued theme of youngsters being pushed to make difficult decisions beyond their age, the cautionary tale it presents for the rest of the saga. 

We even get

Visser Three's backstory

and some info on Alloran. 

I listened to the audiobook and Esplin's voice actress was perfect, honestly my favorite of the new three narrators for this book.

I think it's a brilliant choice to have Esplin narrated by a female voice actress considering the yeerks themselves don't seem to have a concept of gender— and also a little surprise for new readers when the character's identity is revealed.

Also it's 2025 and I'm still asking for a Seerow book, thanks.