Animorphs Book 42: The Journey by K. A. Applegate

The Journey is lighter in tone than the previous few installments, but with very high stakes. The Helmacrons are back, and they have had character development in a funny but good(?) way. Weirdly, this is not the Animorphs’ first trip into a stomach.‬

I like the Helmacrons as antagonists, and their nature as a fungible species means they have all the ambition of the Yeerks, without as many factions (but somehow still not just one). I appreciate how they have grown as characters without losing what makes them interesting.

Marco’s involvement in this story is nerve-wracking, and the wrap-up feels true coming from Rachel.