The Illusion (Animorphs #33)

This book is a definite must for any fans of Tobias and Animorphs. It reveals some bits of Tobias' pre-animorphs life, which was very intresting. I liked it because it wasn't a big battle book, it focused more on his feelings and thoughts and was very different from most Animorphs. The basic story is they are trying to make Visser 3 think his Anti-Morphing ray doesn't work so Tobias has to volunteer to be captured. When he is captured he is tortured, which is where the flashbacks part comes in, this part takes up most of the book. A lot of people were really pleased someone morphed Ax, but in my opinion this book didn't actually need that scene, it would have been great anyway. I can't choose between #3 and this one now as the best Animorphs.

This book was just dead amazing. I'd say it was even better than all of the other Tobias books, all of which were also incredible. I saw someone accused K.A. of copying someone else because of a single fragment of dialogue. Sorry, but that was just really stupid. Yes, they were worded similarly. So what? It wasn't as if that was a major part of the story. I doubt K.A. ever did read that book. Even if she did, I doubt that the similar phrasing was intentional. She's definatly creative enough to say a certain thing a different way. Good grief! But that's besides the point. Basically all of the memories, all of the emotions, were just perfect. All in all, an amazing masterpiece.

This is the BEST Animorph book so far. Even though the whole drama with Tobias and his heritage could go on forever and probably have its own series, this book goes into the inner workings of his mind as he's staring down the barrel of death. Obviously, Tobias is my favourite character and I'd love to see more books about him and his quest to find out who he is. K.A. did a wonderful job of utilizing characterization and letting us see what happened to Tobias in his past.

This is the best Tobias book I have read so far. It shows what Tobias feels durring the book, unlike some Animorphs which are totally emotionless.

K.A. Applegate has done it again. The Illusion is an incredible literary work. I have never been so caught up in an Animorphs book, not like this. Tobias is my favorite character, and if you asked me who my favorite Animorph was, I would answer "Tobias" without the slightest bit of hesitation or doubt in my mind. However, his books, as all of them, follow a distinct pattern: Every Tobias book comes ten books after the last. #3: The Encounter, #13: The Change, #23: The Pretender, #33:The Illusion. Because it takes so long and there are so few, I always look forward to the Tobias books and don't like to be disappointed. I have yet to be disappointed. This book delved deep into Tobias's inner feelings as he fades in and out of pain and pleasure, and the question of what he truly is is once again posed. However, the "answer" he finds is much more pleasing this time. Such vivid descriptions of his pain and emotions were made. There were brief glimpses of his past, his major past before he met the others. This book reached down into the complex structure that is the human mind and forced the reader to seperate life into two "categories" if you will, pleasure and pain. An incredible accomplishment, to say the very least. Loved the ending.