The Weakness

infobox Book |
name = The Weakness
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Rachel morphing into a cheetah
author = K. A. Applegate
illustrator =
cover_artist = David B. Mattingly
country = United States
language = English
series = Animorphs #37
genre = Science fiction novel
publisher = Scholastic
release_date = December 1999
english_release_date =
media_type = Print
pages = 129
isbn =
preceded_by = The Mutation
followed_by = The Arrival

"The Weakness" is the thirty-seventh book in the "Animorphs" series, written by K.A. Applegate. It is known to have been ghostwritten by Elise Smith. It is narrated by Rachel.

Plot Summary

When Jake goes on vacation, Rachel becomes leader of the Animorphs (much to Marco's distaste). During a failed attempt to kill Visser Three using cheetah morphs, they learn that he is being inspected by the controller of a Garatron, a superhumanly-fast creature that physically resembles an Andalite sans tail or eyestalks. They attempt to discredit Visser Three in front of the Inspector, who represents the Council of Thirteen, by attacking various known-Controller-operated or -owned businesses.

The first attack, at a news station, they go in without any recon, as suggested by Marco. Rachel notices a tour group passing by during their attack and learns later with Cassie, by watching a store's television, that an old man with a heart condition dies of a cardiac arrest during the attack on the station.

Her recklessness, however, almost kills Cassie. But, with some encouragement from Marco, Rachel leads a rescue mission where Marco, in cobra morph, poisons the Inspector, who attacks after some careful prodding by the Visser Three. With its enhanced metabolism, the effects of the poison rapidly take its toil on the Garatron, killing it. Afterward, Rachel talks to Jake, who returned home from his vacation.

New Morphs

Trivia

*This book was sold in a clear cellophane wrapper, also containing a small plastic keychain featuring the often-used 'A' logo.
*According to the Anibase, K. A. Applegate used this book to stress the differences in individual strengths and weaknesses of the Animorphs, using Rachel's lack of leadership abilities (despite her heroic warrior abilities) as an example.
* The front cover quote is, "Jake's not around. Who will take his place?" This was the first cover quote to end with a full stop.
* The inside front cover quote is, "The time has come...."