Hm. Several things I think I'd like to comment on.
First off, I don't care what it is that you read, science fiction, fantasy, horror, whatever, EVERYthing is somehow based on reality. There is always something that ties it back in with what we know to be real in our world.
Second, Animorphs was always intended to make you think that it was plausible. That things could be happening where you live. The things that they did, the locations, the mentions of Cinnebons and The Gap, were all there to drag you into the mindset that maybe one group of kids sitting around the food court at your mall were the Animorphs. It was all there so that you could picture it being like your home.
Third, what K.A. does with her characters is her business. She can write what she wants. Most of the good or great writers don't write for their fans, they write because they have something to say. And if you like then hey that's great! But if you don't then sorry, try again next time. It's a sort of "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" kind of thing.
Fourth, and probably last (for now
), I can empathise with both your stories, Estelores probably more so. However, I think it best to leave it for another time. Or at least maybe the Life Board.
One other thing I'd like to say though, for those of you who complain about the ending, or who say that they didn't take anything away from the books, if you read them awhile ago, for instance when you were younger, try going back and reading them again. I think you'll find a new appreciation for them. I read the books when they first came out and I took away several things from it. I've read the series several times since then and each time I've found something new. You really do get a new sense of what's going on, that there are some dark things that go on during the course of the series. I suggest doing this with other books that you liked before too. I'm currently doing a re-read of the Ender series which I loved as a kid but I'm finding so much more to it now that I'm older. It's something to consider. Perception changes with wisdom and experience.
Anyways, I'm sure there are more things that I'd like to comment on, but I'd have to go back and read the past couple of pages again to remember what they were. So I'm sure I'll be back here with more opinions.