1. The first Megamorphs. How do you like the split narration aspect of the Megamorphs books? Whose parts did you like best in this one? Did anyone get short-changed in the telling of this story? This is also Ax's first time narrating-anything worth noting?
In the second paragraph of Ax’s narration, he brings up that he will have to kill Visser Three. But then, in the next book, we get a big “DUNDUNDUN” revelation moment. For style’s sake, that makes ZERO sense.
2. The other Megamorphs deal with alternate realities, or at least not the current Yeerk threat. This book however has Visser Three actively pursuing the Animorphs, and they have to stop him, more or less in line with the rest of the series. Should Megamorphs have been reserved for extra fantastical adventures, or more continuous with the series? Or is a mix good?
The only issue I had with it was an odd one—it fit with the continuity of the series. The others were all out of the main timeline. This felt like any other book, and I think that the Megamorphs should have been reserved for more “fantastic” stories (like time travel and alternate realities).
3. What did you think about the Veleek as a new alien, and it's tracking via morphing energy particularly during transformation? What did you think of the way the Animorphs handled it?
I think Cassie’s plan was absolutely brilliant. I am not Cassie’s biggest fan (but I don’t hate her as much as a lot of people do), but that was very clever.
About the Veleek specifically, my only question is this: what the hell does it have to eat on Saturn? Is it just me, or is that a teeny bit strange? And I don’t buy that they could “program” a living creature like you could program a computer. Train, yes, but the way they spoke of it was more like rewriting software than training a dog.
4. The last book saw the destruction of the Kandrona, but we're yet to see it’s effects. Is now the right time for Visser Three to go on the hunt?
No, but when was Visser Three known for thinking ahead?
5. Animorphs is a story of kids at war; fighting for their lives, their loved ones, their very freedom. That doesn't change the fact that it is friggin' funny. How do you like the use of humor in Animorphs? Any particular comedic instants you like from this book in particular? (As if I had to ask)
“DO YOU JUST HATE TRASH CANS?”
Who doesn’t love that? I mean really.
6. Not much narration on its life and mind in this book, but the Humpback Whale occurs in several important places throughout the series. What do you think of the portrayal of this animal in this book and throughout the series? Do you think Applegate's descriptions of its abilities and attitudes were accurate or exaggerated? What do you envision the experience of being a humpback to be like? What do you think of the reverence given to this whale throughout the series?
I think that Applegate loves these animals dearly, and gave them a special place of honor.
Yes, I think it is over exaggerated, but it is interesting.
I imagine you would feel incredibly graceful, to be able to move a body of that size through the water with such precision. I’ve seen humpback whales breaching, and it is truly awesome.
7. At one point in the story, Cassie makes the decision to not draw the Veleek's attention, and let it carry off one of her friends. That lack of action makes her feel like a coward. What do you think? What would you do in that spot; would you be willing to make a rampaging beast take you rather than a friend?
I think that having Marco get captured made for a much better scene in the Blade ship.
It would depend. Will I be more useful overall for the cause inside or outside the ship? Who has the better chance to escape? Who has longer in morph (Cassie, for this one)?
8. Hope; a word, a cause, a legacy. What do you think about the concept of hope for Animorphs-both the characters and the series? How enduring is the message of hope throughout the series? Do the ideals of hope here reach you outside the books?
The Animorph’s cause seems, at first glance to be hopeless. But so did America’s cause in the Revolutionary War. It is the same many times in history; people don’t give up even though the rest of the world tells them to, and they prove the world wrong.
On the other hand, in winning the war, they lost a lot. Sanity, morals, and countless lives. It’s hard to have hope when a broken world is what you’ve “won.”
9. Approximately when is the last time you read this book? What changes do you expect or would like to see in a re-release?
Read it to do this.
10. Anything else?
Nope, not this time.