Summary
David, the "sixth Animorph," is back. When the Animorphs and Ax decided to give another human being the power to morph, it was one their biggest mistakes. David tried to destroy all of them - and almost succeeded. Rachel and the others thought they'd seen the last of him when they trapped David as a nothlit. Leaving him on a deserted island to live out his days as a rat...
(http://animorphsforum.com/ebooks/covers/sbk48.jpg)
Questions
1) One of the biggest problems I, and presumably other fans, have with this book is the fact that a good chunk of the beginning is taken up by dream sequences. In fact, we don't even get to 'reality' until about five/six chapters in. So, with that in mind, what do you think was the purpose behind such lengthy dream sequences? Did they fulfill their purpose?
2) This is the last book narrated by Rachel. What do you think about her characterization here, as opposed to way back in book #2 when we first got inside her head? How do you think her character progressed throughout the series, and do you think it was a realistic portrayal?
3) This book came out just after The Ellimist Chronicles. How does the Crayak portrayed in this book compare to the Crayak portrayed in the Chronicles?
4) What do you think about the version of David that we see presented here? Do you think he is still sane?
5) Bringing back a question from #22: was the decision that the Animorphs made to trap David the right decision? Who, if anyone, should David lay the blame on?
6) What do you think about Crayak's attempted deal with Rachel at this point in the series?
7) Do you think that Rachel killed David, in the end?
My Comments: Despite this book's (numerous) flaws, the last chapter of #48 is one of my favorites in the entire series, which is why I'm actually telling you my opinion for once. This book annihilated Rachel's character, reducing her to a two-sided coin that was being yanked around by rather comic book-like villains. However, the last chapter of this book really speaks to the struggle of the war, and how it has taken a toll on her. It shows that she does have regrets, and her own lonely struggle somewhat parallels David's. I find it incredibly touching and overwhelming, especially knowing what will happen only a few books down the road, that she is still determined to remain 'one of the good guys'.
Next time: #49 The Diversion
Summary
David, the "sixth Animorph," is back. When the Animorphs and Ax decided to give another human being the power to morph, it was one their biggest mistakes. David tried to destroy all of them - and almost succeeded. Rachel and the others thought they'd seen the last of him when they trapped David as a nothlit. Leaving him on a deserted island to live out his days as a rat...
(http://animorphsforum.com/ebooks/covers/sbk48.jpg)
Questions
1) One of the biggest problems I, and presumably other fans, have with this book is the fact that a good chunk of the beginning is taken up by dream sequences. In fact, we don't even get to 'reality' until about five/six chapters in. So, with that in mind, what do you think was the purpose behind such lengthy dream sequences? Did they fulfill their purpose?
2) This is the last book narrated by Rachel. What do you think about her characterization here, as opposed to way back in book #2 when we first got inside her head? How do you think her character progressed throughout the series, and do you think it was a realistic portrayal?
I actually think both were very realistic portrayls (book 2 and this one that is) and the progression is clear. She is more than just a girl who is a shop-aholic and she has become more than just a crazy warrior, she now has to make moral decisions that would end up having very real effects on her own mental health and she seemed very keenly aware of that fact. She is as tainted by war at this point (or at least by the end of this book) as one could possibly become.
3) This book came out just after The Ellimist Chronicles. How does the Crayak portrayed in this book compare to the Crayak portrayed in the Chronicles?
Honestly it was a fairly large progession from the Chronicles. As seen in 26 (yeah I read it recently check my recent thread I suppose) he is seen playing the slow patient game that the Ellimist is known for, but he is clearly doing it through his own aggressive means. In the Chronicles however he is seen playing with the Ellimist in full force by destroying as many planets as possible. It's a progression, but then again we have seen this progression in other books before it. In fact he may have been getting overly hasty in this book because he was simply tired of continually dealing with this small force of warriors. So actually maybe there was progression in each book he was in and it lead up beautifully towards this book.
4) What do you think about the version of David that we see presented here? Do you think he is still sane?
Clearly he has lost it and for good reason. His parents were infested, he was trapped for what he thought was all eternity (or at least until death), and he couldn't really pin the blame on anybody but himself. In fact the only real question is why the Crayak would rely on him to break Rachel (despite the fact it may have worked).
5) Bringing back a question from #22: was the decision that the Animorphs made to trap David the right decision? Who, if anyone, should David lay the blame on?
Sorry but he's only got himself for this one. Sure others did it too him (Rachel in particular perhaps) but it wouldn't have happened if he handled leaving the Animorphs in a different manner then the whole rat forever thing wouldn't have happened.
6) What do you think about Crayak's attempted deal with Rachel at this point in the series?
7) Do you think that Rachel killed David, in the end?
I have no idea and that's really the point which is to make up your own mind, but I think since the fact that she wasn't completely insane in later books it's safe to say she didn't.
My Comments: Despite this book's (numerous) flaws, the last chapter of #48 is one of my favorites in the entire series, which is why I'm actually telling you my opinion for once. This book annihilated Rachel's character, reducing her to a two-sided coin that was being yanked around by rather comic book-like villains. However, the last chapter of this book really speaks to the struggle of the war, and how it has taken a toll on her. It shows that she does have regrets, and her own lonely struggle somewhat parallels David's. I find it incredibly touching and overwhelming, especially knowing what will happen only a few books down the road, that she is still determined to remain 'one of the good guys'.
Next time: #49 The Diversion