1) Do you think it was a good move to have a "Taylor returns" book? Do you think the issue was handled well? Do you think Tobias' mental state of being post-torture is realistic?I mean, #33 was probably the darkest book in terms of character exploration, so I think that issue definitely needed some closure, I just really didn't like the way this was handled. Like oh, a Sub-Visser wants to work with us? No way that's going bad, right guys?
2) It is exceedingly rare that an Animorph sits out a mission, but this is one case where Cassie draws the line. What do you think about her decision? Logical or necessary plot point? In character? Out of character? Discuss.In character and a perfect example of why I hate Cassie. "Oh I'm not doing this, because I'm a whiny brat, but oh I am and actually the fact that I sat out means I get to be the hero/savior! Phew, what would you guys do without me?"
3) This is the second time we have experienced someone morphing Taxxon, the first time being in The Andalite Chronicles. What do you think about the portrayal of the morph in general?I thought it was handled a lot better in the Andalite Chronicles. The whole thing about Taxxon hunger being derived from anxiety about starving was just too dumb and intellectual for such a visceral race. The way it was portrayed in this book, they had absolutely no control over it, and that's not true.
4) Kind of piggy-backing on the previous question, I have always wondered about the level of sentience with Taxxons? Are they truly sentient beings, or is such a status impossible given their ravenous hunger?See, that's the thing. I think the Andalite Chronicles proves a little that they are intelligent, and other stuff proves it too--the fact they're used as trackers, the fact that they can swim well, that their delicate hand-eye coordination makes them the computer technicians, more than the Hork-Bajir, WHO HAVE HANDS, even more than Gedds, who are primates. That requires a certain level of intelligence. I like it better that they're intelligent but cursed with this insatiable hunger. I don't like that they're mindless drones guided by unbreachable instinct. Also Taylor says they're only given to lower-ranking Yeerks. Okay, then why does half the Council have Taxxon hosts in Visser?
5) When Cassie pleads with Jake not to go through with trying to blow up the Yeerk Pool, she makes the argument that Tom might be in the pool, to which he responds that it was a necessary loss. Do you think he really meant that? If he's willing to sacrifice Tom, what does that say about his continued motivations in this war?I kind of like that slowly developed coldness to Jake in the last decade of books, actually. I think it was one of the only things done well.
6) Anything else?Nah, this book really wasn't worth it. The unschweet thing was sort of cool but totally random and unnecessary, much like this entire book.
Sorry for the double post, having technical issues.now that you mention, I very vaguely remember reading somewhere that they were thinking of having arbon be the taxxon they were planning to acquire...
6. Why wasn't Arbron introduced into the main series during this book? Not only would this book have been so much better, but it also would've made the final arc less rushed. Also I feel cheated Arbron not being in a Tobias book. Once again we were robbed of Tobias' reaction to Elfangor's past. And I really wanted to know how Tobias and Arbron would relate to each other as nothlits.
1) Do you think it was a good move to have a "Taylor returns" book? Do you think the issue was handled well? Do you think Tobias' mental state of being post-torture is realistic?The summary kinda gave what could have been a perfectly shocking surprise away (Tobias being facing his torturer once more), but I think
3) This is the second time we have experienced someone morphing Taxxon, the first time being in The Andalite Chronicles. What do you think about the portrayal of the morph in general?I thought it was a decent insight on the species. The compound eyes, I always imagined their vision somewhat different in their bodies. And them biting through cement?!?!?! Whoa!
4) Kind of piggy-backing on the previous question, I have always wondered about the level of sentience with Taxxons? Are they truly sentient beings, or is such a status impossible given their ravenous hunger?Nice questions.
5) When Cassie pleads with Jake not to go through with trying to blow up the Yeerk Pool, she makes the argument that Tom might be in the pool, to which he responds that it was a necessary loss. Do you think he really meant that? If he's willing to sacrifice Tom, what does that say about his continued motivations in this war?
2) It is exceedingly rare that an Animorph sits out a mission, but this is one case where Cassie draws the line. What do you think about her decision? Logical or necessary plot point? In character? Out of character? Discuss.The Cassie sub-plot was a bit of a surprise. Think this was the only mission she sat out, really.
6) Anything else?Nah. Just the next book is kinda one of the weakest reads.
The more I think about it now, the more I think this idea, the more it seems messed up. Can a living organism really digest innorganics such as concrete?!
1) Do you think it was a good move to have a "Taylor returns" book? Do you think the issue was handled well? Do you think Tobias' mental state of being post-torture is realistic?
2) It is exceedingly rare that an Animorph sits out a mission, but this is one case where Cassie draws the line. What do you think about her decision? Logical or necessary plot point? In character? Out of character? Discuss.
3) This is the second time we have experienced someone morphing Taxxon, the first time being in The Andalite Chronicles. What do you think about the portrayal of the morph in general?
4) Kind of piggy-backing on the previous question, I have always wondered about the level of sentience with Taxxons? Are they truly sentient beings, or is such a status impossible given their ravenous hunger?
5) When Cassie pleads with Jake not to go through with trying to blow up the Yeerk Pool, she makes the argument that Tom might be in the pool, to which he responds that it was a necessary loss. Do you think he really meant that? If he's willing to sacrifice Tom, what does that say about his continued motivations in this war?
6) Anything else?
The more I think about it now, the more I think this idea, the more it seems messed up. Can a living organism really digest innorganics such as concrete?!
Technically, table salt is inorganic, and we digest that just fine. Thought I should point that out.
And I heard a story on television some time ago -- Animal Miracles, I think it was -- where some pig (and I mean that literally, an actual pig) chewed something like concrete into nothing.
I pretty sure there are other examples of animals eating inorganic things like concrete, I cannot think of any right now, but I don't think it's unreasonable to see an alien creature capable of eating through concrete.