1) Why do you think that Drode used the Chee as a way to get to the Animorphs? Wouldn't it have been just as simple for Drode to appear at any old battle where they were in too deep?
It felt like the Chee needed more participation. The Drode was smart to bring in the fact that somewhere on Earth lied a hidden Pemalite ship, which none of us readers accounted for.
It was a good sneaky way to introduce a powerful new character and re-address the stakes of The game the Ellimist and The Cryak play.
2) What do you think about Drode/Crayak's interest in Rachel?
It is a nice plot to emphasize Rachel's 'dark side' growing significantly enough for the big bad guys wanting to exploit. It was interesting that even after the Drode realizes his defeat, he places a back up plan to kill Jake on Rachel. Tantalizing her 'dark side' with delusions of freedom and leadership once Jake is gone.
In a way, it's a good thing that she goes through the experience of leadership weight once Jake is gone later on in
The Weakness. I believe that story helps her not to give in to this even further down the track in
The Return.
3) How do you feel about Rachel's development as a character at this part in the series?
This was actually one of the good books in which I didn't mind how KA or the Ghostwriters or whatever approached this depth of the character. It is here we get a significant meaning to what the others say about 'Rachel scaring them' and all.
But I find this book also shows Rachel's determination and instinct for protection at a new level.
I am talking about the crackdown mission to rescue Lourdes. There was a point where Cassie was seemingly shot-dead, Marco was injured, and Jake was out of the picture outside. Even with Tobias/hawk and Ax/skunk helping Jake outside, SHE did what she had to do to get the others out of there. Completely oblivious to the fact that she was passing out, until eventually, she did...
And also, how bad she felt for the beached whale, realizing that the whale had been a pawn in the game, just like her.
All these things show a more than just the dark bloodthirsty nature to Rachel.
Personally, from this point on in the series, it gets a bit slack in terms of Rachel for me.
4) What do you think about the character of Drode?
The Drode really came off as a comical maniac, which I think was the intention.
Nicely done, with lines like "Ooohhh Jaaaaake?!?! Are you dead yet?!" during the middle of the battle.
Supposedly, he seems to be able to do whatever Cryak can, he may be his field leader or something. Whenever Cryak wants to make his move, and doesn't want to do it himself, it would be the Drode who seems to do it in his place.
5) Anything else? 
The Sperm whale Vs Giant squid sequence felt a bit forced and somewhat dull.
And I think Rachel could have very easily gone for the T.J. or C.J. dude earlier in the book. Why the heck not?! Tobias himself called the kid cute. The dude simply wasn't manning up to Rachel.
