1. I've always liked Ax and found him to be an interesting character. I think the first time I read it my reaction was mostly *weeee another Andalite!* *giddy* Then of course intense emo feelings for him being Elfangor's brother. I actually was kind of surprised that after the initial reveal that Elfangor was dead, he never really seemed to dwell on it after that. Then again, he just got rescued by a bunch of aliens that he doesn't know, he's supposed to be a brave warrior, and Andalites don't seem to be the type of race to wear their hearts on their sleeves anyway, so it makes sense that he would have repressed his emotions around new people.
2. I think that it was an idea that was made obsolete throughout the novel as the race of Andalites became more developed. Gafinilan mentions later in the book that he is close enough friends with Mertil that he can speak to him anywhere on the same planet (if memory serves correct.) It would only make sense that Ax would have that kind of connection with his brother. I would think that, even if he didn't have that close a connection with other warriors, the emotional distress he would be in could possibly be able to extend his thoughtspeak out to others of his race. It makes total sense that Tobias would hear it, as he is Elfangor's son and him having a connection with Elfangor is a common theme throughout the book even though he was born human. As for why Cassie heard it...well...I shall spare my true judgement. -_- My only idea is well obviously she is just so super speshul that she hears it duh is that she is exceptionally skilled at morphing. As a writer, I would think perhaps it was just a) her turn to have a book and b) while it only makes sense in the world of the text that Tobias would hear it, it is hard to make this story around a Nothlit who cannot go down and get Ax, so KA needed another alternative.
3. Well, Cassie is speshul, remember? I think it just underlies a theme about how animals are also part of the earth, and also in danger. Its a sort of spiritual type lesson, that animals aren't as stupid as we think they are and they will defend their home just like we will.
4. Well, I think its tragic that kids face this kind of danger, but that's really a whole over-arching theme of this book.
5. I think that it makes it absolutely essential that the Yeerks be stopped NOW. If the world is taken over, there is no taking it back. There is no Andalites saving it later. It's ruined.
6. I think she just needs to take a couple lessons from Rachel. XD
7. Honestly, pure dumb luck. Honestly, she's a wet blanket throughout the whole stories, puts the kids in bad positions because of her morality more than once. Her moral squickiness did save them in the Test, and she did save Ax when he became sick. Honestly though, I think her character is over all so detrimental to the group and holds them back so much, if she didn't have her "deus ex machina save the day" moments, all the readers of the series would find her to be absolutely useless. Other than her "saves the day" moments, I think the group would have been completely fine without her. I think they would have fared better overall. And I think a lot of her "saves the day" moments wouldn't be needed if the other Animorphs had the ability to plan realistically and didn't have to jump through hoops and hand hold her and deal with her hammering the guilt into their brain even further and harder when they are already dealing with guilt and PTSD issues. Honestly, I kind of wish Ax snapped her head off when he found out she gave the cube away. I mean, seriously, what a slap in the face! Did she loose a family member to the war? No. All the others did...but she didn't and acted like the Yeerks were all awesome when the others had controllers and freaking family members DIE in the war.
Ooops, I went off on a rant tangent. Sorry, I digress. =P
8. Well, in the end fiction is fiction, I never found anything terribly inconsistent with the idea of the dolphin's personality.
9. Honestly, this may sound weird, but I think Animals are more wise while sentient creatures are more intelligent. Sentient creatures have the abstract ability to perceive a future that is different and the mind to make it so. Animals have the wisdom to think that life is fine the way it is. There are differences, but they are equal, in my mind. Honestly, I do not see a problem morphing anything, including sentient creatures, as long as it is for the greater good. You are saving a planet, not building a golf course.
10. If it was just one or two, I would dismiss it. If it was more than that, I would start looking into it, though if another was experiencing it I would immediately look into it.
11. I skimmed the original, most of it from memory. I have read it a lot though in the past. I like all the books that have a lot to do with Andalite culture, and I really like the explanations about the dome that Ax gives.
12. I'm sorry. I hate Cassie. A lot. Even though EVERY SINGLE PERSONALITY test I EVER take on Animorphs, even when I try to purposely bungle the results, gives me her. Lol.
