I review the latest Pretty Little Liars episode!
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Inbetween: The Darkening 9
Killing used to make me feel unclean. I thought the act of taking a life was something only a god should do. The fact that it made me feel so powerful sickened me because I used to think killing shouldn't make someone feel good. But now I knew better.
I watched as Hannibal made dinner. It wasn't a normal dinner, though, it was a celebration. I had killed Beverly and, in doing so, had begun a new part of my life. My life would now become richer as I had broken out of my cage.
Though this dinner was a special one, I couldn't help but cringe at the thought of what I would be eating. What was even more surprising was the fact that Abigail didn't have any problems with eating it.
"Are you sure this is the right thing to do?" I asked Hannibal.
"You're still having doubts?" He replied without a hint of annoyance in his voice. I had learned, shortly after I had killed Beverly, about how he mostly stuck to killing the rude. So I knew that all the moments I had been rude he had restrained himself because he loved me. And I also knew that he was restraining himself right now.
"I don't mind killing, but eating a person just seems wrong to me."
"If Beverly was not worthy to keep her own life, why should she get any say as to how her body is used now?"
I thought about Hannibal's words. He didn't kill without reason and hated killing to keep himself safe. I now understood killing was not always wrong and you shouldn't feel bad because you took a life. I had been naive to fear killing before.
But it being okay to eat another human being and becoming a cannibal? That was too much for me to understand. Was it because I was weak or that I was right?
"Beverly didn't deserve her life and I took it." I replied, trying to form my thoughts into words. "Her threat is gone and eating her would be going a step further than we need to go. Eating her won't stop a threat that has already been stopped."
"While eating won't give you the same sense of release, Will, it does have another use that killing doesn't."
I looked at him and asked. "What is that?"
Hannibal found a point where he could pause in his art. He met my gaze and I knew that I had failed him in my lack of understanding. But as he wasn't making any indication he was going to kill me, I realized that he was willing to take the time to help me understand.
"Killing gives you a sense of release that you can't get anywhere else." Hannibal explained. "But eating another human makes you realize that people are just animals. They can be as easily manipulated as a pig. Being a cannibal gives you strength."
"Is there another reason?"
Hannibal paused as if lost in a memory. I realized that he wasn't as strong as I thought. While he could stand up against things others would crumble from, he was still human. He still felt. For some reason that both humanized him and made me afraid.
I was about to ask him what the memory was when he came back to reality and returned to cooking. Thinking that the conversation had come to an end, I started to walk out of the kitchen. Abigail must be getting lonely sitting all alone at the table.
"The other reason is that we're making sure the meat isn't wasted." Hannibal said and so I took up my former position in the kitchen. "Beverly's body would just be hidden in the ground and the only use it would have had would be to be found by the police or FBI."
"Which wouldn't be good." I replied. "But you don't cook every piece of a human's body."
"Every person has certain parts that are actually good to cook. Though the cheek is the exception as every one's cheeks make a good meal." Hannibal said. "So to eat an entire human body would also be wasteful as you would be making time for parts that are better left uneaten."
"So we're eating Beverly just to have a meal?"
"We're eating her as to not waste her most precious parts."
As the smell of Beverly's flesh drifted into my nose I started to get hungry but tried to push the feeling away. Hannibal was trying to make me eat another human and, at the same time, make me think that it was a good idea. Not just a good idea but a noble one. He was beginning to look like a monster.
But then I started really looking at my own thought process. Why was it disgusting to me? If someone killed a deer it wouldn't be wrong. If someone killed a deer it was to provide food and hunting it was a reward in itself. So why would eating a human be all that bad?
I had hunted Beverly and the hunt had been its own reward. Eating her, like one would eat a deer, would just be a celebration of the hunt. Hannibal was right, she hadn't deserved her life so why should I empathize with her now?
When Hannibal finished making the meal I helped bring out the food to the table. We brushed lightly against each other at one point before sitting down. Hannibal, Abigail, and myself were happy as we ate together.
I took my first bite of Beverly and smiled as the taste and smell combined itself into one exotic feeling. Hannibal looked me in the eyes and we both smiled. I had pleased him by being a good student. After I ate the meat of Beverly Katz, there'd be a different kind from the man I loved.
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Previous (and Current) Inbetween: The Darkening Chapters
Inbetween tumblr
I watched as Hannibal made dinner. It wasn't a normal dinner, though, it was a celebration. I had killed Beverly and, in doing so, had begun a new part of my life. My life would now become richer as I had broken out of my cage.
Though this dinner was a special one, I couldn't help but cringe at the thought of what I would be eating. What was even more surprising was the fact that Abigail didn't have any problems with eating it.
"Are you sure this is the right thing to do?" I asked Hannibal.
"You're still having doubts?" He replied without a hint of annoyance in his voice. I had learned, shortly after I had killed Beverly, about how he mostly stuck to killing the rude. So I knew that all the moments I had been rude he had restrained himself because he loved me. And I also knew that he was restraining himself right now.
"I don't mind killing, but eating a person just seems wrong to me."
"If Beverly was not worthy to keep her own life, why should she get any say as to how her body is used now?"
I thought about Hannibal's words. He didn't kill without reason and hated killing to keep himself safe. I now understood killing was not always wrong and you shouldn't feel bad because you took a life. I had been naive to fear killing before.
But it being okay to eat another human being and becoming a cannibal? That was too much for me to understand. Was it because I was weak or that I was right?
"Beverly didn't deserve her life and I took it." I replied, trying to form my thoughts into words. "Her threat is gone and eating her would be going a step further than we need to go. Eating her won't stop a threat that has already been stopped."
"While eating won't give you the same sense of release, Will, it does have another use that killing doesn't."
I looked at him and asked. "What is that?"
Hannibal found a point where he could pause in his art. He met my gaze and I knew that I had failed him in my lack of understanding. But as he wasn't making any indication he was going to kill me, I realized that he was willing to take the time to help me understand.
"Killing gives you a sense of release that you can't get anywhere else." Hannibal explained. "But eating another human makes you realize that people are just animals. They can be as easily manipulated as a pig. Being a cannibal gives you strength."
"Is there another reason?"
Hannibal paused as if lost in a memory. I realized that he wasn't as strong as I thought. While he could stand up against things others would crumble from, he was still human. He still felt. For some reason that both humanized him and made me afraid.
I was about to ask him what the memory was when he came back to reality and returned to cooking. Thinking that the conversation had come to an end, I started to walk out of the kitchen. Abigail must be getting lonely sitting all alone at the table.
"The other reason is that we're making sure the meat isn't wasted." Hannibal said and so I took up my former position in the kitchen. "Beverly's body would just be hidden in the ground and the only use it would have had would be to be found by the police or FBI."
"Which wouldn't be good." I replied. "But you don't cook every piece of a human's body."
"Every person has certain parts that are actually good to cook. Though the cheek is the exception as every one's cheeks make a good meal." Hannibal said. "So to eat an entire human body would also be wasteful as you would be making time for parts that are better left uneaten."
"So we're eating Beverly just to have a meal?"
"We're eating her as to not waste her most precious parts."
As the smell of Beverly's flesh drifted into my nose I started to get hungry but tried to push the feeling away. Hannibal was trying to make me eat another human and, at the same time, make me think that it was a good idea. Not just a good idea but a noble one. He was beginning to look like a monster.
But then I started really looking at my own thought process. Why was it disgusting to me? If someone killed a deer it wouldn't be wrong. If someone killed a deer it was to provide food and hunting it was a reward in itself. So why would eating a human be all that bad?
I had hunted Beverly and the hunt had been its own reward. Eating her, like one would eat a deer, would just be a celebration of the hunt. Hannibal was right, she hadn't deserved her life so why should I empathize with her now?
When Hannibal finished making the meal I helped bring out the food to the table. We brushed lightly against each other at one point before sitting down. Hannibal, Abigail, and myself were happy as we ate together.
I took my first bite of Beverly and smiled as the taste and smell combined itself into one exotic feeling. Hannibal looked me in the eyes and we both smiled. I had pleased him by being a good student. After I ate the meat of Beverly Katz, there'd be a different kind from the man I loved.
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Previous (and Current) Inbetween: The Darkening Chapters
Inbetween tumblr
Animorphs Re-Read: The Andalite Chronicles (Chapters 13-19)
Chapter 13
Elfangor talks about morphing training. How every Andalite is first given the djabala to turn into and, if the Andalite passes that test, then a kafit (a type of bird). Elfangor says that he had fun morphing into a kafit but how horrible morphing into a Taxxon is going to be. This reminds me of when one of the Animorphs (probably Marco) comments on the fact that they used to morph pleasant creatures.
Elfangor decides to morph into a Taxxon because he wants to show Alloran that he's a "good soldier" and that he's brave. Again with the pride. He could've said that he was morphing because the mission required it, but instead he said it was to please Alloran. I don't remember Elfangor being this prideful, or maybe it just means more to me now.
And the first morphing sequence of the book!
Elfangor comments on the loss of his vision and this surprises me. I thought that he would spend more time talking about how he doesn't have a tail-blade anymore, as an Andalite's tail-blade is his/her life. But the talk about sight is more important, story wise, as it allows an easy transition to comment on the Taxxon's compound eyes.
Holy fucking shit! Elfangor is commenting about Taxxon hunger and it's creepy. Creeps me out badly as an adult. Yeah, kids, read this and sleep well!
(got picture from HERE)
The only reason Elfangor doesn't attack Alloran and Arbron is because the Taxxon instincts know that they are more likely to win the fight. Whenever you morph into something, the creature's instincts can be overpowering. This is the reason why the Animorphs decided on the fact that they always had to test out a morph before a battle. Because if the morph was like a Taxxon, whose instincts are overpowering, they had to learn how to control it.
Elfangor warns Alloran and Arbron to be VERY careful when they morph.
[What, are you afraid I'm gonna morph and try to eat you?] Arbron asks jokingly.
[Yes, Arbron. I am afraid.] Elfangor replies because he knows that the reason he was able to control himself won't work when Arbron morphs.
Chapter 14
Taxxon hunger is really the defining characteristic of the species. So it makes sense that Elfangor begins the chapter by commenting on it. Adding that it never goes away.
It's terrifying that Elfangor doesn't know if he could've resisted eating Loren if she was there. The Elfangor x Loren feels are overpowering in that one sentence!
Elfangor comments on the fact that if they escape in the Yeerk ship that Alloran will order the Yeerks to be slaughtered. As the Yeerks can't immediately gets hosts, they'll have to wait a day, this is a real possibility. I like that this issue of morality is being dealt with. Honestly, I agree with Alloran here but I like seeing the hero choosing the moral choice while knowing its faults.
Well, they can spot the Skrit Na ship easily enough. Now if getting to it is just as simple.
And Alloran reminds Arbron and Elfangor what they are supposed to be. Cannibalistic Space Worms!
I guess "tall trees" is a form of measurement. I can't tell measurements when you say something like "ten feet". But "tall trees" is just lazy.
Ah...so the Gedds was the first race enslaved by the Yeerks. They're humanoid but are always hunched over so that there's always a limb to help them walk. Humans are still the only species to walk on two legs.
Elfangor is not liking the scenery at all. He comments on the fact that the average Andalite is being lied to about how well the war is going. He's used to being told that the Andalites are winning hands down when that is not the case.
And, oh God, I thought that since I was older this scene would be less terrifying. It isn't. Basically a Taxxon falls off of a train and Elfangor runs to eat it. After eating some of it, the Andalite backs away and is frightened of what he just did. Yeah, nightmare fuel.
A Hork-Bajir Controller (Yeerk's title is Sub-Visser Seven) notices Elfangor and says that he's interested in any Taxxon that will not eat fresh meat.
Chapter 15
Elfangor comments that Andalite Morphing technology (he uses the term "Morphing power") is wonderful and allows Andalites to be the "greatest spies in the galaxy". However, if you stay in a morph for over two hours you become stuck in the morph (aka become a nothlit like Tobias). This is what worries Elfangor as the sub-visser takes him on the mag-lev train car.
A sub-visser is a high rank in the Yeerk Empire. At the top is the Council of Thirteen (one member of the Council is emperor but it's never revealed in the Animorphs series who it is, yeah I looked), then the Vissers, and finally the sub-vissers. The lower number of the rank (aka two is lower than three), the higher the position is.
The sub-visser seems to realize that Elfangor is an Andalite in morph. The Andalite aristh decides to speak in gibberish to fool the Yeerk. What is interesting here is that the translator can detect what language another is speaking. That is highly useful. But the translator is able to work even in morph, so where is it located? And how does it work?
The sub-visser asks for Elfangor to speak in Galard (the language that's basically like common in Star Wars) and the Andalite doesn't as he fears a trap.
The Yeerk also brings up that there's a rebel force of Taxxons (called Mountain Taxxons). Elfangor files this info under 'news my superiors need to hear ASAP'.
Elfangor hopes that Alloran and Arbron will complete the mission as he doesn't think he'll be able to.
Sub-Visser Seven says that any rebel Taxxon is fed to loyal Taxxons. He says "idiotic regulations" but it's clear that he's trying to prod Elfangor into telling him the truth. The sub-visser gives Elfangor the choice of a painless death if he confesses to being an Andalite. The young Andalite mourns over the fact that all his dreams of becoming a great warrior had just been dashed. I admit I like seeing this happen as his pride has been thoroughly dashed by reality in this scene.
Sub-Visser Seven says that Elfangor doesn't have to die if the Andalite will become his host. I'm getting the feeling I've just been introduced to Visser Three.
Sub-Visser Seven comments on the fact that no Andalite has been taken alive because they commit suicide via tail-blade. Those Andalites are bad ass! It's one thing to fight in a battle and another thing to decide your cause is more important than your life.
When the Yeerk is done explaining, Elfangor feels revulsion and tells the Yeerk to remember his name. Also stating that he'll never be taken alive. Yep, it's safe to say we've met Visser Three.
Chapter 16
Elfangor is falling and is demorphing as he wants to die an Andalite and not a "disgusting, cannibalistic worm". He doesn't demorph before he hits the ground and Taxxons start eating him. How could I forget how really disturbing these books were?
Luckily Elfangor's tail-blade forms in time to save him out from being eaten alive. Elfangor manages to injure some Taxxons and so the other Taxxons figure the Andalite is worth too much risk to eat. The Yeerks fire at him and he hides in the crowd of Taxxons.
I guess the Hork-Bajir Controllers aren't translated all in English to show that they're speaking a combination of languages?
Elfangor decides to morph into a kafit so he can escape. It's brought up that once you acquire a morph it's yours forever. He's so scared he couldn't tell if he had morphed which is really REALLY weird. Of course he has morphed and he flies away.
Elfangor sees that the Jahar has been captured. All I can think is: GODDAMMIT, CHAPMAN, WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO THIS TIME?
It was Chapman's fault, goddammit! He has Loren tied up and is offering to trade humanity for I don't want to know. Power? Whatever the bloody fuck he thinks he can get? Arg!
Chapter 17
So Andalites have more than one heart? Looking on Seerowpedia it turns out they have three hearts.
The beginning of this chapter is mostly recap as, at this point in the book, it has come to Part 2. If you're wondering, there is more of Elfangor talking about his bromance with the Jahar.
Elfangor worries about Arbron (his "fellow aristh") and Alloran. He talks about how Alloran should be dealing with his situation as the war-prince has experience.
Elfangor then accepts the fact that the fate of his entire race rests on him (remember, the Time Matrix can make it so the Yeerks can stop the Andalite race from existing). It's adorable that he has to remind himself that rescuing Loren can't be his first priority now.
However, Elfangor does tell her not to talk about the Time Matrix and promises to save her. Though he knows that she has no reason to believe him.
Doesn't Elfangor think of the possibility of a Yeerk being put into Chapman and so the Time Matrix will be revealed?
Elfangor demorphs in sewage but doesn't mind since he's back in his own body. However, that happiness is short lived as he has to resume his Taxxon morph. Arbron comes while Elfangor is mid-morph and Elfangor is relieved just to see another Andalite. Elfangor notices Arbron acting oddly but just writes it off.
Chapter 18
Elfangor's basic plan amounts to him and Arbron just strolling into the Skrit Na ship and flying away. Again Elfangor's pride is mentioned as he talks about appearing like a fighter pilot. Not to belittle a characteristic of our lead, but I could invent a drinking game about this book and Elfangor's pride would be part of it.
Again the Taxxon hunger is mentioned. It is still creepy as ever. And this is a book for children!
There is a suspicious Gedd Controller. Elfangor attempts to speak Galard with his Taxxon tongue but the Gedd Controller asks for him to use a pad attached to his wrist (it's a translator). Arbron, being the technical genius of the two, uses it.
Oh, god, Elfangor said [So far so good] which I remember being the phrase in the Animorphs series that indicated shit was about to go down.
Elfangor demorphs as quickly as he can. It is after he demorphs that Arbron reveals he is a nothlit and not able to morph out of being a Taxxon. I knew this was coming but it still hurts like I'm reading it for the first time.
[I really wish I could, Elfangor.] Arbron says and my heart breaks again!
Chapter 19
Elfangor knows that there is no time to talk about Arbron being a nothlit, but he allows himself to feel horror at the knowledge. The reason that the Taxxon morph was painted as being so horrible now reveals itself. It's so that the reader feels utter horror, disgust, and despair at what has happened to Arbron.
Elfangor remarks that the Skrit Na ship is moving too slow. Arbron suggests using the Time Matrix, but the prideful Andalite remarks that they don't know how the weapon works. If it takes too long to start working then they'll be dead. Elfangor also remarks about how their superiors will react to them using the Time Matrix and Arbron laughs at that. Then Arbron realizes Elfangor is talking about the "mythical" Ellimists. Elfangor points out if the Time Matrix is real why not the Ellimists.
I loved the Ellimists when the species was first introduced but I wasn't happy what they turned into (basically one character, but that's a rant for another day).
A Bug Fighter is coming after our two Andalite cadets! Elfangor is shaken but decides to try to outrace the Bug Fighter and its buddy in the atmosphere. Arbron replies with the obligatory WTF.
Elfangor dives down and the two are both scared and excited. Elfangor basically commenting that the experience is amazing.
As the chase continues Arbron holds back a piece of information concerning the ship saying, [...you don't even want to know.]
A Bug Fighter explodes but Arbron tells Elfangor he can't pull the same move off in time (the Bug Fighter couldn't handle the atmosphere). The nothlit offers to shoot the remaining two Bug Fighters but Elfangor questions if he can with Taxxon abilities. Arbron is, of course, insulted and insists he can. Elfangor wants to leave the decision making to the captain, but the captain is him. He decides to let Arbron make the shot.
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Animorphs Re-Read Table of Contents
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Fifty Shades Darker (E.L. James)
Title: Fifty Shades Darker
Series: Fifty Shades Trilogy
Author: E.L. James
Released: 2012
Rating: 1.5/5
Basic Plot: Ana learns more about Christian Grey and their love deepens.
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The Abuse
My hate for this book doesn't come from me being a prude and only doing the missionary position in bed. Instead, my hate for this book comes from the fact that it shows an abusive relationship as the ideal relationship. Christian Grey is controlling of Ana to the point that he buys the company she works for. While he is able to tell Ana to put his past relationships to the back of her mind, lord help the man who even glances at her. Other people have pointed out the fact that he is taking away her connection to people piece by piece. Those more familiar with abusive relationships will be able to point a lot of things out. I don't think any reader, even the younger ones, will get fooled. The fact is that the less mature you are, and the less experience you have with the real world, the easier the mindset that 'being in a relationship with someone like Christian is okay' is to get into. That is what scares me about books like these getting published.
The Sex Is Meh
If you are thinking of checking out this book because the sex scenes are awesome, don't bother. Even though Ana and Christian have sex like rabid rabbits, it's not really as extreme as people talking about it say it is. The sex scene in the elevator at a restaurant is really the only one I was interested in (and that due to the fact that having sex in public is interesting to me). There are maybe two other scenes, at most, that would be worth talking about.
There Is No Real Conflict
Yes, things happen in this book. However, nothing really horrible lasts for long. If there is some conflict being hinted at, it's resolved quickly. The biggest betrayer of conflict comes near the end of the book when Kate finds out about the contract that Christian wanted Ana to sign in the first book (Fifty Shades of Grey). Don't get your hopes up about it progressing logically or even lasting more than a few pages. This is what happens with any real conflict in the book. By the end of the book I knew that any conflict would be quickly resolved, but I wanted Kate to react to the news better. Well...better meaning she'd react to it worse but it'd be better because there'd be conflict.
Final Thoughts
I am glad to have finished this book. Though I know that one day I'll get to reading the final book in this trilogy. On my twitter I was tweeting last night about some of the comments I saw about this book. One of them said that since Fifty Shades Darker (as well as Fifty Shades of Grey and Freed) were originally fanfiction that of course it was going to suck. As a writer and reader of fanfiction I can promise you that there is some good stuff out there and that Fifty Shades is just one of the worst pieces of fanfiction out there. If you are one of my less mature (maturity and age being different) readers and are thinking of checking this book out: just remember that if you ever find yourself in a relationship with someone like Christian Grey you should get out!
Series: Fifty Shades Trilogy
Author: E.L. James
Released: 2012
Rating: 1.5/5
Basic Plot: Ana learns more about Christian Grey and their love deepens.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Abuse
My hate for this book doesn't come from me being a prude and only doing the missionary position in bed. Instead, my hate for this book comes from the fact that it shows an abusive relationship as the ideal relationship. Christian Grey is controlling of Ana to the point that he buys the company she works for. While he is able to tell Ana to put his past relationships to the back of her mind, lord help the man who even glances at her. Other people have pointed out the fact that he is taking away her connection to people piece by piece. Those more familiar with abusive relationships will be able to point a lot of things out. I don't think any reader, even the younger ones, will get fooled. The fact is that the less mature you are, and the less experience you have with the real world, the easier the mindset that 'being in a relationship with someone like Christian is okay' is to get into. That is what scares me about books like these getting published.
The Sex Is Meh
If you are thinking of checking out this book because the sex scenes are awesome, don't bother. Even though Ana and Christian have sex like rabid rabbits, it's not really as extreme as people talking about it say it is. The sex scene in the elevator at a restaurant is really the only one I was interested in (and that due to the fact that having sex in public is interesting to me). There are maybe two other scenes, at most, that would be worth talking about.
There Is No Real Conflict
Yes, things happen in this book. However, nothing really horrible lasts for long. If there is some conflict being hinted at, it's resolved quickly. The biggest betrayer of conflict comes near the end of the book when Kate finds out about the contract that Christian wanted Ana to sign in the first book (Fifty Shades of Grey). Don't get your hopes up about it progressing logically or even lasting more than a few pages. This is what happens with any real conflict in the book. By the end of the book I knew that any conflict would be quickly resolved, but I wanted Kate to react to the news better. Well...better meaning she'd react to it worse but it'd be better because there'd be conflict.
Final Thoughts
I am glad to have finished this book. Though I know that one day I'll get to reading the final book in this trilogy. On my twitter I was tweeting last night about some of the comments I saw about this book. One of them said that since Fifty Shades Darker (as well as Fifty Shades of Grey and Freed) were originally fanfiction that of course it was going to suck. As a writer and reader of fanfiction I can promise you that there is some good stuff out there and that Fifty Shades is just one of the worst pieces of fanfiction out there. If you are one of my less mature (maturity and age being different) readers and are thinking of checking this book out: just remember that if you ever find yourself in a relationship with someone like Christian Grey you should get out!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Animorphs Re-Read: The Andalite Chronicles (Chapters 8-12)
Chapter 8
I like how Z-Space travel (imagine hyperspace from the Star Wars series) works. In that there is a reason why you can't always use it. So that's why Elfangor and company aren't using it in the start of the chapter.
Arbron's character is being expanded. He can take things seriously and that surprises Elfangor. Of course Elfangor realizes that he is biased because Arbron never was serious around HIM. Arbron is 'unraveling a mystery' and won't tell the egotistical Andalite aristh about it.
Elfangor is bored since Arbron is researching, Alloran is brooding, Chapman is brooding, and so the only one he's really talking to is Loren. He remarks that sitting looks very odd. So Andalites don't sit?
Loren and Elfangor talk about Earth and the talk quickly turns to Loren's mother. Then talk turns to war. It is saddening to see Alloran just starting to pay attention to Loren because of how she said her father couldn't cope with life after fighting a war. From this action it is safe to assume that Alloran can only really connect to fellow veterans since only they can understand his pain. The war-prince connects to Loren and even goes so far as to defend her from Chapman.
I like how Loren singles out Elfangor as a memory she's worried about losing.
Loren asks why Andalites don't have mouths and Chapman tells her that her question is stupid (fucking asshole) and tries to bribe Elfangor with money from Earth. When Elfangor laughs at Chapman's offer the asshole then tries to offer the aristh with power. Elfangor replies he's an Andalite and his species isn't bent on ruling others like the Yeerks are.
Before Chapman can embarrass himself anymore, Arbron calls Elfangor over. The suspense is killing me as neither character will say what the images means. No, they have to call Alloran over as the suspense is about to kill me. And whatever this master weapon is it was hidden in Egypt under a Pyramid. I'm guessing it's the Time Matrix.
IT IS THE TIME MATRIX!
So the Skrit Na picked up the Time Matrix or the humans first?
Now the mission has changed to getting the Time Matrix first since that is the higher priority.
Chapter 9
So now Elfangor and company is going to the Taxxon home world! And, of course, it's going to be full of butterflies and ponies!
The general consensus among the three Andalites is that the Skrit Na don't know what they have since they are going to the Taxxon home world and not to the Yeerk home world.
Chapman interrupts the discussion and demands to be noticed. He criticizes the Andalites because they are just dragging him and Loren across the galaxy. Elfangor reminds the asshole human that there is an emergency in progress.
So Loren didn't guess that there is danger involved in her trip now? Or is it her only trying to be kind to Elfangor (aka asking Chapman's question in a more polite manner)?
Alloran allows the humans to know what is actually going on and it appears that Loren is more naive than Chapman. This can be assumed when Chapman knows how a time machine can be used as a weapon while Loren doesn't.
Chapman pushes Alloran's big button and says that maybe the Yeerks are the better ones because 'they sound like winners'. This causes Alloran to bring up what he got disgraced for: something involving the Hork-Bajir home world.
Alloran says that they are now on battle alert and the two arisths appear nervous at the thought of an actual mission. This is caused by them having to morph into Taxxons (whenever you morph into something you get a bunch of whatever's instincts).
Elfangor remarks that his daydreams of being a warrior always went well but the reality wasn't like he expected. I feel like this is the same theme that happens with the Animorphs (although they weren't warned before they became warriors).
Chapter 10
So the first part of the plan is to capture a Yeerk ship and get morphs from that ship. Luckily there is a ship that's just arriving.
I am happy to see Elfangor abandoning his pride when he puts the mission first. He abandons his pride by telling Alloran that Arbron is the better shot. Elfangor, instead, pilots the Jahar and remarks that boarding the Yeerk ship will be different than the Skrit Na. He appears more afraid of the Yeerk ship because he doesn't know what will be waiting for them.
In his panic, Elfangor tries to recall everything Sofor had taught him.
The description of a Taxxon just makes me think of 'killer space worm'.
Elfangor's first real fight! It has been revealed that Taxxons will eat any fresh meat. This includes eating their own kind. So cannibalism was in my first fandom and now I'm a fan of Hannibal.
Arbron thinks there has been victory but Elfangor and Alloran have guessed that there is even bigger trouble coming.
Arbron makes a joke before he and Elfangor fight Hork-Bajir.
A lot of mention has been paid to saying how Elfangor doesn't think when he uses his tail blade, but now it's being mentioned like this is the first time it has happened?
Whatever is different has Elfangor going into super tail blade mode. Arbron is just shocked and Alloran seems to have respect for him. Elfangor is freaked out and finds comfort in Loren (no, they don't have sex).
Chapter 11
Elfangor becomes ashamed quickly. He feels he is not acting in the right manner. Pride?
Elfangor doesn't react kindly to Loren asking if he's okay. It's a rude action but his pride has been hurt badly (running into someone's arms after his first battle). Loren is shown to be kind as after Elfangor says he doesn't need help she goes to help Arbron who had been injured in the fight.
Alloran gives Elfangor and Arbron orders but neither moves. Alloran is at first annoyed, then he realizes that this has been their first battle. He is harsh, but he is caring when he can relate to others. This is one of those instances as he tells them they did a good job but they still have work to do.
Loren first has Elfangor promise that she and Chapman will be taken back to Earth. She then warns the aristh that Chapman is trouble.
Loren says, "Chapman doesn't trust you."
And Elfangor replies sassily with, [I got that impression,]
It's almost like Alloran is telling Elfangor to get away from his girlfriend and focus on the mission. Love it!
Aw! Elfangor is worrying for Loren's safety!
I like how Elfangor defends Loren from Arbron's little rant.
Arbron compliments Elfangor's fighting skills. Elfangor is torn as he doesn't like to remember killing but his pride loves being complimented for his actions.
Chapter 12
Elfangor, Arbron, and Alloran have every one locked up. Alloran tells the Taxxons to not eat each other, but they don't listen. The war-prince then says the Yeerks have left them as they're acting like Taxxons in their natural state. Elfangor wonders where the Yeerks went but his question goes unanswered.
I like how the Yeerks are revealed. It is very well done. Alloran states that the Yeerks are being transported to the Taxxon home world so they can get hosts.
Alloran and Elfangor have a debate whether or not to kill the Yeerks. Elfangor argues that it's murder because the Yeerks are helpless. Alloran argues that the point of war is to kill. Arbron stops the argument, at least for now, by saying it wouldn't be a wise move to make at this time.
I like the line "I had made an enemy of Prince Alloran." as it is sort of foreshadowing later events.
Before Elfangor acquires his Taxxon morph Alloran jokes that doing so will breach Elfangor's 'high moral code'.
And the chapter ends with Elfangor starting to morph.
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Animorphs Re-Read Table of Contents
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Animorphs Re-Read: The Andalite Chronicles (Chapters 4-7)
Chapter 4
I love the description of the Skrit Na. All they want to do is collect stuff and don't involve themselves in wars (like the one between the Andalites and Yeerks). Hell, it sounds like they don't really have a culture of their own. And their species name of Skrit Na indicates their two phases. Starting with the Skrit and then metamorphosing into the Na. Those in the Na stage go to peaceful planets and kidnap the native species and either take them to a zoo on the Skrit Na homeworld or just travel around with them for a little bit.
Okay, I've decided, I'd totally like to be a Na. Elfangor ends his description of the Skrit Na with, "Personally, I don't think they understand themselves."
Elfangor is still showing pride as he describes "boldly" entering the ship.
The description of entering the Skrit Na ship is eerie. I am imagining a xenomorph popping out of nowhere for some reason.
Elfangor describing a human, "OMG! It stands on just two legs! Arbron, look at this weird creature! OMG! And it has this thing I read about called a 'mouth'!"
Of course the human language (in this case English) isn't translating for Elfangor's translation device. I like when it's made mention in science fiction that the whole universe doesn't speak the same language. I like the added edition here of the Andalite translation device not working on every language.
I like that the human WOMAN was the one to take control of the situation.
Am loving Arbron telling Elfangor to "use his charm" on the human woman.
And the woman is calling bullshit on Elfangor and Arbron being the good guys. Good that she doesn't immediately trust them. It'd make things unrealistic.
I like how Arbron describes the Dracon beam and ends by saying,"Which is why we'd really prefer it if you didn't fire it."
And we get the woman's name, Loren, and Elfangor is seeming to be attracted to her. I would say it's weird to think of two different species being in a relationship with each other (mind you I'm talking in a sci-fi setting involving aliens), but it isn't creepy with Elfangor and Loren. Plus this isn't the last time in the series that two different species will be attracted to each other.
Chapter 5
For some reason Elfangor and Arbron are both grossed out by human blood (aka red blood). I don't mind comments about mouths and legs, but I don't get what is so gross about red blood.
I like how Elfangor describes it being okay to not help fix the Skrit Na ship because it was their fault anyways.
And Elfangor takes an immediate dislike to Hedrick Chapman. Chapman treats Elfangor as a new zoo animal rather than an intelligent being. Loren also doesn't like Chapman since he reacts like an ungrateful bastard. Chapman soon provokes Elfangor into having a reaction and I'm not liking him already (I'd make a joke that I wish he'd die first but he's a sort of villain in the main Animorphs series).
I do disagree with Elfangor's anger about Chapman being ungrateful. This is a human who didn't know aliens existed before and isn't aware of the power structure involved among each species.
Chapter 6
And one of the reasons I might have trouble with traveling in the Animorphs Universe: the weird thing about gravity in ships that travel through space. While watching Let's Plays of the Dead Space Games and Prey I always start feeling a little sick when the gravity changes and you're walking on the walls like they were the floor.
I like Loren's wonder at the Dome Ship. How the flora is different amazes her and that makes me happy. Why am I imagining her as a good companion for the Doctor in Doctor Who?
The discussion on how each species eats was amusing. Would love to hear Chapman's story in full.
And now something I ended up not liking about aliens in sci-fi: Yes, be amazed that the clothing isn't actually part of their bodies. You were supposed to be an advanced species, right? Then again the rest of the alien species in the Animorphs Universe don't really seem to wear clothing.
But I do like that when Elfangor learns about shoes and human feet his first reaction is of pity. And of course the, "Humans are an amazing species!" is well played here and doesn't seem forced or talking down to its audience.
Good thing Elfangor and Arbron didn't rescue me or else I would go on what I think about the meaning of clothing to human society.
Point for Chapman: he talks about the will of the human spirit and how we won't be kept out of a place just because it's harsh.
Chapter 7
Arbron gives Elfangor the news that they're leaving the Dome Ship and our lead is very distressed. I can understand as he wanted to fight, but I don't get any attachment to home. I admit I never, throughout childhood to adulthood, found home to be an important concept. As long as I can live comfortably, I don't care if I'm living in a different solar system.
We are introduced to another character, only by reputation at this point: Alloran-Semitur-Corrass.
For now he doesn't have a good reputation because of events that Elfangor doesn't know about. All Elfangor knows is that going on a mission with a disgraced war-prince isn't a good thing at all.
Elfangor is also worried about the war being over when he gets back. He admits that'd be a good thing, but he's still young and wants to fight.
It's like Elfangor had a fangasm when he saw the Jahar (Alloran's ship).
I like how Elfangor remarks about erasing Loren and Chapman's recent memories and bringing them back to their home world as "transport work". Loren reacts like, "WTF?!" Chapman seems to think it's some kind of joke.
I like how the difference between Loren and Chapman is shown: Loren is reveling in the beauty of new discovery while Chapman is just interested in function.
Chapman makes a comment saying the Andalites are just hogging all the technology and that's a bad thing. Alloran replies saying that sometimes sharing technology can be a bad thing (remarks on how the Yeerks got technology).
Why would a technologically advanced species hate those who are good at technology?
Seems Alloran goes off into his own little world as he rants about the Electorate wanting a bloodless war. While I don't like bloodshed in war, the fact is it's going to happen. But trying to not get too into the violence should be a good thing.
Sorry, not ever going to get over the fact that Arbron, who is good at technology, is looked down upon.
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Animorphs Re-Read Table of Contents
I love the description of the Skrit Na. All they want to do is collect stuff and don't involve themselves in wars (like the one between the Andalites and Yeerks). Hell, it sounds like they don't really have a culture of their own. And their species name of Skrit Na indicates their two phases. Starting with the Skrit and then metamorphosing into the Na. Those in the Na stage go to peaceful planets and kidnap the native species and either take them to a zoo on the Skrit Na homeworld or just travel around with them for a little bit.
Okay, I've decided, I'd totally like to be a Na. Elfangor ends his description of the Skrit Na with, "Personally, I don't think they understand themselves."
Elfangor is still showing pride as he describes "boldly" entering the ship.
The description of entering the Skrit Na ship is eerie. I am imagining a xenomorph popping out of nowhere for some reason.
Elfangor describing a human, "OMG! It stands on just two legs! Arbron, look at this weird creature! OMG! And it has this thing I read about called a 'mouth'!"
Of course the human language (in this case English) isn't translating for Elfangor's translation device. I like when it's made mention in science fiction that the whole universe doesn't speak the same language. I like the added edition here of the Andalite translation device not working on every language.
I like that the human WOMAN was the one to take control of the situation.
Am loving Arbron telling Elfangor to "use his charm" on the human woman.
And the woman is calling bullshit on Elfangor and Arbron being the good guys. Good that she doesn't immediately trust them. It'd make things unrealistic.
I like how Arbron describes the Dracon beam and ends by saying,
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