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Cronin Justin - The Passage- Start Date June 12th
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Lisarenee
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Jun 21, 2013 08:45PM
I've been having internet access problems with my computer since early evening. I finally regained access via the computer. Not feeling up to questions right now, but I did finish the book so I'll post today's questions early tomorrow and tomorrow's in the early afternoon. Sorry. The internet is still only working sporadically. So hopefully it will be normal tomorrow.
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I'm sorry Lisarenee! Your week has been bad what with feeling poorly and now computer problems!Hope tomorrow begins the upward side of things.
Finished the book a little while ago. Wow. I can't wait to read The Twelve!
Questions and Comments for Chapters 1 - 3 1) From the very first chapter we know there's something about Amy--"Before she became the Girl from Nowhere--the One Who Walked In, the First and Last and Only, who lived a thousand years--she was just a little girl in Iowa, named Amy." Do you think all the background information on Amy's beginnings will play a part later in the story or is the author just trying to paint the picture she started out life as a normal child with humble beginnings?
I'm not sure yet. I do think the backgrounds will have some bearings on whats going to happen with Amy, her motivation on what she does in the future. her background was a lot more detailed than any other character so far, so that tells me its got some sort of bearing in the rest of the book
2) Was there anything in Amy's background that struck you as odd or different besides her being left by her mother at a convent? Did her mother do the right thing by leaving her?
One thing that struck me as different, is her smartness. Being basically raised on the streets, she was super smart, despite having a not so smart couple of parents.
3) What did you make of the bats attacking the people in the jungles of Bolivia? I don't think I've ever heard of them swarming on people.
something spooky going on, attack of the killer bats! will this turn into a vampire book? especially with the "vampire guy" comment
4) What were your thoughts about the creepy statue and the Chuchote legend about destroying the demons of man to save the world? Are you feeling yourself being pulled into the story?
I'm thinking vampire. sharp teeth and all. not pulled in yet, too many hints and nothing concrete. too many characters without any point yet.
5) Do you think Jonas survived? Why do you think the soldiers were there?
I think the government knew something about whats there. I don't think Jonas survived, mostly because it was correspndence from him, rather than narrative...but..I think that someone had to have. to bring something back from the jungle.
6) What did you think of Anthony Lloyd Carter? Seems like they're looking for disposable people whom they can experiment on. Do you think what they're doing is legal? If they can cure everything and increase a person's longevity, are criminals on death row the right people to be potentially be giving an extended life to?
I thought Carter was a simple guy. not all there, up there. Morally, im mixed on experiementing. while yeah im all for advances and cures and stuff, and if you're on death row, you're there for a reason, however, there are some innocent people on death row. and Carter, if it was an accident what happened to him, and how unsmart he is and not all there, he shouldn't be on death row, he should just be in some sort of a mental place.
7) So Walgast had a daughter who died and is now divorced from his wife. What's your first impression of him? Do you like him?
he seemed a bit lost. sad even. I think that Walgast has the potential to be a strong character if he is a strong character through the rest of the book
Questions and Comments for Chapters 50 - 57 Let me just say this section was a bit hard to take in. There was a lot going on and a lot being explained and it all came at us in rapid succession. Let's see if what I think happened is what you think.
78) So some of our questions get answered in this section, we now know Babcock is in Vegas and the ring is all about him. It almost sounds like he's having them treat him like a God. Is this another case of the 10th bunny? He allows so many humans, but some need to be used for food? Perhaps even to keep them in line?
79) The dream test is a little strange. Perhaps he doesn't want anyone to judge him poorly, therefore, anyone who does the same thing he did is considered worthy of his protection? What do you think?
80) It kind of sounds like the virals are part of a hive mind. Babcock controls them. They perhaps retreat into themselves, but are hidden deep down and have little, if any, control over themselves. I think that explains the "I am you, you are me" mentality?
81) Did the author have to kill off Caleb? I liked him. :(
82) "He was familiar.(...)It means...you can be one of them without being one of them." Sounds like what Grey was at the beginning and Sanjay. Controlled but not changed. How do you figure out who is who? That's a scary concept. I wonder if you kill the source--Babcock if they revert back to themselves? Is it a bit like being possessed?
83) How do you think Amy knew what to do on the train?
84) So Amy can now speak. She's remembered how. I wonder if this will change anything?
85) Did you notice that the journal entries were proceeded with the words, "From the Journal of Sara Fisher ("The Book of Sara")" and 'presented at the Third Global Conference of the North American Quarantine Period'?
Going off track here a little, but it sounds a little like the naming of books in the bible. (Sorry but I'm seeing biblical similarities everywhere even with that weird temptation of Theo. It brought up images of Eve and the snake with the forbidden fruit to my mind.)
Does this make you suspect only North America was affected by the Virals? This is being presented in the year of 1003 AV as opposed to 92 AV when all the events with Peter and his friends occurred. That's 1 years later. By the way, The Book of Auntie was presented at the same time. I wonder if that means it's still under quarantine 911 years later? Interesting number.
86) Why do you think there are pages missing from the journal? Do you think they contained the personal thoughts of Sara?
87) "But you might want to pay a little more attention to what's right in front of you." "We live. we die, Somewhere along the way, if we're lucky, we may find someone to help lighten the load." Is Alicia hinting to her relationship with Peter and not just Sara and Hollis?
88) So now there are soldiers. Do you think they're friendly? Talk about a stopping point.
Steven wrote: "I'm sorry Lisarenee! Your week has been bad what with feeling poorly and now computer problems!Hope tomorrow begins the upward side of things.
Finished the book a little while ago. Wow. I can't..."
Thanks. I think it was a problem with the provider. The internet seems to be working fine today.
How big is the book of 12?
The Twelve is about 200 pages shorter than The Passage.I'll get to the new questions when I get to my computer, but I wanted to point out -- Sara and Auntie's journals are being read over 900 years later. (It's 1003 AV and the journals are from the 90s AV) so it's a very long time later. Which might explain missing pages too. :)
Steven wrote: "The Twelve is about 200 pages shorter than The Passage.I'll get to the new questions when I get to my computer, but I wanted to point out -- Sara and Auntie's journals are being read over 900 yea..."
That makes more sense. lol I'll change that. Stupid cold.
How can you tell you're really sick? When you can't do simple arithmetic in your head. I totally changed the question. Gah! Yes, I had to use a calculator. My mind is totally mush and I've been sporting a slight headache which I think is the culprit.
So I don't want to spoil anything to the ones that are starting with the book, but I have to post this. After writing it, I had to laugh at my impression of this part. Whoever reads this edition of the book in my iPad, is going to laugh at my notes. 
Lisarenee wrote: "How can you tell you're really sick? When you can't do simple arithmetic in your head. I totally changed the question. Gah! Yes, I had to use a calculator. My mind is totally mush and I've been spo..."I hope you get well soon.
Karim wrote: "So I don't want to spoil anything to the ones that are starting with the book, but I have to post this. After writing it, I had to laugh at my impression of this part. Whoever reads this edition of..."Maybe he was sick with a slight headache too. lol There are a lot of secrets in that tiny colony.
I'm a bit behind but I want to carry on as it is so good!Questions and Comments for Ch 22-25
44. Why didn’t they go after Caleb? Was Zander somehow protecting him in order to get to the people he knew would be coming to visit? I want to know why the ‘smokes’ don’t seem to remember who they were until right before they are killed.
Was Caleb the '10th rabbit'? Do they have personalities once they have fully changed?
45. Do you think it is the right decision not to bring the guns back to the Colony? Do you agree with Theo that it might cause more harm than good? It seems to me that guns are just too slow to deal with the ‘smokes’ and to be effective at killing them, you have be close enough to use a knife.
Yes I think it is the right decision in a way not to bring the guns, because once you introduce guns to a situation things can get out of hand. I don't think they would work anyway and they would also give people unwarranted confidence.
46. Why doesn’t the girl remember who she is or the names of the people she stayed with? Is she one of the creatures herself since they don’t seem to attack her? She is the opposite of them in that she wants to protect people not attack and eat them. I think it has to do with the fact that she got a virus changed from the experiment, not directly from those infected with it.
She is different isn't she - we sort of know that from her behaviour with Wolgast and the way he didn't get the virus from her. Her new behaviour intrigues me
47. Was anyone else as surprised as I was that Amy seems to have a little control over the creatures? They flock to her and do not harm her and try to do what she says, but their instincts override her wishes.
Yes I love the way she has some control - I think she is going to use that a lot in the rest of the book
48. I think there is a conspiracy going on in the Household. Peter’s feeling that there is something going on that he doesn’t know about is true. Just what was explained to Dana to get her to take the family spot in the Household when she wouldn’t before?
To be honest I am getting a bit confused about the stuff inside the fence - it feels a bit like a soap opera. I am a bit bored with that bit.
49. It is creepy that people are sleepwalking and waking up not knowing what they have done. This is the same thing that was happening to sweeps back in the experiment. Do you think the creatures are strong and/or close enough to alter their minds now and not just attack them?
Could be...or it could be the conditions they are living in - they have to have the light on all the time don't they? That must get on your nerves...and the thought that there are things outside the fence that would kill you. That must do something with your mind after a while?
50. What about Auntie’s predictions? How did she know that the girl was coming and that Peter already knew about her? We got that brief glimpse of her journal earlier, but where exactly does she fit into this story?
Who is she? Is she a character we met earlier in the book? Is she the oldest person inside the fence?
Questions and Comments for Chapters 27 - 3551) So for almost a hundred years Amy has been roaming mostly alone. She's forgotten her name and how to speak. She seems to care for the virals but more so for people. Over the past 92 years she seems to have aged a little and now looks to be between 13 and 16 years of age. That goes with the VSA (very slow aging) theory which was first presented. She followed Peter home. I wonder how she is the solution? Who or what is the voice asking Amy to bring the humans to him? With the radio device removed will anything change?
I think that maybe Amy is confused. Or we don't really know the entire story behind it, which may be the case. We have to remember that Amy has been infected with the virus and that in a sort of way she is one of them. She seems to care about humanity, being cared for by people along the way. She doesn't seem to have the urge to eat people, but still it seems can communicate with them and receive the messages of maybe some of the initial twelve. How being the one who's gonna save everybody gonna play out, don't know.
52) I'm a little confused about all the terms being slung around. We have First Night, Dark Night, and maybe one or two more. I wish things were explained a little better. First Night sounded like a holiday while Dark Night was perhaps a term for people who died from virals? Is this what everyone else thought? And why all the different names for the vampires? It's confusing. We've got Glow Sticks, Jumps, Smokes, and Virals. Please tell me the author is done and isn't attempting to make it to 12 different names? Gah!
Yes, I thought First Night was the first night they all slept on the colony. Dark Night was a night when the lights went down and people got attacked.
53) Do you think the new virals are different? Peter kept wondering when did the virals start doing "this" and "that"? Does Amy herself carry a strain of the virus and if so, how will it affect other people? Could she just be a carrier?
Maybe, with time the virus has evolved. It could also be that Amy is a carrier but still that doesn't explain how Sanjay says that since little he could hear the voice of Babcock in his head. I've always thought that the closer on of the twelve is from people, the more susceptible they are to their manipulations.
54) Anyone curious about what Michael will find in the chip? I'd actually forgotten about it.
I'm so curious. I hope is some kind of message from Lear.
55) What is with Sanjay? It sounds like he's infected. Has he really been hearing the voice for years or only a short while? I'm a little confused by the statement, "Sanjay Patal, Head of Household, might have said that it had all started years ago. It had started with the dreams." Can the virus lie dormant that long or is it altering his memory?
I still think that the more near one of the twelve is from people, the more susceptible they are from getting manipulated from them.
56) Do you think they'll be able to stop Sam from putting Caleb out? It sounds like Caleb is still pretty young.
Yes, I think so. Well, I hope so.
57) Anyone else think Alicia's demotion was a bad move?
Yes it was. But I think that right now, everybody is acting upon what those voices in their heads tell them to. If they wanted things to happened they need to take of one of the best guards from the Watch.
58) We've heard via Amy from all the 12, but is anyone else curious about what happened to Zero?
Oh, I never thought of him.
59) Do you think people underestimate Peter because of his size? It sounds like he's pretty good at dodging and fighting yet he's been passed up many times for those who are bigger and stronger. I felt it a bit ironic that it was Theo who ended up freezing.
Yes, I think so. I think nobody gives him enough credit, and still he is going to be the one with an important role in human conservation.
60) Wouldn't you think with two people getting infected while at the power plant that there should be some major cleaning going on to ensure the virus doesn't spread? I'm guessing Galen will be the next to either be killed or changed.
That was a very bad move of them sending Galen, a blind man.
62) Why do you think Alicia, Sara, Michael, Peter, etc are trying to keep Amy's miraculous healing a secret?
I think they know she isn't a normal human, maybe infected. But still something inside of them assures them she is important for all.
63) Any predictions for the next section? I haven't a clue, but can't wait to find out what happens next.
I'm sure crazy to find out what does Michael reads in the chip and what happens when the lights go out. Who survives if any survive.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 58 - 6489)I like how the author showed how Theo was affected by the dreams. Turtlecollector, after your suggestion that Auntie might be dreaming, I keep noticing all the dream references and thinking that if this ends up being some huge dream I'll be seriously disappointed. I also keep thinking Freddy Krueger and Nightmare on Elmstreet. Did Aliens also have some dreams too? It's been so long since I watched those movies.
90)I thought it rather humorous that the author threw in a Dracula movie into the story. I liked the soldiers reactions.
91) Alicia's confession about being First Expeditionary was a complete surprise. Not sure where the author is going with this little loop, but I enjoyed the commanders reaction, "She's a woman." lol
92) Do you think Amy truly was in Greer's dreams?
93) So Auntie told Peter it was his time and Alicia told him it was his long journey. Do you agree? Did he need to leave his friends behind?
94) Okay, this is getting to be a little like Game of Thrones where you can't be sure anyone is dead. They keep coming back. Sister Lacey is alive? Wow! I wasn't expecting that.
95) Withers is having the dreams. That's not good.
96) Who or what do you think was in the barn Theo remembered latching shut? Human footprints? Soldiers or someone/something else?
Questions and Comments for Chapters 35 - 4264) So a lot of killing going on. First Sanjay, as I think we all pretty much figured, appears to have gone viral. What was surprising to me is the man went home and acted like seemingly nothing out of the ordinary happened. Is that weird or what? I thought He'd totally morph. I guess the process takes a little longer than I thought?
I think so, maybe the strain of the virus he has it's a lot slower cause he hasn't been bitten.
65) Michael figures out how old Amy is and that a signal is coming from Colorado where the outbreak began. Do you think anyone is there? Do you think it is the voice of someone from there that Amy heard in her head telling her to take everyone to them? Would you go to Colorado? If nothing else, they may find a power source.
If their is a transmission, there should be a power source. Or maybe is another viral, like Zero with a chip in his neck transmitting this. Or maybe Lear left a backup plan so Amy could find her way there.
66) So Galen did know about Theo and his wife. Kind of sad. It sounds like he really loved her. Do you think he's a goner or will he survive the attack?
I think that if he survives the attack is going to be a miracle. He is blind. How can an almost blind mind defend himself from virals.
67) So Auntie is Ida, the little girl from Chapter 18. I like the contrast between her and Amy. I think they may be approximately the same age and I was surprised she was still alive too. Too bad she and Amy didn't meet. I think that could have been fun.
Me too. I still think she knows something about Amy. She told Peter she was coming.
68) So we have a crew heading for Colorado. I feel so bad for all those left behind. The people seem to have lost their minds and I worry about the children. I was sad to hear about Elton and the rest. I thought they'd take Elton with them.
Elton definitely is changing. He had the dreams. I still think that he was the one that asleep turned the breaker off.
69) So were you surprised Sanjay would turn on Amy? I figured if the Virals would respond to her surely the newly or those in the process of becoming full fledged virals would too.
I don't know what's up with that. Is not a surprise he turned against her. I think that whatever voice is telling him to let go, is against Amy wanting them to be alive.
70)Was there anything else that struck you about this section that I didn't mention. (I'm still pretty sick so I had to read things a couple of times to make sure I understood what I was reading. I hate head colds)
This section is one eye opener. It had me frantically wanting to know what was going to happen.
Clare wrote: "I'm a bit behind but I want to carry on as it is so good!Questions and Comments for Ch 22-25
44. Why didn’t they go after Caleb? Was Zander somehow protecting him in order to get to the people h..."
don't worry, I'm also far behind. Trying to catch up
Before you read my answers I just want to say that it is really hard to respond to the questions since I have I already finished the book and don't want to give anything away for those who are still reading in the timeframe.Questions and Comments for Chapters 50 - 57
Let me just say this section was a bit hard to take in. There was a lot going on and a lot being explained and it all came at us in rapid succession. Let's see if what I think happened is what you think.
78) So some of our questions get answered in this section, we now know Babcock is in Vegas and the ring is all about him. It almost sounds like he's having them treat him like a God. Is this another case of the 10th bunny? He allows so many humans, but some need to be used for food? Perhaps even to keep them in line?
They definitely treat him like a God. I sounds like he is collecting all the "10th bunnies" in one place.
79) The dream test is a little strange. Perhaps he doesn't want anyone to judge him poorly, therefore, anyone who does the same thing he did is considered worthy of his protection? What do you think?
I think it is more that he wants something to hold over them. If they do what he did, they can't try to claim he is a worse person than them.
80) It kind of sounds like the virals are part of a hive mind. Babcock controls them. They perhaps retreat into themselves, but are hidden deep down and have little, if any, control over themselves. I think that explains the "I am you, you are me" mentality?
Don't want to say too much here because I have finished the book already since I am leaving for the weekend. Babcock is definitely controlling them somehow though.
81) Did the author have to kill off Caleb? I liked him. :(
That was very sad
82) "He was familiar.(...)It means...you can be one of them without being one of them." Sounds like what Grey was at the beginning and Sanjay. Controlled but not changed. How do you figure out who is who? That's a scary concept. I wonder if you kill the source--Babcock if they revert back to themselves? Is it a bit like being possessed?
I don't think it is possible to revert back to themselves.
83) How do you think Amy knew what to do on the train?
She just seems to know what to do when the time comes. It is kind of eerie.
84) So Amy can now speak. She's remembered how. I wonder if this will change anything?
I don't think it changes anything. She was speaking, just not out loud so not everyone could hear her.
85) Did you notice that the journal entries were proceeded with the words, "From the Journal of Sara Fisher ("The Book of Sara")" and 'presented at the Third Global Conference of the North American Quarantine Period'?
Going off track here a little, but it sounds a little like the naming of books in the bible. (Sorry but I'm seeing biblical similarities everywhere even with that weird temptation of Theo. It brought up images of Eve and the snake with the forbidden fruit to my mind.)
Does this make you suspect only North America was affected by the Virals? This is being presented in the year of 1003 AV as opposed to 92 AV when all the events with Peter and his friends occurred. That's 1 years later. By the way, The Book of Auntie was presented at the same time. I wonder if that means it's still under quarantine 911 years later? Interesting number.
I don't think they are still under quarantine or it wouldn't be a global conference.
86) Why do you think there are pages missing from the journal? Do you think they contained the personal thoughts of Sara?
It is so old tat they wouldn't all survive so long.
87) "But you might want to pay a little more attention to what's right in front of you." "We live. we die, Somewhere along the way, if we're lucky, we may find someone to help lighten the load." Is Alicia hinting to her relationship with Peter and not just Sara and Hollis?
I think she is hinting at everyone.
88) So now there are soldiers. Do you think they're friendly? Talk about a stopping point.
They seem like they will be good guys in this story.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 58 - 6489)I like how the author showed how Theo was affected by the dreams. Turtlecollector, after your suggestion that Auntie might be dreaming, I keep noticing all the dream references and thinking that if this ends up being some huge dream I'll be seriously disappointed. I also keep thinking Freddy Krueger and Nightmare on Elmstreet. Did Aliens also have some dreams too? It's been so long since I watched those movies.
I want to know how they plant their own dreams in someone else. I can see manipulating dreams the person already has, but do you implant new ones?
90)I thought it rather humorous that the author threw in a Dracula movie into the story. I liked the soldiers reactions.
I am going to have to read that book now. I am a bit ashamed to admit I have never even tried to read that classic book. The soldiers needed a way to see a funny side of the situation they were in. There needs to be a way to release a lot of tension.
91) Alicia's confession about being First Expeditionary was a complete surprise. Not sure where the author is going with this little loop, but I enjoyed the commanders reaction, "She's a woman." lol
That was a big surprise to me too, just as she gets another surprise later in the book. She could definitely cause a distraction among the men who have sworn off all things except their troops.
92) Do you think Amy truly was in Greer's dreams?
She turns up in a lot of people's dreams so it is possible. She was wandering for a long time so maybe they had crossed paths at one point without realizing it.
93) So Auntie told Peter it was his time and Alicia told him it was his long journey. Do you agree? Did he need to leave his friends behind?
Yes, I think he needed to know that he could do it on his own.
94) Okay, this is getting to be a little like Game of Thrones where you can't be sure anyone is dead. They keep coming back. Sister Lacey is alive? Wow! I wasn't expecting that.
95) Withers is having the dreams. That's not good.
96) Who or what do you think was in the barn Theo remembered latching shut? Human footprints? Soldiers or someone/something else?
I think it could be ghost of Caleb as a guardian angel, or the last inhabitant of the house who really hasn't disappeared but has been in hiding for a long time.
Turtlecollector said, "I am going to have to read that book now. I am a bit ashamed to admit I have never even tried to read that classic book. The soldiers needed a way to see a funny side of the situation they were in. There needs to be a way to release a lot of tension."You can download it for free on a Kindle and there's a informal buddy read starting the 29th. I've never read it either so I'm going to attempt to fit it into my reading schedule.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 27 - 3551) So for almost a hundred years Amy has been roaming mostly alone. She's forgotten her name and how to speak. She seems to care for the virals but more so for people. Over the past 92 years she seems to have aged a little and now looks to be between 13 and 16 years of age. That goes with the VSA (very slow aging) theory which was first presented. She followed Peter home. I wonder how she is the solution? Who or what is the voice asking Amy to bring the humans to him? With the radio device removed will anything change?
Although she is only between 13 and 16 she seems to have some feelings for Peter. It's weird that Peter can sense what she is thinking. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.
52) I'm a little confused about all the terms being slung around. We have First Night, Dark Night, and maybe one or two more. I wish things were explained a little better. First Night sounded like a holiday while Dark Night was perhaps a term for people who died from virals? Is this what everyone else thought? And why all the different names for the vampires? It's confusing. We've got Glow Sticks, Jumps, Smokes, and Virals. Please tell me the author is done and isn't attempting to make it to 12 different names? Gah!
I know what you mean. As far as I can get it...First Night is their equivalent to Christmas and Dark Night was a particular night when the Virals came and killed most of the people in the compound. I am getting a bit lost with all the names for the vampires - but I think they refer to different stages of development. Are the virals the original 12 and the smokes the ones that have been converted? Could do with a glossary at the back of the book!
53) Do you think the new virals are different? Peter kept wondering when did the virals start doing "this" and "that"? Does Amy herself carry a strain of the virus and if so, how will it affect other people? Could she just be a carrier?
It said somewhere along that whoever Amy spent some time with always died in the end so I wonder if they all die in the end but maybe they catch the virus slowly from her? I do get the feeling that the virals/smokes have adapted and changed as time has gone on but am a bit confused with them to be honest.
54) Anyone curious about what Michael will find in the chip? I'd actually forgotten about it.
Yes I wonder - is this the chip from Amy's neck or the chip that he asked for from the power station?
55) What is with Sanjay? It sounds like he's infected. Has he really been hearing the voice for years or only a short while? I'm a little confused by the statement, "Sanjay Patal, Head of Household, might have said that it had all started years ago. It had started with the dreams." Can the virus lie dormant that long or is it altering his memory?
It sounds like he's been hearing things and having dreams since he was a child - perhaps he was born infected? I wonder if he is a carrier rather than actually having the disease - and then if that is the case how will that affect his daughter - can't remember her name, the pregnant one beginning with M.
56) Do you think they'll be able to stop Sam from putting Caleb out? It sounds like Caleb is still pretty young.
I hope they don't put him out. It sounds like it could be 50/50 at the moment. I imagine him to be about 15-17.
57) Anyone else think Alicia's demotion was a bad move?
Yes, she seems really good at her job and now she has been demoted to one of the trades hasn't she? I think she is going to really rebel and set up a rebel group - she has sort of already started.
58) We've heard via Amy from all the 12, but is anyone else curious about what happened to Zero?
Have we? When did we hear from all the 12? Did I miss that bit?
59) Do you think people underestimate Peter because of his size? It sounds like he's pretty good at dodging and fighting yet he's been passed up many times for those who are bigger and stronger. I felt it a bit ironic that it was Theo who ended up freezing.
Yes, I'm really starting to like Peter - he seems a bit of a quiet hero-in-waiting - I wonder if Amy and he will make a bit of an invincible team?
60) Wouldn't you think with two people getting infected while at the power plant that there should be some major cleaning going on to ensure the virus doesn't spread? I'm guessing Galen will be the next to either be killed or changed.
Yes and I don't think many people like Galen so I don't think they mind that he will get killed do they? I'd be steering clear of the power plant myself!
62) Why do you think Alicia, Sara, Michael, Peter, etc are trying to keep Amy's miraculous healing a secret?
I suppose that will make people suspicious. Everyone is already a bit worked up and this could tip them over the edge - if they think she could be something other than an ordinary person they may put her out.
63) Any predictions for the next section? I haven't a clue, but can't wait to find out what happens next.
I reckon Peter and Amy will work together to sort something out. I reckon the problem with the electricity has got to get sorted or in the next part there could be lots of blood and gore as the virals storm the compound. I can't wait to keep reading!
Lisarenee wrote: "Turtlecollector said, "I am going to have to read that book now. I am a bit ashamed to admit I have never even tried to read that classic book. The soldiers needed a way to see a funny side of the ..."I already got it for free on my Nook, I am just waiting to see if I will have time when the BR starts.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 43 - 4971) So, the group makes it to a military base. It was well stocked and I kept thinking they should have moved the colony to it. It sounded pretty secure. I wonder if these vampire like creatures have sensitive hearing and these bases give off some sort sound wave they don't like? I was surprised Peter's father and uncle hadn't raided the place better in one of their trips. It seemed odd to me.
Remember that everyone in the colony was going crazy. Madness was ensuing. Everybody was scared and willing to kill for their security without thinking the consequences. So it seems better to keep with the group of people which were together. I also think that maybe Peter's father didn't raided better because of Sanjay's influence in the colony and how he felt with guns.
72) So they get two Hummers up and running and head to Las Vegas. I can't help but wonder what these things (Virals) are surviving on?
Well, it's easy, people, I guess. Maybe any remains of humans that remain.
73) The whole Vegas attack seemed odd especially since Sara was found alive and unharmed. Who are the people who rescued them and what is going on with Michael? Why was he so sick?
This people reminded me of The Governor and his town in The Walking Dead. They are so freaking and disturbed.
74) What is the Ring? It doesn't have a pleasant ring to it.
It sounded as a Ring to fight against the virals.
75) Why are there no boys and why aren't there many children?
I guess that the only men that are there are the ones that procreate with the women and the rest go to whatever the ring is.
76) The whole scene with Mira was kind of creepy. Is this some kind of olden day biblical type family? Like back when one guy would have several wives?
I think so.
77) Did Alicia see who she thought she did?
With the things that are happening in this book, I wouldn't doubt it.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 35 - 4264) So a lot of killing going on. First Sanjay, as I think we all pretty much figured, appears to have gone viral. What was surprising to me is the man went home and acted like seemingly nothing out of the ordinary happened. Is that weird or what? I thought He'd totally morph. I guess the process takes a little longer than I thought?
I thought they morphed straight away as well. He's still around at the end of this section isn't he?
65) Michael figures out how old Amy is and that a signal is coming from Colorado where the outbreak began. Do you think anyone is there? Do you think it is the voice of someone from there that Amy heard in her head telling her to take everyone to them? Would you go to Colorado? If nothing else, they may find a power source.
I think I would go because they know the power is going to run out so really, there is nothing to stay for. But I can't see there being anything there now - I think it is just a recorded signal but we will have to see....
66) So Galen did know about Theo and his wife. Kind of sad. It sounds like he really loved her. Do you think he's a goner or will he survive the attack?
I think he will survive and I think he will end up on the group's tail as a threat
67) So Auntie is Ida, the little girl from Chapter 18. I like the contrast between her and Amy. I think they may be approximately the same age and I was surprised she was still alive too. Too bad she and Amy didn't meet. I think that could have been fun.
Yes, I would have liked them to meet. Obviously Auntie has aged and Amy hasn't.
68) So we have a crew heading for Colorado. I feel so bad for all those left behind. The people seem to have lost their minds and I worry about the children. I was sad to hear about Elton and the rest. I thought they'd take Elton with them.
They are all getting really strange dreams and lots of killings so perhaps they are all losing it. They are seeming to be getting a bit violent as well when they started to throw people over the wall - poor Elton.
69) So were you surprised Sanjay would turn on Amy? I figured if the Virals would respond to her surely the newly or those in the process of becoming full fledged virals would too.
I was surprised as I thought she had some control.
70)Was there anything else that struck you about this section that I didn't mention. (I'm still pretty sick so I had to read things a couple of times to make sure I understood what I was reading. I hate head colds)
Oh you poor thing - I don't know how you've managed to do all the questions while you've been poorly. I'm perfectly fine and I'm struggling to read it all - never mind write questions too!
Nothing else I noticed - I'm enjoying the bits about the enclosure a bit more now as I feel I'm getting a handle on some of the characters - but there is still an awful lot!
Questions and Comments for Chapters 65 - End97) So what did you think of the ending? Should Amy have destroyed the vials?
98) What did you think of Sister Lacey talking about Noah and the Ark being a little like what Amy, Peter, and the other humans would be embarking on. I think that might be why the author picked Noah as the project name. I personally would have thought Methuselah would have been the better choice, but then there wouldn't have been a cool story behind it. Did you like how Peter will be like Noah and Amy the Ark?
99) What did you think of the 12 all going back to their hometowns? Do you still hold out hope that Anthony Carter may prove to be different than the others?
100) What did you think of Peter having the name of Amy's rabbit? I didn't see the significance of the bunny until now.
101) Were you surprised Alicia, Michael, and all his friends went in search of him?
102) Were you surprised Lacey sacrificed herself to kill Babcock?
103) What did you think of Amy giving the Many back their names and memories? It kind of reminded me of stories where a person is either the grim reaper or the angel of death.
104) What did you think of what Alicia has become?
105) What do you think happened to the Colony? It kind of reminded me of the question of what happened in the first US settlement. The one that disappeared. I believe they had settled on Roanoke Island. Do you think they were taken or died?
106) So did Wolgast die early on or not till the end of the book? Was that who Amy was referring to when she said He is dying?
107) What will you rate this one?
108) What did you like best about the book?
109) Should we set up a buddy read for The Twelve?
I am so behind.......I am hoping to follow the schedule from now on
19) So it looks like Amy will end up part of the experiments after all. Were you surprised at the lengths Richards would go to to eliminate any trace of who they were? Will it be enough? Do you think he's acting on orders or is a loose cannon?
A loose cannon. I think the sticks are getting to his head. Killing off that many people even for a top secret project is too much. Hate to see what kind of a villain he will turn out to be
20) So here is one of my crazy thoughts (and if you've ever buddy read with me you know I occasionally do this--sometimes I'm right and sometimes I'm wrong)-- What if Bill Reynolds, Amy's dad, was one of the guys who worked at the government testing facility like Walgast. I just can't figure out how they would know about Amy unless someone was tracking her or they had a cop in their pocket in Memphis or they listened to a police channels. Her father fits their salesman MO and my mind keeps drifting to his ruffled exterior. What if his genetics passed something on to her and he was a carrier of the virus but immune to it? Like I said a wild thought.
Wild but good. I didn't think of that possibility. It can happen
21) The carnival scene reinforced my like of Walgast. I think he definitely wants to substitute Amy for Eva.
Yes, I think so too and from the way she is clinging on to wolfgast it seems Amy considers him her father too
22) Paulson is very unlikeable. Do you think everyone or almost everyone in the facility eventually gets those dreams or just those infected? It almost sounded like Paulson got them too or did he hear a rumor?
Paulson does seem to have it. I think only people as ruthless as the sticks seem to be immune to the manipulations
23) So now we know for sure, Carter was innocent and he'd rather die than tell anyone that Rachel killed herself.
Reinforces my opinion that he is a good misunderstood guy. Who knows may be he will turn out as one of the good guys on the other side.
24) So are you surprised Sister Lacey left? Did she go after Amy? Were you surprised she realized how Walgast felt about Amy? Did you think it unreasonable for everyone to judge her (Lacey) because of something that happened to her in her past?
I do think she went after Amy. Although it is easy to assume that she sees Amy as herself and is on a mission to save her. I was surprised when she said Wolfgast loved Amy. Takes it to the realm of paranormal from science fiction
Questions and Comments for Chapters 50 - 57 Let me just say this section was a bit hard to take in. There was a lot going on and a lot being explained and it all came at us in rapid succession. Let's see if what I think happened is what you think.
78) So some of our questions get answered in this section, we now know Babcock is in Vegas and the ring is all about him. It almost sounds like he's having them treat him like a God. Is this another case of the 10th bunny? He allows so many humans, but some need to be used for food? Perhaps even to keep them in line?
Yes, that colony in the prison was all about pleasing a God, which for them was Babcock, one of the twelve. The woman lived to continue procreating and maintaining the supplies of people in check. The had to sacrifice some of them to keep their safety in their community. That was the bargain.
79) The dream test is a little strange. Perhaps he doesn't want anyone to judge him poorly, therefore, anyone who does the same thing he did is considered worthy of his protection? What do you think?
I think that is the way he can make them feel helpless. He can make them feel horrible with themselves because they weren't strong enough to withhold themselves of killing a person even in their dreams.
80) It kind of sounds like the virals are part of a hive mind. Babcock controls them. They perhaps retreat into themselves, but are hidden deep down and have little, if any, control over themselves. I think that explains the "I am you, you are me" mentality?
Yes, he being one of the originals, one of the twelve can control the ones that come from virals that had originated from him. Remember, in the beginning they were only 12. The 12 infected someone and so on and so on it continues but in the end you can only be descendant of one of the twelve.
81) Did the author have to kill off Caleb? I liked him. :(
I think that killing Caleb was more because of Alicia. Alicia didn't show a lot of emotion. Even with Peter she withheld a lot but with Caleb she just crumbled down and let herself go.
82) "He was familiar.(...)It means...you can be one of them without being one of them." Sounds like what Grey was at the beginning and Sanjay. Controlled but not changed. How do you figure out who is who? That's a scary concept. I wonder if you kill the source--Babcock if they revert back to themselves? Is it a bit like being possessed?
Maybe, it's a good idea. I think that is part of the dream test. If you kill the fat lady in the dream, you are his. You're mind is his for controlling.
83) How do you think Amy knew what to do on the train?
Most of the things Amy does are difficult to explain. Maybe she read someones thoughts and knew what to do.
84) So Amy can now speak. She's remembered how. I wonder if this will change anything?
I think it will do. I hope she explains more about the twelve, about how did she survived alone, all of that.
85) Did you notice that the journal entries were proceeded with the words, "From the Journal of Sara Fisher ("The Book of Sara")" and 'presented at the Third Global Conference of the North American Quarantine Period'?
Going off track here a little, but it sounds a little like the naming of books in the bible. (Sorry but I'm seeing biblical similarities everywhere even with that weird temptation of Theo. It brought up images of Eve and the snake with the forbidden fruit to my mind.)
Does this make you suspect only North America was affected by the Virals? This is being presented in the year of 1003 AV as opposed to 92 AV when all the events with Peter and his friends occurred. That's 1 years later. By the way, The Book of Auntie was presented at the same time. I wonder if that means it's still under quarantine 911 years later? Interesting number.
Yes I did. I think this means that in the end, the twelve could be defeated and humanity in North America restored for them to be reliving what happened.
86) Why do you think there are pages missing from the journal? Do you think they contained the personal thoughts of Sara?
I didn't thought of that exactly. Maybe when the books were discovered they had received a lot of damaged from years before and got some pages rip off.
87) "But you might want to pay a little more attention to what's right in front of you." "We live. we die, Somewhere along the way, if we're lucky, we may find someone to help lighten the load." Is Alicia hinting to her relationship with Peter and not just Sara and Hollis?
That's what I thought. In her own way, she was telling Peter that he has to noticed that in front of him there is someone that loves him very much and he doesn't see it.
88) So now there are soldiers. Do you think they're friendly? Talk about a stopping point.
Right now, I don't know what to think of them.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 58 - 6489)I like how the author showed how Theo was affected by the dreams. Turtlecollector, after your suggestion that Auntie might be dreaming, I keep noticing all the dream references and thinking that if this ends up being some huge dream I'll be seriously disappointed. I also keep thinking Freddy Krueger and Nightmare on Elmstreet. Did Aliens also have some dreams too? It's been so long since I watched those movies.
Me too, I can't remember.
90)I thought it rather humorous that the author threw in a Dracula movie into the story. I liked the soldiers reactions.
Yes, I wonder if they really think that maybe some of the things that the movie said were true. Like they sleeping by day and living by day. Stuff like that.
91) Alicia's confession about being First Expeditionary was a complete surprise. Not sure where the author is going with this little loop, but I enjoyed the commanders reaction, "She's a woman." lol
I was so sad when she confessed. I knew then that nothing with Peter would happened. I wanted them to stand by each other forever.
92) Do you think Amy truly was in Greer's dreams?
With Amy, anything is possible. Like she help Theo in his dream of the fat lady, she could had help Greer in his own dream.
93) So Auntie told Peter it was his time and Alicia told him it was his long journey. Do you agree? Did he need to leave his friends behind?
I think that as his mother knew, he was destined for this. He was the stronger one for this role. It was time to leave Hollis and Sara. It was their time to make a life, if they could in that madness, together. Michael, I don't think he should have stayed. Because of him, they knew about the beacon. And with Alicia, I just think, they were meant for each other, as Hollis and Sara stayed together, they should have stayed together.
94) Okay, this is getting to be a little like Game of Thrones where you can't be sure anyone is dead. They keep coming back. Sister Lacey is alive? Wow! I wasn't expecting that.
Me neither. I had to reread that part again. I thought I was going mad or had fallen asleep while reading that part. And really this book reminds me of GOT because of the unsuspecting things that happened, the unexpected deaths and with what they called The Watch.
95) Withers is having the dreams. That's not good.
When I read that, I just thought that Babcock had to be near them and it seems that it was right.
96) Who or what do you think was in the barn Theo remembered latching shut? Human footprints? Soldiers or someone/something else?
I really don't know, but it really freaked me out. Want to know more about that. It would be so tragic for them to be killed when they are starting to be happy and having a life again.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 65 - End97) So what did you think of the ending? Should Amy have destroyed the vials?
I hoped for Peter to be like Alicia. They need the firepower if they want to destroy the others. Now what would happen, I don't know. But still, he the one to be besides Amy so I need some faith to think that he is going to survive some part of what is to come.
98) What did you think of Sister Lacey talking about Noah and the Ark being a little like what Amy, Peter, and the other humans would be embarking on. I think that might be why the author picked Noah as the project name. I personally would have thought Methuselah would have been the better choice, but then there wouldn't have been a cool story behind it. Did you like how Peter will be like Noah and Amy the Ark?
Yes, I do love it. Here comes again the religious message. But still its a great way to look at it. I'm crazy to see who is going to survive this "flooding".
99) What did you think of the 12 all going back to their hometowns? Do you still hold out hope that Anthony Carter may prove to be different than the others?
I think that Carter can be different. He was never a murderer and he did reacted when Sister Lacey was in front of him, but still he is one of them. We have to see what is going to happen when the time comes.
100) What did you think of Peter having the name of Amy's rabbit? I didn't see the significance of the bunny until now.
You know what, I hadn't noticed it until Sister Lacey mentioned it. The rabbits significance was surprising. He is Amy's 10th rabbit if you think about it. He is the one chosen by her to follow her and help her.
101) Were you surprised Alicia, Michael, and all his friends went in search of him?
No, they always been as family. I knew when they saw the horse dead, they were going to look for him.
102) Were you surprised Lacey sacrificed herself to kill Babcock?
No, she had a part in all of this. Since the beginning she told us, she had a part to accomplish to help Amy. We thought that part finished when she throw herself from the car but it didn't. She needed to show Amy what to do.
103) What did you think of Amy giving the Many back their names and memories? It kind of reminded me of stories where a person is either the grim reaper or the angel of death.
She is the one who frees them all. She frees their souls from the one that changed them and let them be in peace.
104) What did you think of what Alicia has become?
Incredible. Still I hope for Peter to be the same. Something tells me that maybe because of Amy destroying the viles, Peter dying and Alicia being the one that stays with Amy.
105) What do you think happened to the Colony? It kind of reminded me of the question of what happened in the first US settlement. The one that disappeared. I believe they had settled on Roanoke Island. Do you think they were taken or died?
I think that somebody succumbed to the dreams, turned off the lights and the virals took them.
106) So did Wolgast die early on or not till the end of the book? Was that who Amy was referring to when she said He is dying?
I think that his soul was still roaming the Earth, waiting for Amy to say goodbye.
107) What will you rate this one?
I'm rating this book with 5 stars. I loved it. Never a book so big had me wanting for more. With books this large, I almost get bored by the middle and leave them but this one. The story, the characters. I found myself crying 2 or more times.
108) What did you like best about the book?
I loved how everything worked together. The story, the characters, how little things in the beginning had big meanings at the ends. The loopholes... may I say everything.
109) Should we set up a buddy read for The Twelve?
Yes, we should. Please, let it be soon.
I can't believed I finished this massive book. I loved it. I already want to read The Twelve.
To those of you who finished:
Parvathy wrote: "I am so behind.......I am hoping to follow the schedule from now on
19) So it looks like Amy will end up part of the experiments after all. Were you surprised at the lengths Richards would go to..."
This is one huge book, you're allowed to be behind. Just relax and enjoy. There's no hurry. :)
I finished, finally, it only took me 6 months.
Hey, I'm catching up slowly... I've read the next two bits so I hope I don't give anything away in my answersQuestions and Comments for Chapters 43 - 49
71) So, the group makes it to a military base. It was well stocked and I kept thinking they should have moved the colony to it. It sounded pretty secure. I wonder if these vampire like creatures have sensitive hearing and these bases give off some sort sound wave they don't like? I was surprised Peter's father and uncle hadn't raided the place better in one of their trips. It seemed odd to me.
Yes I was surprised that all the weapons and stuff were still there - why hadn't they brought some of it back to the rest of the people?
72) So they get two Hummers up and running and head to Las Vegas. I can't help but wonder what these things (Virals) are surviving on?
People?
73) The whole Vegas attack seemed odd especially since Sara was found alive and unharmed. Who are the people who rescued them and what is going on with Michael? Why was he so sick?
It was weird the thing that happened to Sara. I have read the next section too and am still none the wiser! The people seem a bit spooky at this stage. They all seem to be hiding something.
74) What is the Ring? It doesn't have a pleasant ring to it.
No. Sounds like some sort of entertainment centre
75) Why are there no boys and why aren't there many children?
Are the men somewhere else? Do they keep the sexes separate? What do they do with the children?
76) The whole scene with Mira was kind of creepy. Is this some kind of olden day biblical type family? Like back when one guy would have several wives?
I am really seeing some of the religious tones now - Mira's family does feel a bit like that.
77) Did Alicia see who she thought she did?
Don't know
Questions and Comments for Chapters 50 - 57 I found this section a bit full-on too. Especially the stuff in the Ring.
78) So some of our questions get answered in this section, we now know Babcock is in Vegas and the ring is all about him. It almost sounds like he's having them treat him like a God. Is this another case of the 10th bunny? He allows so many humans, but some need to be used for food? Perhaps even to keep them in line?
It also sounds as if he rules a load of other virals. Perhaps each one of the 12 is an ancestor of their group of virals which they 'own'?
79) The dream test is a little strange. Perhaps he doesn't want anyone to judge him poorly, therefore, anyone who does the same thing he did is considered worthy of his protection? What do you think?
No idea - that was a bit beyond me - but he must be influencing their dreams and getting inside their heads to make them all have the same dream. Which sort of backs up our thoughts about some of the other people in the compound
80) It kind of sounds like the virals are part of a hive mind. Babcock controls them. They perhaps retreat into themselves, but are hidden deep down and have little, if any, control over themselves. I think that explains the "I am you, you are me" mentality?
Yes, that is really interesting. Perhaps Amy can control the 12 but doesn't have full control over the rest?
81) Did the author have to kill off Caleb? I liked him. :(
Me too - what a shame
82) "He was familiar.(...)It means...you can be one of them without being one of them." Sounds like what Grey was at the beginning and Sanjay. Controlled but not changed. How do you figure out who is who? That's a scary concept. I wonder if you kill the source--Babcock if they revert back to themselves? Is it a bit like being possessed?
Perhaps if you kill the source, they all just collapse and die without his energy behind them? Let's hope so.
83) How do you think Amy knew what to do on the train?
She explains later in this section doesn't she, that it was Gus. I can't remember who he was so I have to admit I got a bit lost there.
84) So Amy can now speak. She's remembered how. I wonder if this will change anything?
I'm glad she has 'remembered' although I wonder whether she always could and just chose not to. Hopefully she will be able to answer all their questions
85) Did you notice that the journal entries were proceeded with the words, "From the Journal of Sara Fisher ("The Book of Sara")" and 'presented at the Third Global Conference of the North American Quarantine Period'?
Yes, that was very biblical wasn't it? Sounds like only North America is in quarantine, so I wonder what happened to the rest of the world?
Going off track here a little, but it sounds a little like the naming of books in the bible. (Sorry but I'm seeing biblical similarities everywhere even with that weird temptation of Theo. It brought up images of Eve and the snake with the forbidden fruit to my mind.)
Does this make you suspect only North America was affected by the Virals? This is being presented in the year of 1003 AV as opposed to 92 AV when all the events with Peter and his friends occurred. That's 1 years later. By the way, The Book of Auntie was presented at the same time. I wonder if that means it's still under quarantine 911 years later? Interesting number.
Hadn't thought of the link with 911 before - interesting.
86) Why do you think there are pages missing from the journal? Do you think they contained the personal thoughts of Sara?
Just thought that they had been destroyed over time, didn't think much about it at the time...
87) "But you might want to pay a little more attention to what's right in front of you." "We live. we die, Somewhere along the way, if we're lucky, we may find someone to help lighten the load." Is Alicia hinting to her relationship with Peter and not just Sara and Hollis?
Is she not talking about everyone. That's a very profound statement.
88) So now there are soldiers. Do you think they're friendly? Talk about a stopping point.
Let's hope so!
Questions and Comments for Chapters 4 - 7Wow! A lot happening in this section...
8) Amy can talk to the animals. Just imagine it, talking to a bird or chimpanzee.... Oops! Sorry that silly song--If I Could Talk to the Animals--entered my head from when I was little and I got carried away. Did this remind you a little of Harry Potter with the snake? What exactly is Amy??? I thought the experiment would come into play with her but is she not a normal human? Was her mother or father like her? The whole episode sets off a bunch of questions in my head. Plus, did you notice that when Amy went into Sister Lacey's room it was said she was "glowing like a coal" and "giving off waves of heat"? Is the glowing like that of the glow lights/vamp experiments or do you think it was an exaggeration? Also, how did Sykes know about Amy?
I think that Amy was just a coincidence. I don't think that they knew she was special, I think she was special before. So we know her mother didn't have anything spectacular going on.. maybe her father had a little bit of something in him?
9) While taking prisoners from death row set off bells in my head, taking Amy from the convent leaves no question in my mind that what they're doing is illegal.
not really sure what the question in here is.
10) I'm starting to wonder if maybe Carter didn't kill the woman. Perhaps it was an accident and they blamed Carter for it because they couldn't accept it was an accident? Anyone else wondering the same thing?
i think it was an accident. carter just got blamed because he wasn't 100% in the smarts department. and stereotypes usually conclude a young black man and a well to do white woman.. of course its the black mans fault!
11) So even the caretakers can get sick? I wonder how with them being so careful? This could be a case where people truly do go bat sh*t crazy by being part of the cleaning crew. Scary thought. It makes me wonder how contagious this disease/virus is? I had a friend who was a nurse who contracted a disease which when passed to a fetus caused birth defects and she was pregnant. They'd known she was pregnant, known the patient had the disease, and told her she had to treat the patient or be fired. They suited her up and she still passed it to her unborn child. Very sad.
i bet the contagious agents of the virus are what causes it to spread so quickly, becoming a world wide pandemic.
12) What did you think of Grey's story about his trip to the test site? I think I'd be shaking in my boots knowing I almost got shot because I had to make a pit stop. Do you think the caretakers are being experimented on and they put them to use working until the side effects kicks in? Grey's back story was rather troubling. I have no sympathy for the man, but wish the author didn't have to give such detailed accounts about everyone.
i think that in a way, they are disposable. put men like gray on the cleaning duty, if something happened, it wouldn't be a big deal, vs a top notch soldier.
13) So do I have this right? Is Zero actually an individual named Fanning who was once a friend of Lear's? Could he be the Tim from the emails? The one who seemed to be getting better? That would make the lead scientist of the experiments Jonas Lear, the man who wrote the emails? How did he go from there to doing experiments? I'd think Zero's condition would scare the you know what out of people. *shudder*
i dont know, i think you just confused me, im not sure who fanning is, or who lear is, and i have no clue who is who in the scheme of things.
14)I am so not liking Richards. Any comments on the man? He seems like a cold blooded killer to me. I don't think I'd want to be friends with him either.
he's definately cold blooded.
15) What about those creepy dreams with the voice? Isn't that what the escapee caretakers were talking about when Richards shot them? What's up with that?
i bet the vampires are talking to them through their dreams. hypnotizing them to whatever, to plan their escape i guess?
16) What do you think of the author's writing style? Sometimes I feel he jumps around too much in chapters. What do you think?
im not fond of it. too many points of view, just when i figure out who this person is, he changes it to another person, then by the time we get back to the first person, i've forgotten who that one is. i think he did it to maximize the impact of what will be happening, maybe jumping pov to show the reader a little bit more about the OMG of the situation.
17) So I'm assuming that when they are referring to Amy as Amy NLN, the NLN = No Last Name? I was listening to the audio and I don't believe they explained the initials and that's what I came up with.
okay, yeah thats what i thought
18) I have to comment on this because it seems to be a recurring theme with male authors--why do they always have to talk about urinating? Anyone else notice this? I rarely read books by males, no deliberate attempt to avoid them or anything, but I think with one or two exceptions they always include a scene or two centered around this. Out of curiosity, guys, when you read books by female authors, is there anything you notice that makes you think without looking that it was written by a female?
im not a guy. but i havent really noticed anything
Questions and Comments for Chapters 8 - 1119) So it looks like Amy will end up part of the experiments after all. Were you surprised at the lengths Richards would go to to eliminate any trace of who they were? Will it be enough? Do you think he's acting on orders or is a loose cannon?
i think that richard is acting on orders, but he's also a loose cannon. he's lost his humanity along the way. i think the people in charge know what he's doing, and as long as they dont think about the length he goes, as long as the experiments are protected.
20) So here is one of my crazy thoughts (and if you've ever buddy read with me you know I occasionally do this--sometimes I'm right and sometimes I'm wrong)-- What if Bill Reynolds, Amy's dad, was one of the guys who worked at the government testing facility like Walgast. I just can't figure out how they would know about Amy unless someone was tracking her or they had a cop in their pocket in Memphis or they listened to a police channels. Her father fits their salesman MO and my mind keeps drifting to his ruffled exterior. What if his genetics passed something on to her and he was a carrier of the virus but immune to it? Like I said a wild thought.
i had similiar thoughts, just not as detailed. I still think amy was a coincidence. i think that i read earlier in the book that everyone has some latent wild call or something, maybe some have latent powers
21) The carnival scene reinforced my like of Walgast. I think he definitely wants to substitute Amy for Eva.
definately he wants to substitute. he wants a daughter so badly
22) Paulson is very unlikeable. Do you think everyone or almost everyone in the facility eventually gets those dreams or just those infected? It almost sounded like Paulson got them too or did he hear a rumor?
im thinking its the work of vampires, they manipulate dreams, i think that will be how they escape.
23) So now we know for sure, Carter was innocent and he'd rather die than tell anyone that Rachel killed herself.
i think carter had some mentally ill thing going on, him not being 100% smart, like an average person, made him not really understand what was going on and what the best choice of action was.
24) So are you surprised Sister Lacey left? Did she go after Amy? Were you surprised she realized how Walgast felt about Amy? Did you think it unreasonable for everyone to judge her (Lacey) because of something that happened to her in her past?
I'm not surprised. I was expecting her to have left. I think that whoever "he" was that was coming, would be identifiable to her if she saw him, and when she saw Walgast, she knew it wasn't the "he" that she was so afraid of. I definately don't think its fair for everyone to judge her, however, if she was left in a field, and had spent hours and hours probably being tortured and gang raped over and over and over, as a young child, she would probably have had something snap inside her.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 12 - 17Please bear with me. I hope I don't reveal any spoilers because I already read today's section and didn't expect to write yesterday's questions.
25) Without getting too in-depth into religion, what do you think of the religious element in the book? Do you like the voice that guides Sister Lacey? I once went to a retreat with my church group and they had some phenomenal speakers and one told a tale about how she was (I believe) in the hospital and a voice in her head told her to get off the elevator and hide. She did and found out later if she'd gone to the floor she was supposed to she'd probably have ended up dead because there was a crazy man loose shooting people and that's the floor he ended up on. I can't remember all the details, but it was a really scary story and that is what Lacey's story reminded me of so I really like how the author did that. I wonder if he heard the same story?
its hard to say. im not sure what I think about the religious part of it all. I don't think its "God" that shes hearing though, maybe Amy? or some sort of latent psychic power that amy opened up in her?
26) Wow! So even the nuns weren't spared by Richards. At this point I'd think the witnesses were far too many to really contain this.
I agree that theres far too many, but I also think that Richards is a bit above and beyond the call of duty. he's a bit bloodylusty right now
27) It sounds as though when the second phase of the project, Jump Start, was to start by transferring Zero and the twelve to White Sands? Transportation to anywhere sounds crazy and risky, but it never came to that. I wonder what the second phase to the testing entailed? It also sounded like the majority of people who worked on the project would have been killed.
i bet that we'll find out in the future what it would have entailed
28) So it sounded like someone took control of Grey's mind and he lost portions of his day. Do you think that is what happened when he entered Zero's containment unit? It sounded like he wasn't the only one to do this. It almost sounded like each of the twelve had someone who let them out as well. That's kind of scary. I wonder what other unusual powers these guys have?
i think its all hypnotic vampire stuff. its scary.
29) Were you surprised that Wolgast refused the suit? After all they said the virus might still be viable.
no im not surprised, i think at this point he wanted amy, doesnt matter who or how or what.
30) So we finally meet Lear. What was he babbling about? "Once I saw, once I knew what they were planning, how it would all end. I wanted there to be at least one." and "Keep her close. She's everything."??? I'm guessing it had something to do with Amy? If so why create 12 more of the vampire people? Is anyone else confused?
i bet he had dreams too..he "saw" that they were going to destroy all of the world, or whatever. or he had a vision of the world being 100% disease free, perfectly immortal, and the 12 vampires were experiements that didnt quite make the cut, until they got to amy. she turned out the way they needed her to.
31) Does anyone else see a lot of religious similarities in this book? There were 12 disciples. Is Zero supposed to be the antichrist or something? Plus, on the third day, he (Christ) rose again..."On the third day, he told her a story" and Amy rose from her bed???? Is it just me or is there something to this?
i didnt notice anything, but now that you mention it..could be
32) Doyle was a surprise. I didn't see that coming.
me either
33) The Year of Zero? *shudder* Is Zero in control of the others? Too bad we don't see a little into the dynamics of this group of vamps. I wonder if there is any order to them like a pack? The Chicago Falls newspaper article seems to suggest there is.
it wouldn't surprise me
34) So they ended up in Oregon and Amy has stopped growing. I wonder why she's different from Zero and the rest? It seemed Lear and his group weren't concerned that Wolgast would turn into a tasty snack. Why is that? What don't we know? I feel we're missing a crucial piece of information.
that peice of information will probably be revleaed eventually.
35) What do you make of the quick spread of the virus? It sounds like many of those infected are becoming vampires. I'm a little surprised by this. I thought in its purest form the virus mainly killed, but if Fanning survived, maybe not? Could their alterations made it less fatal?
maybe? or at least how the infection happened? or even if the person had some sort of latent ability or a certain blood type or something
36) How'd you like the spin the government put on the virus? That it was terrorist related?
figures.
37) What do you make of Amy seemingly be connected to everything and knows what is going on in the world to some extent? Do you think she connected to and there fore knows what Zero and his motley crew are doing or is it something more?
in a way i think so
38) So it sounds like Wolgast died. I'm surprised Amy left him. Did anyone else think that odd? I wonder if she thought he was already dead?
maybe something will end up popping up in the future. I cant see it being the end of wolgast
OH! I forgot about Amy talking to the animals/that situation.Wish that had been discussed more later on or explained! :(
Time Lord Steven wrote: "OH! I forgot about Amy talking to the animals/that situation.Wish that had been discussed more later on or explained! :("
Yes, that was something I kept waiting to be addressed.
Ah well, maybe in the Twelve. Which is on my plan for July :)
@Clare78) So some of our questions get answered in this section, we now know Babcock is in Vegas and the ring is all about him. It almost sounds like he's having them treat him like a God. Is this another case of the 10th bunny? He allows so many humans, but some need to be used for food? Perhaps even to keep them in line?
It also sounds as if he rules a load of other virals. Perhaps each one of the 12 is an ancestor of their group of virals which they 'own'?
Very true. The Virals appear to be his minions. I was thinking the same thing about each having their own personal virals they control. Sort of an extension of themselves. I keep thinking it strange that Zero has been pretty much not talked about.
79) The dream test is a little strange. Perhaps he doesn't want anyone to judge him poorly, therefore, anyone who does the same thing he did is considered worthy of his protection? What do you think?
No idea - that was a bit beyond me - but he must be influencing their dreams and getting inside their heads to make them all have the same dream. Which sort of backs up our thoughts about some of the other people in the compound
Makes me wonder if in order to control them he has to break them first?
80) It kind of sounds like the virals are part of a hive mind. Babcock controls them. They perhaps retreat into themselves, but are hidden deep down and have little, if any, control over themselves. I think that explains the "I am you, you are me" mentality?
Yes, that is really interesting. Perhaps Amy can control the 12 but doesn't have full control over the rest?
Makes you wonder if the 12 can control the virals of the other 12 as well? Also, is it only Amy's age that made her different or something else?
81) Did the author have to kill off Caleb? I liked him. :(
Me too - what a shame
I guess he was the odd man out.
82) "He was familiar.(...)It means...you can be one of them without being one of them." Sounds like what Grey was at the beginning and Sanjay. Controlled but not changed. How do you figure out who is who? That's a scary concept. I wonder if you kill the source--Babcock if they revert back to themselves? Is it a bit like being possessed?
Perhaps if you kill the source, they all just collapse and die without his energy behind them? Let's hope so.
But are the familiars as far gone as the Virals? I wonder?
83) How do you think Amy knew what to do on the train?
She explains later in this section doesn't she, that it was Gus. I can't remember who he was so I have to admit I got a bit lost there.
I think it was explained later that Amy got information from Gus (the guy who planted the bomb) by mentally communicating with him as he was dying. His last good deed was to save them).
84) So Amy can now speak. She's remembered how. I wonder if this will change anything?
I'm glad she has 'remembered' although I wonder whether she always could and just chose not to. Hopefully she will be able to answer all their questions
I kept trying to figure out if there was any significance to it.
85) Did you notice that the journal entries were proceeded with the words, "From the Journal of Sara Fisher ("The Book of Sara")" and 'presented at the Third Global Conference of the North American Quarantine Period'?
Yes, that was very biblical wasn't it? Sounds like only North America is in quarantine, so I wonder what happened to the rest of the world?
It really does make you wonder.
Going off track here a little, but it sounds a little like the naming of books in the bible. (Sorry but I'm seeing biblical similarities everywhere even with that weird temptation of Theo. It brought up images of Eve and the snake with the forbidden fruit to my mind.)
Does this make you suspect only North America was affected by the Virals? This is being presented in the year of 1003 AV as opposed to 92 AV when all the events with Peter and his friends occurred. That's 1 years later. By the way, The Book of Auntie was presented at the same time. I wonder if that means it's still under quarantine 911 years later? Interesting number.
Hadn't thought of the link with 911 before - interesting.
Coincidence or significant foreshadowing? Sounds suspicious.
86) Why do you think there are pages missing from the journal? Do you think they contained the personal thoughts of Sara?
Just thought that they had been destroyed over time, didn't think much about it at the time...
I wasn't sure. Since Sara was falling in love with Hollis, there is a possibility she got a little more personal in her entries, but perhaps it was due to its age.
87) "But you might want to pay a little more attention to what's right in front of you." "We live. we die, Somewhere along the way, if we're lucky, we may find someone to help lighten the load." Is Alicia hinting to her relationship with Peter and not just Sara and Hollis?
Is she not talking about everyone. That's a very profound statement.
Not sure, but definitely wanted to point the verse out. The statement shortly thereafter about him not seeing what was under his nose is what got me wondering.
88) So now there are soldiers. Do you think they're friendly? Talk about a stopping point.
Let's hope so!
:)
Hey, I've done it! I've finished the book....just a bit behind with the questions!!Questions and Comments for Chapters 58 - 64
89)I like how the author showed how Theo was affected by the dreams. Turtlecollector, after your suggestion that Auntie might be dreaming, I keep noticing all the dream references and thinking that if this ends up being some huge dream I'll be seriously disappointed. I also keep thinking Freddy Krueger and Nightmare on Elmstreet. Did Aliens also have some dreams too? It's been so long since I watched those movies.
The dreams are getting a bigger thing...
90)I thought it rather humorous that the author threw in a Dracula movie into the story. I liked the soldiers reactions.
Yes, that was good. Interesting comparison
91) Alicia's confession about being First Expeditionary was a complete surprise. Not sure where the author is going with this little loop, but I enjoyed the commanders reaction, "She's a woman." lol
A woman can be useful too!! I'm glad she's got a role as I think she was kinda wasted before
92) Do you think Amy truly was in Greer's dreams?
Hmm don't know
93) So Auntie told Peter it was his time and Alicia told him it was his long journey. Do you agree? Did he need to leave his friends behind?
He wanted to save Amy but I don't think the others felt the need to do that so yes, I think he had to go.
94) Okay, this is getting to be a little like Game of Thrones where you can't be sure anyone is dead. They keep coming back. Sister Lacey is alive? Wow! I wasn't expecting that.
No I wasn't either. So she was saved by Jonas. At first I had forgotten who Jonas was but she did explain it well and she reminded me that he was the person who started the whole thing. I'm a bit lost with the different vials of virus though...
95) Withers is having the dreams. That's not good.
No, I thought that. I wonder if he will turn before he dies
96) Who or what do you think was in the barn Theo remembered latching shut? Human footprints? Soldiers or someone/something else?
Theo has a theory about this later on so I don't want to spoil it. At this stage I was worried that it was a viral.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 65 - End97) So what did you think of the ending? Should Amy have destroyed the vials?
No I don't think she should. I thought that might be the sequel - where they are all protected and they go and find the virals...but now they are going to try and find them as humans which makes them more vulnerable.
98) What did you think of Sister Lacey talking about Noah and the Ark being a little like what Amy, Peter, and the other humans would be embarking on. I think that might be why the author picked Noah as the project name. I personally would have thought Methuselah would have been the better choice, but then there wouldn't have been a cool story behind it. Did you like how Peter will be like Noah and Amy the Ark?
That was a bit weird for my liking. I don't quite understand how she is the Ark - what does that mean? Can someone explain it? Feeling thick... :-(
99) What did you think of the 12 all going back to their hometowns? Do you still hold out hope that Anthony Carter may prove to be different than the others?
Interesting, at least the gang know where to find them all. This puts an interesting slant on the sequel. I wonder if we'll find out anything interesting about Carter in the next one - there are quite a few unanswered questions.
100) What did you think of Peter having the name of Amy's rabbit? I didn't see the significance of the bunny until now.
No I didn't. It's all a bit deep. I sort of want to read it again now to see all the links - the only thing is it's a big book!
101) Were you surprised Alicia, Michael, and all his friends went in search of him?
No, they were a strong team by this stage
102) Were you surprised Lacey sacrificed herself to kill Babcock?
Yes, I wanted her to stay alive as I wanted to find out more about her.
103) What did you think of Amy giving the Many back their names and memories? It kind of reminded me of stories where a person is either the grim reaper or the angel of death.
Yes that was good. I was waiting for them all to come alive again after she gave them their names, but they all died. I guess everything would have been far to complicated if they had all woken from the dead!
104) What did you think of what Alicia has become?
Sounds a bit far-fetched. She has all these unexplained powers - they've not told us much about them yet so I think they will come into play more in the next book. But it sounds a bit X-Men ish.
105) What do you think happened to the Colony? It kind of reminded me of the question of what happened in the first US settlement. The one that disappeared. I believe they had settled on Roanoke Island. Do you think they were taken or died?
Sounds like they were taken as there were only two dead bodies and no blood.
106) So did Wolgast die early on or not till the end of the book? Was that who Amy was referring to when she said He is dying?
Don't know. If he did die at the end, where was he during the book. I felt that the author was just trying to tie up loose ends - I don't think that one was necessary.
107) What will you rate this one?
I thought it was brilliant. Not the sort of book I would have read at all - so thank you! I can't wait to read the sequel. I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads.
108) What did you like best about the book?
I loved that each part was really different from the last and focussed on a different thing - sometimes it was about Amy, sometimes it was more like a soap opera particularly some of the bits in the colony. Although it was a long book it didn't feel too long.
109) Should we set up a buddy read for The Twelve?
Yes please! I have it sitting by my bed but I have a couple of others to read first, including Harold Fry for the next set of questions so I'd better get on.....!
Questions and Comments for Chapters 18 - 2139) So we are now looking at a time period called AV which I would assume stands for After Virus? We've got vamps called jumps and a train leaving the East coast for the west. What a scary trip for a little girl and to think she almost didn't make it. They started out with an enormous amount of cars and only three made it? Crazy and sad. It reminded me of what they did in England during WWII, I believe it was operation Pied Piper, where civilians, particularly children were evacuated from known bomb zones to safer areas.
not really sure how to answer this, because im not familiar with the operation pied piper. but the whole situations with the trains was sad
40) So 92 years after the Great Viral Cataclysm we get a view of what is happening and things don't look so good. Jumps (vamps) are still around and the population has dwindled. We have no clue what has happened outside the US and the colony has cut off all radio ties. What do you think of the society that they've created? What do you think of their way of life?
i think that the society they created was pretty good considering mostly it was children. they seem to be functioning pretty well, distopian almost though
41) So power will give out somewhere in the near future, possibly the next 2 years. That's scary, but if no manufacturing plants are operating understandable. Do you think Michael should tell someone so they could prepare or is there no way to prepare?
theres no way to prepare, but i do think that somethings going to happen, either they decide as a group to leave anyways, or amy shows up and rescues everyone.
42) In this section, what caught your attention most? Can you imagine spending the first 8 years of your life inside? That just doesn't seem healthy.
i dont understand how they arent malnurished.
43) What do you think of Peter? It sounds like he will have a major role to play. Hopefully, Amy will show up soon.
im not too sure what to think of him yet. im still getting acclimated to the AV side of things now.
Questions and Comments for Ch 22-2544. Why didn’t they go after Caleb? Was Zander somehow protecting him in order to get to the people he knew would be coming to visit? I want to know why the ‘smokes’ don’t seem to remember who they were until right before they are killed.
i dont know, im confused, the virals seem different in this stage of the book, vs the other stage.
45. Do you think it is the right decision not to bring the guns back to the Colony? Do you agree with Theo that it might cause more harm than good? It seems to me that guns are just too slow to deal with the ‘smokes’ and to be effective at killing them, you have be close enough to use a knife.
i think that guns could be easier to use sometimes, but at the same time, not safe, people would be more liable to shoot each other on accident, because of the jumpiness.
46. Why doesn’t the girl remember who she is or the names of the people she stayed with? Is she one of the creatures herself since they don’t seem to attack her? She is the opposite of them in that she wants to protect people not attack and eat them. I think it has to do with the fact that she got a virus changed from the experiment, not directly from those infected with it.
i think she was too young when she started out, she'd be what, 300 years old now? or something like that, she was changed at such a young age, her brain wouldnt have developed, and if shes got the whole world in her head, i can see how voices would get lost.
47. Was anyone else as surprised as I was that Amy seems to have a little control over the creatures? They flock to her and do not harm her and try to do what she says, but their instincts override her wishes.
i dont think i was surprised at it, im trying to figure out how she saves the world, and figured she'd have some sort of influence on them.
48. I think there is a conspiracy going on in the Household. Peter’s feeling that there is something going on that he doesn’t know about is true. Just what was explained to Dana to get her to take the family spot in the Household when she wouldn’t before?
i dont know, its interesting though, im interested in seeing whats going on, who is power hungry trying to be head honcho.
49. It is creepy that people are sleepwalking and waking up not knowing what they have done. This is the same thing that was happening to sweeps back in the experiment. Do you think the creatures are strong and/or close enough to alter their minds now and not just attack them?
i think that they can alter, manipulate and control people. but maybe its babcock and them? they seem like they'd be stronger than virals that were just infected
50. What about Auntie’s predictions? How did she know that the girl was coming and that Peter already knew about her? We got that brief glimpse of her journal earlier, but where exactly does she fit into this story?
seems to me that the stronger characters have had a little bit of psychic tendencies in this story, wouldn't surprise me one bit if auntie is psychic in some way.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 27 - 3551) So for almost a hundred years Amy has been roaming mostly alone. She's forgotten her name and how to speak. She seems to care for the virals but more so for people. Over the past 92 years she seems to have aged a little and now looks to be between 13 and 16 years of age. That goes with the VSA (very slow aging) theory which was first presented. She followed Peter home. I wonder how she is the solution? Who or what is the voice asking Amy to bring the humans to him? With the radio device removed will anything change?
no predictions, but i thought the voice was asking them to bring amy to him, not amy to bring people? im confused now.
52) I'm a little confused about all the terms being slung around. We have First Night, Dark Night, and maybe one or two more. I wish things were explained a little better. First Night sounded like a holiday while Dark Night was perhaps a term for people who died from virals? Is this what everyone else thought? And why all the different names for the vampires? It's confusing. We've got Glow Sticks, Jumps, Smokes, and Virals. Please tell me the author is done and isn't attempting to make it to 12 different names? Gah!
im okay with the different names..dark night and first night and all that, he does seem to explain a bit of it. the thing that drives me nuts is he changes it, one person says smokes then two people later say virals. pick a term and stick with it for a little while
53) Do you think the new virals are different? Peter kept wondering when did the virals start doing "this" and "that"? Does Amy herself carry a strain of the virus and if so, how will it affect other people? Could she just be a carrier?
i think that amy's influence over the new virals have made them different, more human.
54) Anyone curious about what Michael will find in the chip? I'd actually forgotten about it.
ive read whats on the chip, so for lack of spoilers, i wont say:)
55) What is with Sanjay? It sounds like he's infected. Has he really been hearing the voice for years or only a short while? I'm a little confused by the statement, "Sanjay Patal, Head of Household, might have said that it had all started years ago. It had started with the dreams." Can the virus lie dormant that long or is it altering his memory?
i think that he's been influenced in some way, i also think that he's a little power hungry with jealousy towards peter's family.
56) Do you think they'll be able to stop Sam from putting Caleb out? It sounds like Caleb is still pretty young.
i read what happens with sam/caleb, at least up a little bit more ahead.
57) Anyone else think Alicia's demotion was a bad move?
i think it was a step towards sanjays power hungry takeover.
58) We've heard via Amy from all the 12, but is anyone else curious about what happened to Zero?
im sure we'll be finding out soon enough.
59) Do you think people underestimate Peter because of his size? It sounds like he's pretty good at dodging and fighting yet he's been passed up many times for those who are bigger and stronger. I felt it a bit ironic that it was Theo who ended up freezing.
i think maybe peter's light was dim behind theo's brightness. he kinda shadowed behind theo, i think we'll find that peter really has an aptitude for leadership and heroism now that he's out of his brothers shadow
60) Wouldn't you think with two people getting infected while at the power plant that there should be some major cleaning going on to ensure the virus doesn't spread? I'm guessing Galen will be the next to either be killed or changed.
im thinking at this point, they really have no idea what to do as far as "cleaning" its been years and years, and they have no idea what before virals were like, all they know is how to kill them. and what the signs are. but even the signs aren't clearcut anymore, somehow they've evolved.
62) Why do you think Alicia, Sara, Michael, Peter, etc are trying to keep Amy's miraculous healing a secret?
they realize she's special, and if it gets out whats going on, they'll wanna kick her out
63) Any predictions for the next section? I haven't a clue, but can't wait to find out what happens next.
i read the next section, lol
Questions and Comments for Chapters 35 - 4264) So a lot of killing going on. First Sanjay, as I think we all pretty much figured, appears to have gone viral. What was surprising to me is the man went home and acted like seemingly nothing out of the ordinary happened. Is that weird or what? I thought He'd totally morph. I guess the process takes a little longer than I thought?
i think babcock is controlling him somehow. or he's channelling his spirit or something via amy
65) Michael figures out how old Amy is and that a signal is coming from Colorado where the outbreak began. Do you think anyone is there? Do you think it is the voice of someone from there that Amy heard in her head telling her to take everyone to them? Would you go to Colorado? If nothing else, they may find a power source.>
i think they'll send a group out. that or virals will seemingly take over the entire facility, so they are forced to go
66) So Galen did know about Theo and his wife. Kind of sad. It sounds like he really loved her. Do you think he's a goner or will he survive the attack?
i think he's a goner, especially with his eyesite sucking.
67) So Auntie is Ida, the little girl from Chapter 18. I like the contrast between her and Amy. I think they may be approximately the same age and I was surprised she was still alive too. Too bad she and Amy didn't meet. I think that could have been fun.
I wasnt surprised. the journal of Ida mentioned that she was auntie.
68) So we have a crew heading for Colorado. I feel so bad for all those left behind. The people seem to have lost their minds and I worry about the children. I was sad to hear about Elton and the rest. I thought they'd take Elton with them.
I felt bad for elton, i liked him
69) So were you surprised Sanjay would turn on Amy? I figured if the Virals would respond to her surely the newly or those in the process of becoming full fledged virals would too.
nah, i think in some way the virals are threatened by amy, she's like, the key to something.
70)Was there anything else that struck you about this section that I didn't mention. (I'm still pretty sick so I had to read things a couple of times to make sure I understood what I was reading. I hate head colds)
some parts confuse me, he seems to have stephen king as an idol, he'll pick something and focus on it, and ramble for a good deal then jump all the sudden to some other point of view. or the tone changes, one minute it'll be peters point of view, then two paragraphs later "..and they whole place was asleep dreaming..and this person was dreaming about this and that and this person was dreaming about that and this and bees"
This was the craziest section so far. I don't know what is going on. lol 71) So, the group makes it to a military base. It was well stocked and I kept thinking they should have moved the colony to it. It sounded pretty secure. I wonder if these vampire like creatures have sensitive hearing and these bases give off some sort sound wave they don't like? I was surprised Peter's father and uncle hadn't raided the place better in one of their trips. It seemed odd to me.
i guess it would have been hard to raid the place better if they were on a cart, plus seems to me that if they were going to be taking trips well into the future, they'd save some for later.
72) So they get two Hummers up and running and head to Las Vegas. I can't help but wonder what these things (Virals) are surviving on?
livestock?
73) The whole Vegas attack seemed odd especially since Sara was found alive and unharmed. Who are the people who rescued them and what is going on with Michael? Why was he so sick?
well, ive read beyond this so i know the actual answer to it. i dont think the why he was so sick was really explained other than heat?
74) What is the Ring? It doesn't have a pleasant ring to it.
a place where males go?
75) Why are there no boys and why aren't there many children?
i think that they women are basicaly just breeding pits. the men are few and far between so that they can keep the women bred and docile
76) The whole scene with Mira was kind of creepy. Is this some kind of olden day biblical type family? Like back when one guy would have several wives?
above would be the same answer I would give here, i think its not so much a bibical family thing more like a breeding thing
77) Did Alicia see who she thought she did?
i believe so
Questions and Comments for Chapters 50 - 57 Let me just say this section was a bit hard to take in. There was a lot going on and a lot being explained and it all came at us in rapid succession. Let's see if what I think happened is what you think.
78) So some of our questions get answered in this section, we now know Babcock is in Vegas and the ring is all about him. It almost sounds like he's having them treat him like a God. Is this another case of the 10th bunny? He allows so many humans, but some need to be used for food? Perhaps even to keep them in line?
i think its a god complex thing.
79) The dream test is a little strange. Perhaps he doesn't want anyone to judge him poorly, therefore, anyone who does the same thing he did is considered worthy of his protection? What do you think?
im not sure, i think while i was reading it, i got that it was something that had to happen for his manipulations to take affect? i dunno
80) It kind of sounds like the virals are part of a hive mind. Babcock controls them. They perhaps retreat into themselves, but are hidden deep down and have little, if any, control over themselves. I think that explains the "I am you, you are me" mentality?
maybe
81) Did the author have to kill off Caleb? I liked him. :(
i think he did, i read ahead, and i think that things that will be happening, couldnt have happened if caleb was kept alive
82) "He was familiar.(...)It means...you can be one of them without being one of them." Sounds like what Grey was at the beginning and Sanjay. Controlled but not changed. How do you figure out who is who? That's a scary concept. I wonder if you kill the source--Babcock if they revert back to themselves? Is it a bit like being possessed?
i guess in a way it reminded me of the escape, how they controlled everyone, only more evolved
83) How do you think Amy knew what to do on the train?
i know the answer to this already
84) So Amy can now speak. She's remembered how. I wonder if this will change anything?
probably not
85) Did you notice that the journal entries were proceeded with the words, "From the Journal of Sara Fisher ("The Book of Sara")" and 'presented at the Third Global Conference of the North American Quarantine Period'?
Going off track here a little, but it sounds a little like the naming of books in the bible. (Sorry but I'm seeing biblical similarities everywhere even with that weird temptation of Theo. It brought up images of Eve and the snake with the forbidden fruit to my mind.)
Does this make you suspect only North America was affected by the Virals? This is being presented in the year of 1003 AV as opposed to 92 AV when all the events with Peter and his friends occurred. That's 1 years later. By the way, The Book of Auntie was presented at the same time. I wonder if that means it's still under quarantine 911 years later? Interesting number.
i dont see the biblical stuff going on. i cant see honestly how 911 years later the US is still the only one affected.
86) Why do you think there are pages missing from the journal? Do you think they contained the personal thoughts of Sara?
maybe time..911 years later im sure its changed hands and had some handling to it
87) "But you might want to pay a little more attention to what's right in front of you." "We live. we die, Somewhere along the way, if we're lucky, we may find someone to help lighten the load." Is Alicia hinting to her relationship with Peter and not just Sara and Hollis?
no, im not thinking so.
88) So now there are soldiers. Do you think they're friendly? Talk about a stopping point.
yeah i think they are friendly
Questions and Comments for Chapters 58 - 6489)I like how the author showed how Theo was affected by the dreams. Turtlecollector, after your suggestion that Auntie might be dreaming, I keep noticing all the dream references and thinking that if this ends up being some huge dream I'll be seriously disappointed. I also keep thinking Freddy Krueger and Nightmare on Elmstreet. Did Aliens also have some dreams too? It's been so long since I watched those movies.
maybe its a form of evolution, one mind, collective type thing.
90)I thought it rather humorous that the author threw in a Dracula movie into the story. I liked the soldiers reactions.
it was funny, i liked how peter kinda was iffy, then was able to wonder if this had all happened before, makes you go hmmm? i wonder?
91) Alicia's confession about being First Expeditionary was a complete surprise. Not sure where the author is going with this little loop, but I enjoyed the commanders reaction, "She's a woman." lol
makes me wonder though, i thought for sure peter and her were going to hook up. i thought she'd be vital with the trip with Amy, if she gets left behind, ill be sad.
92) Do you think Amy truly was in Greer's dreams?
Hmm don't know, but it seems as though a lot of people saw Amy in their dreams. and she seems to be in tune with a lot of people in the land of dreams
93) So Auntie told Peter it was his time and Alicia told him it was his long journey. Do you agree? Did he need to leave his friends behind?
i believe he did, he had a quest that was mostly his the whole time, the friends were just there for him
94) Okay, this is getting to be a little like Game of Thrones where you can't be sure anyone is dead. They keep coming back. Sister Lacey is alive? Wow! I wasn't expecting that.
yeah, total shocker.
95) Withers is having the dreams. That's not good.
i wonder if he'll be possessed soon
96) Who or what do you think was in the barn Theo remembered latching shut? Human footprints? Soldiers or someone/something else?
i was worried about virals
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
A Discovery of Witches (other topics)The Twelve (other topics)
The Stand (other topics)
The Passage (other topics)
