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Partials
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Wells, Dan - Partials - Start Date June 22nd, 2012
Questions for Chapters 7 - 9 7. I hate to say it but I'm starting to suspect Nandita. She has the perfect setup to be a part of the Voice with her out of town visits. Plus the talk she had with Kira triggered some red flags. Am I being overly paranoid here?
I don't think she is because I don't feel she would do anything to put Kira in danger. I could be wrong.
8. Can't say I'm surprised about Gianna being imprisoned. Were you? Do you think she is a really a member of the Voice. (Every time I say the Voice I think of the singing competition) Also is anyone else starting to feel like this is a 'witch trial'? "Are you the voice? Is she the voice? Is he the voice?" I am being paranoid, but hopefully I'm not alone in this.
I don't know about Gianna, but this is definitely having a Nazi Germany kind of ring to it. The seclusion, Border patrols, they had their own pregnancy camps where they were attempting to breed what Hitler deemed the "perfect" humans (I saw some show about it a long time ago and it just struck enough to remember it). It also has a communist feel to it in that you say the wrong thing and you go to jail.
9. I'm surprised that Madison is happy about her pregnancy even though there is a huge possibility of the baby dying. Do you think she should try to emotionally distance herself? How do you think you would feel (or handle the situation) if you were pregnant and knew it wouldn't end well?
It's torturing maddening and you don't want to believe it. You keep hoping the doctor's got it wrong and that by some miracle they'll make it. I had several miscarriages, but by far the worst was the one they caught before the actual symptoms of the miscarriage happened. They didn't find a heartbeat. It was the only one I had that they didn't send me to get a D&C for. It was also by far the most painful. Cramp that make you think you'll die.
I only had a day or so to come to terms with it, but to go the whole 9 months would be horrible. The difference here is that it appears the children are born and then die? I think that is what happened or were they still born?
10. Good call, Stefani! Although it seems implausible that Kira is the first one to have this thought (figuring out why the adults are immune to RM while newborns are not). Are the other researchers incredibly stupid/short sighted? Or are they just being tight lipped about their findings?
Not sure.
11. We've all been wondering about the Voice's motive. Isolde makes a great point: they are trying to destabilize the government through discord. What do you think of this theory? Do you have any different theories about their motives/goals?
Maybe there are partials roaming around and the Voice knows it? The people inside the city might not be privy to what those on the outside do. Maybe it's not the voice? The thing that bothers me most so far is the fact they haven't been able to contact anyone outside of Rhode Island. What if they are confined to the island as some type of confined experiment? How many partials were there? Could they truly have taken over all but Rhode island and why not just go in and get them? Surely if they could take over the rest of the US this place would be nothing to them?
12. Did the soldiers overstep their bounds while questioning Nandita? Did Kira?
No they are looking for any details they can find as to what is happening. They may also be looking for suspects. I think Kira should tread with a lighter foot or she may end up with Gianna.
13. I'm wondering if the researchers have tried to develop a vaccine for the babies. Think about it, vaccines usually have small dosages of the virus itself. So why not add weakened RM to the baby's immune system to see how it works?
I'm curious if there is some kind of oxygen aspect to the virus. You know how with cancer you open a person up and it spreads like wildfire? It'd be hard to vaccinate a child in the Uterus.
Stephani wrote, "I also have to complain a bit about Wells research here. "a garden of aromatic herbs"...like nutmeg? 2 seconds on Google will tell you that nutmeg is not an herb, its a seed from a tree. And as far as I know, there is no possible way the tree could thrive in the US unless the climate changed A LOT." Gah! I didn't even pay attention to the herbs listed. I think I skipped over it. I took a botany class in college and that was one of the plants we studied. I should have caught that.
Questions for Chapters 7 - 9 7. I hate to say it but I'm starting to suspect Nandita. She has the perfect setup to be a part of the Voice with her out of town visits. Plus the talk she had with Kira triggered some red flags. Am I being overly paranoid here?
I don't think she is. It usually does end up being the least suspicious person though.
8. Can't say I'm surprised about Gianna being imprisoned. Were you? Do you think she is a really a member of the Voice. (Every time I say the Voice I think of the singing competition) Also is anyone else starting to feel like this is a 'witch trial'? "Are you the voice? Is she the voice? Is he the voice?" I am being paranoid, but hopefully I'm not alone in this.
I had that feeling about her. I don't really think she is though. I won't be surprised if it turns into actual witch trials - "my neighbor said something bad about the gov't that I don't agree with - let me go tell someone that I think he's Voice.". Pretty soon that's all it will take - just suspicion.
9. I'm surprised that Madison is happy about her pregnancy even though there is a huge possibility of the baby dying. Do you think she should try to emotionally distance herself? How do you think you would feel (or handle the situation) if you were pregnant and knew it wouldn't end well?
I would do everything I could to not have to get pregnant - always go on supply runs or something. She's kidding herself if she thinks she'll be fine. I don't think the baby will live - if anything, Kira will have the one baby that survives.
10. Good call, Stefani! Although it seems implausible that Kira is the first one to have this thought (figuring out why the adults are immune to RM while newborns are not). Are the other researchers incredibly stupid/short sighted? Or are they just being tight lipped about their findings?
As much as I don't want it to be, this screams of gov't secrets. Maybe they are doing other things with the babies - that's a horrible thought.
11. We've all been wondering about the Voice's motive. Isolde makes a great point: they are trying to destabilize the government through discord. What do you think of this theory? Do you have any different theories about their motives/goals?
Makes sense. I want to know more about them - not just what we've been told. They could very well be completely right about everything.
12. Did the soldiers overstep their bounds while questioning Nandita? Did Kira?
Yes and yes. They were both very accusatory and unnecessarily harsh. There are easier ways to get your answers.
13. I'm wondering if the researchers have tried to develop a vaccine for the babies. Think about it, vaccines usually have small dosages of the virus itself. So why not add weakened RM to the baby's immune system to see how it works?
They've probably tried it - it's been over a decade. They had to have tried almost everything.
@ Laura10 - Sadly true. I wish more people would get involved, examine and question the decisions our superiors are making, but most don't even know what those decisions are.
@ Lisarenee
11 - Interesting theory about it being a confined experiment. I'm wondering how they all ended up where they were, too. I think, from hearing Gianna and Owen Tovar talk about the world before the Break, that the massacre with the Partials well and truly happened, but why is it they're all so convinced they're the last humans left? How would they know that? And I agree with you, it does seem odd that the Partials wouldn't just sweep in and wipe the rest of the humans out. Something strange is going on.
@Lisarenee and MaryI never thought about it being a controlled experiment. How interesting that would be! It does seem kind of odd that they are assuming that they are the only humans left. I wonder why they aren't more adventurous and try to find out if that is really true?
Sorry, y'all. The reading/questions were rushed. If you have anything else to add go for it!Questions for Chapters 10 - 14
14. Wistful sigh. I know a lot of people enjoy that the romance in the book is minimal but I love the little scenes with Kira and Marcus. I wish there were more of em'!
15. I'm actually surprised that so much research went into RM. Are the older citizens letting their past cloud their progress? Was the doctor right or wrong to deny Kira's request?
16. Whose resistance to Kira's plan shocked you the most, Marcus's or Madison's?
17. What are some of the problems you foresee this group having while on their quest to find the Partials?
Lisarenee wrote: "Sashana, Want me to do tomorrows?"That would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Psshh, these are great questions. Questions for Chapters 10 - 14
14. Wistful sigh. I know a lot of people enjoy that the romance in the book is minimal but I love the little scenes with Kira and Marcus. I wish there were more of em'!
I find their interactions pretty charming, too. I'm kinda hoping we don't end up with a love triangle with Jayden in the picture.
15. I'm actually surprised that so much research went into RM. Are the older citizens letting their past cloud their progress? Was the doctor right or wrong to deny Kira's request?
I can see where the older citizens and the doctor are coming from, and Kira is taking a huge risk, gambling with all of their lives. However, she is right - if somebody doesn't do something, they're all going to die anyway.
16. Whose resistance to Kira's plan shocked you the most, Marcus's or Madison's?
Marcus's. I understand Madison's viewpoint - she doesn't want people risking their lives for her. I expected Marcus to go with Kira, though.
17. What are some of the problems you foresee this group having while on their quest to find the Partials?
Death? That's a problem. Lots of "Are you secretly a Partial? Are YOU?" (This is where I really start to see the Battlestar Galactica comparison.) Also, and I'm putting this behind a spoiler tag, because it might be a big AHH moment later on, (view spoiler)
*blush* Thank you, Mary. #14 - I was worried about a possible love triangle too but Jayden just seems douchy to me. Plus Dan Wells seems to be going light on the romance.
#17 - The biggest problem that I see happening is that we have too many strong willed people (if that's possible). Kira will want her way, Jayden and Haru are definitely alpha males too. Too many cooks in the kitchen as my granny would say.
Sashana wrote: "*blush* Thank you, Mary. #14 - I was worried about a possible love triangle too but Jayden just seems douchy to me. Plus Dan Wells seems to be going light on the romance.
#17 - The biggest prob..."
True, but most douchy guys in YA novels get the girl. That's how it feels to me, anyway...
I honestly don't think we'll see a romance with Jayden, though, as we haven't seen a whole lot of the two of them together so far. I think I expected it in the beginning, after their first snarky interaction, and after both he and Marcus tried to help her out of the wagon. But that's about it, as far as Jayden-Kira time goes.
Questions for Chapters 10 - 14 14. Wistful sigh. I know a lot of people enjoy that the romance in the book is minimal but I love the little scenes with Kira and Marcus. I wish there were more of em'!
I think they are cute, but I do like the lack of romance.
15. I'm actually surprised that so much research went into RM. Are the older citizens letting their past cloud their progress? Was the doctor right or wrong to deny Kira's request?
I think so - the past clouding progress. They're so afraid of the Partials, and you can't really blame them. They need to be realistic though - even without another war, the human race is dying out.
16. Whose resistance to Kira's plan shocked you the most, Marcus's or Madison's?
Marcus. Wasn't that surprised though. He just wants her to live.
17. What are some of the problems you foresee this group having while on their quest to find the Partials?
I totally agree with Mary. There will be some suspicion and accusations. Death too.
Questions for Chapters 10 - 14 14. Wistful sigh. I know a lot of people enjoy that the romance in the book is minimal but I love the little scenes with Kira and Marcus. I wish there were more of em'!
Me too, though I find that I'm not all that into Marcus. He's too....passive for me. I am really happy the romance angle is pretty mild so far, I'm tired of over the top insta-love YA books.
15. I'm actually surprised that so much research went into RM. Are the older citizens letting their past cloud their progress? Was the doctor right or wrong to deny Kira's request?
I think they both have really good points. She doesn't know how it was during the RM virus, but he is fearful based on the past. And I think it's really easy for Kira to say it's worth the risk when she has never seen what the Partials are capable of and really never even seen one ever.
16. Whose resistance to Kira's plan shocked you the most, Marcus's or Madison's?
Probably Madison. I can see her point of view since this is her husband, but I thought she'd agree to the others going for the sake of her baby. Not surprised by Marcus but it didn't endear him to me either.
17. What are some of the problems you foresee this group having while on their quest to find the Partials?
I think there will be problems or attacks from Partials. And I think they will have underestimated how difficult this may be, and that's when the finger pointing will start. The same way we've seen, "maybe she's the Voice, no he's definitely the Voice", it will start with "maybe he's a Partial, maybe she is she's acting weird.
Questions for Chapters 10 - 14 14. Wistful sigh. I know a lot of people enjoy that the romance in the book is minimal but I love the little scenes with Kira and Marcus. I wish there were more of em'!
With Markus' resistance I'm curious if it will create a rift between them.
15. I'm actually surprised that so much research went into RM. Are the older citizens letting their past cloud their progress? Was the doctor right or wrong to deny Kira's request?
I think he was right and wrong. There are two sides to every argument and each had a legitimate claim.
16. Whose resistance to Kira's plan shocked you the most, Marcus's or Madison's?
Marcus's
17. What are some of the problems you foresee this group having while on their quest to find the Partials?
They have no idea what they might encounter and how do you stop a Partial? How will they convince people not to punish them for ignoring the rules? There are so many unknowns when going into unknown territory and dealing with an enemy you know nothing about. I feared they wouldn't find any Partials.
Questions for Chapters 10 - 14 14. Wistful sigh. I know a lot of people enjoy that the romance in the book is minimal but I love the little scenes with Kira and Marcus. I wish there were more of em'!
I love romances but I don't really care for Marcus at all. I don't like Jayden though either. I think it will be one or the other. I don't think it will be a love triangle feel though. I am enjoying the book either way.
15. I'm actually surprised that so much research went into RM. Are the older citizens letting their past cloud their progress? Was the doctor right or wrong to deny Kira's request?
I think he was wrong. Its obvious that what they are doing already is getting them nowhere. I think that it might have to do with them being so fearful of the partials. They are scared to go beyond their borders.
16. Whose resistance to Kira's plan shocked you the most, Marcus's or Madison's?
Marcus's, I think that Madison resisting is just that of any mom to be. Marcus's reasons seemed purely selfish.
17. What are some of the problems you foresee this group having while on their quest to find the Partials?
It seems like their differing opinions on how to do things is what is going to cause them the most trouble in my opinion. I also agree with Mary about the accusing and suspicions that every one seems to have with each other.
I just had this thought about a possible love triangle....we discover this part in today's reading, but I'll list it as a spoiler anyway just in case. What if the love triangle is....(view spoiler)
Questions for Chapters 15 - 18.18) Haru is not impressing me. I'm not sure what to think of him. He was the one who wanted to check out who was in the building and I think he made the right choice to go investigate. They were supposed to find a Partial after all, but some of his actions really bother me. I didn't think killing Scruffy was necessary and why was no one bothered by this?
19) Do you think Nick or Steve (aka Skinny and Scruffy) were in on the Partial takeover? We kept hearing that partials look like anyone else do you think either of them were in on it or do you think people are getting way to paranoid?
20) Do you think it's wise to take a Partial into the city? They remind me a bit of weebles--weebles wobble but they don't fall down. In the case of Partials it'd go Partials can be blasted but they won't lie down. Those guys are tough buggers. images of The Terminator and Robo Cop came to mind.
21) Do you think they're making Kira out to be a scape goat by letting her have 5 days with the Partial? That's not much time and why didn't they give her an assistant?
22) Smoking hot Partials. Could this prove to be a problem for Kira? Could she end up attracted to the Partial?
23) It really bothered me that Marcus didn't volunteer to go with Kira. Could he be a Partial or a member of the Voice who couldn't leave his position to be suspect in anything?
24) Partials can't reproduce. Does that mean the capability was taken away or it just never existed. Could they reproduce with a human? Could a genetic splice and dice take place? I wish we knew more about Partials. I'm wondering if they're like bionic people? Would there be enough human in them to make a non machine type child? But since they can think for themselves can they really be thought of as machines?
@ Stefani - I agree with you. I can definitely see the story going there, and I wouldn't mind it going in that direction, to be honest... :)
Stephani, didn't see your post before posting today's questions. We're on the same page. lol
Lisarenee wrote: "Stephani, didn't see your post before posting today's questions. We're on the same page. lol"I noticed that too, too funny lol.
Questions for Chapters 15 - 18.18) Haru is not impressing me. I'm not sure what to think of him. He was the one who wanted to check out who was in the building and I think he made the right choice to go investigate. They were supposed to find a Partial after all, but some of his actions really bother me. I didn't think killing Scruffy was necessary and why was no one bothered by this?
I'm very, very suspicious of Haru. Why did he need to kill Scruffy? If Scruffy was a Partial, or even a Partial sympathizer, surely the best course of action would be to take him back with them, to interrogate him? His actions were strange.
19) Do you think Nick or Steve (aka Skinny and Scruffy) were in on the Partial takeover? We kept hearing that partials look like anyone else do you think either of them were in on it or do you think people are getting way to paranoid?
At least one of them was, yes. I hope we find out, though. I want to know if Scruffy was a bad guy or if Haru killed an innocent man.
20) Do you think it's wise to take a Partial into the city? They remind me a bit of weebles--weebles wobble but they don't fall down. In the case of Partials it'd go Partials can be blasted but they won't lie down. Those guys are tough buggers. images of The Terminator and Robo Cop came to mind.
Hah, weebles. I'm definitely reminded of Terminator a lot. No, it probably wasn't wise to bring a Partial into the city, but what else could they do? I'm glad Kira is getting to study him. Their interactions are very interesting and raise a lot of questions.
21) Do you think they're making Kira out to be a scape goat by letting her have 5 days with the Partial? That's not much time and why didn't they give her an assistant?
Good question. I have no idea. They clearly have their own agenda, their own secrets, and plenty of lies. I'm inclined to believe what the Partial said, though, that his species wasn't responsible for RM. But who was?
22) Smoking hot Partials. Could this prove to be a problem for Kira? Could she end up attracted to the Partial?
Heh, I'm actually hoping for this. :-) The Partial, to me, is more interesting than Marcus (despite charming dialogue between Marcus and Kira), and the dynamic between Kira and the Partial is really intriguing to me. I don't know that I'm expecting a romance between these two, though.
23) It really bothered me that Marcus didn't volunteer to go with Kira. Could he be a Partial or a member of the Voice who couldn't leave his position to be suspect in anything?
I don't think so. I just think he was worried about Kira and didn't want to lose her. What she was proposing was incredibly risky and she had almost no plan whatsoever. I mean, I can understand completely. It bothered me too, especially when they fought afterwards, but I do understand that he just wanted to keep her safe.
24) Partials can't reproduce. Does that mean the capability was taken away or it just never existed. Could they reproduce with a human? Could a genetic splice and dice take place? I wish we knew more about Partials. I'm wondering if they're like bionic people? Would there be enough human in them to make a non machine type child? But since they can think for themselves can they really be thought of as machines?
It must have never been created in their biology. It would be interesting if they could reproduce with a human and create a RM-free child. It would open up many possibilities. I don't think they can be thought of as machines. It's kind of like Battlestar Galactica, when everyone calls the Cylons "toasters," in the beginning (same sort of premise...they were created by humans and rebelled, and they look like humans), but they realize throughout the course of the series that Cylons think and feel just as humans do.
Questions for Chapters 15 - 18.18) Haru is not impressing me. I'm not sure what to think of him. He was the one who wanted to check out who was in the building and I think he made the right choice to go investigate. They were supposed to find a Partial after all, but some of his actions really bother me. I didn't think killing Scruffy was necessary and why was no one bothered by this?
I think there was a good point made...one of the two of them is one of the bad guys. You can't know for sure which one it is. And they already have one Partial to deal with on the way back, no sense in making it possibly 2. But I don't think killing him was necessary, just leave him on the other side of the bridge tied up or knocked out or something.
19) Do you think Nick or Steve (aka Skinny and Scruffy) were in on the Partial takeover? We kept hearing that partials look like anyone else do you think either of them were in on it or do you think people are getting way to paranoid?
I agree with Haru that it looks like one of them is in on it. The conflicting messages within seconds of each other by 2 professionals was really weird.
20) Do you think it's wise to take a Partial into the city? They remind me a bit of weebles--weebles wobble but they don't fall down. In the case of Partials it'd go Partials can be blasted but they won't lie down. Those guys are tough buggers. images of The Terminator and Robo Cop came to mind.
I don't think its a good idea, but they don't have too many other choices.
21) Do you think they're making Kira out to be a scape goat by letting her have 5 days with the Partial? That's not much time and why didn't they give her an assistant?
I think they are looking at this as a win-win-win situation. If she's successful and figures out the cure, they can pat themselves on the back and tell the community "Look at how wise we were to let this Partial into our midst and have our brightest young person study it". If she fails, no one has to know about it at all. If the Partial escapes then they can label it Kira's idea and she is the one to blame for their destruction and wash their hands of all of it.
22) Smoking hot Partials. Could this prove to be a problem for Kira? Could she end up attracted to the Partial?
I am really hoping so. I don't like Marcus and I have a feeling Kira will be surprised by this Partial and just how human he is.
23) It really bothered me that Marcus didn't volunteer to go with Kira. Could he be a Partial or a member of the Voice who couldn't leave his position to be suspect in anything?
I think he's just a bit weak, he was scared and didn't want to go and so tried to control her out of going. And now that she did he's mad that she didn't listen to him.
24) Partials can't reproduce. Does that mean the capability was taken away or it just never existed. Could they reproduce with a human? Could a genetic splice and dice take place? I wish we knew more about Partials. I'm wondering if they're like bionic people? Would there be enough human in them to make a non machine type child? But since they can think for themselves can they really be thought of as machines?
From what I gather from the trailer for this book, Partials are just genetically modified humans. They took the DNA of a human, tinkered around with it to create a perfect soldier and viola Partials! But in that tinkering probably altered the ability to reproduce. The book is very vague on this and I think it's with book reason that it's vague on the origins of Partials. But the trailer gave me more of a modified human vibe than a cyborg vibe.
Stefani,18 - Good point about the fact that, if Scruffy were a Partial, it would be difficult and dangerous to bring both him and the other Partial back with them (considering they were all wounded, tired, etc.). I hadn't thought of that.
I was just thinking, what was that whole comment about "Which group is this?" Are there more groups coming in to the city? I'm starting to agree more and more with you Stefani that Scruffy or Skinny or both were in on it. Plus, wasn't there a comment about how they could be so quiet when they moved and Kira kept wondering how they got from one place to the other so fast?
I finally found a copy of this today, 3 days late :( I'll have to come back to see everyone's thoughts and answers to the questions once i start to read it!
Questions for Chapters 15 - 18.18) Haru is not impressing me. I'm not sure what to think of him. He was the one who wanted to check out who was in the building and I think he made the right choice to go investigate. They were supposed to find a Partial after all, but some of his actions really bother me. I didn't think killing Scruffy was necessary and why was no one bothered by this?
I'm finding Haru very annoying. Maybe he's Voice?
19) Do you think Nick or Steve (aka Skinny and Scruffy) were in on the Partial takeover? We kept hearing that partials look like anyone else do you think either of them were in on it or do you think people are getting way to paranoid?
Yes - one of them at least. The paranoia is just going to get worse, I think. I wouldn't be surprised if someone comes up with a test - like the Cylon test on Battlestar Galactica. It's been said before, but this book reminds me so much of BSG.
20) Do you think it's wise to take a Partial into the city? They remind me a bit of weebles--weebles wobble but they don't fall down. In the case of Partials it'd go Partials can be blasted but they won't lie down. Those guys are tough buggers. images of The Terminator and Robo Cop came to mind.
Nope. We all know something will happen.
21) Do you think they're making Kira out to be a scape goat by letting her have 5 days with the Partial? That's not much time and why didn't they give her an assistant?
Feels that way to me. They wanted to limit exposure to the Partial, so no assistant.
22) Smoking hot Partials. Could this prove to be a problem for Kira? Could she end up attracted to the Partial?
Most likely.
23) It really bothered me that Marcus didn't volunteer to go with Kira. Could he be a Partial or a member of the Voice who couldn't leave his position to be suspect in anything?
I don't think so. He was just scared.
24) Partials can't reproduce. Does that mean the capability was taken away or it just never existed. Could they reproduce with a human? Could a genetic splice and dice take place? I wish we knew more about Partials. I'm wondering if they're like bionic people? Would there be enough human in them to make a non machine type child? But since they can think for themselves can they really be thought of as machines?
If Jurassic Park ever taught us anything, it's 'life will find a way'.
Questions for Chapters 15 - 18.18) Haru is not impressing me. I'm not sure what to think of him. He was the one who wanted to check out who was in the building and I think he made the right choice to go investigate. They were supposed to find a Partial after all, but some of his actions really bother me. I didn't think killing Scruffy was necessary and why was no one bothered by this?
I think Kira was bothered by it, but didn't press the matter. Haru's actions seemed a bit odd shady to me too. I didn't like how he didn't even give Scruffy a chance to say anything at all. He should have taken him back and had a Senate hearing.
19) Do you think Nick or Steve (aka Skinny and Scruffy) were in on the Partial takeover? We kept hearing that partials look like anyone else do you think either of them were in on it or do you think people are getting way to paranoid?
I am not sure what to think. Anything could have happened to them when they were away from the group. They don't really seem to know much about the Partials, so who is to say they don't have some other super powers that allowed them to get information about what their group was doing.
20) Do you think it's wise to take a Partial into the city? They remind me a bit of weebles--weebles wobble but they don't fall down. In the case of Partials it'd go Partials can be blasted but they won't lie down. Those guys are tough buggers. images of The Terminator and Robo Cop came to mind.
I think that under the circumstances they have to do some things that might not be safe. If they don't get more information from the Partials, then they might never find out about RM and then the human race would be extinct. I say that even though it may not be wise, it was the right thing to do.
21) Do you think they're making Kira out to be a scape goat by letting her have 5 days with the Partial? That's not much time and why didn't they give her an assistant?
It definitely seems to be pointing towards a corrupt government. I wouldn't be surprised.
22) Smoking hot Partials. Could this prove to be a problem for Kira? Could she end up attracted to the Partial?
I hope so! I think it would make a unique plot twist and would also make for a better story.
23) It really bothered me that Marcus didn't volunteer to go with Kira. Could he be a Partial or a member of the Voice who couldn't leave his position to be suspect in anything?
I don't think so. I think he was just angry that Kira wanted to go in the first place. He seems like one of those stubborn somewhat controlling people that needs to have things go their way. He seems selfish. I don't think that makes him a Partial or part of the Voice.
24) Partials can't reproduce. Does that mean the capability was taken away or it just never existed. Could they reproduce with a human? Could a genetic splice and dice take place? I wish we knew more about Partials. I'm wondering if they're like bionic people? Would there be enough human in them to make a non machine type child? But since they can think for themselves can they really be thought of as machines?
I think the reproducing with humans would be an awesome story line, but a lot maybe wouldn't like it. I don't think they were ever able to produce with each other, but I could be wrong. We really don't know that much about them.
I'll have today's questions up by 8:30 EST. If anyone would like to create questions for the remaining days let me know.
I've never done discussion questions for one of these before, but I'll be glad to help out if you guys need me to. Just let me know!
Thanks, Mary! Just choose a day (the 27th - 30th are all available) and let me know which day works best for you.
Questions for Chapters 19 - 23
25. Kira is obviously starting to form a bond with Samm. Do you think she will get in trouble for sympathizing with him? There are cameras watching their every move and no one wants Samm in town. I'm worried that she might get herself labeled as a member of the Voice.
26. "The Partials are engineered, she thought. A switch like that...could have been built right into them."
Could it be that the Partials were built intentionally to carry the RM virus with them? That the virus was 'manufactured' and not an accident?
27. Why would the Voice attack East Meadow for Samm? Were they trying to rescue him? It doesn't seem like they would go through all that trouble to capture and kill him. Is if possible that the Voice may have an alliance with the Partials?
28. "All we need is three and a half more days, right? Then we destroy it [Samm] and be done." Hobb shook his head. "It's not enough to just destroy it, like we've said before...we need to appear blameless."
What do you think this means for Samm? It seems like they are planning something bigger than death for him but what can be worse than death?
29. I loved the little tidbit Samm shared about working in the mines and wanting (and failing) to advance with what he was given. It made him seem more human. What did you think of the exchange?
30. Do you think the pheromones used to communicate will play a part in curing RM?
31. Kira and Marcus's relationship started off very light and jovial. Now, it is transforming. What do you think of their relationship? Of Marcus? Is he trying to control Kira's decisions?
32. Why would the government lower the pregnancy age now? We knew it was a possibility but wouldn't it be better to wait until they had the results of Kira's experiments? Then they could reveal that they exhausted all their options. Are they stupid, desperate, or trying to provoke citizens?
Sashana wrote: "Thanks, Mary! Just choose a day (the 27th - 30th are all available) and let me know which day works best for you."The 29th would probably be the best day for me, but if it looks like you don't have anybody for tomorrow, let me know and I can do my best to come up with some questions.
Questions for Chapters 19 - 23 25. Kira is obviously starting to form a bond with Samm. Do you think she will get in trouble for sympathizing with him? There are cameras watching their every move and no one wants Samm in town. I'm worried that she might get herself labeled as a member of the Voice.
I'm worried about this as well. It seems like he can't tell her things he wants to tell her without the wrong people overhearing. I'm hoping she will try to help Samm escape, but I honestly don't know what will happen.
26. "The Partials are engineered, she thought. A switch like that...could have been built right into them."
Could it be that the Partials were built intentionally to carry the RM virus with them? That the virus was 'manufactured' and not an accident?
I think that's what happened. I think that someone built them to spread the virus intentionally, or included it in their biology when building them. Who, though? Who would do that? And why? Lots of questions.
27. Why would the Voice attack East Meadow for Samm? Were they trying to rescue him? It doesn't seem like they would go through all that trouble to capture and kill him. Is if possible that the Voice may have an alliance with the Partials?
Ah, good question. Perhaps they knew of Samm's existence and merely wanted to raise awareness of it to the community? Still trying to figure out the Voice and its intentions. Everything they do seems odd to me.
28. "All we need is three and a half more days, right? Then we destroy it [Samm] and be done." Hobb shook his head. "It's not enough to just destroy it, like we've said before...we need to appear blameless."
What do you think this means for Samm? It seems like they are planning something bigger than death for him but what can be worse than death?
I don't know. It seems like they want to have a plan in place should it leak that they were hiding a Partial under everyone's noses. I think they want to shift the blame, or perhaps feign ignorance.
29. I loved the little tidbit Samm shared about working in the mines and wanting (and failing) to advance with what he was given. It made him seem more human. What did you think of the exchange?
I loved this, too. Really, though, it was eye-opening, both for the reader and Kira. It was interesting learning about what it was like for Partials after the Isolation War, what they went through, and how they were treated.
30. Do you think the pheromones used to communicate will play a part in curing RM?
It wouldn't make sense to me why they would, as it doesn't have anything to do with the virus itself, but I don't know. I sort of skim some of the medical jargon at times, so I could be wrong.
31. Kira and Marcus's relationship started off very light and jovial. Now, it is transforming. What do you think of their relationship? Of Marcus? Is he trying to control Kira's decisions?
I think he wants to protect her, to keep her safe. And he loves her very much and knows that he wants to be with her forever. There's nothing wrong with that. But she's learning that she's different from him, that she isn't content with playing house and making babies. She wants to change the world, and he doesn't seem to want that as much as she does. I think we're starting to see some foreshadowing that she isn't content with him, that their relationship might not make it.
32. Why would the government lower the pregnancy age now? We knew it was a possibility but wouldn't it be better to wait until they had the results of Kira's experiments? Then they could reveal that they exhausted all their options. Are they stupid, desperate, or trying to provoke citizens?
I can't believe they're not waiting until after Kira's study is over. Maybe this is a plot device, to provoke a sense of urgency in the novel. Or perhaps they are desperate, and they don't see a way around it. Either way, it's very frustrating.
Mary wrote: "Sashana wrote: "The 29th would probably be the best day for me, but if it looks l..."I can handle tomorrow. I'll put you down for the 29th. Thanks, Mary!
Questions for Chapters 19 - 23 25. Kira is obviously starting to form a bond with Samm. Do you think she will get in trouble for sympathizing with him? There are cameras watching their every move and no one wants Samm in town. I'm worried that she might get herself labeled as a member of the Voice.
I am pretty sure that she will be in trouble if it gets any more serious than it already is. It sounds like the government is one step away from dictator like tendencies. I wouldn't be surprised if they used her as a way to put fear into the people.
26. "The Partials are engineered, she thought. A switch like that...could have been built right into them."
Could it be that the Partials were built intentionally to carry the RM virus with them? That the virus was 'manufactured' and not an accident?
I got the impression early on that they were more like humans than robots. I wouldn't be surprise if the government somehow created these super humans as a way to transmit the virus. It also sounds like they may be using the Partials as scapegoats for the virus. Maybe the government unleashed it and they are using the Partials to blame it on them.
27. Why would the Voice attack East Meadow for Samm? Were they trying to rescue him? It doesn't seem like they would go through all that trouble to capture and kill him. Is if possible that the Voice may have an alliance with the Partials?
I still think that the Partials may be the voice. If not I definitely think that the voice and the Partials are somehow connected.
28. "All we need is three and a half more days, right? Then we destroy it [Samm] and be done." Hobb shook his head. "It's not enough to just destroy it, like we've said before...we need to appear blameless."
What do you think this means for Samm? It seems like they are planning something bigger than death for him but what can be worse than death?
I am curious about this too, but I can't seem to come up with anything that makes any sense. Guess I will just have to wait to find out.
29. I loved the little tidbit Samm shared about working in the mines and wanting (and failing) to advance with what he was given. It made him seem more human. What did you think of the exchange?
I like Samm a lot. I think that he is a good Partial and that he truly doesn't want to harm humans. He just wants to belong somewhere and have friends and family.
30. Do you think the pheromones used to communicate will play a part in curing RM?
Its possible. I definitely think it will play a big role in what is to come in the book. It may not have to do with the cure though.
31. Kira and Marcus's relationship started off very light and jovial. Now, it is transforming. What do you think of their relationship? Of Marcus? Is he trying to control Kira's decisions?
I didn't really like Marcus after the whole scene about looking for the Partial. He just rubbed me the wrong way. He isn't really doing anything to redeem himself either. I think he just loves her so much that he wants her all to himself regardless of how she feels and what she wants.
32. Why would the government lower the pregnancy age now? We knew it was a possibility but wouldn't it be better to wait until they had the results of Kira's experiments? Then they could reveal that they exhausted all their options. Are they stupid, desperate, or trying to provoke citizens?
I think they are trying to show the citizens that they are truly in control. I also think that they have a hidden agenda behind all of the births that we don't know about yet.
@Mary#31- very well said. I totally agree with you. I don't think he is a bad person, I just don't think he is the right person for Kira. When people get desperate they try to set limits and I think that is what is happening here when we see Marcus get controlling a bit.
Questions for Chapters 19 - 23 25. Kira is obviously starting to form a bond with Samm. Do you think she will get in trouble for sympathizing with him? There are cameras watching their every move and no one wants Samm in town. I'm worried that she might get herself labeled as a member of the Voice.
Kira will definitely be in trouble. Samm is already a 'he' not an 'it' to her. Like it or not, she already cares.
26. "The Partials are engineered, she thought. A switch like that...could have been built right into them."
Could it be that the Partials were built intentionally to carry the RM virus with them? That the virus was 'manufactured' and not an accident?
I bet they were engineered to carry viruses like that, but not RM specifically. If used in warfare, they would need a virus that wouldn't spread as easily and acted quickly - killing the host before it could mutate and change contagion vectors.
27. Why would the Voice attack East Meadow for Samm? Were they trying to rescue him? It doesn't seem like they would go through all that trouble to capture and kill him. Is if possible that the Voice may have an alliance with the Partials?
Maybe the Voice is a group of Partials pretending to be humans. I don't think they are though. I'll be glad when we learn more about them.
28. "All we need is three and a half more days, right? Then we destroy it [Samm] and be done." Hobb shook his head. "It's not enough to just destroy it, like we've said before...we need to appear blameless."
What do you think this means for Samm? It seems like they are planning something bigger than death for him but what can be worse than death?
They are probably planning on releasing him and killing him as he's 'invading' Long Island. He'll escape though. With Kira's help, I'm sure.
29. I loved the little tidbit Samm shared about working in the mines and wanting (and failing) to advance with what he was given. It made him seem more human. What did you think of the exchange?
It makes you feel sorry for him. Partials aren't going to be the uber-bad guys they are made out to be.
30. Do you think the pheromones used to communicate will play a part in curing RM?
Not really. I wonder if it will be used to out Partial spies on Long Island.
31. Kira and Marcus's relationship started off very light and jovial. Now, it is transforming. What do you think of their relationship? Of Marcus? Is he trying to control Kira's decisions?
I don't really like Marcus. If Kira stays with him, I can see him become very controlling and maybe even abusive - emotionally, probably.
32. Why would the government lower the pregnancy age now? We knew it was a possibility but wouldn't it be better to wait until they had the results of Kira's experiments? Then they could reveal that they exhausted all their options. Are they stupid, desperate, or trying to provoke citizens?
It almost feels like they lowered it because of the Voice's message - like "Oh yeah? Let's see what you think about this." This could also be their way of outing Voice members - the people who complain the loudest must be Voice. Yay paranoia!
@ Laura26 - I agree with you. What I can't understand is why someone would do that in the first place, wipe out the entire population. Perhaps the virus wasn't meant to wipe out humans so quickly, but it evolved into a strain that did. Kira's been studying different versions of the virus - perhaps the first version was much different than what it became. *shrug* I'm anxious for answers.
31 - Good point about Marcus getting desperate. I'm pretty ready for their relationship to be over. It was cute at first, but I get more and more frustrated with him.
@ Alley
30 - Ooh, that's an interesting theory. I wonder how they would manage to use the pheromones in that situation.
32 - Yes, I definitely think with all the Voice attacks, the Senate became incredibly desperate to lower it, to "keep the peace." If I were living there, it would only make me angrier, though, and more unhappy. And I do think the government's paranoia will start to increase as their control starts slipping.
Mary wrote: "@ Laura26 - I agree with you. What I can't understand is why someone would do that in the first place, wipe out the entire population. Perhaps the virus wasn't meant to wipe out humans so quickly..."
Yeah the whys of this are really making me want to know more.
Questions for Chapters 24 - 27
33. Do you believe that Samm and the Partials want peace? He could be using this as a way to escape by playing on Kira's trust and curiosity. The whole we want peace thing seems too ideal and convinent.
34. Kira found a new form of RM in the blood sample she received from the newborn. Why isn't this new virus affecting the adults? It seems suspicious than an airborne disease would only affect babies when everyone is breathing the same air (and the adults have been exposed to it much longer). Is someone intentionally trying to target newborns?
35. "You have to help me...My heart is stopping...The beats are too erratic."
Okay, I know this is fiction but I don't think anyone would say this while getting electrocuted (or immediately after). They would be too busy screaming their head off or passed out.
36. Are you surprised that Mkele and Skousen killed Shaylon? Do you think they will attempt to kill Kira after her time with Samm is up? She won't be an "asset" if she fails to find the cure.
37. So many shockers! What did you did more surprising: the revelation that the Partials are dying, that the Senate blew up their own hospital, or Isolde's love child with Hobb (eww!) ?
38. Speaking of Isolde should we be weary of her? She's friends with people who oppose the government but she's carrying the future child of 'Uncle Sam'. She can't possibly coexist peacefully without her choosing a side.
39. The stupidity of the senate surprises me. They do something evil genius like setting a bomb and using Samm as a scapegoat but then they let Kira "recuperate" and "take her time". Are they honestly stupid enough to believe that she's not going to do something? The same girl who defied them to find a Partial? How short sighted are they?
40. I know why the humans would need the Partials (they hold the key to curing RM) but why would the Partials need the humans? I doubt anyone knows how to extend their expiration date. I guess I can say that I'm paranoid about the Partials too.
Questions for Chapters 24 - 27 33. Do you believe that Samm and the Partials want peace? He could be using this as a way to escape by playing on Kira's trust and curiosity. The whole we want peace thing seems too ideal and convinent.
I think that he is being serious. It sounds like the government is the only group here with ulterior motives. I was hoping for something a little different, but it seems like the same old song and dance.
34. Kira found a new form of RM in the blood sample she received from the newborn. Why isn't this new virus affecting the adults? It seems suspicious than an airborne disease would only affect babies when everyone is breathing the same air (and the adults have been exposed to it much longer). Is someone intentionally trying to target newborns?
I am leaning towards this not really being a new strain. I don't think she knows enough about the virus to determine what exactly it is. I think the reason it effects babies is because they have not had a chance to build up an immunity to it. I am wondering though why they haven't found a way to keep the babies safe until they build up an immunity. It seems like the world was pretty advanced before the break happened.
35. "You have to help me...My heart is stopping...The beats are too erratic."
Okay, I know this is fiction but I don't think anyone would say this while getting electrocuted (or immediately after). They would be too busy screaming their head off or passed out.
I agree. It seemed a bit far fetched.
36. Are you surprised that Mkele and Skousen killed Shaylon? Do you think they will attempt to kill Kira after her time with Samm is up? She won't be an "asset" if she fails to find the cure.
I am not surprised at all. The author was already giving hints about a government conspiracy. I think they will try to kill her once she tries to escape with the partial but not because she can't find a cure. They already stated that she was an asset because people follow her. It is like she is a natural born leader and they aren't giving her a chance to finish finding a cure.
37. So many shockers! What did you did more surprising: the revelation that the Partials are dying, that the Senate blew up their own hospital, or Isolde's love child with Hobb (eww!) ?
Definitely Isolde's love child with Hobb. I think she was lying when she said it was consentual. What a creeper.
38. Speaking of Isolde should we be weary of her? She's friends with people who oppose the government but she's carrying the future child of 'Uncle Sam'. She can't possibly coexist peacefully without her choosing a side.
I think due to my response on 37, that Isolde will be even more willing to help them escape. If Hobbs truly did rape her, as I suspect, then she is going to want to get back at him.
39. The stupidity of the senate surprises me. They do something evil genius like setting a bomb and using Samm as a scapegoat but then they let Kira "recuperate" and "take her time". Are they honestly stupid enough to believe that she's not going to do something? The same girl who defied them to find a Partial? How short sighted are they?
They do seem like idiots. I am surprised that after her walking up all those stairs and interrupting their meeting they didn't place her under lock and key. It all seems so dumb and not realistic to me.
40. I know why the humans would need the Partials (they hold the key to curing RM) but why would the Partials need the humans? I doubt anyone knows how to extend their expiration date. I guess I can say that I'm paranoid about the Partials too.
Maybe they think that they could impregnate a human or that the humans can help them figure out how to extend their expiration date. Surely there are some really smart humans left. Maybe they could at least create some more partials. I guess I want to believe that the partials are good.
@ Laura#37 - I think it was consensual because Isolde had a crush on Hobb earlier. But then again, I wouldn't be surprised if he did force himself on her.
#38 - For some reason I think that if push came to shove she would pick Hobb. Especially now that she is carrying his child. I wonder how people will react when they find out. Will they brush it off because they need to build the population anyway? Or will they be outraged that he was with a teenager?
#39 - Another thing I feel is unrealistic is how Kira openly talks back to the government without repercussions.
Sashana wrote: "@ Laura#37 - I think it was consensual because Isolde had a crush on Hobb earlier. But then again, I wouldn't be surprised if he did force himself on her.
#38 - For some reason I think that if p..."
I must have missed the crush thing. I thought she just admired him because of his work. It will lead for some interesting pages ahead.
Laura wrote: "I must have missed the crush thing. I thought she just admired him because of his work. It will lead for some interesting pages ahead."Hmmm it could have been admiration. I wish I had marked it in my book. I'll try to find the passage again tonight.
Questions for Chapters 24 - 27 33. Do you believe that Samm and the Partials want peace? He could be using this as a way to escape by playing on Kira's trust and curiosity. The whole we want peace thing seems too ideal and convinent.
I believe Samm. I suppose it is convenient, and it would make a pretty shocking twist if he were lying all along, but when he saved her in the explosion and said “I’m right here,” or something like that, I just knew that he was good.
34. Kira found a new form of RM in the blood sample she received from the newborn. Why isn't this new virus affecting the adults? It seems suspicious than an airborne disease would only affect babies when everyone is breathing the same air (and the adults have been exposed to it much longer). Is someone intentionally trying to target newborns?
Full disclosure: I understand none of this virus talk. I tend to confuse myself when I start thinking about it. I like Laura’s point, though, about the babies not having time to build up immunity to it yet.
35. "You have to help me...My heart is stopping...The beats are too erratic."
Okay, I know this is fiction but I don't think anyone would say this while getting electrocuted (or immediately after). They would be too busy screaming their head off or passed out.
Yeah, this was odd. It seemed like as her mind was going all fuzzy, all she could think was, I am being electrocuted, I am being electrocuted, and the medical mind in her started to panic about her heart rate. Seems implausible, and it probably is, but whenever my sister gets injured badly, she doesn’t scream, or cry out or anything. She just calmly tries to figure out what’s medically wrong with her, whilst tears stream down her face.
36. Are you surprised that Mkele and Skousen killed Shaylon? Do you think they will attempt to kill Kira after her time with Samm is up? She won't be an "asset" if she fails to find the cure.
Not surprised - it just made me hate them more. If Kira manages to escape with Samm, she’ll definitely be on their hit-list. She knows way too much and she’ll be working alongside a Partial.
37. So many shockers! What did you did more surprising: the revelation that the Partials are dying, that the Senate blew up their own hospital, or Isolde's love child with Hobb (eww!) ?
Isolde’s love child, followed closely by the Partials’ revelation. I figured the Senate would be behind the blast, the scuzzy slimeballs. I hadn’t thought that Isolde might have been raped. I’ll have to look back at that passage, but I remember Kira saying that Isolde had a huge crush on Hobb at one point.
38. Speaking of Isolde should we be weary of her? She's friends with people who oppose the government but she's carrying the future child of 'Uncle Sam'. She can't possibly coexist peacefully without her choosing a side.
I think so, yes. With Hobb the father of her child, it might be hard for her to pick sides. He might even start using her against her friends.
39. The stupidity of the senate surprises me. They do something evil genius like setting a bomb and using Samm as a scapegoat but then they let Kira "recuperate" and "take her time". Are they honestly stupid enough to believe that she's not going to do something? The same girl who defied them to find a Partial? How short sighted are they?
Yes, leaving her along seems unrealistic. I know they bugged her, but I would have expected someone trailing her.
40. I know why the humans would need the Partials (they hold the key to curing RM) but why would the Partials need the humans? I doubt anyone knows how to extend their expiration date. I guess I can say that I'm paranoid about the Partials too.
Perhaps they think they can reproduce with humans. Or, as Laura said, they believe a human holds the key to their survival, to producing more Partials.
Okay everybody, gotta get caught up on these questions. Had a sedation dentistry appt yesterday and spent much of the past 24 doped out of my head and sleeping lol. Questions for Chapters 19 - 23
25. Kira is obviously starting to form a bond with Samm. Do you think she will get in trouble for sympathizing with him? There are cameras watching their every move and no one wants Samm in town. I'm worried that she might get herself labeled as a member of the Voice.
I think they want her to sympathize with him. Like I was saying earlier, this is a win-win-win situation no matter how it goes, so they don't care.
26. "The Partials are engineered, she thought. A switch like that...could have been built right into them."
Could it be that the Partials were built intentionally to carry the RM virus with them? That the virus was 'manufactured' and not an accident?
I think that is a very good possibility, they unknowingly became the weapon. But then the question becomes who pulled the switch? Para-gen? The military? Why?
27. Why would the Voice attack East Meadow for Samm? Were they trying to rescue him? It doesn't seem like they would go through all that trouble to capture and kill him. Is if possible that the Voice may have an alliance with the Partials?
Having read ahead, I already know.
28. "All we need is three and a half more days, right? Then we destroy it [Samm] and be done." Hobb shook his head. "It's not enough to just destroy it, like we've said before...we need to appear blameless."
What do you think this means for Samm? It seems like they are planning something bigger than death for him but what can be worse than death?
I remember thinking at the time that they needed a martyr or for no one to know at all. That's the only way they can wash their hands of it entirely.
29. I loved the little tidbit Samm shared about working in the mines and wanting (and failing) to advance with what he was given. It made him seem more human. What did you think of the exchange?
I liked it. He made it seem like they were created to be machines and then shoveled into menial slave labor when they developed beyond their original intentions.
30. Do you think the pheromones used to communicate will play a part in curing RM?
I'm not sure, at this point they seem rather....pointless to have been mentioned.
31. Kira and Marcus's relationship started off very light and jovial. Now, it is transforming. What do you think of their relationship? Of Marcus? Is he trying to control Kira's decisions?
I think he believes she is being reckless and he's trying to protect her from herself. But in doing so he's only strengthening her resolve to do it and prove him wrong, the sooner he realizes that the sooner he can actually protect her.
32. Why would the government lower the pregnancy age now? We knew it was a possibility but wouldn't it be better to wait until they had the results of Kira's experiments? Then they could reveal that they exhausted all their options. Are they stupid, desperate, or trying to provoke citizens?
I don't think they ever cared about the results of Kira's experiments. Either she would fail or not. But even if she discovered from miraculous thing about RM, developing an antidote or a vaccine takes a long time...so they would have done it anyway.
@ Mary #34 - You and me both. I'm barely keeping with the medic lingo. I can feel my eyes glazing over every time the story turns in that direction.
#37 - Whew! I wan't the only one to see the crush mention. I seriously thought my inner romantic made it up. Lol.
@Stefani#30 - I thought they were pointless to. I wondered if I was missing something big so I had to ask the question. Now that we're almost done with the book I don't think the pheromones will have anything to do with RM. Unless the author rushes it in.
Questions for Chapters 24 - 2733. Do you believe that Samm and the Partials want peace? He could be using this as a way to escape by playing on Kira's trust and curiosity. The whole we want peace thing seems too ideal and convinent.
It could be a ploy. But he did have the perfect opportunity to escape and yet, he didn't. That makes me believe he's sincere.
34. Kira found a new form of RM in the blood sample she received from the newborn. Why isn't this new virus affecting the adults? It seems suspicious than an airborne disease would only affect babies when everyone is breathing the same air (and the adults have been exposed to it much longer). Is someone intentionally trying to target newborns?
From what it sounds like it wasn't necessarily new, just new in how it was seen and when. I think it's like Kira said, whoever manufactured RM wanted to make sure no one escaped, blood born and air born at the same time executes that.
35. "You have to help me...My heart is stopping...The beats are too erratic."
Okay, I know this is fiction but I don't think anyone would say this while getting electrocuted (or immediately after). They would be too busy screaming their head off or passed out.
That was a bit unrealistic. Even if the current was periodic I doubt they'd have the strength or energy to say anything, but less anything that coherent.
36. Are you surprised that Mkele and Skousen killed Shaylon? Do you think they will attempt to kill Kira after her time with Samm is up? She won't be an "asset" if she fails to find the cure.
I think if he hadn't seen what he did out the window they wouldn't have killed him. But it seems they set him up to see it, so that confuses me. All they had to do was make sure he wasn't the one at the window and problem solved, nobody's hand would have been forced.
37. So many shockers! What did you did more surprising: the revelation that the Partials are dying, that the Senate blew up their own hospital, or Isolde's love child with Hobb (eww!) ?
Unfortunately I saw the Senate thing coming a mile away, typical story of the government being the real bad guy. But the love child...yucky, she's a teenager for heaven's sake. And her superior!
38. Speaking of Isolde should we be weary of her? She's friends with people who oppose the government but she's carrying the future child of 'Uncle Sam'. She can't possibly coexist peacefully without her choosing a side.
I am tired of her ambivalence. She did this the last time too, yes I support you but no I won't risk myself to do anything about it. That's pretty cowardly. She can say it's because she's pregnant now, but she did the same thing before too.
39. The stupidity of the senate surprises me. They do something evil genius like setting a bomb and using Samm as a scapegoat but then they let Kira "recuperate" and "take her time". Are they honestly stupid enough to believe that she's not going to do something? The same girl who defied them to find a Partial? How short sighted are they?
I think they intended to kill her once she said that she wouldn't help them. But obviously she left the hospital before their "meeting" was over, and so they didn't have the chance. Once she refused, she was no longer an asset, and they already told her what would happen then.
40. I know why the humans would need the Partials (they hold the key to curing RM) but why would the Partials need the humans? I doubt anyone knows how to extend their expiration date. I guess I can say that I'm paranoid about the Partials too.
I think it's part of the Partials design. They are soldiers, they don't understand science and they certainly don't understand DNA or genetics. I think they are hoping that if they can help the humans cure RM, then the humans will start looking at their DNA for the expiration date or a way to allow them to reproduce.
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7. I hate to say it but I'm starting to suspect Nandita. She has the perfect setup to be a part of the Voice with her out of town visits. Plus the talk she had with Kira triggered some red flags. Am I being overly paranoid here?
I kind of thought the same thing. She was being evasive but in a way that almost intentionally made it non-suspicious. I'm not sure but I got a red flag raised too. I also have to complain a bit about Wells research here. "a garden of aromatic herbs"...like nutmeg? 2 seconds on Google will tell you that nutmeg is not an herb, its a seed from a tree. And as far as I know, there is no possible way the tree could thrive in the US unless the climate changed A LOT. Also...this bothered me and I'm labeling it a spoiler just in case it turns out to be a connection (view spoiler)[large quantites of nutmeg consumption can negatively affect development of the fetus during pregnancy. (hide spoiler)] I really hope that turns out to be nothing cause it would be disappointed lol.
8. Can't say I'm surprised about Gianna being imprisoned. Were you? Do you think she is a really a member of the Voice. (Every time I say the Voice I think of the singing competition) Also is anyone else starting to feel like this is a 'witch trial'? "Are you the voice? Is she the voice? Is he the voice?" I am being paranoid, but hopefully I'm not alone in this.
It does remind me of that mob mentality. Don't like your neighbor? Maybe they are the Voice! Your neighbor turned you in, well maybe they are the Voice! I am not sure I think Gianna's guilty of anything except being cynical. I think its a red herring.
9. I'm surprised that Madison is happy about her pregnancy even though there is a huge possibility of the baby dying. Do you think she should try to emotionally distance herself? How do you think you would feel (or handle the situation) if you were pregnant and knew it wouldn't end well?
Unfortunately I think that's something she would only learn after it happens. Right now there's hormones and she really really wants to believe that her baby will be the one that's different. Probably a lot of the first mothers feel that way. I think distancing emotionally would come after the first time.
10. Good call, Stefani! Although it seems implausible that Kira is the first one to have this thought (figuring out why the adults are immune to RM while newborns are not). Are the other researchers incredibly stupid/short sighted? Or are they just being tight lipped about their findings?
I'm really hoping it turns out that they've thought of it before and for some reason we don't know it, it would be rather dumb if the first person to think of it in a decade was a teenager. Hopefully they've done it before but we just don't know it yet.
11. We've all been wondering about the Voice's motive. Isolde makes a great point: they are trying to destabilize the government through discord. What do you think of this theory? Do you have any different theories about their motives/goals?
I think that makes about as much sense as anything. But that begs the question, why would they want to destabilize a government that they aren't under the control of anyway?
12. Did the soldiers overstep their bounds while questioning Nandita? Did Kira?
I think they need to talk to everyone, you can't not suspect someone because they seem too nice to be a terrorist but they could have calmed down a bit and been more civil about it.
13. I'm wondering if the researchers have tried to develop a vaccine for the babies. Think about it, vaccines usually have small dosages of the virus itself. So why not add weakened RM to the baby's immune system to see how it works?
Perhaps the babies are already infected at birth? Here is what I'm thinking, many diseases can be passed mother to baby. If the mothers are "immune" they must have been exposed to RM at some point, so they would still have it in their system but something about their system makes it inactive....but if the babies don't have that thing that makes it inactive, the virus from their mother is actually what's killing them. And I think that vaccines have to be mutated, inactive forms of the virus, so maybe it's proven too complicated to render harmless.