[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] anton1792 Something I noticed in this book that wasn't really present in it's predecessor was the dehumanization of the Elites; comparisons with animals leading to the conclusion that they are something less than animals, and portrayals of them utterly succumbing to base instincts whilst tearing people a part. Ehhh, no thanks, Karen.[/quote]Yeah, noticed this too, and it didn't click with my preconceptions of them. I know the Prophets handled the core bulk of the politics and technology, but the Elites still had a high position within the Covenant, they still had a lot of responsibilities. So they were brilliant military strategists with a ruthless special operations cell, and now--apparently--they're completely lost without the Prophests guidence? It's one thing that they're struggling with restructuring their society and figuring out what to do when now that they're suddenly resposible for their own fate, but this new order doesn't mean that they've suddenly lost every ounce of intelligence they once had, or does it? Had they really become no more than mindless puppets after their time as second highest?