[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] the real Janaka [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? [/quote] That's the thing with every Halo novel I've ever read that I don't like. The covenant always seem to be portrayed as advanced because of their technology, but somehow stupid. And the thing is, folks seem to ignore the fact that Elites were space capable before the founding of the Covenant. They were at war with the prophets, and were far better at space combat then the prophets were. But the prophets had their hidden ace. But I can see how after serving for so long and getting used to another race focusing scientifically they'd be a little rusty on their own, but not stupid.