Adam and Carly relatable?

[Cwaganagwa Dorothy]

Both are similar because they are teenagers studying the same subjects. Adam is an introvert, but Carly is an extravert. If Adam remains snobbish, an apocalypse may be inevitable. If Carly is able to relate with Adam in a more intergrated way, a more polished character is what we may witness in the coming books of the series.

[Howlan]

Yes I do find it a little outside of reality, but as you say because it is a fantasy genre, I can allow some of it to slide. I with they had have been a little more relatable and felt more real as young people but in the grand scheme of how it affects the novel, I don't think this is too major an issue

Yes totally for fantasy YA it is the duty of the authors to go and make it as relatable as possible.

[Howlan]

Both are similar because they are teenagers studying the same subjects. Adam is an introvert, but Carly is an extravert. If Adam remains snobbish, an apocalypse may be inevitable. If Carly is able to relate with Adam in a more intergrated way, a more polished character is what we may witness in the coming books of the series.

The story is stereotypical of a YA series. The only unique thing is Adam's dark tastes in life.

[Tan TR]

It wasn’t at all relatable. They were teens, barely fifteen or sixteen, and they acted like ten years older. I guess, it’s a fantasy world where anything is possible. But honestly it was not relatable.

[Nym182]

I don't think they are that relatable on the basis that arguments are forgiven quickly and the strange lusting after relatives Adam has. It just feels the author wanted them to be as extreme as possible but also "perfect".

You've nailed it right on the head!

[Nym182]

You are absolutely right that being a certain age doesn't mean maturity or relatability. Still, maybe the reason why I couldn't relate is that I just didn't care about them.

I didn't care about any of the characters either. The point of view this book is told in made me feel very detached from the story and characters.

Entirely agreed. How can be expected to resonate and connect with a psychopath who wants to bang his own mom, kidnaps and chloroforms a girl, owns a damn sex dungeon and perhaps is emotionally abusive to his girlfriend. I thought he was such a little child who treated people in his life like total crap, and yet was never held accountable for his actions, and throws temper tantrums all the damn time. He annoyed the hell out of me, he's so exhausting and infuriating to read about.

And, correct me if I am wrong, Adam never found out that Carly burned the den down yet he just never thinks about it. I am not surprised he doesn't feel guilty about it, but to just completely forget about Terry and all the plans he made? Chilling.

[Nym182]

I didn't care about any of the characters either. The point of view this book is told in made me feel very detached from the story and characters.

Ditto! I didn't really care what happened to any of them... Well, actually the only character I cared about was Terry haha but that obviously didn't turn out so well...

YES! Terry! Justice for Terry! And her poor parents-- find out Adam basically committed manslaughter, and throw that piece of trash in JAIL. He's awful and has too many issues, and love will not fix him, so Carly needs to get the hell out of dodge and save herself!

At this point, they still think that she is just missing right? They will never know the full story or have any peace... How sad...

[Nym182]

I think they are relatable in a sense of saving their kind. On a non-mutant standpoint, it's hard to belief that teenagers would have such proper grammar and cook elaborate meals.

As a parent of two teenagers, I completely agree with this view! And it makes me chuckle because I think my teenagers are pretty normal. I guess it is a fantasy and some allowances need to be made for that. But, when it's their night to cook, they mix hamburger with mac'n cheese and that's after they both took cooking in high school.

Alos hard to relate with a dude who has a sex/torture den in the woods and wants to bang his mom... I really could not deal with the fact that Carly was like, "Yeah sure, ain't no thing". GIRL, RUN. Get yourself out of there! Don't destroy the evidence of the murder, take that sh*t to the police!

Agreed! and her saying that he deserves a fresh start... DESERVES! She is literally standing in his torture den, sees his mom shrine, has his journal confirming what should be someone's worst fear, and somehow ends up feeling bad for Adam. I just can't even.

[Nym182]

Seems like you are experienced enough. I can cook odd dishes, not an expert though!

The only thing I can cook expertly (although, I'm a little biased hahah) is bacon bruschetta

Sounds fabulous! I can cook well only proper chicken.

I don't think I've ever made chicken before haha unless you count in nugget form!

[Nym182]

Of course, people focus on different things when they are reading, so others my age could very easily find Adam and Cary to be unrealistic or unrelatable because of one reason or another. I prefer focusing on the character's personality rather than age. If it fits, doesn't result in chaos with every decision, and doesn't make me feel like chucking the book across the room out of embarrassment or anger, I'll accept a lot from a book. Sorry for the long reply. I saw your post and wanted to try to address it...

I love the point you are making. I don't think I normally focus on the age of the protagonists, but for some reason, I did in this book. The big picture is definitely worth more than age-related concerns.

Yes, the characters are really odd in terms of their age!

Agreed!

[Nym182]

I don't think either Adam or Carly are relatable, but they don't have to be, because this is a fantasy. But they absolutely do have to be believable, and I think they are. Each acts, thinks, and communicates in a way that is reasonably consistent as the story moves along. Their characters/personalities develop, but they don't jump wildly around and become a different person from one chapter to another.

You have a good point. The character flow of the story is definitely quite valuable in comparison to other elements in a story. It is very distracting if a character changes from one chapter or event to another.

Yes, I definitely understand the distracting aspect. Adam and Carly do sound less believable. Adam is really a rebellious kid gone on steroids and Carly sounds like a model student who feels odd and mentally and emotionally.

And I also found it strange that Adam plays football for some reason... I know he justifies it but they also never bring it up again after he hits Carly in the face with a football at practice. It's like once the author gets what they need out of a character or scenario, they just drop it.

[Nym182]

I don't think they are that relatable on the basis that arguments are forgiven quickly and the strange lusting after relatives Adam has. It just feels the author wanted them to be as extreme as possible but also "perfect".

Yes, not a story to be proud of..

I felt the same way, especially since they were high schoolers. I don't care that they have special powers, but high schoolers are not mature and understanding.

[Nym182]

I didn't care about any of the characters either. The point of view this book is told in made me feel very detached from the story and characters.

Entirely agreed. How can be expected to resonate and connect with a psychopath who wants to bang his own mom, kidnaps and chloroforms a girl, owns a damn sex dungeon and perhaps is emotionally abusive to his girlfriend. I thought he was such a little child who treated people in his life like total crap, and yet was never held accountable for his actions, and throws temper tantrums all the damn time. He annoyed the hell out of me, he's so exhausting and infuriating to read about.

Yeah, the author really overdid he job on Adam.

Agreed!

[Nym182]

Ditto! I didn't really care what happened to any of them... Well, actually the only character I cared about was Terry haha but that obviously didn't turn out so well...

YES! Terry! Justice for Terry! And her poor parents-- find out Adam basically committed manslaughter, and throw that piece of trash in JAIL. He's awful and has too many issues, and love will not fix him, so Carly needs to get the hell out of dodge and save herself!

The character of Adam is very badly handled. Its half-assed. It is neither full dark and or sparky. It does not make a good character.

yeah, the author really dropped that ball...

[Nym182]

As a parent of two teenagers, I completely agree with this view! And it makes me chuckle because I think my teenagers are pretty normal. I guess it is a fantasy and some allowances need to be made for that. But, when it's their night to cook, they mix hamburger with mac'n cheese and that's after they both took cooking in high school.

Alos hard to relate with a dude who has a sex/torture den in the woods and wants to bang his mom... I really could not deal with the fact that Carly was like, "Yeah sure, ain't no thing". GIRL, RUN. Get yourself out of there! Don't destroy the evidence of the murder, take that sh*t to the police!

Yes, Carly should not have burned the evidence. how could she remain sane after discovering Adam's sex den??

Exactly, that should be someone's worst nightmare.