Better as an adult book

[gschauer]

I agree that it may not be totally appropriate for YA. There were many sexual undertones and several places where the sexuality was open in a way I would not consider it to be an undertone. Otherwise, the fast paced and surprising turns within the story was well done. There was always sometime happening and the reader is surprised many times.

[Wordlessly]

I didn't put much thought into it but after reading your views it does seem inappropriate for the YA genre. And I also agree that the book could've been a lot more appealing if the author had focused on the dark parts of the story more and expanded upon the idea. The foot fetish part too stuck out like a sore thumb and I was inwardly cringing reading that part. I found it way too random and weird. The author could've easily done away with the Adam watching Carly wash herself scene and the story would've been just the same.

[maxiphemmax]

While some movie or drama play usually captured YA character, yet the storyline are mostly for an adult. This book with its dark content and few erotic scenes, yet can still pass for a YA read.

[[SNicolle]]

My 1st thoughts when reading this were definitely that it was a bit more twisted then any of the young adult books I've read before. Especially when I was in high school. Thinking about it while reading it I could see how it could fit into the YA adult category. Being that she wanted to write it for teens who felt out of place and different. Something they could maybe relate to more then just the average YA book. Teens definitely have sexual urges, and while it wasn't explicit, it did dance around the sexual situations making it relatable.
However I do agree. I think she could have expanded on many parts of the book had it been geared toward adults instead of YA.

[asuccintbeta]

Interesting thread. There are so many writers that find themselves in the YA/NA genre when clearly they shouldn't be. Unless I've missed the memo that the age range has changed, this book (and the author) would be better served in Sci-fi/Adult. I love dark stories, but I think this was a stretch for the intended audience.

[GatugiM]

At first I was concerned with Adam's darkness specifically his attraction to his mom. For younger audiences that first bit is troubling. Further into the book it made sense to have the book as a young adult. Also the writer might want to show how the powers grow with the age of characters. Maybe the next book will be set 10 years later. We might get all the super dark twists. I feel like we haven't seen all of Carly's powers yet.

[vermontelf]

I like the "new adult" genre. Interesting!

[Inkroverts]

I agree that the story is more of the adult category. Although I can see why they put it in YA, the characters are "YA"s themselves. But then some really graphic adult horrors use kids as main characters- does that mean they can be categorized as children's book as well...?

[S1234]

It's like Stranger things or IT. The kids are the leads but the genre may be too dark for a younger audience.

[amihughson]

I don't agree. I think this is a perfectly acceptable YA book. After all, what age did we all read To Kill A Mockingbird in school? I might be showing my age here but I remember reading it somewhere around 8th grade. That book deals with rape and racial inequality, and I had to read it before highschool. Granted, it isn't considered YA, but those themes are pretty dark, and at least in my day (I'm 34) were required student reading. Teenagers are well able to handle the sort of adult concepts presented in Opaque, especially in this digital age of internet and enlightenment. And though I despised the romance between Adam and Carly, I didn't find it any more or less healthy than the romance between Bella and Edward in Twilight, and those are undisputed YA novels.

[Laura Bach]

The YA definitely mislead me into thinking something else about this book. I could've better fitted the sci-fi category alone.

[S1234]

I don't agree. I think this is a perfectly acceptable YA book. After all, what age did we all read To Kill A Mockingbird in school? I might be showing my age here but I remember reading it somewhere around 8th grade. That book deals with rape and racial inequality, and I had to read it before highschool. Granted, it isn't considered YA, but those themes are pretty dark, and at least in my day (I'm 34) were required student reading. Teenagers are well able to handle the sort of adult concepts presented in Opaque, especially in this digital age of internet and enlightenment. And though I despised the romance between Adam and Carly, I didn't find it any more or less healthy than the romance between Bella and Edward in Twilight, and those are undisputed YA novels.

You make a good point. I guess it was just a surprise because when I think of YA I think about lighthearted stories which could be a mistake on my part. Arguably, yes, young adults can handle dark themes but this probably does not qualify as recommended reading for schools. How about, YA fiction but with dark elements? So this would be in a sub-genre of YA fiction.

[Anthony__]

This will be better if it's an adult book. I know the author was trying to fit this book into its genre. However, by doing that it still did not fit in. Either the rushed romance is completely removed so its fits or expanded and classify as a sci-fiction adult book.

[S1234]

Maybe it's beyond YA fiction. The world of YA is not ready for Adam and for that reason it leans towards Adult Fiction?

[tanner87cbs]

Too much darkness and violent thoughts at the beginning. This is more of an adult book than young adult.

I agree fully. If it were not for some of the early parts of the book, this book would of been more appropriate as a young adult novel. However, this is not the case. It had a dark beginning with abduction and killing.