Overall rating and opinion of "Opaque" by Calix Leigh-Reign

S1234 · Post by **S1234** » 22 Feb 2020, 15:31

It's not a predictable young adult fiction story. I would argue it's not a young adult book due to the dark themes explored. I understand why some people would be put off if they are expecting a coming of age style story. There are light moments but I would assume this would be suited for an audience that enjoys dark psychological thrillers.

Pallavi85 · Post by **Pallavi85** » 23 Feb 2020, 02:37

I liked almost every thing about this book. It was very hard to put it down. Adam and Carly were really great but Dauma's character was magnificent.

Ellylion · Post by **Ellylion** » 23 Feb 2020, 13:49

Haven't read the book yet, but it sounds like a promising YA sci-fi mystery novel. The characters are interesting enough to me to give this book a try

gilliansisley · Post by **gilliansisley** » 23 Feb 2020, 20:38

Bettercallyourbookie wrote: ↑03 Feb 2020, 17:12 I'm usually a really big YA fan, so I was incredibly disappointed that I found I couldn't get through this book. I just couldn't deal with Adam. His character's venom and anger was just too off-putting for me.

I 100% agree with you. I spent the entire book resenting his character, and frankly I was disturbed at the prospect of impressionable young minds reading this horrifying content.

gilliansisley · Post by **gilliansisley** » 23 Feb 2020, 20:42

Everydayadventure15 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2020, 19:47 I wasn’t a huge fan of the book. With more than 10 errors and quite a few things that bothered me I couldn’t give it more than a 2. I think the concept was interesting but I’ve read better teens-with-powers books. I didn’t like Adam at the beginning and the book didn’t get interesting till about halfway through. I felt like it slowed back down with the info dump of eight new characters and the powers demonstration. The emotions of the characters were a bit all over the place and there wasn’t a good lead in for the next book. I’m glad Adam and Carly got a happy ending but I couldn’t stand the “friends with benefits” vibes that came from each of their friendships with the other teens. I did like the ancestry and the ties within the bloodlines. I’d be interested to see what powers would be present if/when Carly and Adam have a baby.

I gave it a 2 as well. The prospect of young people reading this really disturbing novel was upsetting to me. This dude chloriforms, kidnaps, almost rapes and then facilitates the murder of a young woman and it's brushed off like not a big deal. I found Adam intolerable, controlling, and frankly emotionally abusive. For him to be the "hunky hero" character setting an example for how young women should dream to be treated by a romantic partner? Good lord... Terrifying.

gilliansisley · Post by **gilliansisley** » 23 Feb 2020, 20:47

missrlynnf wrote: ↑05 Feb 2020, 06:42 I have to disagree with many of the reviews. I'm sure it would be a good story as the summary makes it sound so intriguing; however, I just couldn't get past page 5. The story was so disjointed and choppy making it hard to track and the author kept inserting side comments from the character that seemed to reference something we should know but haven't been told. That makes it really hard to follow what's going on. From an editing standpoint, the writing and sentence structure could use a little more polish.
I stopped reading because I did not enjoy the suggestion of Adam being sexually aroused by his mother. Now, that's my personal issue, I understand that, but it is worth noting for anyone looking to read the story. That, coupled with what appears to be a clear struggle with suicidal thoughts, makes me question this being placed in the YA genre. YA is geared toward readers ages 12-18, and while some may argue the suicidal/mental illness aspect may make it relatable to some in that age group, it seems too heavy a topic/theme for that demographic; at least, not without some sort of disclaimer.
The story was not what I was expecting based on the summary. I'm glad others have enjoyed it, but I personally don't recommend it.

I read the whole book, and I can attest that it only gets more disturbing. I cannot comprehend all these 4 star ratings, because Adam is a piece of sh*t person passing for a hunky hero.

You didn't get past page 5, but holy sh*t man, he literally chlorophormed a girl, kidnapped her, took her to his CREEPY SEX DEN IN THE WOODS, almost raped her, and then she ends up dying in a panic to get away from him. And the story just breezes past that onto a highly toxic teenage romance where he continues to be insufferable.

I'm reading these stellar reviews and would really, really, really like to know, seriously, if all these people got a completely different book than me!?

Cydnee J Stinson · Post by **Cydnee J Stinson** » 23 Feb 2020, 21:58

I gave Opaque 4 out of 4 stars. I thought it was really interesting and a cool plot. I found Adam's strange interest in hs mom hard to read in the beginning. However, once it was explained it wasn't as bad, but it still felt a little odd.

John Owen · Post by **John Owen** » 24 Feb 2020, 01:08

I read and reviewed the book. I gave it a 4 star and I think Calix deserves it. It left me daydreaming of one day bearing children or becoming a mutant of such genetic advantages but whoo! I fear the Ikshas!!!! It had very minimal editorial errors and a good narration.

KYALISIIMA MACRIS · Post by **KYALISIIMA MACRIS** » 24 Feb 2020, 05:13

I read the book but it just bored me. I didn't enjoy any character in the book

Moray_001 · Post by **Moray_001** » 24 Feb 2020, 05:40

The reviews on this book are definitely making me interested in it.

missrlynnf · Post by **missrlynnf** » 24 Feb 2020, 06:14

gilliansisley wrote: ↑23 Feb 2020, 20:47
I read the whole book, and I can attest that it only gets more disturbing. I cannot comprehend all these 4 star ratings, because Adam is a piece of sh*t person passing for a hunky hero.

You didn't get past page 5, but holy sh*t man, he literally chlorophormed a girl, kidnapped her, took her to his CREEPY SEX DEN IN THE WOODS, almost raped her, and then she ends up dying in a panic to get away from him. And the story just breezes past that onto a highly toxic teenage romance where he continues to be insufferable.

I'm reading these stellar reviews and would really, really, really like to know, seriously, if all these people got a completely different book than me!?

Oh wow! That sounds terrifying. I'm glad I didn't keep going. I would not give this book to any young adult, and honestly after reading your post, I wouldn't offer it to anyone I like. To mark this book as YA and then put things of that nature in it is so inappropriate. Teens and preteens have enough bad ideas and inappropriate content available to them as it is, why would you want to offer it up in a book?

I agree that I can't help but think everyone else got a completely different book.

gilliansisley · Post by **gilliansisley** » 24 Feb 2020, 10:03

missrlynnf wrote: ↑24 Feb 2020, 06:14
gilliansisley wrote: ↑23 Feb 2020, 20:47
I read the whole book, and I can attest that it only gets more disturbing. I cannot comprehend all these 4 star ratings, because Adam is a piece of sh*t person passing for a hunky hero.

You didn't get past page 5, but holy sh*t man, he literally chlorophormed a girl, kidnapped her, took her to his CREEPY SEX DEN IN THE WOODS, almost raped her, and then she ends up dying in a panic to get away from him. And the story just breezes past that onto a highly toxic teenage romance where he continues to be insufferable.

I'm reading these stellar reviews and would really, really, really like to know, seriously, if all these people got a completely different book than me!?
Oh wow! That sounds terrifying. I'm glad I didn't keep going. I would not give this book to any young adult, and honestly after reading your post, I wouldn't offer it to anyone I like. To mark this book as YA and then put things of that nature in it is so inappropriate. Teens and preteens have enough bad ideas and inappropriate content available to them as it is, why would you want to offer it up in a book?

I agree that I can't help but think everyone else got a completely different book.

Exactly! And that was my biggest issue with this! To put the genre "YA" on this novel is so beyond irresponsible. And I'm honestly really concerned that other reviewers didn't see this book as problematic. I was in an abusive relationship once, I've been sexually assaulted, this book was a giant trigger at times, and was just so deeply disturbing to me. To imagine a young person between ages 11-17 reading this? It turns my stomach at the thought.

mhopkins · Post by **mhopkins** » 24 Feb 2020, 12:37

Apparently, I have a different opinion than most people. I did not enjoy reading this book at all. I felt that the writing was poor, the characters interactions were forced and choppy, and the pacing was weird. I also did not like Adam and Carly's relationship. It was creepy and possessive. The idea of the story was good, I just thought it was put together poorly.

DKURYGA · Post by **DKURYGA** » 24 Feb 2020, 21:27

The story was so hard to track keep of and the comments from the character referring to subjects or something that the reader hasn't been told. That makes it really hard to follow. The writing could use a little more organization and less inflation, the over description leaves nothing for the reader.
The suicidal thoughts, and scoffing of mental illness is not really appropriate for YA genre. With the issues of bullying and ostracizing people with mental health issue, I don't think readers ages 12-18 need the bias and division, some may argue the mental illness aspect may make it relatable to some, it seems to trivialize serious mental illnesses in my opinion. I didn't find Adam's oedipus issues necessarily character building, on the contrary I found it rather repulsive.
It is very disturbing to me that Adam has romantic feelings for his mother. I could not bring myself to care for Adam or the storyline beyond his immoral desires.
I don't believe it adds much to the storyline or the character development, or lack thereof.
Adam is mentally ill and I didn't want inside of his disgusting feelings for his mother. I wouldn't recommend this for a young adult, maybe a twisted mind, but not an impressionable person.
The story wasn't what I was expecting, based on the book's summary.

I give Opaque 1of 4 stars.
Only because I believe some readers could enjoy it beyond it's short comings.

Juliet+1 · Post by **Juliet+1** » 25 Feb 2020, 16:56

I think this book merits 4 stars and I would expect it to have great appeal to its target audience, the YA crowd. The characters are well rounded and believable; the plot is exciting; and the writing is excellent. I didn't enjoy it much, but I'm many long years away from being a YA, so that's okay. And I would not hesitate to recommend it to any YA who happens to cross my path.