MILF fantasies and mental health

[Howlan]

Agreed. It left me with an icky feeling, which only got worse after the death of that girl. I just had gross feelings reading the rest of the book, and hated Adam as a character. I never felt he redeemed himself.

yeah, "hooked" is not exactly the word I would have used...

I think it was meant to be an attempt to scandalize readers, and shock then into interest, or at least that was likely the theory... But safe to say it completely and totally backfired.

Yes it was a real disappointing sub plot.

[Howlan]

I think it's somehow required in the story as a way to develop Adam's character only, as I cannot possibly figure out why it's important to the plot otherwise.

I think it was just to portray a non-stereotypical main character.

[Howlan]

It does add to the shock value. The way I see it integral to the plot is that it aids in building up Adam's character. Given that he becomes the hero in the next book from the series, I think it to be a character building tool.

But I do not think Adam's character had any real developments.

[Howlan]

It does add to the shock value. The way I see it integral to the plot is that it aids in building up Adam's character. Given that he becomes the hero in the next book from the series, I think it to be a character building tool.

I'd say it aids in deconstructing Adam's character. Even if he becomes the hero in the next book in the series, who he was in this book so thoroughly turned me off, I won't be getting the next book in the series and I certainly won't be passing this book on to my teens, which was my original intent after reading the book club review. Incest and murder? Hardly YA material. I don't waste my time reading about people who disgust me, and Adam disgusts me.

Yes, Adam is not a character I would invest in.

[Nym182]

Yes, that is a good point. His character at the beginning was definitely weird enough.

I also found Adam carrying around a book about telekinesis also very strange.

I think as he knew he controls the wind he might have wanted to research on that!

but as soon as he found out he actually had powers he disregards the book! Maybe it was cause he had Carly to teach him but I just found it to be a strange detail.

[Nym182]

Yeah Terry was totally I had a very little fascination with this character. Mood swings are okay, Incest well needs a good reason but kidnapping and putting her in your sex cave? Not good at all.

Especially with all the prep he did getting the knives, sex toys, and condoms... Fella had some plans!

Yes fella had had some crazy sex den and he was bringing his first prey. Definitely the making of a serial killer.

Maybe Jeffrey Dahmer just needed a new crush...

[Nym182]

Yes, the serum was definitely a bad excuse. They could have done something better in the lines of changing the character of Jo Ann.

like, if it was written that Adam knew he was adopted (maybe have him be adopted at an older age or something), I would have been a weeeee bit more satisfied... it still has a little of creepy factor/shock value/intrigue but less incestuous.

Still, it would not have been any better.

[Nym182]

Yeah the Terry thing might have caused some damage sure, but there needed to be a point from which to base on his behaviour. The author could not display him as a serial rapist and point him as being one of the good guys.

Do you think he wouldn't have raped her if she hadn't tried to escape? He did bring condoms and sex toys to the den to prepare.

Adam was prepared to go to that length, he could have done anything.

Honestly... now I kinda wanna see an adult book with Adam as a serial killer

[Nym182]

Fully agreed!! Could have been plenty of other ways to foreshadow his mother's special role in this whole mystical world, but a sexual attraction to her was in no way necessary to the plot.

yeah there were other more YA appropriate ways to portray that connection

A thrilling adult book would have been more suitable.

Agreed!

[Nym182]

Oh, hell yeah. Wildly uncomfortable. And there was really, truly no point to it. The author ties it back to have a sort of purpose, but it was pretty weak. I think it was used for shock value, but it really made me feel gross about the entire book

Yeah he should not have done that in a YA novel in the first place.
I second that... It's possible that the author was aware of the complex but failed in its execution...

He should not have executed that in a YA in the first place.

Not only inappropriate but I doubt young adults would know what Oedipus Complex is...

[Nym182]

Agreed. It left me with an icky feeling, which only got worse after the death of that girl. I just had gross feelings reading the rest of the book, and hated Adam as a character. I never felt he redeemed himself.

yeah, "hooked" is not exactly the word I would have used...

Yes, it was definitely weird to read that part.

Such strange choices this author made...

[Nym182]

Not sure if you finished the book yet, but ultimately it's not important to the plot, period. There were other ways, like a simple over protection of his mother, that could have foreshadowed the reason his feelings are heightened for her. It really, really didn't need to be sexual. There was no valid reason. It was only creepy.

yeah I agree, the incest thing was not important to the story at all and yeah, the author could have achieved the same goal with a less drastic way to show the effects of the serum.

Yes, Vikki's example should have been enough.

Vicki or Terry?

[Nym182]

It was definitely the type of first impression that left an unforgettable impact! We did at least get to see the inner turmoil he struggled with as a result of these abnormal predilections and desires. I was also glad when the story progressed to the point of providing the readers with an answer to this taboo taste of his.

See, I was super unsatisfied with the serum explanation, but to be fair I don't think I would have been happier with any reasoning... I just don't think that type of situation has any place in a YA series. If it had been more of an "adult" book I would have been interested in seeing how the author would have dealt with it.

Yeah the YA genre is not suitable for such topics.

Agreed!

[Nym182]

Thank you, Wacamato. You encapsulated my feelings exactly. While it benefits the author to the extent that it gets people talking about it, ultimately, (in my opinion) the inclusion of material so inappropriate for a YA novel would seem only to hurt the novel/series. Like you, I've no interest in reading any further. I don't like Adam and that, right there, is the biggest turn off for me. If I am going to spend time with a character, I want to be able to like it.

I agree with both of you! I get the motivation from the author to use such a shocking thing to create controversy, but ultimately it might have the opposite effect considering some readers may ask their parents/guardians about some of the "mature" topics which may dissuade them from buying more books in the series.

Yeah that is certainly a possibilty. But if asked adult should be handle it maturely.

I would hope so, but you never know with some "adults"

[Nym182]

yeah, "hooked" is not exactly the word I would have used...

I think it was meant to be an attempt to scandalize readers, and shock then into interest, or at least that was likely the theory... But safe to say it completely and totally backfired.

Yes it was a real disappointing sub plot.

Agreed... major fail...