Perversion or relationship?

[Lisa A Rayburn]

Adam had already developed a disturbing obsession with his stepmom, but when later she reciprocated his feelings, I just cringed pretty hard. Such confusing contents should not be a part of a YA book.

I think that's what turned the corner on whether or not he would act on his obsession if Carly hadn't come along. Once his stepmom let it be known that she returned his feelings, that would have been the 'death knell' for his resistance (he didn't have all that much, to begin with).

[Noosh]

That is actually what’s making me not want to continue with the book. It’s just too weird for me... the whole thing with the mum (stepmom)... should I keep on reading then? I thought we were dealing with incest

I finished this whole book, and let me tell you stop reading while you still can. sh*t keeps getting more and more disturbing, and I want those hours of my life back spent reading this horrifying book.

I actually took your advice. I’m not going to go back to this book.
I mean, there are so many books out there, why spend time on sth I know I won’t enjoy.

[Nym182]

Without Carly around, he already kidnapped and almost raped and facilitated the murder of Terry. I think if the time continued on, he would have sexually assaulted his own mother, and possibly killed his dad. He's a psychopath, and I still don't consider him as having redeemed himself, even after Carly. I hated Adam's character!

Agreed! I hate him with a passion and it makes me think less of Carly for covering up for Adam after only knowing him for like what... a month? He does not deserve that much "loyalty" from her.

[Nym182]

That is actually what’s making me not want to continue with the book. It’s just too weird for me... the whole thing with the mum (stepmom)... should I keep on reading then? I thought we were dealing with incest

I finished this whole book, and let me tell you stop reading while you still can. sh*t keeps getting more and more disturbing, and I want those hours of my life back spent reading this horrifying book.

[Nym182]

Adam’s fascination with JoAnn made me uncomfortable and had me thinking that this book should have been categorised in the Adult category, not YA. Please someone tell me if he improves further down the book because I am still undecided if I should continue reading it.

He DOES NOT improve. He gets creepier. It gets so, so much worse and I was HORRIFIED throughout the whole book imagining this thing in the hands of young, impressionable readers. It is dangerous and irresponsible to call this YA.

And the provide a weak excuse that is supposed to make the sexualization "acceptable".

[Nym182]

Adam’s fascination with JoAnn made me uncomfortable and had me thinking that this book should have been categorised in the Adult category, not YA. Please someone tell me if he improves further down the book because I am still undecided if I should continue reading it.

They DO kinda explain why Adam has those thoughts, but it was a pretty weak explanation in my opinion. For the most part, it's just kinda cringy... but there are some weird sexual details that don't really serve a purpose to the story. They definitely made me pause and

It was an extremely weak explanation, and really the whole "sexual attraction to his mom" thing was very much unnecessary. It did not contribute any value to the plot.

"OHHHHH there was a SERUM! Well that's ok then!"

[Nym182]

I would like to think that he wouldn't have acted on his feelings for his adoptive mother. However, when she later confessed to sharing those feelings it caused some serious cringing on my part. This sounds like a plot for the erotica section on Amazon, not a young adult book!

Hell yeah! Even with the weak explanation of why Adam had these feelings, that didn't explain her RETURNING those feelings! It's wrong! These people have issues, this is not normal and it shouldn't be normalized to young people as YA entertainment.

Right? The fact she had those feelings too just made everything 100 times more sleazier!

[Nym182]

Adam had definitely already developed an obsession with his stepmom that was highly disturbing. If Carly had not shown up I'm sure things would've escalated and it was difficult enough to read that part.

Wasn't even his stepmom. His adoptive mom. By all mean just his mom, period. And hell yes, I agree, after what he did to Terry I have no doubt he would have killed his dad and probably sexually assaulted his mom because he's a no-questions-asked psychopath.

Yeah, Adam grew up with Jo as his mom... Doesn't matter that he was adopted. And from what Jo feels, she might not have really fought against it if he did act on those feelings.

[Nym182]

I am also feeling the same and am undecided. I keep thinking if showing Adam like this is really necessary and considering it is a YA book, just plain weird and shocking.

No, Adam like this is definitely not necessary. It is just the author adding some unusual toches to darken his character.

Agreed. I feel it was trying too hard to make him "dark and moody", and ended up being a poorly executed attempt at a moody teen, and when into serial-killer-in-the-making territory.

Agreed! The author painted Adam too dark and there is no redemption for him.

[Nym182]

I would like to think that he wouldn't have acted on his feelings for his adoptive mother. However, when she later confessed to sharing those feelings it caused some serious cringing on my part. This sounds like a plot for the erotica section on Amazon, not a young adult book!

I think my mind blocked that part out haha... but you are right, there are quite a few scenes that fit a little bit better into some softcore porn than a YA book...

In all the discussions you and I have had about the problems with this book, Nym, I too blocked that part out! It was just oo much, there were too many other, more disturbing things going on (which makes me ill saying!)

I want to ask the author why they thought mutual incestuous thoughts would be a good thing to have one of their main characters have! How in the world are we supposed to see them as "good guys".

[Nym182]

That is actually what’s making me not want to continue with the book. It’s just too weird for me... the whole thing with the mum (stepmom)... should I keep on reading then? I thought we were dealing with incest

Yes and no. From a purely biological perspective, it wouldn’t be considered incest. From a sociological standpoint, it very well might be regarded as incest, especially if the step-parent actually helped raise the child. Legally? I think the laws would vary.

You are right on some of these points... I think if it ever came out that she had feelings for him he would be taken away from her since he is technically a minor and they would view her as a predator taking advantage of her adoptive son.

[Nym182]

I would like to think that he wouldn't have acted on his feelings for his adoptive mother. However, when she later confessed to sharing those feelings it caused some serious cringing on my part. This sounds like a plot for the erotica section on Amazon, not a young adult book!

I agree with the cringy statement wholeheartedly. I don't know that I would go so far as switching it to the erotica section, but I do think it's inappropriate for YA, especially the younger age group.

Yeah, I also agree that this specific book belongs in the erotica section, but it sure doesn't belong in YA.

[Nym182]

Yeah, there are some really weird and uncomfortable details in this book... most of it is pretty YA but then there are sentences that are just outrageous to have in a YA book.

P.S I love your profile pic!

Yes the weird sexual overtones were really unnessesary.

I'm not sure I agree, though I don't think it's appropriate for a YA audience. Those 'weird sexual overtones' are part of what pulls the book solidly on the 'dark' side as opposed to the light and fluffy feel of many YA books. However, I don't think the author had to use that particular relationship to give the book the creepy overtone. There are a myriad of ways that could have been done.

Even if you take out the incest part, there were still details in this book that were unnecessarily sexual that had no importance to the actual story. For example, Adam walks in on Carly showering and pulls the shower curtain back and just watches her shower. Also, Carly wearing a sexy outfit (randomly) when interrogating Vicki and Carly casually deciding to wear socks because the guy shes going to hang out with has a known foot fetish.

[Nym182]

When I first started reading I thought perversion for sure! I'm glad Adam fell for Carly because I was freaked out enough I almost stopped reading!

Yes, I believe it was quite a turn off for everyone.

It didn't really freak me out, probably because at this point in my life, I've read so many books that it's kind of difficult to have a situation that I haven't already run across - or at least something similar. Now, creeping me out, that's another story.

I'm right there with ya... I've read a lot of books with some really off-putting situations (lots of Brett Easton Ellis) and it takes a lot to make me feel uncomfortable... But when reading the book, I couldn't help think "This is supposed to be a YA book". I think when you put those situations in the context of a book meant for young adults, it changes things drastically.

[Nym182]

Adam had already developed a disturbing obsession with his stepmom, but when later she reciprocated his feelings, I just cringed pretty hard. Such confusing contents should not be a part of a YA book.

I think that's what turned the corner on whether or not he would act on his obsession if Carly hadn't come along. Once his stepmom let it be known that she returned his feelings, that would have been the 'death knell' for his resistance (he didn't have all that much, to begin with).

right? I also think that if Adam eventually acted on his feelings, Jo probably wouldn't have given much resistance to his advances.