MILF fantasies and mental health

[Nym182]

I feel like this element was included with the author knowing it would be polarizing, because like you said, it did bother you and you found it off-putting, but others aren't as phased by this aspect. At the very least, these fantasies do get people talking more about the book so it's beneficial for the author regardless.

That's a valid point, I just don't think such a move should have been pulled in a book aimed at a YA audience.

Yes, a YA book should be aimed at adventure and thrill.

exactly!

[gilliansisley]

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.

In absolutely no way is this suitable for that age group! No way, absolutely not! It's extremely disturbing content, and there should even be a trigger/content warning for adults. I'm so horrified that this has YA on it!

[Howlan]

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.

Yes, it was strange no doubt. I think it was more meant as a reference to is powers or something. I did not get it either.

[Howlan]

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...

Right it would fit right in.

[Howlan]

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.

It was really lame for that.

[Howlan]

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

I believe that it would be an epic fail too.

[Howlan]

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

A thrilling adult book would have been more suitable.

Agreed!

Need to read great edgy stuff.

[Howlan]

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...

Yes, I don't think they need to know Oedipus Complex to see what it is about!

[Howlan]

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...

Definitely choices the author should get a room together.

[Howlan]

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?

Vikki as the serum had great effects on her.

[Howlan]

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!

It should have been set as an adult book with dark concepts and see it through.

[Howlan]

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...

Definitely.

[Howlan]

That's a valid point, I just don't think such a move should have been pulled in a book aimed at a YA audience.

Yes, a YA book should be aimed at adventure and thrill.

exactly!

And little bit of edge is good and all.

[Howlan]

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.

In absolutely no way is this suitable for that age group! No way, absolutely not! It's extremely disturbing content, and there should even be a trigger/content warning for adults. I'm so horrified that this has YA on it!

It is more suitable for mature readers.

[littlegems]

I think this was part of Adam not understanding who he was and why he would be attracted to his mom. This added to the readers' first impression of Adam as being a dark, moody, and a possibly evil guy, though he fought his feelings. I was glad when Adam found out who his mom was and why he had been attracted to her.

I just finished reading this book and I am new to this site. I have to admit that I was put off by this part of the story at first too, especially because it was just right away and I feel inappropriate for any age group younger than young adult, at all. So much so that had I not been reading this book for this purpose, I probably would have put it down. Particularly when it progressed to the actual deviant behavior coming to the forefront. Having said that, I stuck with the book, obviously, and when the concept of these mutated DNA reacting in such an attracting way so as to bind them together, for lack of a better term, it really did make sense to me. Being a teenager with those type of hormones blooming would, I imagine, make that strong attraction confused for another. Also, it is very normal, even without the mental health issue of "Oedipus complex", for children to try to understand sexual feelings and impulses by observing their parents sexual behavior whether passive or overt. And I would imagine that most authors, and a large part of the general reading audience, are already aware of the concept, and possibly the story it came from, of the Oedipus complex.
All of this made sense to me in that it illustrated even further how the mutation evolved to caused them to seek out and recognize others with the same DNA mutation in order to stick together and keep their race alive. I don't know how the author could have gone about it differently because it is not supposed to be an ordinary strong bond like a mother and child, but even more severe than that. And those elements in the beginning of the book highly illustrated the profound changes in Adam once all that was in his makeup was awakened. So, it was uncomfortable for me the way that part of the story line unfolded, but it made Adam's transformation more significant in the end. I still feel like there is a lot of potential for him to change even more, whether for good or evil I'm not sure.