Better as an adult book
- Howlan
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Re: Better as an adult book
Yes this book has enough dark themes to shake up their morals.AvocaDebo621 wrote: ↑24 Feb 2020, 22:29 I agree, there's way too much darkness and violent thoughts at the beginning to suit a YA mind. Makes me wonder about the extents the author could have explored if not restricted by the genre. That'd have been fascinating!
- Howlan
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Yes and with a mature content warning.bellajavier wrote: ↑25 Feb 2020, 02:42 Totally Agree! The kind of content if wasn't held back by the confines of the genre, could've done much better in sci-fi adult category. Your opinion is spot on!
- Howlan
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Yeah, as it appeals to a greater demographic.Nym182 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2020, 10:33A lot of reviewers have made the point that YA is a hot genre right now, so that may have been a big influence...sarahmarlowe wrote: ↑24 Feb 2020, 17:02Exactly! I am glad you called it out. I wondered why the author wanted to classify it as YA.Nym182 wrote: ↑06 Feb 2020, 15:28 One of the thoughts that kept occurring to me as I read this book was that Opaque would have been much better if it was not a YA book.
I dig gritty and dark books like anything by Bret Easton Elis or Stephen King, so when it turned as dark as it did I had mixed feelings. I enjoyed it but did not think that it fit in a YA book.
Do you think writing it a YA book held the author back? Would you have preferred to read this as a sci-fi thriller?
P.S. I love your profile pic! I have a long-haired Dachshund myself... He's not a big reader, but he likes to cuddle with my books or used them as pillows sometimes![]()
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- Howlan
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The reveal of the incest was so non-chalant, it was very surprising.Nym182 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2020, 10:34Yeah, the author really throws their readers into the deep end with the first part of the book!Stephanie Elizabeth wrote: ↑24 Feb 2020, 19:48 As I began reading this book, I instantly had that thought that the book would be better suited to an adult audience.
- Howlan
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And the torture play at the end to finish it off.Nym182 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2020, 10:36And a nice "love conquers all" bow tie to wrap it up when Carly covers up Terry's death for Adam...gilliansisley wrote: ↑24 Feb 2020, 20:04Yup. Dark, disturbing, incest, kidnapping, attempted rape, facilitation of murder, etc. Etc. Horrifying that this would ever be put in the hands of a young person. Makes me sick to my stomach.
- Howlan
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Yes and in that Adam would be the antagonist or an anti-hero.Nym182 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2020, 10:40Yeah, I think the first note I wrote about this book was that Adam belonged in a thriller for adults.AvocaDebo621 wrote: ↑24 Feb 2020, 22:29 I agree, there's way too much darkness and violent thoughts at the beginning to suit a YA mind. Makes me wonder about the extents the author could have explored if not restricted by the genre. That'd have been fascinating!
- Howlan
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Take Riverdale for example. It had so many dark scenes, yet the characters were high-school teens.CherylTegan7 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2020, 23:32 I agree that the age of the characters isn't always how a book should be categorized. Themes, especially very dark or sexual ones, play a major role. So with YA, the author might be limited in how far they can push teens or make readers uncomfortable with too-young characters and very adult themes. I think the theme, if very far one way, can ultimately outweigh the age. I would've liked the author to lean into that, pushing the theme.
- Howlan
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Also kidnapping, incest and torture... mature themes not handled properly in this book. Young readers shoud be wary of such.
- Howlan
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Yeah especially when the partner hides up your crimes.
- CherylTegan7
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Absolutely!Nym182 wrote: ↑26 Feb 2020, 10:49Thanks for such a well-worded insight! And I agree, I'm also interested in seeing the author push the theme a bit!CherylTegan7 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2020, 23:32 I agree that the age of the characters isn't always how a book should be categorized. Themes, especially very dark or sexual ones, play a major role. So with YA, the author might be limited in how far they can push teens or make readers uncomfortable with too-young characters and very adult themes. I think the theme, if very far one way, can ultimately outweigh the age. I would've liked the author to lean into that, pushing the theme.
- CherylTegan7
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Good example. I don't watch the show, but I've seen clips, read things online. I guess teen shows have to keep pushing things.Howlan wrote: ↑26 Feb 2020, 16:34Take Riverdale for example. It had so many dark scenes, yet the characters were high-school teens.CherylTegan7 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2020, 23:32 I agree that the age of the characters isn't always how a book should be categorized. Themes, especially very dark or sexual ones, play a major role. So with YA, the author might be limited in how far they can push teens or make readers uncomfortable with too-young characters and very adult themes. I think the theme, if very far one way, can ultimately outweigh the age. I would've liked the author to lean into that, pushing the theme.
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- Howlan
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Yeah Riverdale has explored a lot of dark themes and they keep pushing. The firat season was great, but the recent ones were half-hearted.CherylTegan7 wrote: ↑27 Feb 2020, 02:34Good example. I don't watch the show, but I've seen clips, read things online. I guess teen shows have to keep pushing things.Howlan wrote: ↑26 Feb 2020, 16:34Take Riverdale for example. It had so many dark scenes, yet the characters were high-school teens.CherylTegan7 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2020, 23:32 I agree that the age of the characters isn't always how a book should be categorized. Themes, especially very dark or sexual ones, play a major role. So with YA, the author might be limited in how far they can push teens or make readers uncomfortable with too-young characters and very adult themes. I think the theme, if very far one way, can ultimately outweigh the age. I would've liked the author to lean into that, pushing the theme.
- Howlan
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I think Adam has a normal person's rebellious phase on steroids. Since kidnapping and having a sex den are not typical of teenagers.CYSON DOROPH wrote: ↑27 Feb 2020, 06:59 The author made no mistake in writing the story, for the young adults. Adam is experiencing characteristics of any typical teenager,expect that he is unique and does not know how to express his feelings.
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