MILF fantasies and mental health

[gilliansisley]

I'm finding it rather strange and can't possibly figure out why it's important to the plot. I am not yet done with the book, so maybe my view on it will change. But for now, I remain skeptical for sure.

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.

Entirely agreed. The incestual stuff was the author's personal choice, and a weird one at that which I think completely ruined the entire books potential.

[gilliansisley]

I found it quite off-putting too. I think it was the result of the well-known writer's advice: hook your readers with the first 10 pages. But I think she messed it up, because it didn't hook me at all, quite the contrary.

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.

[gilliansisley]

There's a psychological theory behind this called the Oedipus Complex. The idea is that in childhood, kids get attached to the parent of the opposite sex and find the parent of the same sex to be a "rival" of sorts. Now, this was initially produced by Freud who is, at this point, generally ignored because his theories were so sexually based.
The point of bringing this up is because your above question reminded me of it. I'm curious is the author is aware of the complex and tried to work it in the book. I'm also not a dude, so I can't attest to this, but perhaps it happens more often than we realize and the author decided to draw attention to it rather than avoid it?
Either way, it is definitely uncomfortable for me to read. The other comments I'm reading seem to feel this way too.

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

I second that... It's possible that the author was aware of the complex but failed in its execution...

I think you hit the nail on the head, Nym. It was a massive failure in execution, and the book just couldn't recover after that.

[AvocaDebo621]

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.

[Mrunal Tikekar]

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.

[Laura Lee]

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.

[Laura Lee]

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.

I agree with you, gilliansisley. I don't waste my time reading books with characters that disgust me. There could have been other ways to advance the plot without disgusting readers. It would be interesting to know how many readers are turned away from finishing the series because of this inclusion in the plot of the first book. For myself, I now dislike Adam too much to continue the series.

[Howlan]

Adam's attraction to his mother was very shocking to me, and it seemed he was a bit deviant. How was this so easily overcome? Later finding out (spoiler) that his mom reciprocated the lust was disgusting, since he was her son after all, even if adopted.
I assume the relevance will be brought out as the story progresses considering Alexandra is considered to be still alive.
I'm not interested in continuing this series. Some parts seem too dark for teens, and some too immature for adults.

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.

Yes, you have a good point. You definitely need to like the main character if you want to be invested in the story.

[Howlan]

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.

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.

Yes but at the end the explanation was okay but still felt quite unusual to be sure.

[Howlan]

I'm finding it rather strange and can't possibly figure out why it's important to the plot. I am not yet done with the book, so maybe my view on it will change. But for now, I remain skeptical for sure.

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.

Yes, it was really creepy. Especially Adam's sex den.

[Howlan]

In my opinion it doesn’t necessarily add to the plot but more of a character development tool for Adam. It was slightly distracting as well and could have been left out or presented in a different way.

I entirely agree. It added nothing to the plot, apart from making the reader feel wildly uncomfortable. Adam could have just been really close to her or over protective, the sexual aspect of it was NOT necessary.

Yeah, I agree just because of his strong sexual feeling Terry was killed.

[Howlan]

I found it quite off-putting too. I think it was the result of the well-known writer's advice: hook your readers with the first 10 pages. But I think she messed it up, because it didn't hook me at all, quite the contrary.

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.

Yes, throughout the book, Adam there was no significant development to Adam as a character.

[Howlan]

What are your thoughts on Adam's fantasies of his mother and jealousy of his father?

There's a psychological theory behind this called the Oedipus Complex. The idea is that in childhood, kids get attached to the parent of the opposite sex and find the parent of the same sex to be a "rival" of sorts. Now, this was initially produced by Freud who is, at this point, generally ignored because his theories were so sexually based.
The point of bringing this up is because your above question reminded me of it. I'm curious is the author is aware of the complex and tried to work it in the book. I'm also not a dude, so I can't attest to this, but perhaps it happens more often than we realize and the author decided to draw attention to it rather than avoid it?
Either way, it is definitely uncomfortable for me to read. The other comments I'm reading seem to feel this way too.

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

Yes, it felt real creepy at times.

[Howlan]

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 agree that it definitely added to the impression of Adam as dark and moody; possibly, even, in a mentally questionable state. I'm just not sure it was actually necessary to the plot. It seems there were plenty of other ways to get that across. Not my cup of tea!

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 like she could have been part descendant by blood!

[Howlan]

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.