MILF fantasies and mental health

[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.

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.

[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.

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.

[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.

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.

[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.

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

Yes, it was definitely weird to read that part.

[Howlan]

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

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.

[gilliansisley]

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.

Precisely! Because he was ultra horny, he felt entitled to kidnap her and have his way with her. Then he gets frustrated with her when she wakes up and freaks out, and doesn't "trust that he's going to let her go safely". She died trying to protect herself, and he basically blames her for that, like, "Well, if she had just believed that I meant no harm... that's her bad!"

[Howlan]

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 there were other more YA appropriate ways to portray that connection

A thrilling adult book would have been more suitable.

[Howlan]

I do agree that it does have some value to the story, but I would think that the Terry Thing would have relayed his darkness enough... But it's also supposed to illustrate the connection between Adam and Jo... However, they could have achieved the same thing by making him intuitive to her or having some kind of telepathic connection with her... I think the main purpose was for shock value and I really didn't like the serum angle... fell flat for me.

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.

[gilliansisley]

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!

Exactly! Or just, I dunno, had some sort of special connection because of the serum, but wanting to screw his mom absolutely did not have to be brought into the storyline. Creepy and unsuitable for YA fiction.

[Howlan]

I agree with you wholeheartedly! They could have shown the connection the serum created between Jo and Adam in a less creepy way, such as giving them a telepathic connection (like twins) or making Adam extremely intuitive to her... And I thought the serum excuse did not excuse or take away the creepy factor by any means!

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.

[Howlan]

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!

Exactly! Or just, I dunno, had some sort of special connection because of the serum, but wanting to screw his mom absolutely did not have to be brought into the storyline. Creepy and unsuitable for YA fiction.

Yeah definitely agreed on that one.

[Howlan]

I think he became irredeemable as soon as he kidnapped Terry... The incest angle cemented my feelings.

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.

[Howlan]

See, I thought the serum excuse was weak at best... I think the author wanted to add something "spicy" to the book and had to justify it... ergo the serum... doesn't make it any less creepy in my opinion!

He could have spiced up Adam feeling lonely at home or not being totally accepted at home or even abused. Same problem his dad is facing to give a reason. Not a YA though!

That's a really good point! It would have made Adam more interesting and even sympathetic if his dad was abusive or just more of a jerk... Probably would have changed my feelings for Adam completely... Also, it would also be another check off the psychopath list.

Yes, Adam really had that psychopath thing going for him.

[Howlan]

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.

Precisely! Because he was ultra horny, he felt entitled to kidnap her and have his way with her. Then he gets frustrated with her when she wakes up and freaks out, and doesn't "trust that he's going to let her go safely". She died trying to protect herself, and he basically blames her for that, like, "Well, if she had just believed that I meant no harm... that's her bad!"

Yeah and it was really lame for the author to make die on her own knife. Adam should have been involved in it somehow!

[Howlan]

I believe that the Oedipus complex is utilized to clue us in to the depth of Adam's mental instability. Likewise, his narcissism, and viewing other people as animals.

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!