MILF fantasies and mental health

[Nym182]

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.

[Nym182]

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.

[Nym182]

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.

[Nym182]

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.

[Nym182]

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...

[Nym182]

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

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

[Nym182]

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 there were other more YA appropriate ways to portray that connection

[Nym182]

I found it to be a huge part of the story. It was one of the big questions that needed an answer. I feel that the author's taking it almost to the extreme was more for shock value. But, for the most part, his obsession over his mother caused the most significant points in his darkness. It was integral to the overall story.

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.

[Nym182]

I’m in two minds about it. It’s not a trait I can remember reading in a character before so at least it’s interesting. I haven’t finished the book yet but I suspect I will remember the character of Adam for a while. For me, that’s always a big tick for a book.

But it does make him extremely unlikeable and it makes the book more challenging to read. I’m not hating the book at the moment and yet I’m not sure I’m exactly enjoying it either.

I’m at a point where I still want to find out more about Adam. So, it hasn’t stop me reading the book.

You make a really interesting point! I think I will also remember Adam for awhile... just not for the best reasons haha

Yes, it would be one of the most rare YA novels I have ever read.

[Nym182]

I do not think that this was integral to the story, nor an interesting plot twist. I did appreciate that the reader was given a reason for it and able to empathize with Adam once we better understood his blood. However, this strand of the story is one of the reasons I would argue against most young adults reading the story. If it had been handled in a more muted way, it might be ok for a more general audience, but the author's style is to be graphic and shocking, ergo inappropriate for most YA readers.
While it does help to explain the strained father/son relationship and intense mother/son relationship, it really doesn't build the story.

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.

[Nym182]

Read the book. The author's justification for Adam's feelings toward his mother was that she was injected with a longevity serum to keep her youthful enough to raise Adam who is supposedly long-lived as well. The serum had the side effect that it gave off an essence which Adam, as a mutant, was extremely attracted to, hence his feelings toward his mother. It may have affected his mental health as well such that it caused him to kidnap Terry, who was a dead ringer for his mother.

I get what you are saying, I just think it was a weak part in the book and doesn't make their feelings for each other any less creepy. They could have easily substituted the incest for a deep telepathic connection (similar to twins) or have Adam be very intuitive about Jo and achieve the same goal.

Yes, that would have been possible that would not give him any motive to kidnap Terry.

RIP Terry...

[Nym182]

Perhaps if Adam wasn't so disrespectful and moody, I could maybe see why he would act as he does. The impression I get though is that he is spoiled, dangerous and perhaps not redeemable.

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!

[Nym182]

If it wasn't for the explanation later on that he only had these thoughts about his mother because of the serum in her blood, I would say that it would have been all for shock value. When I read through that piece before knowing about the serum, I thought it was overdone a bit. The recovery makes sense, but it is questionable.

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.

[Nym182]

According to me, it doesn't add to the plot...just a 'filler', as I like to call them.

I agree! But I guess it got us all talking about it haha

Yes not ideal but nevertheless a great conversation starter!

[Nym182]

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.